Do the CB's upgrade themselves?

[Chadman]

Chadman is fully aware of the 'need' to upgrade at CB this offseason. After all, CB has been the weakest link on the Defense for a number of seasons.

Brandon Boykin is a board favourite now, and fair enough- he played well last season.

And yes, Boykin along with William Gay & Antwon Blake are FA's right now.

Let's assume, because it seems most likely, that both Gay & Blake are brought back.

Gay is installed as the starter- no question.

Boykin is going to be harder to re-sign as there appears to be more likely a market for his skills.

So who starts opposite Gay? well, for a lot of last season it was Blake. Safe to say, that can be upgraded.

On the roster right now are Sanquez Golson, Ross Cockerill & Doran Grant, along with injury returnee Cortez Allen.

It's fairly safe to say that Allen is an upgrade on Blake regardless of any improvement. That said, you'd hope that there is some kind of improvement in Allen, as he clearly hasn't played to his price tag. Making it out of Training Camp is no certainty, however.

Golson was the 2nd Round selection last season, and you have to assume he will be playing some next season. Chadman remembers that he was getting fairly positive press before his injury.If the team is going to invest a 2nd Round pick in him, he's going to get an opportunity to play.

Ross Cockerill was brought in at the last minute & thrust into the playing line-up & didn't come out of it looking terrible. Is it safe to assume a full Training Camp will have him further along for next season?

Doran Grant was rated higher by some posters than Golson in the draft. Just because he was drafted later doesn't make him a lesser player. Could he be the "Ace in the Sleeve"? The report is that the Steelers may have promoted him to the active roster to avoid another team pinching him off the PS. If they were determined to keep him then, do they feel he is something going forward?

Obviously a few of us are now on the "Sign Brice McCain" wagon, and if he is simply brought in to play the nickle role, and plays at a level similar to what he played for the Steelers in the past...

There's a lot of ifs in there, no doubt. But that's the problem with young players. You just don't know.

A year ago many on here wanted to write this Defense off as terrible. They were young. They still are. This CB group is very young. They will develop, to some degree.

Is the upgrade at CB already on the roster? Is it just natural development required, with a dash of veteran experience?

Chadman brings this up because the CB position, unlike most other Defensive positions, is young throughout.

The D-Line doesn't have a bunch of young guys looking to push into the starting line-up, or even spell the starters, outside of Walton, who hardly dressed.

The OLB's have 2 younger guys with 2 older guys backing them up. If Jones doesn't come on, who is the natural progression from him?

There is really nothing coming through at Safety after Shark Thomas hasn't developed as hoped.

Chadman isn't saying that CB is set. Far from it. But, there are a lot of young guys there already to work with. More than at the other positions.

Will they naturally upgrade themselves through development? Do the Steelers have to invest another young player to the mix?

[Rara]

Boykin needs to be re-signed and STARTING. I hated that they trade for him and finally use him right at the end of the year. He is a quality starter, give him more of a chance.

As I've read too..Golson is an "extra draft pick" for this year, since we haven't gotten to see him play in the pros yet. This year is the year we see him play...hopefully.

[Chadman]

Boykin needs to be re-signed and STARTING. I hated that they trade for him and finally use him right at the end of the year. He is a quality starter, give him more of a chance.

As I've read too..Golson is an "extra draft pick" for this year, since we haven't gotten to see him play in the pros yet. This year is the year we see him play...hopefully.

So, if Boykin is resigned, and Golson comes into the rotation, do the Steelers need to draft a CB?

[LordVile]

So, if Boykin is resigned, and Golson comes into the rotation, do the Steelers need to draft a CB?

I don't think so. See what we have with these two and invest in Safety, OLB and or D-LINE...

[Slapstick]

If the #25 pick is up and a CB is the highest rated player, then there is no question...draft him...

[steeler_george]

I think the problem with our corners ,who we have or are going to be FA, are all the same type of players... no one really has the potential to step up game to be an Ike ( all though they might of had more interceptions) If it would switch there jerseys arround you wouldn't notice.

They are all just plug play corners, It is like plugging your flat tires over and over again, when you really need new tires!

Hopefully Golson is start of the movement. Now, what if instead of signing Gay or/and Boykin ( each probably wants 3-4 mill) would it be better to go after one of the top CB in FA for that equal value of both those player? Then sign Blake/Mcain caliber player, until Dorant proves his worth and select a rookie to develope.

cb1 fa
cb2 Cockerill/Golson (If he can play outside)
cb3 Golson/Cocherill
cb4 Rookie/Blake

As for the safeties, which I think are bigger worry than our CB situation, resign Golden to pair with Mitchel, they worked well together IMHO, and go into the draft looking for Goldens upgrade. Besides Mitchel who else is signed as a safety?

[calmkiller]

Here is what the Steelers were thinking, IMO. William Gay is the slow WR. Allen and Blake the starters. Golson was the backup to Gay and would take over the slot after 1 year and they had the option to let Gay walk again. Golson gets hurt, which screws up the whole plan. They trade for a 1 year stop gap for the backup slot. Allen under performs and they pick up Cockrell in the last rounds of cuts. So they put their eggs in the Allen and Golson baskets and lost.


That is what I believe their thinking was at least. They should bring back Gay and Boykin IMO and let Blake walk. The problem is the Steelers want tall CB on the outside. Gay at 5-11 would be the tallest if Allen is gone. Outside of Cockrell.

[phillyesq]

So, if Boykin is resigned, and Golson comes into the rotation, do the Steelers need to draft a CB?

That is three really small corners. The Steelers want somebody with size at the position. Cockrell has size and is likely to improve. With that said, I think you still add a corner in the draft.

First, I really doubt that Boykin resigns. I'd be shocked if he didn't get better money elsewhere. He is saying the right things going into free agency, but I still think he is gone.

If you have Gay, Golson and Cockrell, with maybe Blake or Allen in the mix, I think you still add a corner. Don't reach for one in the first if the right guy isn't there, but add a corner with size at some point in the process.

[feltdizz]

That is three really small corners. The Steelers want somebody with size at the position. Cockrell has size and is likely to improve. With that said, I think you still add a corner in the draft.

First, I really doubt that Boykin resigns. I'd be shocked if he didn't get better money elsewhere. He is saying the right things going into free agency, but I still think he is gone.

If you have Gay, Golson and Cockrell, with maybe Blake or Allen in the mix, I think you still add a corner. Don't reach for one in the first if the right guy isn't there, but add a corner with size at some point in the process.

any corner we draft after the 3rd will probably be a wasted pick. We rarely convert those guys into anything but a servicable back up who we blame for every loss.

Gilson should be ready this year so I doubt we go for a CB early.

Cockrell, Boykin, Gay and Blake...

we may not be fans of Blake but obviously the coaches like his sixe and think he will pan out. There was a time when Gay was the boards whipping boy and now he is a solid CB in our system. I think Blake will do the same thing.

[RuthlessBurgher]

On the roster right now are Sanquez Golson, Ross Cockerill & Doran Grant, along with injury returnee Cortez Allen.

It's fairly safe to say that Allen is an upgrade on Blake regardless of any improvement. That said, you'd hope that there is some kind of improvement in Allen, as he clearly hasn't played to his price tag. Making it out of Training Camp is no certainty, however.

I can't see Cortez being on the roster beyond June 1, never mind training camp (actually, I think he gets cut way earlier than that, but with a June 1 designation). His $4.4 million in cap savings this year is more important than any potential on-field contribution at this point. Just admit the mistake and cut the cord...he won't sniff Latrobe again, IMO.

[feltdizz]

I can't see Cortez being on the roster beyond June 1, never mind training camp (actually, I think he gets cut way earlier than that, but with a June 1 designation). His $4.4 million in cap savings this year is more important than any potential on-field contribution at this point. Just admit the mistake and cut the cord...he won't sniff Latrobe again, IMO.

Tomlin's answer to Allen's future contributions said it all.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

any corner we draft after the 3rd will probably be a wasted pick. We rarely convert those guys into anything but a servicable back up who we blame for every loss.

**** wanted an Ike Taylor to beat out Ike Taylor

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

So, if Boykin is resigned, and Golson comes into the rotation, do the Steelers need to draft a CB?

I can see them taking a CB in the first, maybe the second. I don't see them taking one after that though - they will already have that guy. There really isn't much separating the likes of Cockerill, Boykin, Gay, Golson, Grant in terms of your hopes and expectations of them.

I see that NFL.com now has Alexander falling to the Steelers at 25. Since he probably has a higher ceiling than any CB in the discussion, I can see the team grabbing him.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I see that NFL.com now has Alexander falling to the Steelers at 25. Since he probably has a higher ceiling than any CB in the discussion, I can see the team grabbing him.

I wouldn't be upset with that selection.