Haden & Hilton

[steelclan]

H2 no O. Ok cheesy but these 2 no one thought about coming into training camp and wow have they made a big difference. Haden looks more like his old self by the week and Hilton just keeps making plays.

[Legacy User]

like davis too!!

[Steelafan77]

No argument here. Hilton definitely plays much bigger than his god given stature. Haden has really added another dynamic to the secondary. Glad he wanted to be a Steeler.

[Legacy User]

Haden seems to be a key why our pass defense is number one. That pass defense where he bumped that guy out of bounds would be a completion with Cockrell in there.

[Legacy User]

Well, how about Haden's interception? Holy cow.

[tbsteel]

Haden the last 2-3 weeks especially has been great for us. Really looks like his old self. Even on the tipped Davis breakup picked by Gay, he had perfect trailing coverage. Hilton has been such a great find. When you look at the job the scouting department and coaching staff has done in identifying guys like Villy and Hilton the last couple of years and developing them, it has been a huge benefit.

It is a fun defense to watch. Young, fast, fearless.

[Stallworth16]

I doubted the Haden signing based on his play the last 2 years. I was Wrong. Haden has been Solid. Keep it going Joe.

Burns has made some mistakes but that's to be expected, in a 2nd year player who came in Raw. Burns is going to be Fine. He is still a young guy with a lot of Ceiling.

[Kodiak]

H2 no O. Ok cheesy but ....

Respectable effort....still one you should have kept to yourself.

[steelclan]

H2 no O. Ok cheesy but ....

Respectable effort....still one you should have kept to yourself.

Aye. Ah well someone has to fill out the moron demographic and I do it so well.

[Kodiak]

It is a fun defense to watch. Young, fast, fearless.

Two keys:
1) Staying healthy, especially DL
2) Davis has to get better and I think Wilcox needs to take Mitchell's job

The two safeties are literally the only thing I don't love about the defense.

[steelclan]

It is a fun defense to watch. Young, fast, fearless.

Two keys:
1) Staying healthy, especially DL
2) Davis has to get better and I think Wilcox needs to take Mitchell's job

The two safeties are literally the only thing I don't love about the defense.

Davis past 2 weeks have been excellent & not sure what fuss is over Mitchell this week? That first Bengal TD was just a great play. 9 times out of 10 I bet that is incomplete: Dalton threaded it through a pinhole and #11 caught it on his bicep.

[Havoc]

It is a fun defense to watch. Young, fast, fearless.

And getting better.

Hilton has excellent read/react ability.

Haden has been a great addition on the field and in the locker room.

[Legacy User]

31 is the perfect number for Hilton.

[Kodiak]

And getting better.

Hilton has excellent read/react ability.

Haden has been a great addition on the field and in the locker room.

Honestly, this reminds me of some NE championship defenses.

Maybe 2 or 3 bonafide stars, and a lot of above average guys and EVERYONE is a playmaker....and good coaching.

[COR-TEN]

Haden has been running under the radar. Hilton has as well.

Both have made a difference.

[Steelafan77]

Haden has been running under the radar. Hilton has as well.

Both have made a difference.

Remember Sutton started coming along before the injury. Imagine Sutton thrown into the mix as well.

[Legacy User]

Hilton is a scrapper. Was listening to him on the Jim Rome show. He was about to start working at foot locker just before the Steelers called

[tbsteel]

It is a fun defense to watch. Young, fast, fearless.

Two keys:
1) Staying healthy, especially DL
2) Davis has to get better and I think Wilcox needs to take Mitchell's job

The two safeties are literally the only thing I don't love about the defense.

Davis past 2 weeks have been excellent & not sure what fuss is over Mitchell this week? That first Bengal TD was just a great play. 9 times out of 10 I bet that is incomplete: Dalton threaded it through a pinhole and #11 caught it on his bicep.

Agreed. It was a perfect throw in tight coverage.

[Kodiak]

Agreed. It was a perfect throw in tight coverage.

Dalton was almost flawless in the first half. Still only 105 yds passing (too small a sample size to get hung-up on the 2 TD's....both great calls and play design, regardless).

Defense may be for real. But I would like to see the pace pick-up on offense - we really only had 4 possessions in the first half. You won't bury anyone with just 8 offensive possessions a game.

[V DUB]

Agreed. It was a perfect throw in tight coverage.

Dalton was almost flawless in the first half. Still only 105 yds passing (too small a sample size to get hung-up on the 2 TD's....both great calls and play design, regardless).

Defense may be for real. But I would like to see the pace pick-up on offense - we really only had 4 possessions in the first half. You won't bury anyone with just 8 offensive possessions a game.

That's partly our own fault by controlling TOP. We held them to a 20 something second drive to start the 2nd half & scored ending the 1st.

That's crucial situational football.

[V DUB]

Also, Clan kudos for giving props to Haden. I know you weren't a fan of the signing.

[Stillerz Bar]

I was at the game today - 500 level at midfield - and I was specifically watching Hayden.

He is VERY savvy!!! He understands that he isn't as fast as he used to be and accounts for it every play. 3rd and 8.... he gives a 6 yard cushion and knows exactly where the sticks are. It was fun watching him make subtle adjustments all game to limit opportunities on his side of the field

Best part of the day was when I commented to my wife how solid he was playing and said "watch him this play"....BINGO... interception!!!

[steelclan]

Also, Clan kudos for giving props to Haden. I know you weren't a fan of the signing.

No I wasn't and thankfully have been proven badly wrong. I hope it continues to be the case.

[DP39]

Haden has been running under the radar. Hilton has as well.

Both have made a difference.

Remember Sutton started coming along before the injury. Imagine Sutton thrown into the mix as well.

Not sure if Sutton makes it back, but if he does who's spot does he take? If no real injuries by then, my guess is Sensabaugh's. Would love to see him take a shot at return duties still.

[R_S]

Also, Clan kudos for giving props to Haden. I know you weren't a fan of the signing.

No I wasn't and thankfully have been proven badly wrong. I hope it continues to be the case.

yes, the normal thing on this board would be to carry an agenda and bash the guy every chance to try to make your prediction look correct.

[Legacy User]

Also, Clan kudos for giving props to Haden. I know you weren't a fan of the signing.

No I wasn't and thankfully have been proven badly wrong. I hope it continues to be the case.

yes, the normal thing on this board would be to carry an agenda and bash the guy every chance to try to make your prediction look correct.

Lots of players are overcoming board noted deficiencies....wrist circumference, frame size, health issues.

[smithessmokin]

Nice job Cleveland!

[Scunge]

I will throw this out there, yes it sounds crazy but, Burns has taken over the role of Ross Cockrell for me.

I have more confidence in Haden to do a good/great job, but have less confidence in Burns, at times he is out there and plays soft and reminds me of Cockrell.

It was really eyeopening to me watching the Bengals William Jackson the 3rd at CB. Never really got a chance to zero in on him and watch him play. Wow. If it really is true that the Steelers preferred him over Burns I can see why now. His technique, his confidence, his ball skills, playing the catch point of the WR, knocking the ball, twice out of Antonio Browns hands, that was damn impressive. I don't really see that at all with Burns. I am hoping that Burns really is just raw and developing, but the difference between the two is very striking.

[Ice]

Burns is a good bit less grabby than Jackson, or Dennard, for that matter.

[Legacy User]

I think Burns will be a place holder for Allen or Sutton