By Dale Grdnic
PITTSBURGH -- It doesn't take much to motivate Pittsburgh Steelers fourth-year cornerback Antwon Blake.
Competition, camaraderie and the chance to secure a spot on an NFL roster -- with a shot to earn a starting position -- are major factors for Blake. But those aren't his only sources.
"I believe, at the position I'm playing, you have to be a self motivator,'' Blake said Tuesday at mini-camp. "You have to push yourself at all times. I believe that's a key to being successful as an NFL cornerback.''
While the Steelers had hopes that Blake could be a contributor this past season, it's unlikely anyone could have gauged the level of success he achieved. Along with Brice McCain and William Gay, Blake gave the Steelers a solid cornerback group when veterans Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen faltered and were injured.
Blake tallied one interception, 37 solo tackles and one forced fumble, so he has proven to have a nose for the football. And despite being small in stature at 5-foot-9 and 198 pounds, he has shown a penchant for delivering big hits on larger backs and tight ends.
"Being able to go out and make some plays last year really helped me out going into this year,'' Blake said. "So, I was much better prepared to this point, and I believe I'll be a lot better player once training camp and the regular season roll around. I know what to expect, and I've gone through it before.''
Steelers secondary coach Carnell Lake has faith in Blake.
"We lost three guys from our secondary, so we brought in a few in the draft,'' Lake said. "But having a guy like Antwon returning, someone who was able to get the job done when he had the opportunity, is one of the reasons we have a chance to get better in the secondary this year.''
The Steelers selected cornerbacks Senquez Golson and Doran Grant in the second and fourth round, respectively, during this year's NFL Draft. And then they took safety Gerod Holliman in the seventh round. These players can take roster spots held by McCain, 12-year veterans Taylor at cornerback and Troy Polamalu at safety.
"We have some veterans who have been a big help to me and Coach Lake, who played the game and knows what it takes, he's been great to learn from,'' Grant said. "So, there's some good, healthy competition out there.''
Blake believed that level of play would bring out the best in all the defensive backs, and everyone involved -- including the Steelers -- would benefit.
"We have some players coming back and some new players coming in, and we all go out there and work hard every day,'' Blake said. "So, that competition can only make this secondary better in the long run. Still, I've been very impressed with the young guys that the Steelers brought in.
"I watched some film on them and have seen them out here so far this spring, so we have some true ballers. I'm looking forward to seeing more of them in camp. We lost a few guys after last season, so we needed to bring some in. And more competition can't really hurt us. That's the way I look at it.''
Lake has told Blake to refine his game, and the young player apparently has taken that advise to heart.
"Well, I've just been getting into my playbook as much as possible so I can get the little things down, the details that can really make a difference,'' Blake said. "That's the way I look at it. I'm trying to learn difference ways to do things, basically to add more tools to my toolbox, so to speak.''
Blake's development should be motivation and an example for other young players in the Steelers secondary as well.