Hilton is our only GOOD DB.

I would say Haden is also good.

 

FWIW I thought Sutton had a decent day today.

Also FWIW... i was shocked we didn't get called for PI more often... several times our guys had their backs to the ball.

 

Actually Haden as been very good when healthy

 

Haden gets burnt a bit but yeah still better than burns.

I think age + health makes him look bad sometimes

 

Sutton was matched up on a 280 pound te all game.... pretty unfair assignment... that one's on butler

 

Davis has been better this season since making the move to free safety IMO.

 

Haden was fine today. He did drop a couple of touchdowns, but it's tough to argue with that performance. He's a solid NFL corner. Hilton is an excellent slot corner.

The other starting corner position is a mess and Davis does continue to take terrible pursuit angles.

On the plus side, Tuitt finally made a play!

 

Not sure what you are watching but Haden is amazing. When a ball comes his way he's in there fighting for the block and he does it legally. It's Hilton middle top, Haden back, and Watt up front that is bringing light to this D.

Another rarely mentioned defender, think his name is "Dropped it" or "Dropsy" something like that.

 

Haden these past 2 games has been awesome!

 

Haden is a pretty good football player.

 

Burns, coty, davis, sutton, edmunds are not great lol

 

If we had someone playing at the level of Haden on the other side there would be no complaints

 

Outside of Sean Davis and Joe Haden, concur with the assessment of Mike Hilton and the rest of the Defensive Backs. Hopefully though Tom Bradley can remedy that once he acquires the Defensive Backs of his philosophy come 2019.


That being said, it is likely we take a linebacker in Round One come the 2019 NFL Draft. Vince Williams simply is not suited to be a three down linebacker in Keith Butler's system....



.... then again, unless you have this intangible called "athleticism" at the Inside Linebacking postion, you are not exactly a fit in Keith's system anyways.





... Wait a minute.. I know where I can find one!! In fact, he is ACTUALLY on the team!!







See? That was easy.

 

How can you list Sean "where is the ball" Davis as a DB who is good? I might be watching the game wrong or maybe a bad understanding of his job but I see him as a bust. He is ALWAYS late to the ball and can't tackle in the open field not to mention the poor pursuit angles.

I don't even think I'm being slightly overcritical, we blamed VW for his poor coverage skills but I counted 2 passes to A.J. Green this week that were over his head because he was playing his responsibility while the safety, Davis, was once again late to pick up his responsibility.

Maybe is isn't his responsibility to pick up the deep receiver but both plays came at him and he was late and it happens a lot. Last week the same thing and the week before, that is my point, he is never there to make the play and maybe it is the coaching, which is a real possibility, but I think he lacks the instincts needed to play that position.

 

Sutton is at least in the same zip code as his guy, I think Burns is done unless he wants vet minimum to play special teams. Coty is a trash heap player that wasn't suppose to start but at least he isn't afraid to tackle unlike Burns. Edmunds is a rookie and I hope he begins to get it at some point but I'm already seeing the same issues that Sean Davis and Artie Burns have and that is lack of instinct.

 

You're clearly not looking at the big picture....if we were to work Thomas into some games at least situationally and try and get him somewhat acclimated to our system during real games....then how in the world are we gonna be able to wake Sean Spence up from his nap on the couch if a dire situation would occur....

 

I think Davis is doing just OK being thrust into a new role for him but the same concerns I had going into this season with him at FS are still there. Right now he is seemingly slow in his diagnosis and yes his tackling issues haven't been completely resolved either. Right now we are weak up the middle defending the pass at FS and ILB. We may have a couple answers in Fort and Thomas at least situationally at ILB but we don't have the answer at FS. My biggest concerns in order right now are at CB, OLB and DL. Tuitt and Cam have to step it up some. We need more consistent pressure from our OLBs and DL. No one really seems to be winning 1 on 1s. The pressure helps our CBs....obviously.

 

Haden and Hilton are the above average players. Thank goodness they are both on the field now. Davis has not been a spotlight of mistakes. Edmonds is still raw. As far as the rest, it's a crap shoot on any snap sans Burns who is pathetic and should be benched and possibly being gone after this season. And when will Burnett suit up? Must be a major groin injury.

If you look at D Backs as a whole around the league the Steelers are not alone. Guess i'm just trying to make myself feel better about a secondary that has been declining for years. And every year it's the Merry Go Round, this is the season of the secondary turnaround. I thought they would take strides after letting Lake go and hiring Bradley. But it's Bradley's first season. Burns major decline has put a damper on this turnaround, but having Haden and Hilton has reaped benefits. Can you imagine if they both were not here? Haden is signed for next season and should be a part of what Ask said getting Bradley his type of players.

Trading for a player like Peterson (in which I believe will not happen) would solidify a side but at a steep cost. I'm sure a 1st rounder would be in the cards, no pun intended.

 

I wouldn't give up a first rounder unless they can lock him up past this season. Then again, I don't think that deal is happening, anyway.

 

Haden is fine. I suspect that on some plays that "Get behind him" he played the underneath correctly but the over the top help did not come. I saw that a few times yesterday.
Book is still out on Sutton. He is basically in his rookie campagin now that he is healthy. He flashes at times and is bone headed at others.
Edmunds is a rookie. I have hope for him, but he is no slam dunk at this point.

Burns is a problem.
VWill shouldn't be in coverage, but sadly, he was in better position than Burnts.
I really don't know what has gone wrong with Davis. He showed great promise his rookie year.

 

I’d agree. Davis has actually looked like he can be a viable starting FS. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him this year.

In regards to the OP, I’d say Haden and Hilton are the only DB’s that I’d consider high end on our defense. Davis has been above average trending towards good, but he’s still adapting to his new role. Edmunds is a rookie that we took with the notion that he would likely see only rotational play on his first year. Injuries have thrust him into a starting role and he’s largely been okay as a rookie. Lots of ups and downs, but he hasn’t looked atrocious out there (exception being the Baltimore game).

I think the big takeaway from the season so far is our pass rush. When we get after the QB and limit the run, we’ve had good defensive performances. When we allow a rushing attack or apply no QB pressure, we get shredded. We are not the only team with this dichotomy, and as the years go by it will only get worse.

 

Haden is best. Hilton is 2nd best. The rest are mediocre to downright awful (Burns). How in the world we wasted a first round pick on that bum still blows my mind...

 

Without arguing for or against anyone's opinions on our DB's, I believe this is becoming a league wide issue which is a result of the rules. Receivers are not afraid to be hit during or after the reception, and Quarterbacks are not afraid to throw it all over the place. Quarterbacks realize what Flacco has known all along, it is either going to be a reception or pass interference. Why do you think Flacco all of the sudden looks good (especially this year)? He all the sudden didn't grow talent. If you don't believe any of this, look at the scores that are being thrown out. Hell, I thought both teams (Steelers - Bengals) played decent yesterday and the scores were still in the 20's. This kind of football entertains the non traditional fan.