Cornerbacks

[Stallworth16]

What's the biggest question mark every year, Cornerbacks.

Haden, who knows? Quality guy, but frankly stunk last 2 years, because of injuries. Can he turn back the clock? Does he have any speed?

Burns, love him. Is he ready to step up and be Consistent?

Hilton, promising, but needs more experience.

Sensabaugh, and Gay. Backups with experience if not speed.

Allen, rookie with size, speed, athleticism, but still raw, needs some time.

[Suwanee88]

Hard to believe Gay made the team

[Legacy User]

Pray Burns stays healthy.

[steelclan]

Pray Burns stays healthy.

There isn't a team league wide that doesn't say same thing about top players. We saw what happens when you lose a big time impact player to even the mighty Pats. Brady obviously missed Edelman.

[Suwanee88]

Pray Burns stays healthy.

There isn't a team league wide that doesn't say same thing about top players. We saw what happens when you lose a big time impact player to even the mighty Pats. Brady obviously missed Edelman.

I don't know the stats, but I thought Brady looked decent in the first half with all day to throw despite Eric Berry containing Gronk. Then KC got after him a lot more in the 2nd which fucked him up.

That's obviously the formula. We learned that the hard way.

[Steelafan77]

Pray Burns stays healthy.

... and Haden. Your back ups are an Old Gay, Very Young Allen and a very mediocre Sensabaugh. Would be a nightmare.

I don't know the stats, but I thought Brady looked decent in the first half with all day to throw despite Eric Berry containing Gronk. Then KC got after him a lot more in the 2nd which fucked him up.

That's obviously the formula. We learned that the hard way.

This ^

[Legacy User]

I'm more excited about our cbs than I have been in well ever. Burns has huge upside. Here's why I like Haden...

First AB vouched for him. Ask burns or Ross cockrell about getting called out by AB. Valued opinion.

Second like most vets smarts can make up for some physical slides. Hines ward was probably running a 4.7 at best his last few years but still work coverages and be effective. Haden has also been known as a smart cagey player. That attitude only gets better with age.

Third Haden is super intrinsically motivated. He's saying he picked the steelers from nine other teams for the chance to play a meaningful game. Fucking crazy when you think about playing seven seasons in total futility. Shows real fortitude. Or maybe unreal fortitude.

Fourth Haden B game is better than anyone not named Artie Burns on steelers roster. Any way you slice it he's an upgrade.

Only concern of mine is he reinjures something. Otherwise I'm going to enjoy watching this D

[Havoc]

http://www.steelers.com/videos/videos/Haden_I_feel_a_hundred_percent/5cc15f22-d13f-4a3c-ad12-05a3d16a105c

[Legacy User]

http://www.steelers.com/videos/videos/Haden_I_feel_a_hundred_percent/5cc15f22-d13f-4a3c-ad12-05a3d16a105c

Awesome insight there.

Reporter asks about the dime D and Haden says, cover 2 cover 3 whatever I'm the left outside corner so I'm locked in there.

[Stallworth16]

http://www.steelers.com/videos/videos/Haden_I_feel_a_hundred_percent/5cc15f22-d13f-4a3c-ad12-05a3d16a105c

Havoc, good find with this Interview of Joe Haden. enjoyed it. It's on the field where he gets his chance to prove himself again.

Haden: "I ran a 4.3 on my pro day, but it doesn't really matter. That Combine is the Gospel."

[Kodiak]

Unlike most, I was fairly impressed with the improvements to the D the second half of last year (excluding the AFCC, obviously).

I think with more talent (and health, hopefully) available this year, the defense will take that next step. But like last year the first half of the season is going to have more than a few bumps in the road.

Will also be a good test for Butler, because unlike last season the soft part of the schedule is in the first half of the year. My concern is the coaches tend to have an irrational fear of beating ourselves against weak teams....and as a result too often we see a tight, sloppy team flailing to be mistake free and make plays against teams they should dominate.

[Legacy User]

Pray Burns stays healthy.

... and Haden. Your back ups are an Old Gay, Very Young Allen and a very mediocre Sensabaugh. Would be a nightmare.

I don't know the stats, but I thought Brady looked decent in the first half with all day to throw despite Eric Berry containing Gronk. Then KC got after him a lot more in the 2nd which fucked him up.

That's obviously the formula. We learned that the hard way.

This ^

Exactly SF77. It's not like we have a Carnell Lake to man up if Burns goes down. We lost a HOF'er in Woodson and went to the SuperBowl. Some teams can lose their #1 CB and adjust.

Fat chance with this crew. The talent delta between the starting CBs and their backups is just too great....and that's assuming Haden bounces back.

[Legacy User]

Truth is steelers have an extremely shitty track record on DBs. Yeah from Woodson and lake to this season it's been mostly a crapfest. Polamalu. Do they get any credit for him? Ike was one of my favorite players of that era but Ike was rarely an island type corner. Bunch of guys were decent at best, most guys were forgettable.

Why this is is simple. They have a culture of downplaying the importance of the D secondary. What do they do to rebuild the defense? Get a shitload of front 7 guys then scramble when it's painfully aware they're behind the curve to catch up.

Mind you I applaud them for acknowledging reality and catching up.

That's another big reason I like Haden. Butler, tomlin and lake are probably not going within 20 feet of him. What do they have to teach him? What does Haden have to teach them is the better question.

[Stallworth16]

I'll be watching all the CBs against the Browns. But especially Haden. He should be very charged up for this game.