Jackson eyes starting role

LATROBE, Pa. (AP) -- If only until designated starter Clark Haggans returns in a few weeks from a broken hand, outside linebacker Alonzo Jackson is lining up with the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting defense.
He was there Sunday for the first formal workout of training camp. He plans on being there when the Steelers open their season on Sept. 12 against Oakland.
That's why Jackson dislikes any suggestion he's merely keeping the seat warm until Haggans returns.
Haggans, a backup last season, became a starter after the Steelers released former All-Pro linebacker Jason Gildon and signed Haggans to a $10.2 million, four-year contract extension.
With Haggans expected to miss three to four weeks of practice after breaking his right hand lifting weights, Jackson sees the opportunity he never got last season.
Not just keeping it warm
"I'm not keeping anything warm, I'm in a position now, and I'm trying to keep it," Jackson said. "I'm planning on keeping the job."
Jackson, a second-round draft pick from Florida State, had a typical rookie season for a player making the sometimes difficult switch from being a defensive lineman who lines up in a down position in college to a standup outside linebacker in the NFL.
He needed time to learn the new position, the terminology and a defensive system that is much more complicated than most colleges play. He managed to play 13 snaps in the Steelers' opener against Baltimore when linebacker Joey Porter sat out two games with a minor gunshot injury but never got on the field again.
"It was just a numbers thing," coach Bill Cowher said. "I didn't have the luxury of carrying eight linebackers."
Jackson's inactivity led to the inevitable characterization that the Steelers drafted him much too high -- some thought he would be a third or fourth-round pick -- and that he will never successfully make the transition to linebacker.
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Jackson heard the talk but dismissed it by saying, "I'm light years ahead of where I was last year. I understand the defense a whole lot better. I'm better at formation recognition, all the things I need to do. I'm still learning, but I feel a whole lot better about it now than I did last year."
During the Steelers' spring workouts, Jackson no longer needed to plot in detail what he needed to do on every play.
Natural talents
"When you're able to go out and execute something without even thinking about it, just doing it, your natural talents begin to take over," he said. "That's when you begin to start playing the game."
Jackson also hasn't found it difficult making the transition from former defensive coordinator Tim Lewis' system to that of new coordinator Dick LeBeau.
LeBeau also ran Pittsburgh's defense 10 years ago and was brought back to restore the aggressiveness that defense lacked during a 6-10 season a year ago.
"Coach LeBeau likes to go at them a whole lot, and I like to go at them, too, so I think he and I will have a real good relationship," Jackson said.
Jackson, who grew up playing for Georgia high school power Americus High, also likes that the Steelers brought back former pass rush specialist Kevin Greene for two weeks of camp to work with the outside linebackers.
"Maybe he can teach me some sneaky stuff," Jackson said.
Meanwhile, tight end Jerame Tuman was placed on the physically unable to perform list with right elbow inflammation that required minor surgery Saturday. He is expected to miss two weeks.
The Steelers also signed defensive lineman Grant Bowman, a 6-1, 305-pound rookie free agent from Michigan who previously was signed and released by Tennessee. He replaces defensive end Brandon Calton, a rookie free agent from East Tennessee State who did not report to camp.