state of the team............. dbs

time for one of the biggest question marks on the team

overview:

what a difference a year makes... our secondary led the league in pass defense without the benefit of a good pass rush and was one of the few areas that had no question marks.... then keenan lewis walks.. cortez allen gets hurt.... ryan Clarke and ike taylor get old overnight and the secondary is in a shambles again.... just like that. then the collective groans from the fans after watching the elite db prospects in the draft go to other teams and we draft one lone cb in the 5th rd... do the coaches and gm know something we don't...... we signed a young strong free agent fs.... our hall of fame ss still has gas in the tank, and his replacement is already waiting in the wings.... cortez allen is healthy again... that just leaves ike taylor... he says he is working harder than ever and vows to have a better season... is it valid, or is it wishful thinking..... eventually father time beats everyone and he seems to have gotten the better of ike.... next up, is depth.... do the back ups have what it takes to hold the fort if the starters get hurt.. only time will tell... will we again be singing the secondaries praises after the season, or will we be pimping db prospects in next yrs draft again.

individual:
safeties:

mike Mitchell --- young, fast and strong, Mitchell is coming off of his best season.. hits like a mack truck, and has a ball hawking mentality...this signing is just what the doctor ordered..

troy polamalu --- his hall of fame career is coming to a close soon, but last season he showed that he still has a lot left in the tank after recording career highs in ff's...... due to the shortcomings of last yrs. lber staff, the coaches had to play him closer to the line.... although not what he used to be in coverage, he still has speed and a nose for the ball, and with the speed we have at ilb, he can roam the secondary more.... this season we find out if troy really still has it.

shamarko Thomas --- troy's heir apparent.. this kid has more than just a great story.... he can flat out ball, and has the attitude to continue to work hard to get better... what he lacks in height, he makes up for in strength and tenacity.. he won't out jump receivers and te's, but he will certainly make you pay for trying to catch something in his area... a lot of receivers are going to develop alligator arms when shemarko is on the field.

will allen --- one of the elder statesmen in the secondary... I initially did not want him here when he was signed, but he has proven quite effective as an injury replacement... he can play both safety positions, and has shown a flair for the clutch play.... that said, I would still consider it a major fail if he were playing significant minutes..

Robert golden --- at one time, I considered golden the future at the fs position.... the kid showed grasped the defense very quickly, and was seemingly always around the ball, but like I stated earlier, what a difference a yr. makes...golden took a serious step back last yr., but I still think he has what it takes to make an above average back up....

Jordan Dangerfield --- more of a hitter than anything, with average speed.... while he will intrigue some with his ability to lay the wood, but overall, does not have the coverage skills to stick

ross ventrone --- we cut him last season, and he has been on and off the pats roster... has some speed, but is definitely on the outside looking in


cb's:
ike taylor --- if he could catch, he would be a hall of famer... at one time ike could be counted on to shut down one side of the field, and qb's usually avoided him altogether...... then father time showed up and had his say...got by last season basically off reputation.. this yr, may just be his last, and he won't be used to shadow the best wr anymore.. that job will go to the next man on this list... taylor has always been a hard worker, and he says that he will be working harder than ever to get back to his former self..... never known for his hands and that won't change at this stage of his career, but can he once again be effective against opposing offenses 2nd option now... in either case, I believe this will be the last season of ike's distinguished career in black and gold

cortez allen --- last season started rough for allen.... an ankle injury cost him the first 3 wks., and when he was cleared to play, was rushed back on the field too quickly.... he eventually got his legs under him though and showed why he is considered the future of the position on our team..excellent cover skills and a ball hawking mentality... the injury bug has been his only downfall... if he can stay healthy, he should show everyone the reason why we let keenan lewis walk away...

willie gay --- not a really good cover man, but thrives in our zone defense... sure tackler, with a flair for the dramatic.....not much more than a nickel corner, and remains an effective blitzer... if he's forced to start for any extended amount of time then we may be in trouble...

Isaiah green --- decent cover man, but will face a lot of competition to make the team..... i'm not a fan of his run support skills.... he's not much of a blitzer either... if any of the other young guys steps up, then green may just find himself out in the cold.

deion belue --- udfa that I see as the wildcard in the cb battle.... has good speed, hips and footwork, and does not shy away from contact..... a little undersized, but still has the talent to stick... many experts saw belue as a 4th rd. talent, so this is an extremely good pick up....

Antwon blake --- another wildcard... close in speed to dri archer, but that hasn't translated to playing time as he was cut by the lowly jags in 2012.. he did lead our special teams in tackles though, and has the work ethic to improve his technique in the secondary..... time will tell if he really can step up.... at 5'9", he needs to work extra hard against the new breed of wr in the nfl..

brice McCain --- the coaches are said to be high on him, but I personally don't see it... a 6 yr. vet. with 5 career int's. ..... released by the Texans, and never known as a really good cover man.... not sure where he really fits in our defensive scheme... this is one that i'll have to see when the pads come on.

devin smith --- long shot to make the team.... camp body, that will be an early cut

Shaquille Richardson --- the lone draft pick from the secondary.... from what I understand, he was personally hand picked by coach lake.... that in itself is enough of a reason to hold judgement until live football starts....this kid can hit, and is athletic.... as the only draft pick in the secondary, I'm sure that he will be given every chance to make it......


next up......... rb's

 

I feel better about the safety position than the cornerback position on the team, Allen needs to stay healthy guys usually play well in their contract year. I want Lebeau to blitz more from the secondary since the 2 starting OLBs aren't established yet, Mitchell was a good blitzer with the Panthers and Gay is a effective blitzer also.

 

Gay is good in coverage as long as he is in the nickel. You put him on the outside and h kind of gets lost in space. I love Ventrone's attitude an the way he plays throw in his story and he's from western pa and I'm pulling for the guy but no way does he make the team.

 

the db's saved our butts last year. they did so much run support that it wasn't funny. this year they can get back to playing the pass since we seemed to have fixed the LB position.

shazier can run with any RB or TE out there. Timmons will be patrolling the middle of the field. the line should be much improved and all that bodes well for our DB's.

I think blake will do a nice job. shark is more than capable of coverage. the speed added alone should create opportunities for troy. I feel pretty good about this bunch this year. McCain I have to see more of.

belue and smith I hope they keep on the PS. Richardson was a good pick at that spot. he's got the ability if he brings it to the field. oh and gay, I don't worry about willie, he's been a lot better for us than people say. he's a good fit for what he does. I wouldn't have a problem if he had to start a few games, he's capable.

 

Willie's been pretty solid since working with Lake. Can't say enough about his blitzing ability either. A lot of the times he gets torched on here is not even on him. Someone else doesn't pick up when he releases and he realizes it, but can't make the play.