Cam Sutton - First Impressions

[Mojouw]

The past two games have given us several opportunities to evaluate Cam Sutton at the NFL level. It seemed he was rotating series with Sensabaugh last night? Here is what I think about Sutton so far:

1. Kid is fearless. Was lined up at the LOS across from WRs multiple times and he made it work.
2. Really knows how to use the sideline as an extra defender. Pinned Maclin against it to help force the outside throw and the step-out late in the game.
3. Needs to get better in run support.

All in all he looks like he can play and play well in the NFL. I think I see what the Steelers are envisioning. Sutton and Burns up at the line and zone-drops filling in around them while a 4 man rush gets to the passer. It could work...

[cubanstogie]

The past two games have given us several opportunities to evaluate Cam Sutton at the NFL level. It seemed he was rotating series with Sensabaugh last night? Here is what I think about Sutton so far:

1. Kid is fearless. Was lined up at the LOS across from WRs multiple times and he made it work.
2. Really knows how to use the sideline as an extra defender. Pinned Maclin against it to help force the outside throw and the step-out late in the game.
3. Needs to get better in run support.

All in all he looks like he can play and play well in the NFL. I think I see what the Steelers are envisioning. Sutton and Burns up at the line and zone-drops filling in around them while a 4 man rush gets to the passer. It could work...
He had a great 4th quarter. The secondary did get beat a few times and had a total BS penalty on Burns on their last TD but stepped up in the 4th. All you can ask for is for them to have short memory. Its tough to judge secondary when the D is getting gashed by Ravens run game, tendency for the DB's to cheat. There is no doubt this secondary will get beat by Brady next week, they just have to make a few plays at end of game. The whole D tackled like shit, Sutton did have his share but overall the kid has potential.

[DesertSteel]

What was his snap count?

[teegre]

The past two games have given us several opportunities to evaluate Cam Sutton at the NFL level. It seemed he was rotating series with Sensabaugh last night? Here is what I think about Sutton so far:

1. Kid is fearless. Was lined up at the LOS across from WRs multiple times and he made it work.
2. Really knows how to use the sideline as an extra defender. Pinned Maclin against it to help force the outside throw and the step-out late in the game.
3. Needs to get better in run support.

All in all he looks like he can play and play well in the NFL. I think I see what the Steelers are envisioning. Sutton and Burns up at the line and zone-drops filling in around them while a 4 man rush gets to the passer. It could work...

Smartest DB in this last draft class.

(Smartest player overall not named Josh Dobbs.)

[Psycho Ward 86]

What was his snap count?

45% of defensive snaps: http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/12/steelers-vs-ravens-player-snap-counts-week-14/

[Mojouw]

What was his snap count?

If only you were sitting in front of a device that contained the wealth of human knowledge....:nerd:

Anyways, here it is -- http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/12/steelers-vs-ravens-player-snap-counts-week-14/

"cornerbacks Coty Sensabaugh (35 snaps) and Cameron Sutton (29 snaps) split time on the left side of the defense."

The really interesting exercise would be to look at the Ravens pass attempt distributions based on whether 24 or 34 was in the game. My faulty memory seems to indicate that they had far more success against 24 than 34. But until someone can break down the ALL-22 (which I do not pay for nor have time to do!) and make some decisions about Ravens offensive intent -- that question remains open for debate.

Further, what do the Steelers do when Haden returns?

1. Assume that Haden returns and by a week or so after he resumes playing is Joe Haden again - or at least the version of Joe Haden we saw the first half of the season. He gets all the snaps as one corner.
2. Burns gets all of the other snaps. Honestly, other than BS penalties, did Burns give up a meaningful play last night? He is really coming up as a player.
3. Hilton gets all of the snaps as the slot CB - because holy crap DONT mess with a good thing!

So that leaves William Gays 12-20 dime-back snaps per game a bit open for question. Do the Steelers feed some of those to Sutton as the likelier better coverage player at this point in his career? Do they keep Gay there because he can tackle better? Do you shift Gay into Golden's role in their bigger sub packages and hope the size difference doesn't hurt you?

So much to think about and all are good problems. At this point, my question is can William Gay play ILB?

[tube517]

If Sensablake and Haden can't play on Sunday, Sutton has his chance to play the whole game.

[tube517]

941746704604450816

[86WARD]

If Sensablake and Haden can't play on Sunday, Sutton has his chance to play the whole game.

Hopefully that’s not the case.

[AtlantaDan]

If Sensablake and Haden can't play on Sunday, Sutton has his chance to play the whole game.

Perhaps not

941739604201353217

[DesertSteel]

I think Haden will be a game time decision. I know he doesn't want to hurt the team so he won't go unless he feels he can get it done. He knows there are games still to play.

[st33lersguy]

I believe Sutton was drafted to help the team play man coverage better, so that is a good sign.

[teegre]

941746704604450816

:nod:

It bears iteration...

Sutton was the smartest DB in his draft class, and the smartest player not named Josh Dobbs.

[Mojouw]

Sutton looked good tonight. Seemed like he played most of the snaps.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Sutton looked good tonight. Seemed like he played most of the snaps.

Yep, he played well. Very encouraging.

[tube517]

Sutton to start in place of Burns?


http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2017/12/23/Steelers-pondering-changes-in-the-secondary-as-they-head-to-Houston-Cameron-Sutton-Joe-Haden-Artie-Burns/stories/201712230100

[BlackAndGold]

Guess the coaching staff are tired of Burns mental mistakes.

Could be good for him.

[Mojouw]

Could just be a way to get Sutton game reps prior to playoff games.

May not be a benching of Burns so much as it is the need to force feed Haden and Sutton reps in advance of elimination games.

Or it could be a regular good old fashioned benching. What do I know?


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[st33lersguy]

May be good to see what Sutton can do, especially with Burns being a disappointment in year 2

[teegre]

Strangely enough, this comes after Burns’ best game as a pro.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

Maybe they wan't to see how Sutton does covering Hopkins. That will be a great test if so.

[Psycho Ward 86]

i feel like its the latter. Burns has had several pretty good games in a row, definitely better than he has been the rest of the season.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Maybe they wan't to see how Sutton does covering Hopkins. That will be a great test if so.

Well, if we're going to experiment then its better to do it now and not in the playoffs.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

Well, if we're going to experiment then its better to do it now and not in the playoffs. Agreed and think that's what they are doing and not really a demotion to Burns and will use both.

[43Hitman]

Guess the coaching staff are tired of Burns mental mistakes.

Could be good for him.
It did wonders for Ike Taylor when he was young and struggling. This will only make him pay more attention to his details.

[hawaiiansteeler]

It did wonders for Ike Taylor when he was young and struggling. This will only make him pay more attention to his details.

great analogy

[pczach]

Well, if we're going to experiment then its better to do it now and not in the playoffs.


I think they want their young corners battle tested and ready to go when they face the Pats again. They're going to have their best "man" corners prepared.

Getting Haden back and a more prepared Sutton to go along with Burns is going to be huge. The secondary could be much stronger the next time around. I believe they're counting on that rematch happening and preparing for it right now. They're laying the groundwork for the next battle and they're hoping they have their full compliment of weapons offensively and defensively.

Sutton is clearly a guy that they believe in and they are throwing him into the fire to prepare him.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Maybe they wan't to see how Sutton does covering Hopkins. That will be a great test if so.

I like Sutton but I'm not sure if I like the idea of throwing him out there against Hopkins. We'll see.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Strangely enough, this comes after Burns’ best game as a pro.

How does that qualify as his best game as a pro? I actually thought from the way that Hilton played, that Burns looked like the 3rd best Steelers CB last week. Sutton is much better with his technique and footwork. Maybe Artie gets more mental reps watching somebody in his place.

[Devilsdancefloor]

Artie just needs to step away to much praise to early? has it gone to his head? hopefully he will take it as a learning experience and not get butthurt

[86WARD]

If it is indeed a true benching of Burns, didn’t Tomlin do that to another DB in the past and it worked out well? I can’t remember if it was a similar situation...Willie Gay maybe?

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

If it is indeed a true benching of Burns, didn’t Tomlin do that to another DB in the past and it worked out well? I can’t remember if it was a similar situation...Willie Gay maybe?

...thinking they benched Cortez Allen after giving him a big contract. Oops.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000412187/article/pittsburgh-steelers-bench-cortez-allen-mccain-to-start

[BlackAndGold]

So much for Sutton taking Burns starting spot.

[86WARD]

...thinking they benched Cortez Allen after giving him a big contract. Oops.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000412187/article/pittsburgh-steelers-bench-cortez-allen-mccain-to-start

Did he come back and play well for a little while after that benching?

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Did he come back and play well for a little while after that benching?

I don't think he did. I thought that was the year McCain and Blake became the popular underdog fan favorites because they had a couple good games and Allen was done.

[86WARD]

Hmmm...that may not be who Imam thinking of then. I thought someone was benched and then came back to start and played very well.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Hmmm...that may not be who Imam thinking of then. I thought someone was benched and then came back to start and played very well.

Ike got benched early in his career. Maybe that's who you're thinking of?

[tube517]

Ike got benched early in his career. Maybe that's who you're thinking of?

Yep and that was Cowher and it worked for Cowher because he spit when he benched Ike. :chuckle:

[Buckinnuts]

did sutton play yesterday?...didnt see him

[teegre]

How does that qualify as his best game as a pro? I actually thought from the way that Hilton played, that Burns looked like the 3rd best Steelers CB last week. Sutton is much better with his technique and footwork.

Those three things are not mutually exclusive.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Those three things are not mutually exclusive.

So you are saying that 1. Burns had his best game as a pro and 2. Hilton and Sutton were better than him that game?

[86WARD]

Ike got benched early in his career. Maybe that's who you're thinking of?

That might be it...but that wouldn’t be under Tomlin...but I think that’s it...