Who would've thought..

...that the true heroes of the defense this year would be Brice McCain and Antwon Blake??? I love the way these guys play football! They are very smart guys, always seem to be in the right position, are sound fundamentally and are extremely aggressive as is evidenced by the strip and recovery by Blake on AJ Green last night. If Cortez Allen will take a few lessons from these guys, maybe there's hope for him yet.

Thank you Brice and Antwon. You two guys are a big reason we won the AFC North and are heading to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons!

 

Blake is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

The dude is a little hammer out there at CB and is very athletic. He can hang with any WR out there, and if he can iron out the little wrinkles in his game he can be our #1 CB.

 

Someone should compile a list of all the people that whined about these signings. Worst cb in the league blah blah blah

 

I LOVED the hit he put on Bernard last night! Dude is physical. Poor Bernard was thinking "man, it's a long way to the sidelines", lol!

ABSOLUTELY!!!

 

Stupid phone! That was supposed to be people not players.

 

Blake should make videos on how to properly tackle ball carriers. I'm so sick of players trying to just hit the ball carrier and hoping that they go down without wrapping the guy up. Blake pretty much wraps his arms around the guy and tries to throw him backwards. I don't know where the art of tackling changed over the years but it's nice to see it again.

 

I've been impressed with how technically sound both Blake and McCain are. Carnell Lake has something to do with that. Some guys respond really well to good coaching.

 

Since everyone is being positive I might as well jump in with some negativity. I don't know about tackling but Blake sucks in coverage, I don't know what you guys are seeing. He's gotten burned repeatedly in the last few weeks.

Not saying I don't support him but I'm actually a bit perplexed by how he's managed to avoid criticism

 

someday I hope they stop playing 20 yards deep on third and long, drives me nuts when its 3rd and 10+ and its a wide open field for 20 plus yards!!

 

We're just happy because, even though he may suck in coverage, he's still an upgrade over Ike "Burnt Toast" Taylor!

I like his aggressiveness more than anything else. I love the way he destroyed Bernard and manhandled the ball away from Green. That is Steeler football. And I really don't think he gets burned as often as you think. Matt Ryan threw a perfect pass on the touchdown to Hester but the coverage wasn't that bad. I also recall another pass that had him matched up against a much taller receiver but at least it was a contested ball. He's physical and aggressive and fights his butt off. I hope we can all appreciate that. We still need to address the position in the off season, but I think we've got some keepers in Blake and McCain at nickel and dime.

 

We've finally found a CB who can catch the ball, and that's an achievement in itself.

 

that Josh Harris would run for over 100 yards in a playoff game?

(whoops, getting ahead of myself)

One thing to remember about CB play is that the current state of play is set up to make that position the most difficult one on the field. (Which is why Sherman and Revis deserve to be first ballot HOFers). Almost every CB gets burned or at least gives up yardage. What makes Blake and McCain different is that both make big plays as well. The problem with the team much of the past couple years has been an inability to make big plays on defense. The past few weeks, this has all changed.

 

someone on this message board, not sure who..said they would like to see the Steelers sign Ben, DeCastro, Beachum, Blake and McCain before Worlids. I completely agree..very impressed with the young corners

 

And then get it all called back for holding? Given his luck so far...

 

Great post Jack!

 

You're so right. If Cincy had watched said video - Bell would be walking without a limp right now. Not sure about AJ Green however. Still surprised they didn't call a late hit on Mitchell last night - but it served to "even the score" for the rest of the game.

 

Exactly.. People expect perfect play everytime the ball is snapped. In the gameday thread against KC people were complaining about Blakes play in that game. Blake was the one that kept KC streak of no WR end zone TDs going..

 

Most Every CB in the league gives up TD's and receptions. If you apply some the logic around here about 95% of all CB's across the league should be cut.

 

well
I for one
was very supportive and happy about Blake and I know I stated so in a few threads
especially one after the Panther game when people were asking why he was here and covering Benji

he was a second late in his jump to deflect or intercept the throw


not like the receiver was or ever has been 20yds passed him like Ike