CB battle

[pete74]

There is a log jam at the Cornerback position this season. That does not mean it is a good log jam but there is one. The Steelers were able to lock up Ike Taylor and brought back William Gay this offseason. The team also drafted 2 players in April. With Bryant McFadden, Crezdon Butler, Donovan Warren and Keenan Lewis already on the squad this team will have some tough decisions to make when the final roster comes out. There are 8 guys and possibly only 5 or maybe 6 spots available. Two of these guys at a minimum are going packing.

With the shortened offseason Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden should probably be penciled in as starters. They were there last season and we did make it to the Super Bowl. The battles start at Nickel Corner and beyond. I believe the team will keep 6 corners this year with all the young guys on the team. They normally make good special teamers as well.

Option 1

William Gay- Gay and McFadden took to the media today to talk about how they are mistreated and people don’t know what they really do for the team. Yes they get picked on. Yes fans make fun of them. BUT, also yes they are the weakest link. If either of these two (Gay Especially) could cover anyone Jorday Nelson wouldn’t have whooped our ass in the Super Bowl. How about you stop whining about getting picked on and pick off a pass or maybe even just knock one down. When we play teams that throw quick passes and we can’t pass rush you two get crushed. Ask Gronkowski from the Patriots what it is like to score three touchdowns in a game Willie.

If you couldn’t tell I do not like William Gay. I was pissed when we signed him even if it was a one year deal. I do not want to cut another rookie and lose them to another team and Gay hasn’t shown me anything in his career. I would rather take a chance on someone. They can’t be any worse and they are definitely a lot cheaper.

Option 2

Kennan Lewis- Lewis received his shot last year in the preseason and after 1 quarter was in Mike Tomlin’s doghouse for the rest of the season. He was given the oppurtunity to try and start and blew that right out the window. He has the size and the skillset to be good. He has great speed but it seems as if he is missing something upstairs. He has practiced well in the preseason and got some good reps while Ike Taylor was not allowed to practice. Lewis has the potential. Now lets see if he can get that Nickel Cornerback away from William Gay.

Option 3

Crezdon Butler- Butler is a bit of an unknown. He comes with high praise from the coaches about how well he works but we have not really gotten to see him on the field that much to be able to judge what could become of him. From what we hear we should be fans and expect him to become a solid player but I need to witness it first. He only got in four games last season and it was all on Special Teams. He only made one tackle. I hold out hope for this kid.

Option 4

Donovan Warren- Warren was brought in as an undrafted and teamless free agent at the end of last season. He was highly regarded by scouts coming from Michigan. He had a bad combine and people started watching more tape and he fell off the face of the earth on draft day in 2010. He spent some time with the Giants last season but utlimately was cut. He looks like he should be more of a Free Safety then a corner. I think it may be practice squad or bust for Warren.

Option 5

Curtis Brown- Brown was brought in as a third round draft choice out of Texas. He has been lucky to have all of the minor injuries and CBA problems. It has given him many reps with the first team defense. He has even been running with the second team at the same time as well as playing on Special Teams. They are wearing the kid out already. He is taking it though and that is impressive.

Brown looks to be a good cover corner. He makes up ground and breaks on the ball while it is in the air very well. He has good vision at the corner spot. Even with his small frame he is not afraid to hit. I do not think he will be in the rotation in game 1 but by the end of the season I expect to see this kid in the Nickel Cornerback role if he keeps playing at the level he is now and gets better throughout the year.

Option 6

Cortez Allen- Allen looks like what the Steelers love to bring to the team. He follows in the Ike Taylor, Kennan Lewis type player. Big corner with size and speed who has potential but is very raw. Allen has a long way to go to be a good corner but even as a project he seems to have that quality that you can’t teach. He could be someone who really helps us down the line. His roster spot may be set because we can not afford to let another team snag him once he hits waivers.

The Steelers are young at corner and look to be getting even younger. There seems to be a change over happening with this unit and it could be a good thing for this team.

Week 1 Depth Chart

1.Ike Taylor
2.Bryant McFadden
3.Keenan Lewis
4.Curtis Brown
5.Crezdon Butler
6.Cortez Allen
Mid Season Depth Chart

1.Ike Taylor
2.Bryant McFadden
3.Curtis Brown
4.Crezdon Butler
5.Keenan Lewis
6.Cortez Allen
I do not like William Gay and he is only going to hurt this team by making the roster. I realize that he most likely will but it does not benefit the team especially if we lose one of the rookies to keep him.

[fer522]

I do not like William Gay and he is only going to hurt this team by making the roster. I realize that he most likely will but it does not benefit the team especially if we lose one of the rookies to keep him.

couldn't agree with you more

[Steelboy84]

Gay is a pretty good blitzer, but terrible in coverage. Why not keep him in some blitz/ zone packages?

[Dodens Grav]

Gay is underrated as a nickel corner. I guarantee there are worse nickelbacks in this league. There's also no way that he doesn't make the roster. They would not have given him a one year deal if he was not a lock.

[steeltheone]

Originally Posted by Dodens Grav

Gay is underrated as a nickel corner. I guarantee there are worse nickelbacks in this league. There's also no way that he doesn't make the roster. They would not have given him a one year deal if he was not a lock.

Very true!

[SoCalFan]

We just got to hope Gay made strides to straighten up his game in the off season!The coaching staff is around these guys on a regular basis and must see something,im putting my trust in the coaches...Awwww shit,I forgot about B.A....

[Fire Arians]

i wouldn't be surprised if bryant mcfadden is the one who doesn't make the cut.

gay is not bad in the nickel, just not covering a #1 wr or tight end

[55BaileyFan]

Cortez is way to far down on the list.

I think that Taylor and McFadden will start as our #1 guys but I think BMac will fall behind either Curtis Brown or Cortez. I think Gay will be the Nickel guy as long as one of the rookies doesn't show him up. I think the depth will end up.

Taylor, Brown, BMac, Gay, Allen, Butler....with the last two getting reps in Nickel and Dime packages.

[tanda10506]

Gay seems to be horrible covering anybody. Of course Taylor and McFadden will start game one, but the more I here about Brown the more I like him. A good coverage corner that isn't afraid to make a big hit, that is exactly what we need. Lewis can go and I wouldn't mind seeing Gay go either, but that's unlikely. I'm just hoping that Brown comes out and plays extremely well, like Pouncey did his rookie year, and takes the #2 spot from McFadden. McFadden got burnt a lot last year, however in Nickel I think he would do okay.

[Dodens Grav]

Anybody that thinks Curtis Brown will surpass Bryant McFadden this year doesn't really understand the situation. McFadden will be the #2 corner all season barring injuries. It's possible that Keenan Lewis beats out Gay for the nickel position before the season begins, but there's no way Brown even sees the field on anything but special teams (again, barring injury) until later on in the season. The kid's only had a playbook for a couple weeks. And Cortez Allen might not even see the active roster last year if he even avoids being put on the practice squad. He's by far the most raw and least ready cornerback on the entire roster.