hawaiiansteeler
11-22-2015, 04:43 PM
Unheralded Steelers secondary spearheads turnover turnaround
November 22, 2015
By Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/image/2015/10/18/ca236,0,2600,1576/20151018mfsteelerssports12-1.jpg
Veteran safety Mike Mitchell, with cornerback Ross Cockrell right behind him, intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals receiver John Brown in a Steelers victory last month at Heinz Field.
If you didn’t think the Steelers pass defense could get worse after last season, you were wrong. The Steelers are on pace to give up 278.4 yards per game, 25 more per game than last season when they finished 27th in the NFL against the pass and set the franchise record for most passing yards against in one season.
But what the Steelers give up in yardage they take back in turnovers, something coach Mike Tomlin desperately wanted after three seasons of limited turnover production.
The Steelers forced only 20 turnovers in 2012 and ’13 and 21 last season. Through 10 games this season, they’ve forced 18, which ranks fifth in the league.
The defensive backs have been front and center in the turnaround. Of the team’s nine interceptions, all but one has come from the secondary. And of the team’s nine forced fumbles, four have come from defensive backs.
“Before the season, we made a goal for our secondary, improving our turnover ratio and getting more turnovers,” said cornerback Antwon Blake, who has forced a fumble and intercepted two passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
“We’ve been working hard on that and it’s showing up. Guys are doing a good job of taking advantage of the plays that are coming to us.”
The most intriguing part of the resurgence is the personnel. The Steelers invested two draft picks in cornerbacks in the spring, but neither is playing. Second-round pick Senquez Golson is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and fourth-round pick Doran Grant only recently was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. Projected starter Cortez Allen also is on injured reserve with a knee injury.
The Steelers are doing it with Blake, a former undrafted free agent who was the fourth cornerback last season; Ross Cockrell, who was picked up off waivers in September after Buffalo cut him; and veterans William Gay, Mike Mitchell and Will Allen.
Only Gay and Mitchell were starters entering training camp.
“I didn’t know what we had with some of the guys,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler admitted last week. “There have been some surprises, some not. Our safeties are playing good. Our two corners are doing a good job for us. Ross is doing a good job for us.
to read rest of article:
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/11/22/Unheralded-Steelers-secondary-spearheads-turnover-turnaround/stories/201511220077
November 22, 2015
By Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/image/2015/10/18/ca236,0,2600,1576/20151018mfsteelerssports12-1.jpg
Veteran safety Mike Mitchell, with cornerback Ross Cockrell right behind him, intercepts a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals receiver John Brown in a Steelers victory last month at Heinz Field.
If you didn’t think the Steelers pass defense could get worse after last season, you were wrong. The Steelers are on pace to give up 278.4 yards per game, 25 more per game than last season when they finished 27th in the NFL against the pass and set the franchise record for most passing yards against in one season.
But what the Steelers give up in yardage they take back in turnovers, something coach Mike Tomlin desperately wanted after three seasons of limited turnover production.
The Steelers forced only 20 turnovers in 2012 and ’13 and 21 last season. Through 10 games this season, they’ve forced 18, which ranks fifth in the league.
The defensive backs have been front and center in the turnaround. Of the team’s nine interceptions, all but one has come from the secondary. And of the team’s nine forced fumbles, four have come from defensive backs.
“Before the season, we made a goal for our secondary, improving our turnover ratio and getting more turnovers,” said cornerback Antwon Blake, who has forced a fumble and intercepted two passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
“We’ve been working hard on that and it’s showing up. Guys are doing a good job of taking advantage of the plays that are coming to us.”
The most intriguing part of the resurgence is the personnel. The Steelers invested two draft picks in cornerbacks in the spring, but neither is playing. Second-round pick Senquez Golson is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and fourth-round pick Doran Grant only recently was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. Projected starter Cortez Allen also is on injured reserve with a knee injury.
The Steelers are doing it with Blake, a former undrafted free agent who was the fourth cornerback last season; Ross Cockrell, who was picked up off waivers in September after Buffalo cut him; and veterans William Gay, Mike Mitchell and Will Allen.
Only Gay and Mitchell were starters entering training camp.
“I didn’t know what we had with some of the guys,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler admitted last week. “There have been some surprises, some not. Our safeties are playing good. Our two corners are doing a good job for us. Ross is doing a good job for us.
to read rest of article:
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/11/22/Unheralded-Steelers-secondary-spearheads-turnover-turnaround/stories/201511220077