Blake

I read that it is a thumb issue for Blake. Cortez was a limited participant today.

 

The midget they drafted can't play the outers either. Really hate that pick.

 

Golson lacks ideal size for the outside, but his instincts, transition, speed, and hands are plus nearly across the board; that's why he pushed up some draft boards. Though I can definitely understand the trepidation at taking him in the second; I was thinking more mid-third.

Tomlin, Colbert and Co. have really struggled with talent evaluation in the secondary. They've spent several mid round picks over the last few years and yet to have anything to show for it. That hurts. You think about how well the defense has done holding teams in check thus far and it's hard not to lament having just a couple of those back. The Boykin trade is yet another - giving up next year's fifth rounder for a guy that can't even get any PT.. who made the call to bring him here?

 

Coach will be forced to use boykins. Cockrell,boykins,and gay....
Should've been starting lineup from day one.

 

We'll see. I'll pull for the kid but he wasn't great outside in college either and he's going to get killed by larger receivers, who tend to play outside.

The thing with Tomlin is... he was a DB coach so either he's really bad at talent evaluation (which would seem odd even for Tomlin) or he just thinks he/they can coach up anyone. I tend to think Boykin should be on the field but I trust the coaches, I guess. Like anything, slotting is important. One top CB here and all the guys we have now would be much better as 2-5 (depth chart) players.

 

Not sure who thinks they can take these smaller guys and make them bigger ? Maybe they have some secret growing formula they are working on ? A midget with great speed and very s

Exactly a top CB would help these guys big time . A top player in the Safety spot would help do a similar thing . The problem is they believed in Cortez and Shamarko. Those 2 had the high hopes of the staff to lock those spots down. Neither of which have done it can do it or will do it .......That gets us to this point in time and it is amazing this D can do this well with 2 failures in 2 key spots.......

 

Well... At least they are better at tackling now! I feel like we got away with a few TDs by the Cards last week but hey that's what you need when you play one of the best offenses in the league.

If I'm not mistaken, they also held the Patriots to their season low score as well? Just imagine if somebody covers gronk

 

lambert, that's a really nice steelers shirt. did it come with those bumps in it? it also must have magnets in it, my eyes keep getting drawn towards it when reading your posts. oh sorry, you were saying.

 

I'd answer but you guys won't read it anyway...

 

My wife is honestly not far from that pic but I'm not sharing that with you bastards.

 

Well, it's only been a few months and a handful of posts but I seem to have settled in.

 

did you guys say something?

 

Cortez Allen, the new mystery. Is it a legitimate injury, or is it lack of confidence? Last season is now this season. All in all it doesn't matter, he was paid to be the #1 and has not even sniffed that title. A payroll waste.

Why Boykin hasn't seen the field is a mystery as well. Maybe this week? I like Blake, scrappy player but does get beatin like a rented mule at times. McCain I didn't want to see leave.

The thing with this Defense is other teams are moving the ball, but not scoring. As long as that happens and they continue to create turnovers and get pressure when needed they should be fine.

And Lamberts avatar is well, what? Gets my vote for #1 avatar for the 2015 season! GO Steelers!

 

Well you're probably right that Cortez isn't the answer on the outside, but Gay is really a good outside corner. They put him in the slot when we are in nickel because they like Blake/Cockrell on the outside more than they like Boykin in the slot.

This team certainly has outside corners though. Gay, Cockrell, Blake and Allen are all outside corners. They may not be the guys you want, but there are far more outside corners on the team than you suggest.

Sure, there will be some roster turnover at CB. Lots of dudes with their contracts up... But I'd be willing to assume that Blake and Gay will be retained. Cockrell is under contract and will stick around. Boykin was a Golson replacement, so when Golson gets healthy Boykin will go. Then all it comes down to is Allen. We could cut him loose and look for a replacement in FA, or draft another corner. We still have a guy on the PS who could push for a spot too.

 

This last bit is kinda unrelated, but I can't help myself... Since when did height become a measurement of how good a corner is? Being tall doesn't help you cover anyone. Just ask Cortez. It's obvious that this team prefers a certain type of athlete out of its corners. They like guys who are quick and have fluid, quick moving hips to turn and run with the WR or can quickly drive on a route and break it up/make the tackle if they can't get the ball... Will these guys get out jumped time to time? Sure, but they are the right type of athlete to run our system.

Anyone remember Stanley Jean Baptise? I do. Everyone on here wanted us to draft him (early as the first/second round I believe) for the simple fact that he was 6'3". That's it. Well, he got drafted by the saints and then they cut him after one year. Didn't even sign him to the PS. Just straight up told him to GTFOH. His height, unfortunately for him, didn't help him cover anyone .

Not every 6'3" guy is Richard Sherman. I know not every under 6' corner is Darelle Revis, Joe Haden, or Malcom Butler, but you get my point. If you're looking for the Steelers to start going exclusively after corners 6'1" or taller, you are going to be sorely disappointed. Sorry haha rant over.

 

I wish there was a rating called "Super Agree" or "Agree x 1,000,000", because you would've gotten it with that post.

 

not that i don't agree with what you are saying but they like gay in the slot and he's just a guy that can play outside or inside. probably better in the slot than outside, especially as he gets older. he will also be 31 years old next season, so signing him to a 3-4 year contract may not be in our best interest as a mainstay.

boykin is much younger and we may be able to re-sign him for less with the lower amount of playing time he has on tape. i'd like to see them keep both if possible but i doubt that.

cockrell is a 6' guy. i think he has a future with us.

allen needs to go and we need to cut him and spread that money out into a two year payoff of dead money.

golson and grant should be back in the mix next year, so maybe 1 top corner could be needed. a number one outside guy.

now safety has to be upgraded. unless either grant or blake could possibly make that move next year.

mitchell will be in his final year next season so at least one needs drafted.

 

Yeah, I hear what you're saying. I still think a 2 or 3 year deal with Gay can get done tho. Boykin won't sign with us. He's looking for more playing time and an opportunity to play outside. He has gotten neither of those from us so far, so I'd have to believe he wouldn't sign with us. I would assume we go into next season with Gay Cockrell and Golson as our starters. Blake and Grant as depth. We could always add a decently high draft pick in there too.

I agree about safety. We need to draft one pretty high next draft. Possibly first round of our guy is there. It's gotta be a SS too. Mitchell has really locked down the FS spot IMO. I thought we signed Mitchell to a 4 year deal though? Wouldn't his deal expire after the 2017 season? At any rate, I would think the only safeties around for us next year are Golden and Mitchell. Allen is playing his last year here, and it looks to be that way for Thomas too. We need to get ourselves a future starter and another depth guy as well.

 

I think there is a relationship between hard hitting corners and corners that do well in coverage. We seem to favor those that hit hard and suck in coverage

 

I hope Blake isn't re-signed he gets beat too often, bring back Cockrell, Gay and Golson should be ready and then draft a CB who is plug and play guy. It's time to move on from Cortez, too many nagging injuries and inconsistent play.

 

I think some of the height bias concerns the potential durability of said corner and how that lends itself to the total package, not just the ability to cover taller receivers. You're correct in that height does not necessarily yield great coverage ability, but neither does the lack of it necessarily equate to smoother hips and increased reaction to the ball, as you infer above.

I like a lot of Golson's characteristics, but I can also say that I'm a little concerned about how well his body will hold up against NFL-sized players given his willingness to put a hat on anybody holding a ball. That, imo, should be the main concern with his stature right now.