Steelers News: New safety Curtis Riley making an impression during Training Camp

It has been a one-of-a-kind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. With the start of training camp now behind us, it looks like we’ll have to wait until opening weekend to see the Steelers take the field. Just because the NFL has cancelled the preseason 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 the newest safety added to the roster, Curtis Riley, has been making an impression on the Steelers throughout Training Camp.

Let’s get to the news:

• The Steelers need depth at safety, and they might have found it in Curtis Riley.

Late signee Curtis Riley ‘has been impressive,’ providing Steelers depth at safety

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The signing came in August, a week after reporting day for this unique training camp, so it barely reverberated. But when the Pittsburgh Steelers inked Curtis Riley, by all indications they were adding a player who will be their No. 3 safety.

The first week of padded practices, according to the official pool reports, have reinforced that. Riley “keeps making plays” during 11-on-11 sessions and has taken reps with the starters when Terrell Edmunds has missed time because of injury.

“I think Curtis can help us from a depth standpoint,” defensive backs coach Tom Bradley said during a video conference call Monday. “He’s one of the guys each day that has shown a little bit more and more. We’re getting excited about him as we continue through this process, watching him.

“He’s been impressive so far in camp, and we are looking forward to seeing if he can keep this thing going for the next few weeks.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Speaking of safeties, Marcus Allen is another player who has been standing out as quality depth throughout camp thus far.

Penn State’s Marcus Allen ‘coming on strong’ at Steelers camp

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

It was one Penn State alumnus talking up another, but that doesn’t necessarily diminish the praise that Pittsburgh Steelers safety Marcus Allen was receiving from his position coach Monday.

Taking part in his third NFL training camp since being a fifth-round pick of the Steelers in 2018, could Allen finally earn a regular role with the defense?

“I think this is a big year for Marcus, and he’s taking advantage of a lot of different things,” Steelers defensive backs coach Tom Bradley said. “One thing, he’s playing a lot faster this year. You can tell he really understands the system. He’s very versatile. We can do a lot of different things with him in our package.

“Marcus is really coming on strong during this camp.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree...destined to be the best pass rushing tandem in the NFL.

A terrific tandem

By: Teresa Varley, Steelers.com

T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree haven’t disappointed when it comes to carrying on the legacy the Steelers have had at linebacker. They set the tone for the defense, they have non-stop motors and they bring an energy that is unparalleled. They are a tandem any defensive coordinator would salivate over, and you better believe Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler knows how good he has it with Watt and Dupree part of his arsenal.

“I am glad we got them. They are going to be a couple of guys that are hard to deal with,” said Butler. “Bud is probably a little bigger than T.J. T.J. is still advancing in his pass rush. He is a problem for a lot of people. He does a great job using his hands when he rushes the passer. He does a good job in recognizing the difference in pass and run and play action. So is Bud. Bud is a big, strong guy. He is a going to be hard to handle.

“I am glad we got both of those guys. They’re going to be a big part of our defense. I think they’re going to be a major force to deal with. As long as they are doing that, I think we will be okay. We probably need to get a little bit of depth out of our guys behind them so we can keep them fresh in the game and maybe we have to close out a game those guys can be fresh in that situation too.”

Last season both of them were on fire, finishing with career-highs in sacks, Watt with 14, while Dupree had 11.5.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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