Steelers notebook: Antwon Blake gets outside shot in nickel

[hawaiiansteeler]

Steelers notebook: Blake gets outside shot in nickel

May 28, 2015
By Mark Kaboly and Chris Adamski

Antwon Blake prides himself in being able to play any position in the defensive backfield.

However, he does have a preference.

“For the most part, I am an outside corner,” Blake said. “I have been known to move around, but I feel like I am an outside corner, and that's what I like to do.”

During the first two days of organized team activities, Blake acknowledged he jumps into the starting left cornerback spot when the Steelers go to their nickel package, forcing veteran William Gay inside. Brice McCain, who signed with Miami, was their slot corner last year.

Blake played 11 games last season, including the final 10 when Cortez Allen was benched.

to read rest of article:

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/8448694-74/blake-defensive-corner#ixzz3bVAcbxh1

[hawaiiansteeler]

Mark Kaboly ‏@MarkKaboly_Trib May 28 -

Who caught my eye through first week of Steelers OTAs? CB Antwon Blake and P Jordan Berry.

https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib

[Psycho Ward 86]

How soon until we can start calling the secondary the Legion of Midgets

[hawaiiansteeler]

When the Steelers drafted cornerbacks Senquez Golson and Doran Grant last month, it seemed like veteran Antwon Blake, who was given a restricted-free-agent tender from the team earlier this offseason, would have an uphill climb to retain his starting status from 2014.

But now, with OTAs under way, it appears that Blake has a larger role to play on defense this year than initially expected. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mark Kaboly and Chris Adamski reported last week that Blake has been working as an outside cornerback in the nickel defense with William Gay in the slot role.

In an ideal world, the Steelers would not have to field a pair of rookie cornerbacks as starters. And from the looks of what Blake is doing in OTAs thus far, it appears that he's locking down a starting job. As Blake said, "For the most part, I am an outside corner. I have been known to move around, but I feel like I am an outside corner, and that's what I like to do." It seems that is what the Steelers like him to do, as well.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2482182-pittsburgh-steelers-ota-standouts-worth-keeping-an-eye-on-this-offseason