After looking at the offensive line as one of the the top question marks going into training camp, let’s look another key question going into the 2014 season. This time, focusing on defense.
Do the Steelers have the cornerbacks necessary to get the job done in 2014?
If you look strictly at some of the numbers over the past three seasons, the answer to this question seems to be yes.
Over that time frame, the Steelers pass defense has lead the league in fewest yards allowed twice, and also have ranked among the very best in touchdowns allowed, including giving up a mere 21 TD’s last season, good for eighth best overall.
Obviously, the success of the Steelers pass defense can be linked to a variety of factors beyond cornerback play; including the stellar play of safeties Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark and a zone-blitz scheme under Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau that has made life a living hell for many quarterbacks over the years.
Ultimately, in a league where the passing game rules the day, and in the AFC, where elite quarterbacks such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck reside, do the Steelers have the cornerbacks needed to thwart these top passing attacks?
As training camp nears, it looks like the Steelers will begin the season with Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen as the starters. Third corner/nickel back William Gay will also see plenty of action and could be considered starting caliber also.
Taylor has been a stalwart at corner for the Steelers for over a decade. Throughout much of his career, Taylor was able to shadow the opponents top receivers regardless of where they lined up on the field, something you only see the leagues top cover specialists do with regularity.
Though Taylor has a mere 14 interceptions in his career, he has still been considered one of the better cover corners in the game. However, last season was especially tough, and his play slipped noticeably. After Taylor was beaten badly numerous times last season, the Steelers stopped having him shadow top receivers. This led many to believe Taylor’s best days were behind him, and his days as a Steeler numbered.
However, the Steelers clearly believe that Taylor is still good enough to contribute as a starter as they re-signed the veteran to a one-year deal. Whether or not he will be better than the 2013 version is certainly up for debate.
With this in mind, it will be imperative that Allen, a fourth-year corner from the Citadel, is ready to take on the role of being the Steelers coverage specialist. This might include assuming Taylor’s role of shadowing opponent’s top receivers. Allen certainly showed signs last season of being ready for the job, and his ability to step up and do it at a high level will go far in determining the fate of the Steelers pass defense.
As for Gay, the eighth-year corner found out that rejoining the Steelers after a one-year hiatus in Arizona was just what the doctor ordered. After a poor season with the Cardinals, Gay quietly had a strong comeback season in Pittsburgh, and though he’s ofter overlooked by Steeler fans, his quality work as the Steelers nickel back keyed one of the top pass defenses in the league.
Assuming Taylor stabilizes his play and Allen and Gay contribute similarly in 2014, the Steelers should be fine at corner. Invariably, injuries could be a factor, and if it is, or Taylor continues his decline in play, the glaring lack of depth at the position could be a major issue.
Many fans expressed disappointment when the Steelers not only did not utilize their first-round pick on a cornerback, but waited until the fifth round to add depth to the position. In adding University of Arizona corner Shaquille Richardson with that pick, the Steelers likely hope they have a player who might contribute on special teams this season.
Beyond that, is it realistic to think Richardson will be ready to step in and help immediately on defense? Or, that he will grasp the complicated defensive schemes orchestrated by Lebeau? That’s a lot to ask of anyone, let alone one who is considered raw and more of a developmental type of player.
Veterans Brice McCain and Isaiah Green have NFL experience, but look more like limited backups who will be relied on for special teams contributions. McCain spent five seasons in Houston, but was released last season by the Texans after a terrible season.
Is it possible DB’s coach Carnell Lake can help fix whatever issues caused McCain to struggle so badly in Houston? Maybe, but the notion that he is the most experienced backup in camp might be cause for concern.
Much like McCain and Green, Ross Ventrone and Antwon Blake are journeymen who have bounced around from various training camps and practice squads, and both will battle to make the team for special teams contributions if they have any shot of making the 53-man roster.
The decision to wait on adding cornerback depth via the draft was something that could come back to bite the Steelers, and hopefully it will not be the issue it could be if players like McCain, Green or Richardson are asked to play significant roles due to injuries to the “big three.”
