Anyone else pleased how....

[Oviedo]

Artie Burns, Sean Davis and Javon Hargrave are looking like they get it? Every week they seem to play better and better because they are getting the reps as rookies. Still not finished products but the arrow is definitely pointing up.

[squidkid]

it was the browns. the previous weeks they sucked by everyones standards on this board

[fordfixer]

Artie Burns, Sean Davis and Javon Hargrave are looking like they get it? Every week they seem to play better and better because they are getting the reps as rookies. Still not finished products but the arrow is definitely pointing up.

I agree while they still have room for improvement it seems as if they are getting better each week

[Ernie]

I think those guys are going to be fine.

[pittpete]

I think Artie Burns has that fire to be great..
I wish he could teach the other DBs how to catch a FN ball in the air.
There were 3 flutter ball ducks thrown in the air yesterday and they were all completed.

[feltdizz]

Artie Burns, Sean Davis and Javon Hargrave are looking like they get it? Every week they seem to play better and better because they are getting the reps as rookies. Still not finished products but the arrow is definitely pointing up.

I like what I'm seeing. Burns is going to get burned but he is also going to make some plays.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I like what I'm seeing. Burns is going to get burned but he is also going to make some plays.

With a name like "Burns" he'd better be able to make some plays.

[birtikidis]

I think Artie Burns has that fire to be great..
I wish he could teach the other DBs how to catch a FN ball in the air.
There were 3 flutter ball ducks thrown in the air yesterday and they were all completed.

man he's not pretty when he catches it though. He looks like he has no ability to catch whatsoever. Just glad that he's able to.,

[BradshawsHairdresser]

man he's not pretty when he catches it though. He looks like he has no ability to catch whatsoever. Just glad that he's able to.,

Didn't one ball bounce right off Burns' chest in the Browns game? Or was that another player?

[D Rock]

Burns leads the team in INTs and PD. Not bad for a rookie.

And really, he just looks different out there than I remember any recent Steelers CBs looking. He is always right around the action, physical, and actually involved in plays at the point of the catch. I like what I see so far for being a raw player.

[NorthCoast]

Burns has flashed enough in games thus far it seems really promising he will be one of the best CBs the Steelers have had since Ike Taylor. Imagine what that means to not have to worry about the opponent's #1 WR each game? Ike did it for years.

[Oviedo]

Timely article

By Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette





After some early ups and downs, the rookie draft class is starting to make an impact on the defense. Rookie first-round pick Artie Burns recorded his second career interception to thwart Cleveland’s first drive at the 4-yard line. Later, third-round pick Javon Hargrave picked up his first NFL sack and scored his first NFL touchdown when he fell on a fumble in the end zone. Second-round pick Sean Davis made his first start at safety, playing all 66 snaps, and had his first NFL touchdown called back by a penalty.


“It was an awesome feeling when Artie got the pick,” Davis said. “I was super happy when Javon scored his touchdown. That’s a great feeling. I took a step back during one of the TV timeouts. We were in the huddle and I said, ‘My bros are in the huddle with me.’ They brought us here for a reason, seeing all three of us on the field at the same time, it was an awesome feeling.”
Davis has taken over at strong safety for veteran Robert Golden. The Steelers made the decision more than a month ago to relieve Davis of his duties as the starting slot cornerback and had him concentrate on safety. He finished with two tackles against the Browns, but he was active in the defense. Twice, he came on blitzes and almost sacked the quarterback.


Defensive coordinator Keith Butler has said from the time he drafted Davis that his blitzing skills can add something to the defense.
“Good pattern and good call,” Davis said of blitzes. “I just have to slow down. I got so happy when I saw that big hole. I was flying in there. I just have to slow down a little bit and make the play. The hole was huge. I got so excited. I came in a little too fast.”


Davis also came close to making his first career interception. But the one that really got away was the 37-yard fumble return for a touchdown with 1:23 remaining. A Dan McCullers penalty nullified the play.

“I didn’t do a celebration because I kind of thought something happened,” Davis said. “It sucks, but as long as I continue to do what I’m supposed to do, it will come again.”

[feltdizz]

I hope this is a sign of things to come this season. It would be lovely for our young guys to be the spark on D for the second half of the season.

[Steelhere10]

Artie will be special.