Andrew's Steelers Training Camp Primer: Defensive Backs
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - The Steelers report to Latrobe today with a new starting corner and holdovers manning the other spots in the secondary.
In this next in the series of 93-7TheFan.com Exclusive Web Primers, Andrew Fillipponi will take an in depth examination of the secondary of the Steelers.
Ike Taylor missed some time with injury last year leading to Cortez Allen seeing some playing time. Ike was off to a slow start last season before the injury. Andrew believes he is still definitely a starter although he might no longer be a shutdown corner.
Keenan Lewis signed a free agent deal with his hometown New Orleans Saints because the Steelers were up against the cap and it looks like the promising Cortez Allen will get first crack at starting opposite Ike.
William Gay is back and we will mostly see him in nickle packages. Like Bryant McFadden the year before, Gay washed out in Arizona but claimed that his heart was always in Pittsburgh. Curtis Brown is next on the depth chart but he has mostly been a disappointment.
Safety has been an area of strength for this team for quite some time but Troy Polamalu continued to have trouble staying healthy and on the field. Troy's conditioning seems to be great heading into camp and Andrew is betting that we see All-Pro Troy this season.
Ryan Clark is coming off a great season and is getting up there in years but still plays young.
Andrew is excited about fourth-round pick Shamarko Thomas who played safety at Syracuse. "He is more of a hitter than a cover safety" and he could take over for Clark as soon as next season. Robert Golden could see limited time spelling Troy.
Andrew has faith in this unit.
