Four Downs: AFC North (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Four Downs: AFC North
by Danny Tuccitto

Pittsburgh Steelers
Biggest Post-Draft Need: Cornerback

Like the previous three teams, Pittsburgh had a limited number of holes to plug, and did a good job plugging the ones in which they were able to do so. At nose tackle, Chris Hoke retired and Casey Hampton probably should, but the Steelers drafted a prototypical 3-4 space-eater in fourth-rounder Alameda Ta'amu. They released longtime inside linebacker James Farrior, but drafted Miami linebacker Sean Spence as his replacement (and maybe even Troy Polamalu's down the road).

Their other roster limitations were largely due to injury, so the situation wasn't as bad as it looked. Most importantly, a pass rush that perennially ranks among the best in the league fell to 14th in adjusted sack rate partly because it was missing James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley some of the time. Similarly, the Steelers' offensive line, which wasn't good in pass protection to begin with, was the third-most-injured offensive line in the NFL. To address that concern, the team used their first two draft picks on DeCastro and Ohio State tackle Mike Adams.

That brings us to cornerback, a position that Pittsburgh basically ignored in the draft despite the free agency departure of William Gay, who last season ranked eighth among corners in yards allowed per pass. The team appears ready to elevate nickel cornerback Keenan Lewis to the starting lineup, a decision that's warranted given Lewis' No. 18 ranking in yards allowed per pass last season. Add him to Ike Taylor, who was a top-10 corner in both yards allowed per pass and defensive success rate, and the Steelers have the makings of a formidable duo.

One problem: Pittsburgh's defense was in nickel or dime over 40 percent of the time last year. So who is going to play when there's an extra cornerback on the field? Process of elimination suggests it will be either Cortez Allen or Curtis Brown, both of whom were drafted in 2011. Seeing as how Allen only saw 10 passes thrown his way last season, and Brown didn't even play a single defensive snap, that's a pretty tall order for both of them -- not to mention an uncharacteristically risky gamble by the Steelers. We're not saying they're bad prospects; they're just incredibly inexperienced for such an important position in this specific NFL era on this specific NFL team.

The good news for Pittsburgh is that there are plenty of serviceable free agents still available. The bad news is that -- who are we kidding? -- Pittsburgh doesn't sign free agents. Oh, lest we forget, there's always -- wait for it -- Bryant McFadden (he's still available).


(Read More:) http://www.footballoutsiders.com/four-downs/2012/four-downs-afc-north-0

i'd like to see Spence play safety

I would love to see Curtis Brown get some playing time this year. I still say he will be the best corner behind taylor.

Right now, I'm not too concerned about our corners. I think there's a reason why they allowed Gay to walk without making a serious effort to keep him ... they're confident in the young guys. Lewis stepped up and played well in limited action last season, and they've heaped praise on Brown and Allen.

Wallace108 wrote:

Right now, I'm not too concerned about our corners. I think there's a reason why they allowed Gay to walk without making a serious effort to keep him ... they're confident in the young guys. Lewis stepped up and played well in limited action last season, and they've heaped praise on Brown and Allen.

That's what I think too. They must have felt confident in them or Lake's ability to unleash the best in them like he did for Gay. I have a feeling Gay will regret leaving Lake's tutelage, but at least he'll have all that money to console him at night. I expect a drop-off in Gay's play this season and beyond.

Gay surprised me last year and I know it was lake who coached him up. Knowing this and to let him walk the FO and Tomlin have an ace up their sleeve. Look at our history, they don't make mistakes loosing players to FA. They must feel that one of these young guys is already an upgrade.
And for the record I too would like to see if Spence could play safety.

solardave wrote:

Gay surprised me last year and I know it was lake who coached him up. Knowing this and to let him walk the FO and Tomlin have an ace up their sleeve. Look at our history, they don't make mistakes loosing players to FA. They must feel that one of these young guys is already an upgrade.
And for the record I too would like to see if Spence could play safety.

No doubt they have confidence that Lewis, Brown, and Allen will fill the void. I think Lake will work his magic with these guys as well and we'll see a drastic improvement in their games this season.

And you can throw my hat into the "Spence as a safety" ring as well.

Buddha Bus wrote:

solardave wrote:

Gay surprised me last year and I know it was lake who coached him up. Knowing this and to let him walk the FO and Tomlin have an ace up their sleeve. Look at our history, they don't make mistakes loosing players to FA. They must feel that one of these young guys is already an upgrade.
And for the record I too would like to see if Spence could play safety.

No doubt they have confidence that Lewis, Brown, and Allen will fill the void. I think Lake will work his magic with these guys as well and we'll see a drastic improvement in their games this season.

And you can throw my hat into the "Spence as a safety" ring as well.

With what I'm reading on Spence, I wouldn't be surprised if LeBeau uses him more as a roaming LB (ala Troy at the line type player), and allow Troy to roam more in the open field. I think Troy's playing style has begun to hurt his functionality at the front line, but allowing him to play more of a roaming safety could mess up opposing QBs minds, especially if we've got some fresh young blood who roam at the LOS and continue to confuse the QB as well.

stlrtruck wrote:

Buddha Bus wrote:

solardave wrote:

Gay surprised me last year and I know it was lake who coached him up. Knowing this and to let him walk the FO and Tomlin have an ace up their sleeve. Look at our history, they don't make mistakes loosing players to FA. They must feel that one of these young guys is already an upgrade.
And for the record I too would like to see if Spence could play safety.

No doubt they have confidence that Lewis, Brown, and Allen will fill the void. I think Lake will work his magic with these guys as well and we'll see a drastic improvement in their games this season.

And you can throw my hat into the "Spence as a safety" ring as well.

With what I'm reading on Spence, I wouldn't be surprised if LeBeau uses him more as a roaming LB (ala Troy at the line type player), and allow Troy to roam more in the open field. I think Troy's playing style has begun to hurt his functionality at the front line, but allowing him to play more of a roaming safety could mess up opposing QBs minds, especially if we've got some fresh young blood who roam at the LOS and continue to confuse the QB as well.

So you're saying TWIN TROYS. I like that idea. Now you see'em now you out cold!!!

i am so excited about the future of our team. new OC, drastically improved O-line, fantastic wide outs, clutch tight ends, dominating defense and ben. the only question marks for me are, who is going to be running the ball? and can we rely on our kicker

vasteeler wrote:

the only question marks for me are, who is going to be running the ball? and can we rely on our kicker

The short answers: Redman, Dwyer, Batch, Rainey (MeMo? or Clay?) and no.