Darren Perry can always tell when rookie cornerback Ricardo Colclough knows his assignment. He can tell because Colclough, the Steelers' second-round draft choice, flashes the same incredible skill he displayed at Tusculum, a tiny Division III school in Tennessee.

It was that skill -- his reaction to the ball and the way he closes on a receiver -- that attracted NFL scouts to his school and turned him from small-college cornerback into the 38th player drafted overall. And it was that skill that prompted the Steelers to trade up six spots in the draft to select Colclough.

"When he knows what he's doing, he'll stand out," said Perry, the Steelers' secondary coach and a former safety with the team. "But he's got a lot going through his head."

Not enough, though, to keep Colclough from seeing considerable playing time when the Steelers open their preseason at 7:30 p.m. today against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. And not enough to prevent the Steelers from using Colclough (pronounced COKE-lee) in their nickel defense, a scheme they will use more of this season under defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

Colclough was one of the most gifted cornerbacks in the NFL draft, a player whose stock was rapidly on the rise despite playing against lesser competition. In one year, he went from anonymous corner to the first Tusculum player ever drafted. And, by next month, he will become the first Tusculum to play in the NFL.

Because of injuries to starting cornerbacks Chad Scott (abdominal strain) and Deshea Townsend (groin), Colclough is expected to play a lot, maybe even start, against Detroit.

"I'll approach it like every other game, but it's not like every other game, it's an NFL game," Colclough said. "I'm excited on the inside, but I got to stay calm, cool and collected on the outside."

The Lions have two receivers, Charlie Rogers and rookie Roy Williams of Texas, who were No. 1 picks each of the past two drafts.

But Colclough said he gets to practice every day against two of the best receivers in the league, Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress. And he had to prove to them he could play at this level, just as he did NFL scouts.

"I hold my own," Colclough said. "I just can't go out there and show them I'm intimidated by them, which I'm not. I just got to go out there and try to play my game and keep my confidence level up.

"When I went to the Senior Bowl, everybody wanted to see me go up against those bigger guys. I knew I had confidence then. When I played the game, I had a great game and that sort of erased [any doubts] a little bit."

"We've thrown a lot at him," coach Bill Cowher said. "He's been in there as the nickel back and we really didn't hold anything back. Considering where he came from, I've really been pleasantly surprised, to be honest, that he's been able to pick it up as quickly as he has. I've been very pleased with his ability to comprehend everything. I think he's on track."

Taking a good look

Cowher said there are several players he is eager to see against the Lions, among them wide receiver Zamir Cobb, a rookie free agent from Temple; running back Willie Parker, an undrafted rookie from North Carolina; and defensive tackle Travis Kirschke, who was signed in free agency from the San Francisco 49ers.

Parker has been one of the early surprises of camp, impressing the coaching staff with his ability to get around the corner. So has Kirschke, who uses his hands well and shows good strength on a pass rush.

"There are a lot of guys you want to look at," Cowher said. "I'm kind of looking forward to watching them play a game. It's one thing to be in practice, to be in a controlled environment, but when you get out in a game it's rock and fire. That's the thing for a lot of guys, to see how they respond to that."

Line intact

This will be the first time since a Nov. 30 game against Cincinnati that the offensive line will be intact. Left tackle Marvel Smith missed 10 games last season with a pinched nerve in his neck, including the last four, forcing the team to juggle the line.

But Smith, Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca, center Jeff Hartings, guard Kendall Simmons and right tackle Oliver Ross will start against the Lions -- a welcome sight to Cowher.

"It's night and day from a year ago," he said. "You put the first group out there and it's been the same guys every practice."

Cowher paused, then said, "I just gave them the kiss of death."

Ross is the only player who could be replaced as a starter. He's in a battle with rookie Max Starks, a third-round draft pick.

"He's getting better ever day," Cowher said of Starks.

Cowher also said backup tackles Barrett Brooks, a former Lions player, and Todd Fordham are having good camp. He also singled out guard Jim Jones, a first-year player from Notre Dame.

"He's been a guy who's caught my eye," Cowher said. "He's been solid. We're very, very deep right now."

Quick outs

The Steelers are 26-27 in the preseason under Cowher, including 3-1 against the Lions. They have won their preseason opener in three of the past five years and five times overall since Cowher became coach. All five victories were on the road. ... The team had a 90-minute workout at their indoor facility on the South Side before flying to Detroit. The practice was moved from their St. Vincent College training site because of soggy practice fields. ... Rookie LB Nathaniel Abidi (back), the team's fifth-round pick, practiced yesterday and could play against the Lions. He was listed as questionable. ... P Chris Gardocki will do more than replace Josh Miller at one position. He will also replace him as the holder for K Jeff Reed. Gardocki held for placements in a workout yesterday. ... TE Jerame Tuman (elbow), who has been on the physically unable to perform list since the start of camp, is expected to resume practicing Monday. ... The players are off tomorrow and will have a 3 p.m. practice Monday at St. Vincent College. The session is open to the public.