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Could three rookies really start on defense?

CoolieMan

CoolieMan

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I know someone mentioned this in another thread, but it probably deserves it's own....


http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...lin-steelers-could-have-three-rookie-starters

When Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau was running the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense, it was exceedingly rare for a rookie to earn a starting job.

That's no longer the case under Keith Butler, who altered the defense with more zone looks after taking over for LeBeau in 2015.

There's a chance for first-round cornerback Artie Burns, second-round safety Sean Davis and third-round nose tackle Javon Hargrave to play major roles on a defense that ranked 21st in yards allowed and 30th against the pass last year.

"I believe it's realistic," coach Mike Tomlin said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "That's why we chose them where we chose them. But they have to earn it, and we'll give them the opportunity to do that."

That's not even including 2014 second-round cornerback Senquez Golson, who missed his entire rookie season to shoulder surgery.

Although defensive line coach John Mitchell indicated that Hargrave's primary role figures to be spelling standout defensive ends Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt, the defensive backs have a chance to overtake left cornerback Ross Cockrell and strong safety Robert Golden atop the depth chart.

Tomlin is counting on Burns, Davis and Golson to upgrade a leaky secondary that was the team's Achilles' heel last season.
 
I mean it is probably improbable but it isn't like there is stars like a Peezy to a Harrison type situation road blocking them.

Thing is the three starters with experience.....


they will have to earn those reps and starts

mission improbable but not mission impossible Ethan
 
hard to believe our defense has fallen that low. But yeah I could see these guys playing big roles for us this year.
 
Only with injuries
 
I see Hargrave having the greatest opportunity for the most play time and impact.
 
I can see Burns and Davis starting. Talent-wise they could be ahead of the vets, but they need to learn the schemes.
 
Superman said:
I can see Burns and Davis starting. Talent-wise they could be ahead of the vets, but they need to learn the schemes.
Click to expand...

The reason I say Hargrave is due to the lack of NT's on the team, so he only has McCullers to compete with and Big Dan won't be on the field on third downs so Hargrave will spell him or win the job. Not to mention helping to spell Tuitt and Heyward.
 
Hargrave's position isn't quite as complicated as the DB's. That said, I see Hargrave starting by game 5 If not outright. If Golson quietly learned his OFF season, he could make an impact as well. The other two I will be hoping the best man plays.



Salute the nation
 
Hargrave should have the it easiest earning playing time. They simplified a lot of the things and he's better than anybody they have for NT. Even if he can only be the 2 down run stuffer, that's enough to start.

Davis will have the hardest time because he has the most to learn. He wasn't a full time safety in college. Golden has been OK. Safety is the last line of defense, you can't have any mistakes or it's 6 easy points. I expect to see Davis get some playing time but i'd be shocked if he starts.

Same with Burns. Let's not forget about Golson from last year. He has a year in the system even though he was injured. Gay will start. I think Golson will be in the nickel against the slot WR and Burns will battle Cockrell and Grant for playing time.
 
Burns, Davis, Golson and Grant

Burns, Davis, Golson, and Grant.

Combined they are a 1st, two 2nd's and a 3rd round pick.

Did Colbert and Tomlin get it right? They better have, because I can't see the Steelers picking DB this high for in 2017, maybe not even by 2018.

Here's the problem. Golson didn't play a snap last year, and Grant hardly played at all. Burns is a raw piece of clay to mold, and Davis, in my opinion, will have issues in coverage as he gave up a lot of yards in college.

Yet these are the four the Steelers chose. Three years from now, we'll see if they were the right choice, but three years from now Ben will be 37.

The good news is the depth ahead of these players is pretty poor, so it's not like they have to beat out anyone decent.
 
you act like Golson just couldn't get on the field, ignoring he was out because of injury. So it is like the Steelers have 2 2nd round players available for the secondary this season.

plug up that bleeding **** and man up butter cup....the Steelers FO knows more than you do about these guys
 
Davis has the best chance to start. Hargrave I bet sees snaps along with McCullers but during opposite situation and sub packages. I don't see Burns playing much this year.
 
It's possible. Players coming out of college now are bigger and more prepared scheme wise. So, yeah
 
CoolieMan said:
you act like Golson just couldn't get on the field, ignoring he was out because of injury. So it is like the Steelers have 2 2nd round players available for the secondary this season.

plug up that bleeding **** and man up butter cup....the Steelers FO knows more than you do about these guys
Click to expand...


FINALLY, someone with some sense............................Coolie, blink once if this is really you or have you been possed???



Salute the nation
 
Since Dick "Sit em three years" is gone, I'd say hell yeah there is a good chance we see some fresh talent this year.

Joe
 
Coach said:
Burns, Davis, Golson, and Grant.

Combined they are a 1st, two 2nd's and a 3rd round pick.

Did Colbert and Tomlin get it right? They better have, because I can't see the Steelers picking DB this high for in 2017, maybe not even by 2018.

Here's the problem. Golson didn't play a snap last year, and Grant hardly played at all. Burns is a raw piece of clay to mold, and Davis, in my opinion, will have issues in coverage as he gave up a lot of yards in college.

Yet these are the four the Steelers chose. Three years from now, we'll see if they were the right choice, but three years from now Ben will be 37.

The good news is the depth ahead of these players is pretty poor, so it's not like they have to beat out anyone decent.
Click to expand...

pretty sure Grant was a 4th rounder. you are right about the depth ahead of these guys. they will get the chance to play a lot sooner than it used to be.
 
t-man said:
Since Dick "Sit em three years" is gone, I'd say hell yeah there is a good chance we see some fresh talent this year.

Joe
Click to expand...

I know his defense was harder to learn, but to be fair to him we also had better players on defense a few years back so there was no rush to have rookies play. they could take a few seasons to learn the system. fast forward to today and a lot of our starters shouldn't be.
 
They'll definitely get a chance to play. PT has to be earned, but they most definitely will be in uniform. The only one that I would question is Grant.
 
FordFairLane said:
Davis has the best chance to start. Hargrave I bet sees snaps along with McCullers but during opposite situation and sub packages. I don't see Burns playing much this year.
Click to expand...

I think by year end, Davis has the best chance to be full time starter with Hargrave having most snaps throughout most of the season. I think Burns will play more than you expect.
 
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