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Kaesviharn calls instinct key to interception
Bengals backup safety has three interceptions in the last four games, but the Panthers say he just got lucky.
Monday, October 23, 2006
CINCINNATI — Keyshawn Johnson said Kevin Kaesviharn was lucky. Kaesviharn's teammates say he's just good.
Either way, the Bengals backup safety made a game-changing play Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.
Extras
Cincinnati led Carolina 17-14 with 3:57 left when Kaesviharn stepped in front of Johnson. The sixth-year defensive back jumped up, intercepted Jake Delhomme's third-and-goal pass and got his feet inbounds in the back of the end zone.
"Everything pre-snap was where it was supposed to be, based on the film," Johnson said. "I think he just got lucky, and fell off into position. Sometimes guys just get lucky. In the film, he was never there. This particular time he was there."
This was live, not Memorex.
Kaesviharn has three interceptions in the past four games. Sunday's pick and one against Pittsburgh both occurred in the end zone. Both fourth-quarter grabs helped seal wins over recent Super Bowl teams.
Kaesviharn has started at five different defensive back spots.
"Kaes is smart," Bengals rookie cornerback Johnathan Joseph said. "He knows the game. He knows the angles. He knows what's coming before it happens."
Well, almost.
Kaesviharn, a regular in the five- and six-DB formations, stepped toward the goal line but drifted back near the goal post. He said it wasn't a sucker move.
"I wish I could say it was," Kaesviharn said. "But sometimes you just have to let your instincts take over, and that was one of those situations."
Kaesviharn was helped by the pass rush, which sacked Delhomme three times and registered six QB hits.
"Pressure. We had pressure," said Dexter Jackson, who returned after missing three games with a sprained ankle. "When you have somebody in your face, that's what happens.
"Even Peyton Manning or Carson (Palmer), the great ones, when you get pressure they have to get rid of the ball before they want to."
Last week, Tampa Bay completed a late TD pass to beat Cincinnati. This time, the Bengals allowed Carolina to move 71 yards in three plays including a 15-yard face-mask penalty.
But two incomplete passes after first-and-goal from the 10 set up Kaesviharn's "lucky" play. "We have to find a way to close out games," he said. "We found a way today."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.
