Steelers News: Deon Cain thinks he can be the vertical threat the Steelers’ offense needs

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 season is officially over. After finishing the year 8-8, the Steelers, and their vast fan base, has another long offseason awaiting them. Just because the games are done doesn’t mean we stop providing you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over throughout the offseason!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how 2019 midseason acquisition, Deon Cain, believes he can be the deep threat the Steelers’ offense needs in 2020.

Let’s get to the news:

• Many are thinking wide receiver is a position of need for the Steelers as Free Agency and the 2020 NFL Draft approach. Deon Cain disagrees.

WR Deon Cain: ‘I know how much I can help Steelers out’ in 2020

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Though he did not join the Pittsburgh Steelers until mid-November and played only 72 offensive snaps for them, Deon Cain made an impact.

Cain caught five of the six targets thrown his way and twice drew important pass interference penalties (one gained 26 yards, another was in the end zone). Including a catch he had for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, three of Cain’s nine receptions last season went for more than 20 yards.

It was a small sample size in the midst of learning a new offense on the fly and with inexperienced quarterback play in late-season weather conditions. But did Cain show enough that perhaps he could be a part of the Steelers’ passing game in 2020?

“Definitely, for sure,” Cain said after the Steelers’ season ended with a loss in Baltimore. “I am still young in this game, and I know I what I am capable of. Everything will come together. Just got to get chemistry with the quarterback. So now I am glad we’ve got this offseason to get together and put everything together.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• An apology to Mr. Troy Polamalu.

Tim Benz: My bad, Troy. I could’ve done this better.

By: Tim Benz, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

My bad, Troy.

You deserved better for this.

I dropped the ball.

I was so busy being concerned about Steelers guard Alan Faneca getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — and mad when I found out that it didn’t happen — that I barely acknowledged your candidacy and presumptive election.

Which, to no one’s surprise, eventually happened.

Yes, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu got into the Hall of Fame Saturday night on his first try as a finalist.

And I didn’t write much about it. Not in the few days after his election. Nor in the weeks leading up to the selection announcement in Miami before the Super Bowl.

That wasn’t intentional, though. It’s not like I was uninterested in his nomination, or had some personal dislike for Polamalu.

Quite the opposite, actually. Polamalu is one of the best people that I’ve covered in the nearly 25 years I’ve been working in sports media.

Note, I said one of the best people I’ve ever covered. Not one of the best athletes.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Taking a look at how the quarterback position is changing in the NFL.

NFL revolution at quarterback; a dynamic position’s renaissance

By: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

A revolution is occurring at the game’s most important position — and it was on full display last weekend.

At “NFL Honors” on Saturday night, Lamar Jackson became the second unanimous MVP in NFL history, while Kyler Murray surprisingly ran away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. One night later, Patrick Mahomes was named Super Bowl LIV MVP.

The prototype for NFL quarterbacks has been changing in recent years, but those two nights really cemented the transition. Now it’s time for the football world to acknowledge — and embrace — the new landscape of the position.

The top QBs in the game today are breaking traditional norms, and inherently changing the way scouts evaluate the position. Instead of looking for polished pocket passers with textbook footwork and mechanics, talent evaluators and coaches are more willing to take chances on raw athletes and build around their strengths as explosive playmakers.

”This movement has been in the works for years,” an AFC assistant college scouting director told me. “It is the trickle-up effect. High schools and colleges are putting their best athletes at quarterback and letting them run around to make plays. The NFL has started to adapt because these guys are entering the league and making the same kinds of plays. Plus, the speed and athleticism of the defensive linemen force you to play with a mobile quarterback or a guy that gets the ball out of his hands quickly.

”Quarterbacks have to be more than traditional pocket passers to play in this league. You need athletes who can make plays with their minds, arm and legs.”

In basketball terms, coaches are looking for scorers instead of shooters — the ability to “get buckets” is changing the way evaluators are grading the position.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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