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polamalubeast
02-15-2016, 11:48 AM
Free agent cornerback Brandon Boykin, who’s spending the early part of the offseason training at a boxing gym in the Atlanta area, said he’s open to a return to the Pittsburgh Steelers despite a rough first four months with the organization.

Boykin is Pro Football Focus’ 10th-ranked free agent cornerback. He recorded six interceptions with the Eagles in 2013. But after the Steelers traded a fifth-round pick for him on Aug. 1, they kept him on the bench for 12 games, relegated to special teams duty.

He finally broke the lineup in Week 13 and acquitted himself well with one interception, two passes defended, a forced fumble and a sack. He finished the year playing 24.7 percent of the defensive snaps, ranking seventh among Steelers in the defensive backfield, which struggled at times in 2015. Russell Wilson's five-touchdown performance in a Week 12 Steelers loss finally prompted coach Mike Tomlin to shuffle the lineup.

Boykin said he didn’t know why he sat out and didn’t want to cause any commotion, so he kept his head down until he got a chance. Overall, his experience in Pittsburgh was a positive one.

“At the end, the organization said they appreciated how I went about it, being a pro, not really talking about it,” Boykin said. “I don’t have any hard feelings toward Pittsburgh. Absolutely, under the right circumstances, for sure [I’d return].”

Boykin said he had a good rapport with teammates and enjoyed being in a locker room with a “championship swagger” that prioritizes game preparation above all else. It’s a calm locker room where “nobody’s really worried,” Boykin said, just confident.


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http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/17766/free-agent-brandon-boykin-open-to-steelers-return-despite-playing-time-issues

Steeldude
02-15-2016, 11:51 AM
In other words, show me the money.

Rotorhead
02-15-2016, 12:21 PM
I guess it all depends on what they to the spot opposite Cockrell. If they go FA to fill that position and resign Gay for the slot, we won't keep Boykin. If they expect Gay to fill that position then we could bring Boykin back for the slot, but that is doubtful. I don't think we will keep him (even though I think we should).

steelreserve
02-15-2016, 12:35 PM
If they keep him, either he or Golson is going to have to play outside. (Would that make Gay the backup at all three positions? Would that mean Gay is gone entirely?)

It makes no sense to have three slot corners who you can only use in the slot, and leave the rest to be a dumpster fire.

I really don't think the height thing should be as huge of a deal as people make it out to be. Once you get past "omg Seattle! omg tall defensive backs!" the reality is you're talking about two, maybe three inches in height difference, and it's not going to come into play very often. Even on a jump ball to a 6'5" receiver 40 yards down the field with no safety help, the first thing is, did you stay with the receiver and do you have good position. If not, it doesn't matter if the receiver is 4 feet tall and you're 6'10". The idea that an outside corner MUST be 6 feet tall is an overblown fad if you ask me.

86WARD
02-16-2016, 07:17 PM
In other words, show me the money.

That's all.

tube517
02-17-2016, 01:55 PM
http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/02/steelers-gm-says-team-considered-boykin-more-of-an-inside-corner/

Count Steeler
02-17-2016, 02:53 PM
http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/02/steelers-gm-says-team-considered-boykin-more-of-an-inside-corner/

And Blake? He was inside out all season.

tube517
03-10-2016, 01:32 PM
http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/03/cb-brandon-boykin-believes-trade-conditions-played-role-lack-playing-time/


CB Brandon Boykin Believes Trade Conditions Played Role In Lack Of Playing Time