CB Cockrell vaults ahead of Boykin on depth chart

[stillers4me]

Ross Cockrell is the next man up at cornerback. He spent much of the week working the boundary as William Gay switched to the nickle. It's an unexpected role for the second-year player, who was signed Sept. 5, a week after he was released by the Buffalo Bills.


“My role is to serve this defense as best I can,” Cockrell said. “We'll see what that turns out to be, but I'm prepared for everything. They don't bring you on the team unless you're ready to play.”


Cockrell has been thrust into the lineup, mostly because of injuries to Cortez Allen and Brandon Boykin. Boykin was limited in practice earlier this week with a groin injury but practiced Friday. Allen's right knee was heavily wrapped, and he isn't expected to play in Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers at Heinz Field..........

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...#ixzz3mC8NPbNn

[steelreserve]

Well that's just super.

[CaSteel]

Why trade for Boykin if your not gonna use him?

[ALLD]

Ross Cockrell is the next man up.
Cockrell has been thrust into the lineup.

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...#ixzz3mC8NPbNn

The dude has a porn star name and is living the dream.

[katmandu]

Why trade for Boykin if your not gonna use him?

--->>

Boykin was limited in practice earlier this week with a groin injury...

<<---

[Shoes]

Must be Mitchell infecting the secondary with groin pulls. Cortez is probably out also, he'll be spending his time texting Mendenhall and Sweed during game time.

[salamander]

I truly don't understand this team's mentality sometimes.

[86WARD]

Well.................

[Count Steeler]

How does he vault ahead if Boykin is injured? Makes it sound like Cockrell has been amazing in practice or something. Turns out that Allen and Boykin are both hurt.

Journalism. pfft.

[86WARD]

How does he vault ahead if Boykin is injured? Makes it sound like Cockrell has been amazing in practice or something. Turns out that Allen and Boykin are both hurt.

Journalism. pfft.

Thought the exact same thing. Journalism is just super, super lazy and desperate anymore. I'm sure if Boykin was 100%, Cockring wouldn't see the light of day. This should be an interesting SUnday...

[CaSteel]

--->> <<---

Boykin hadn't played even when healthy

[katmandu]

Boykin hadn't played even when healthy

One game. He's brand new to the system and was not yet ready for that game.

Sent from my VK810 4G using Tapatalk

[Count Steeler]

One game. He's brand new to the system and was not yet ready for that game.

Sent from my VK810 4G using Tapatalk

Sorry Kat, but I don't buy that. On at least 2 plays he could have been the 11th man. Even if he didn't move that would be an improvement.

When it comes to managing personnel this coaching staff has a lot to answer for.

Boykin could have played in at least 20 snaps, with no knowledge of the call and still would have been better than the secondary that was on the field.

[hawaiiansteeler]

patrick donovan @Pat_Jside
@Alex_Kozora a lot of ppl think Boykin isn't playing to save an early draft pick. I believe it's more than that. What's your thoughts?

Alex Kozora Retweeted patrick donovan
That's too nefarious. They probably value him most in the slot. And Gay will always be the top slot corner.

Christian Dangerous @Christian_Gonzo
@Alex_Kozora Is Cockrells play making it harder for Boykin to get time?

Alex Kozora Retweeted Christian Dangerous
Absolutely. Team isn't going to take Cockrell out of the lineup now.

https://twitter.com/Alex_Kozora

[Steeldude]

I wasn't impressed by Cockrell slowing up on that TD pass.

[86WARD]

Is Gay playing in the slot more than he is outside?

[Mojouw]

Boykin is 5 foot 9 or 5 foot 10. Cockrell is 6 foot. There is your answer. The Steelers have been looking for a taller CB since Ike started to decline. Cortez is a basket case and may never play again, if Cockrell plays at least even to Boykin in practice - he is going to get the nod on game day.

No conspiracy. No bizarre coaching decisions. Simply that Cockrell possess a physical attribute that the Steelers want in their outside CBs - he is tall.

[Merchant]

I wasn't impressed by Cockrell slowing up on that TD pass.

Were you impressed when he made the interception? And then again when he made the fumble recovery?

Cut the guy some slack. He barely has any experience and played very well I thought given the circumstances.

[Steeldude]

Were you impressed when he made the interception? And then again when he made the fumble recovery?

Cut the guy some slack. He barely has any experience and played very well I thought given the circumstances.

Were you impressed when he slowed up on the TD pass?

No, I wasn't impressed at all with his fumble recovery. A ball bounced off Flacco's knee and he happened to be there. I don't see how that is impressive, IMO. It's great to get a turnover, but it was hardly an impressive feat.

That being said, I hope he continues to improve. Hopefully he can replace Blake.

[Skinart82]

Were you impressed when he slowed up on the TD pass?

No, I wasn't impressed at all with his fumble recovery. A ball bounced off Flacco's knee and he happened to be there. I don't see how that is impressive, IMO. It's great to get a turnover, but it was hardly an impressive feat.

That being said, I hope he continues to improve. Hopefully he can replace Blake.

You were not impressed with the unreal amount of concentration it took to make that fumble recovery? It didn't just bounce in his gut and he grab it, he actually had to have sideline awareness and the awareness to keep the ball from moving all while tapping his toes like a pro receiver. I was very impressed, I was impressed with the jump he made on the interception too. The kid seems to have talent, granted it's one game, maybe he sucks after, but for right now, I'm impressed. You don't think Revis ever slowed up trying to locate the ball and then gave up a TD, it happens to the best of them.

[steelreserve]

Were you impressed when he slowed up on the TD pass?

No, I wasn't impressed at all with his fumble recovery. A ball bounced off Flacco's knee and he happened to be there. I don't see how that is impressive, IMO. It's great to get a turnover, but it was hardly an impressive feat.

That being said, I hope he continues to improve. Hopefully he can replace Blake.

Are you kidding? That was a great play to get us the ball back. He had to be in the right place, right time, AND make a hell of an effort.

I am right there with you on replacing Blake. That guy has been nothing but a liability for us this season. Sucks, because I had some hope for him. But Cockring is just as young with theoretically just as much upside, so he he turns out to be the better of the two, fine by me.

[tube517]

Is Gay playing in the slot more than he is outside?

He has been for quite a while, I think when they go to 3 CBs

[SteelerFanInStl]

Boykin is 5 foot 9 or 5 foot 10. Cockrell is 6 foot. There is your answer. The Steelers have been looking for a taller CB since Ike started to decline. Cortez is a basket case and may never play again, if Cockrell plays at least even to Boykin in practice - he is going to get the nod on game day.

No conspiracy. No bizarre coaching decisions. Simply that Cockrell possess a physical attribute that the Steelers want in their outside CBs - he is tall.

If this is true, why did we draft 2 CBs who are 5' 10" and 5' 9"?

[Mojouw]

If this is true, why did we draft 2 CBs who are 5' 10" and 5' 9"?

Desperation? Honestly I have no idea. But look at their track record. They always want one tall guy in the mix.

As to the draft, I assume the logic was best CBs remaining according to the team. Coupled with the fact that almost all the existing CBs on the roster are set for FA or have totally voidable contracts, it was time to restock the cupboard with anything and everything.

[86WARD]

Which is a terrible way to draft.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Desperation? Honestly I have no idea. But look at their track record. They always want one tall guy in the mix.

As to the draft, I assume the logic was best CBs remaining according to the team. Coupled with the fact that almost all the existing CBs on the roster are set for FA or have totally voidable contracts, it was time to restock the cupboard with anything and everything.

It seemed like they were going for "ball skills" in this draft in regard to the secondary. If they regard "ball skills" so highly, it would seem like Boykin would be playing more.

I shouldn't try to analyze what this team does regarding the secondary though because most of it doesn't make sense.

[Rotorhead]

I'm happy he is out there, he is making plays. Hopefully Boykin can heal and be healthy for the stretch run too. Would be nice to not have worry about our secondary every time the ball is thrown. Now that our Rush is much improved our def is getting better. Maybe our injured draft pick will be good next season and we will field a half decent backfield.

[ALLD]

Two turnovers pushes him to the first string. We haven't seen 2 TOs in a long time let alone by the same player.

[TeeTee]

Thought the exact same thing. Journalism is just super, super lazy and desperate anymore. I'm sure if Boykin was 100%, Cockring wouldn't see the light of day. This should be an interesting SUnday...

It should be, but I think Monday will be even more compelling.

- - - Updated - - -

Two turnovers pushes him to the first string. We haven't seen 2 TOs in a long time let alone by the same player.

He seems to just have a knack for it; that recovery of the fumble on the sidelines was pretty damn impressive. How many CBs would have hauled that ball in while keeping both feet inbounds?

[StillCurtains]

The TRUE problem is not having Cockrell and Boykin in at the same time! Cockrell is 6'0. He covers well and has BALL skills! He should start on one side. As for Boykin! Seen this guy play his WHOLE career in Philly! He's not some camp body project player that the Steelers usually get. He has good cover skills and picked off passes against receivers like Dez Bryant.

I believe that they either are not playing him because they don't want to give up that 4th rd draft pick, or he complained about playing time. If he complained he has every right to. He's the best corner on the team hands down.
He SHOULD be starting on the other side.

I Love Willie Gay! Smartest corner on the team and has decent coverage and ball skills. Only problem is, he doesn't have the speed and athletic ability to stay with guys like Dez Bryant on the outside. He needs to stay in the slot where he can play against smaller receivers.

Yes Boykin is small, but he has more speed and athletic ability than Gay to play outside to go along with his coverage and ball skills.

Now Blake: They need to get this dude the HELL of the field!! He's a practice squad project at it's finest! If he wants to lay hard hits on people then put him on special teams! He offers NOTHING! Has speed but CAN'T COVER! He makes NO plays on the BALL. He CAN'T LOCATE the BALL, and NEVER TURNS for the BALL.

It's absolutely disgraceful for him to be even CALLED a corner let alone start over Boykin.