Safety least of Steelers' concerns as defense faces change

Safety least of Steelers' concerns as defense faces change
Saturday, February 18, 2012
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


For a defense that ranked No. 1 overall in the NFL, the Steelers are confronted with several big questions and significant personnel changes in the first two levels of their unit.

On the defensive line, where longtime backup nose tackle Chris Hoke already has retired, will Aaron Smith be brought back for his 14th season with the team? Will five-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton return and, if so, how will he recover from a second surgery on his left anterior cruciate ligament at age 34?

At inside linebacker, will James Farrior, the team's long-time defensive captain and spiritual leader, continue in the same role at age 37? And will veteran backup Larry Foote become a salary-cap casualty after nine seasons with the team?

But, there are no such concerns or questions at the safety position, where the Steelers have a tandem of Pro Bowlers ---- Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark -- and two backups who are under 30.

Ryan Mundy, Polamalu's backup at strong safety, is a restricted free agent, but he is expected to be re-signed.

Otherwise, the only concern is the one that seems to hover over Polamalu every year -- will he be healthy enough to make it through an entire season? The Steelers took care of any contract concerns about their four-time All-Pro safety when he signed a contract extension right before the 2011 season opener. Polamalu would have been an unrestricted free agent next month.



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12049/1211080-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml#ixzz1mkXXdEMu

Brandon Hardin, FS, Oregon State, Sr, 6'3", 222, 7th round / Free Agent, 4.52 40.

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01/12/2012 - Former Oregon State cornerback Brandon Hardin accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Game, a postseason all-star game that showcases seniors for NFL scouts. The game will be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Jan. 21. Hardin is the first OSU player this season announced to play in an all-star game. He is a 6-foot-2, 216-pounder from Honolulu who missed his senior season due to a training camp shoulder injury that required surgery. "It's a great opportunity and a blessing to play at least one game in my senior year," Hardin said. "I just want to make Oregon State proud." Hardin was recently cleared by his doctor for working out with his upper body, and he will be able to hit for the week of practice leading up to the Shrine Game. "I still have to catch up," Hardin said. "My shoulder feels fine, but I'm just a little weaker than I like." - Cliff Kirkpatrick, The Corvallis Gazette-Times

a FS the Steelers use a 7th round draft pick or bring in as a undrafted free agent. big with some speed.

another DB SS the Steelers could look at as a 7th round / undrafted free agent. Kelcie McCray, Arkansas State, 6'2", 196lbs, 4.48 40.


don't know much about these players but they all have size and some speed.

What about Myron Rolle? Didn't we sign him recently? We know he's smarter than us all put together. Could he be the second coming of Carnell Lake?