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| How to Rebuild the Steelers' Secondary |
| By: Justin Onslow |
| March 9, 2010 |
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Kyle Wilson: Steelers Draft Pick at #18? |
As the old adage goes, "Defense wins championships." In recent years, nothing has been truer in the NFL. With the exception of the Saints and their Super Bowl XLIV victory in a year in which they finished 20th in total defense, the league has revolved around phenomenal defensive performances, especially in the playoffs.
Defense is a game of chess, orchestrated by some of the most brilliant minds in sports. Between coverage schemes, zone blitzes, gap assignments, lineman stunts and a plethora of other brush strokes, defense is a form of art in the NFL, and the Picasso's and Van Gogh's of the defensive world are often the coaches with rings on multiple fingers.
In 2008, the Pittsburgh Steelers fielded one of the best defenses in NFL history en route to a league-record sixth Super Bowl victory. That team allowed 13.9 points per game, 80.3 rushing yards per game and 237.2 passing yards per game, boasting the best total defense in the league. The 2008 Steelers also recorded 51 sacks (second in the league) and 20 interceptions (tied for sixth in the league).
In 2009, the Steelers practically fell off the map. Granted, they still gave up less than 90 rushing yards per game, but their passing defense ballooned to 305.3 yards allowed per game and interception totals plummeted to 12. A lot of the poor pass defense can be contributed to the season-long injury issues safety Troy Polamalu endured, but it became very apparent in 2009 that the Steelers need to revamp their passing defense if they want to return to their status as an elite defense in the NFL.
With the departure of safety Tyrone Carter and cornerback Deshea Townsend, Pittsburgh will undoubtedly address the secondary in this year's draft. The Steelers front office has never been in the business of making a big splash in free agency, but has displayed an aptitude for drafting quality talent. Some of the team's biggest contributors have been drafted by the Steelers, including Casey Hampton, Troy Polamalu and Ben Roethlisberger.
That being said, it's a pretty safe bet Kevin Colbert and the rest of the Steelers brass will be looking to use their top picks to acquire some long-term talent in the secondary. Last year, Pittsburgh selected cornerback Keenan Lewis in the third round and cornerback Joe Burnett in the fifth. Neither player made any impact on the team in 2009, and will probably do little more than add depth in 2010. The Steelers need to re-evaluate their talent at defensive back and address that issue in the draft if they want to re-emerge as a top defense next season.
The fierce Pittsburgh front seven should remain pretty well in tact, and possibly perform even better than in the past. Aaron Smith should be back at full strength in 2010, as should Brett Keisel, and after drafting Ziggy Hood last year at the end of the first, the Steelers should have a lot of depth at defensive end. Defensive tackle is a position the Steelers might consider adding depth at, but there are a few nose tackle prospects in the mid to late rounds the Steelers could take a flyer on.
Pittsburgh-- as always-- will carry a strong group of linebackers into the 2010 season. LaMarr Woodley has come into his own at the outside linebacker position and has established himself as a fierce pass rusher. Lawrence Timmons saw a lot more action this year at inside linebacker and has shown an ability to rush the passer and drop into coverage. He continues to exhibit a lot of potential and will probably see a lot of action this year at inside linebacker. Pair those two with James Farrior and James Harrison and Steelers fan can again look forward to watching one of the toughest group of linebackers in football.
The real issue with Pittsburgh's defense in 2009 was the secondary. The pass rush is still there. The team's sack totals only fell by four sacks from 2008 to 2009. The rush defense is still stout. Holding opponents to under 90 rushing yards per game is still near the top of the league. What Kevin Colbert and the rest of the Steelers front office need to look for in this year's draft is quality defensive backs that can start immediately and make an impact. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, this year's draft class is littered with quality defensive backs that fit the smash-mouth style the Steelers instill in their players.
At number 18, the Steelers are going to have a lot of options. Eric Berry and Joe Haden will likely come off the board in the top ten picks, and several other defensive backs warrant a top-15 selection. Earl Thomas has shown potential to play all over the secondary and will make an immediate impact on whichever team drafts him. Assuming those three players all come off the board before pick number 18, the Steelers should have a great shot at picking off some top-shelf talent and adding some much-needed depth and productivity at the safety and corner positions. Here are the best of the rest:
Kyle Wilson -- CB, Boise State: Wilson came into Senior Bowl week and made a name for himself, and I for one was extremely impressed with him. In the following month, many experts and scouts have moved Wilson up their boards. He is now considered a first-round talent-- and for good reason. Wilson can do it all. He has great speed, excellent hands, fluid hips and a mean streak. At 194 lbs, Wilson has the frame to make big tackles. He put up 25 reps on the bench press at the combine and has showed both on and off the field he has the strength, speed and natural ability to be a very talented corner in the league.
Devin McCourty -- CB, Rutgers: McCourty is another all-around player. He doesn't excel in any particular area, but is good at everything. He has good cover skills, play-making ability and a desire to get better. McCourty also displays a lot of intelligence and a high football IQ. With the Steelers special teams woes in 2009, rest assured Tomlin and Colbert will be looking for a player like McCourty who can be a solid contributor on special teams as well.
Taylor Mays -- S, USC: Although I believe Mays is a major project, he has shown he has the physicality and speed to succeed in the NFL. His toughness and mean streak make him a great fit for the Steelers, but I'm not sure he warrants a first-round selection in this year's draft. He needs to prove he can get better at reading plays and making the big play. As polarizing as Mays is, there's no doubt he has the physical tools to be a big-time performer in the NFL. He just needs the right coaching staff around him to lead him in the right direction.
Chad Jones -- S, LSU: Jones has terrific size, good speed and the mentality of an NFL safety. He would be a great fit in the Pittsburgh zone blitz-heavy system and would fit the team's immediate needs. Jones can move up and play in the box as well as patrol center field and help Troy Polamalu cover over top. Jones is a second-round talent with a lot of upside.
Perrish Cox -- CB, Oklahoma State: Cox caught my attention early in the year with some terrific performances, and although he has fallen down the boards a bit, has shown he can be a true playmaker in the NFL. He has great size (5-11⅜, 195 lbs.) and showed good speed at the combine (4.57-40). Cox is always around the ball and loves to be physical in coverage. He can provide the Steelers a good cover corner who can also help in run support. If Cox falls to the Steelers in the second round, they should not hesitate in scooping him up. He has "NFL" written all over him.
Several other prospects warrant Pittsburgh's consideration in the first few rounds. Myron Rolle, Patrick Robinson, Brandon Ghee and Larry Asante all fit the system. It's no secret the Steelers love tough, physical players, and there are plenty in this year's draft class.
If defense wins championships, the Steelers would do well to work on their secondary and address major position needs in April's draft. Although their rushing offense looked somewhat stagnant in 2008 and 2009, the team's biggest need is stopping the pass. They will have plenty more opportunities to move the chains on the ground by forcing more turnovers and shutting down the big play. Look for Colbert to make the right moves-- as he's been known to do in the past-- and snag a defensive back in the first couple rounds.
With the re-signing of Ryan Clark and the acquisition of safety Will Allen, the emphasis is going to be on corners, but the need for depth at safety is ever-present, especially with the injury issues the Steelers' secondary has encountered recently. Regardless of current pieces, expect Pittsburgh brass to select a couple defensive backs to bolster a secondary in need of some help.
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(August 29, GBNReport.com) --
It appears that UNC DT Marvin Austin and WR Greg Little, who have both been implicated in the earlier
investigation of a party in South Florida that may have involved the players receiving improper
benefits from an agent, will not play against LSU. It is also likely that neither of junior DE Robert Quinn nor OLB Bruce Carter, both of whom are also rated as the top prospects at their respective this year, but whom have been implicated in the academic fraud investigation along with Austin, will play until that investigation has been completed.
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