It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. Unable to attend most player pro days and participating in the NFL’s first virtual draft, the Steelers keep pushing forward toward a return to football activities. Just because the NFL has cancelled the 2020 Hall of Fame Game and cut the preseason to an undetermined amount of games 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 the quality throughout the depth chart at the cornerback position for the 2020 Steelers.
Let’s get to the news:
- Going from worst to first in a matter of years in the cornerback room for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers’ cornerback position as complete as any
By: Jeff Hartman, DK Pittsburgh Sports
The Steelers’ cornerbacks are elite.
There was a time when suggesting such a thing in the written word, or even in talking with fans, would get a very strange response. Everything from laughter to hysteria.
But it’s true.
The one position that has constantly been criticized since Chuck Noll retired has been the Steelers’ secondary. Whether it was warranted or not is another discussion, but fans bring up names of failed projects to point out the team’s inability to both draft and procure the position.
Names like Senquez Golson, Antwon Blake, Cortez Allen, B.W. Webb and Ross Cockrell come to mind, and that is just in the Mike Tomlin era. All had an opportunity, but none were considered dominant or elite.
Prepare yourself for what I’m about to write: The Steelers cornerbacks entering 2020 are elite.
When you look at the 2019 statistics and realize the core of this position group is returning, you see how the tables have turned when it comes to how they are viewed.
The defense surrendered an average of 194.6 yards per game through the air, third in the NFL. The cornerbacks contributed eight interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 41 pass defenses. Some might view those stats as mundane or average, but the difficulty of noticing the dominance of a secondary is when they, as a group and individually, aren’t talked about.
Last season, Steven Nelson had a tremendous year, but his stats look very average. Why? The opposition rarely threw in his direction, choosing to attack Joe Haden’s side of the field instead. In the secondary, doing your job sometimes means not getting the recognition you rightfully deserve.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- The debate over the number of games in the 2020 preseason is intensifying
Source: NFLPA board votes to recommend canceling all preseason games this year
By: Dan Graziano, ESPN
Earlier this week, the NFL decided to shorten its preseason from four weeks to two to account for the coronavirus pandemic and the ways in which it’s affecting the league’s ability to start the season. But the NFL’s players don’t think that move went far enough.
An NFL Players Association source said Friday that the union’s board of player representatives had voted to recommend scrapping all 2020 preseason games. The matter came to a vote during Thursday evening’s conference call with NFLPA player reps, and the source said the vote was unanimous.
It’s unclear whether the NFL will consider the players’ recommendation. The league has yet to formally announce the reduction of the preseason from four games to two, although a source told ESPN’s Kevin Seifert on Wednesday that the decision had been made.
The league does not believe it needs the union’s approval to set its preseason schedule, although the players would argue that the changes in work rules brought on by the pandemic allow them the right to be involved in the decision.
Training camps for most NFL teams are set to begin July 28, only weeks away, and the league and union are still finalizing health and safety protocols to protect players and team personnel from the virus. Many of those protocols were discussed on the Thursday night call with the player reps and union medical director Thom Mayer. They range from newly designed protective face masks to reduced sizes of training camp rosters to possible fines for players who spread the virus after circulating in public outside of the team facility.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- Previewing the Steelers Week 4 matchup in Nashville against the Titans
Countdown to 2020: The Titans
By: Mike Prisuta, Steelers.com
Date: Oct. 4
Time: 1 p.m.
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
All-Time Regular-Season Series: Steelers lead, 41-31. The Steelers also lead the all-time postseason series, 3-1.
Last Meeting: QB Ben Roethlisberger threw four touchdown passes, including three to WR Antonio Brown, and the Steelers broke open a tight game in the second half and won, 41-17, on Nov. 16, 2017 at Heinz Field. Titans QB Marcus Mariota threw for 306 yards but was intercepted four times and sacked five times. Tennessee managed 52 rushing yards on 21 attempts, including 32 on seven carries by RB Derrick Henry.
Last Season: The Titans went 9-7 and finished second in the AFC South. Tennessee ranked 12th in total offense (third rushing, 21st passing) and 21st in total defense (12th rushing, 24th passing). The Titans won at New England (20-13) and at Baltimore (28-12) in the postseason before dropping the AFC Championship Game at Kansas City (35-24).
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- BTSC articles you may have missed
If the Steelers were forced to change their name, what would it be?
Three Steelers players who won’t live up to their salary this season
The problem with Terrell Edmunds is his draft position, not his play
The expectation the 2019 backup quarterbacks would play like Ben Roethlisberger was unrealistic
Cameron Heyward is primed for another successful year in Pittsburgh
- Social Media Madness
Sealing the deal in #SBXLIII @LaMarrWoodley | @bkeisel99 | #SteelersJukeBox request by @BartlettCR! pic.twitter.com/kW4jbz4CLu
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 4, 2020
Wherever the is, he's going to show up‼️@TwanDoee pic.twitter.com/426pRuORP9
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 3, 2020
I will not throw at Rod Woodson.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 3, 2020
I will not throw at Rod Woodson.
I will not throw at Rod Woodson.
I will not throw at Rod Woodson.
I will not throw at Rod Woodson.
I will not throw at Rod Woodson.
I will not throw at Rod Woodson.#fbf | @RodWoodson26 pic.twitter.com/7Q5VE0zzzn
We all need some of four-legged fans on this #FanFriday‼️ pic.twitter.com/NVAzTlUpVG
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 3, 2020