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Golson and Blake impressing Antonio Brown

antdrewjosh

antdrewjosh

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'Smooth' Steelers rookie Senquez Golson catching Antonio Brown's eye
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Jeremy Fowler, ESPN Senior NFL Writer
PITTSBURGH -- Asking Antonio Brown is a good way to judge the performance of the Pittsburgh Steelers' retooled cornerback position. Brown is a precise route runner and surveys the entire defensive backfield before the snap and when getting open.


Steelers rookie defensive back Senquez Golson (right) has impressed star receiver Antonio Brown so far in OTAs. AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
Brown brought up the name of rookie second-round pick Senquez Golson when asked which young players have impressed him in organized team activities.

Golson was one of three defensive backs selected by the Steelers in last month’s draft, along with fourth-round cornerback Doran Grant and seventh-round safety Gerod Holliman.

“Really like 27,” Brown said of Golson, who is wearing No. 27. “Smooth guy, doesn’t really say too much. Seems like he’s focusing on his business. I’m liking what I’m seeing from him.”

Veterans William Gay, Cortez Allen and Antwon Blake will occupy a bulk of the first-team reps, but if the Steelers have their way, Golson will eventually help the defense thwart opponents’ underneath passing attacks. Golson’s specialty is using his vision and instincts in the nickel defense.

Blake has had a solid past few weeks, something Brown has noticed. Blake is taking ownership of a starting spot unless proven otherwise.

“Quick, competitive, hungry -- he’s always a great challenge to go against him because he’s not going to quit,” Brown said. “Kill him on the route, he’s going to come back and try to swat the ball out of there, always fighting to the finish.”


I know we can't take what players say about teammates as gospel but still nice to hear.
 
Blake was one of the best looking guys in training camp last year...then the games started. Hopefully, though, with more reps this year they will impress once the games start.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Blake was one of the best looking guys in training camp last year...then the games started. Hopefully, though, with more reps this year they will impress once the games start.
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He didn't play badly by year end. Not great, but not bad, by any means. How many other teams' could trot out what is, essentially, their 4th or 5th CB and have better results? All of them?
 
I don't remember Blake being bad at all last year. Gave up some catches to some big guys but I thought he played very well last year.
 
http://www.Invalid Link - Check SN ...uez-golson-im-liking-what-im-seeing-from-him/
 
Blake was an UDFA who hadn't played an NFL snap prior to last year.

His play was solid. Hell, impressive considering his background.

He will only get better. With more experience and with the mentality of a UDFA player- I am expecting big things from him
 
ark steel said:
He didn't play badly by year end. Not great, but not bad, by any means. How many other teams' could trot out what is, essentially, their 4th or 5th CB and have better results? All of them?
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see, this is where you know nothing. a coach like harbaugh could trot out the hot dog vendor and get 2-3 interceptions per quarter.
 
antdrewjosh said:
I don't remember Blake being bad at all last year. Gave up some catches to some big guys but I thought he played very well last year.
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I don't think I would use 'very well'...maybe, if you add 'considering' and Bigapple's caveat to it.
 
ark steel said:
I don't think I would use 'very well'...maybe, if you add 'considering' and Bigapple's caveat to it.
Click to expand...

I remember him getting beat deep one time. But he was there. I remember him giving up a couple of TDs because he was too small basically but he was there. I remember him giving up plays in front of him that all Steelers CBs give up since forever lol. I count those against the scheme. I thought he played pretty darn good. Showed the willingness to hit and and was good in run support. For a low key FA pick up I thought he was good.
 
Sometimes I wonder if our coaching/talent evaluation is myopic.

Players like Golson (5085) and Blake (5092) are naturally going to match up better against a player of Antonio Brown's size and quickness. If every player we faced this year was 5'-10" and 185-190 lbs., I have no issue with players of Golson and Blake size/ability.

I'm sure those two guys are looking decent against Wheaton as well.

I worry that some of the reasons we've been hearing about how good Bryant and Coates have looked so far is because those are the exact types of players I have worries we can't cover or deal with in our secondary. And Bryant and Coates aren't nearly going to be the toughest matchups for this team to deal with.

I just worry Tomlin and Co. are basing so much talent evaluation on practice that they fail to realize the general matchup issues created by the roster. It's like if you practice against a bad defense and your offense looks good, then come game day your offense looks bad, the coach can't say "We didn't execute like we did in practice" as an excuse.

I think Tomlin and this coaching sometimes talk themselves into players' ability based only on practice and internal matchups and not on trying to project where the best matchups will be on game days and how to take advantage of size/skill in game situations.

This all comes down to self-evaluation, which I have never thought Tomlin and/or Colbert do a good enough job on.
 
ark steel said:
He didn't play badly by year end. Not great, but not bad, by any means. How many other teams' could trot out what is, essentially, their 4th or 5th CB and have better results? All of them?
Click to expand...

Never said he was bad. Looked like a No. 4/5 CB once in real action.
 
deljzc said:
I think Tomlin and this coaching sometimes talk themselves into players' ability based only on practice and internal matchups and not on trying to project where the best matchups will be on game days and how to take advantage of size/skill in game situations.
Click to expand...

When is the last time we've heard a negative report out of OTAs or practice?
 
Bigappleyinzer said:
Blake was an UDFA who hadn't played an NFL snap prior to last year.
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Hey Bigapple, I'm pretty sure Blake played his rookie year with Jacksonville, though I think it was mainly special teams.
 
deljzc said:
Sometimes I wonder if our coaching/talent evaluation is myopic.

Players like Golson (5085) and Blake (5092) are naturally going to match up better against a player of Antonio Brown's size and quickness. If every player we faced this year was 5'-10" and 185-190 lbs., I have no issue with players of Golson and Blake size/ability.

I'm sure those two guys are looking decent against Wheaton as well.

I worry that some of the reasons we've been hearing about how good Bryant and Coates have looked so far is because those are the exact types of players I have worries we can't cover or deal with in our secondary. And Bryant and Coates aren't nearly going to be the toughest matchups for this team to deal with.

I just worry Tomlin and Co. are basing so much talent evaluation on practice that they fail to realize the general matchup issues created by the roster. It's like if you practice against a bad defense and your offense looks good, then come game day your offense looks bad, the coach can't say "We didn't execute like we did in practice" as an excuse.

I think Tomlin and this coaching sometimes talk themselves into players' ability based only on practice and internal matchups and not on trying to project where the best matchups will be on game days and how to take advantage of size/skill in game situations.

This all comes down to self-evaluation, which I have never thought Tomlin and/or Colbert do a good enough job on.
Click to expand...

Lol. Like Antonio is like your standard WR his size. He's one of the best in the league, of any size. If these guys can come close to covering that, right out of the box, I will cream my pants.
 
deljzc said:
Sometimes I wonder if our coaching/talent evaluation is myopic.

Players like Golson (5085) and Blake (5092) are naturally going to match up better against a player of Antonio Brown's size and quickness. If every player we faced this year was 5'-10" and 185-190 lbs., I have no issue with players of Golson and Blake size/ability.

I'm sure those two guys are looking decent against Wheaton as well.

I worry that some of the reasons we've been hearing about how good Bryant and Coates have looked so far is because those are the exact types of players I have worries we can't cover or deal with in our secondary. And Bryant and Coates aren't nearly going to be the toughest matchups for this team to deal with.

I just worry Tomlin and Co. are basing so much talent evaluation on practice that they fail to realize the general matchup issues created by the roster. It's like if you practice against a bad defense and your offense looks good, then come game day your offense looks bad, the coach can't say "We didn't execute like we did in practice" as an excuse.

I think Tomlin and this coaching sometimes talk themselves into players' ability based only on practice and internal matchups and not on trying to project where the best matchups will be on game days and how to take advantage of size/skill in game situations.

This all comes down to self-evaluation, which I have never thought Tomlin and/or Colbert do a good enough job on.
Click to expand...

So you're saying this all falls on Tomlin and Colbert? Seems to me that an implied, if not express, fundamental duty of the Defensive Coordinator would be " to project where the best matchups will be on game days and how to take advantage of size/skill in game situations." With input from the HC as needed after reviewing the game plan the DC has put together.

As for Colbert, I would be genuinely concerned if he was involved in game planning or projecting game day matchups. It's not an area that the GM should ever be involved in. Now, if you are talking about from a talent procurement perspective, then I would agree that it seems that recently (the last two years) they've drafted or signed as FAs more of the "under six foot tall" CBs. But, it's not like they didn't draft or obtain taller CBs either (Richardson, Webb is just under 6 ft).
 
Anyone hear anything about Cortez from OTAs?
 
SteelBuckeye said:
Not a peep. I'm hoping that no news is good news.
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With the way he started last year, you'd think there would be *something*. I wonder if he is even participating or still injured?
 
Looking at our depth chart though Cortez Allen better bounce back or Josh Gordon is going to eat Golson and Blakes lunch and then roll a blunt afterwards with them.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Blake was one of the best looking guys in training camp last year...then the games started. Hopefully, though, with more reps this year they will impress once the games start.
Click to expand...

ark steel said:
He didn't play badly by year end. Not great, but not bad, by any means. How many other teams' could trot out what is, essentially, their 4th or 5th CB and have better results? All of them?
Click to expand...

Ark beat me to it. Blake, by NO MEANS, was a bum last year. He's a hard worker and it'll be tough getting the new guys in front of him unless they are light years in front of him once the pads come on...
 
antdrewjosh said:
I remember him getting beat deep one time. But he was there. I remember him giving up a couple of TDs because he was too small basically but he was there. I remember him giving up plays in front of him that all Steelers CBs give up since forever lol. I count those against the scheme. I thought he played pretty darn good. Showed the willingness to hit and and was good in run support. For a low key FA pick up I thought he was VERY good.
Click to expand...

Fixed that for ya...
 
ark steel said:
Lol. Like Antonio is like your standard WR his size. He's one of the best in the league, of any size. If these guys can come close to covering that, right out of the box, I will cream my pants.
Click to expand...

You're gonna get SG all hot n bothered now...
 
OTA's opinions are just that. Some obviously better than others. Positive spin is always better than negative spin. I do hope the newbies are doing great, but also want blake & Cortez both improving. We definately NEED better secondary play.



Salute the nation
 
deljzc said:
Sometimes I wonder if our coaching/talent evaluation is myopic.

I just worry Tomlin and Co. are basing so much talent evaluation on practice that they fail to realize the general matchup issues created by the roster. It's like if you practice against a bad defense and your offense looks good, then come game day your offense looks bad, the coach can't say "We didn't execute like we did in practice" as an excuse.

I think Tomlin and this coaching sometimes talk themselves into players' ability based only on practice and internal matchups and not on trying to project where the best matchups will be on game days and how to take advantage of size/skill in game situations.

This all comes down to self-evaluation, which I have never thought Tomlin and/or Colbert do a good enough job on.
Click to expand...

And there you go, well said.
 
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