New Steelers cornerback Cockrell a quick study

[stillers4me]

Steelers cornerback Ross Cockrell is a graduate of Duke University and has aspirations to attend law school once his professional football career ends. His teammates might have surmised he was smart by looking at his college resume, but they found out just how bright he is when he made a seamless transition to a defense that has been known to confuse its own players as much as opposing quarterbacks.


Cockrell, who signed with the Steelers on Sept. 5 after getting cut by the Buffalo Bills, has ascended to a major role in the Steelers defense in quick order, a nod to his ability to digest the intricacies of a thick playbook........

read more @ http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201510110090

[86WARD]

Cockring has done a great job, but let's be honest, it wouldn't be hard to ascend to a major role within the Steelers defensive backfield with that mess they have going on there...

[Count Steeler]

Looks like brains is more important, if not as equally important as athleticism for the Steelers secondary.

[86WARD]

Maybe Boykin lacks the brainpower and that's why he's not playing...

[katmandu]

Looks like brains is more important, if not as equally important as athleticism for the Steelers secondary.

Shark is a prime example is he not ?

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[Mojouw]

Maybe Boykin lacks the brainpower and that's why he's not playing...

I really think that has to be it. The fact that most NFL players are fairly stupid has always been on the main reasons trades are rare. These guys just take too long to pick up the system to be of any use without tons of off-season time.

I figure Boykin sees the field when he starts demonstrating he knows his assignments.

[katmandu]

I really think that has to be it. The fact that most NFL players are fairly stupid has always been on the main reasons trades are rare. These guys just take too long to pick up the system to be of any use without tons of off-season time.

I figure Boykin sees the field when he starts demonstrating he knows his assignments.

I think people greatly under estimate a player's intelligence and over rate their athleticism.

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[GBMelBlount]

I think people greatly under estimate a player's intelligence and over rate their athleticism.

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I think Intelligence is implicitly accounted for as it translates into performance.

[86WARD]

I think people greatly under estimate a player's intelligence and over rate their athleticism.

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To be honest, I'm sure I do it all the time...lol...

[st33lersguy]

He did look good against the Rats last week

[Psycho Ward 86]

wow. people are in over their head. i think all these weeks of speculation of why boykin isnt playing has led to more and more largely baseless ideas of why he might not be playing.

if anyone thinks boykin managed to become one of the best slot corners on the planet without much of a brain, you are insane. especially considering we've been told week in and out that the defensive system has been greatly simplified so that young and new players can play faster. cornerback is a VERY cerebral position.

why is it difficult to assume the coaches are being idiots about who they put on the field/roster? thats been quite the trend the last couple of years.

these are the same guys that kept 2 fullbacks, dri archer, landry jones, and cam thomas for crying out loud

[Mojouw]

wow. people are in over their head. i think all these weeks of speculation of why boykin isnt playing has led to more and more largely baseless ideas of why he might not be playing.

if anyone thinks boykin managed to become one of the best slot corners on the planet without much of a brain, you are insane. especially considering we've been told week in and out that the defensive system has been greatly simplified so that young and new players can play faster. cornerback is a VERY cerebral position.

why is it difficult to assume the coaches are being idiots about who they put on the field/roster? thats been quite the trend the last couple of years.

these are the same guys that kept 2 fullbacks, dri archer, landry jones, and cam thomas for crying out loud

And what world-beaters were excluded from the roster instead of those players? You can't just argue things in a vacuum. Are the players you listed 3 of the least talented/least performing players on the roster? Of course. But a 53 man roster is not just the 53 best football players you can fit under the cap - it is the best overall team/depth you can construct.

Take Cam Thomas. Who else is going to play interior and exterior D-line positions? Last year there really wasn't anyone. And before you say it, Mauro only plays end. This year, they wanted to have McCullers be the swing guy, but he has been hurt. This offseason, the team brought in a fairly high number of D linemen. Some got injured, some are not ready for the NFL yet. Clearly they are well aware of Cam Thomas' limitiations, but none of the other options has come online yet. So Cam Thomas, despite his flaws and limitations, finds a place on the 53 man roster until one of the developmental prospects can push him off the roster - likely later this season and during he off season for sure.

Landry Jones. This team will always carry 3 quarterbacks. No one better shook loose during camp. Jones makes it another year. Regrettable, but totally predictable and at this point w/out 3 QBs the Steelers would be one play away from putting Tyler Murphy out there to just hand-off 35 times a game.

The multiple fullbacks were kept to help cover the early season injuries to Matt Spaeth and to help on special teams. Could easily see one of them cut if Spaeth can prove he is finally healthy. I don't agree with it totally, but one can start to see why 2 FBs when you look at the roster as a 53 piece puzzle of roles. Another FB gives you better emergency 2 or 3rd TE coverage than a reserve OT does.

Archer. This is the hardest one to see. I guess they want a return specialist? Hopefully he is the one who goes when Bryant needs a roster spot.

Point is, it isn't like the coaching staff is demonstrating completely illogical decisions - just they are often left with bad options. DL depth is terrible, so hello Cam Thomas, etc.

It isn't like they cut a bunch of actual NFL talents to keep these guys. That is the truly sad part. This team has yet to be able to build depth at all position groups. They are still lacking at QB, TE, DB, and DL. Hopefully with a bunch of dead money coming of the books and a few key extensions they can sign a couple of veteran free agents and finally push some of these "puzzle piece" guys off the roster.

[katmandu]

I think Intelligence is implicitly accounted for as it translates into performance.

Translates into RESULTS.

[katmandu]

why is it difficult to assume the coaches are being idiots about who they put on the field/roster? thats been quite the trend the last couple of years.

these are the same guys that kept.......... cam thomas for crying out loud

Say what you will but Cam Thomas is pulling his own weight this year. BIG change from last season.

He can play NT as well as Mojouw has pointed out. We need Cam Thomas now.

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It isn't like they cut a bunch of actual NFL talents to keep these guys. That is the truly sad part. This team has yet to be able to build depth at all position groups. They are still lacking at QB, TE, DB, and DL. Hopefully with a bunch of dead money coming of the books and a few key extensions they can sign a couple of veteran free agents and finally push some of these "puzzle piece" guys off the roster.

Depth wins Championships. Look at the Steeler's depth charts from the last couple Super Bowls.

With Tomlin's and Colbert's gaffs (swings and misses) the last few years is REALLY having an massive impact on the team right now. You just can't keep having busts and doing stupid shit like Woodley's and Cortez Allen's contracts! Just ain't gonna work!

[ALLD]

Say what you will but Cam Thomas is pulling his own weight this year. BIG change from last season.

He can play NT as well as Mojouw has pointed out. We need Cam Thomas now.

- - - Updated - - -

Depth wins Championships. Look at the Steeler's depth charts from the last couple Super Bowls.

With Tomlin's and Colbert's gaffs (swings and misses) the last few years is REALLY having an massive impact on the team right now. You just can't keep having busts and doing stupid shit like Woodley's and Cortez Allen's contracts! Just ain't gonna work!

Combine the misses with dumb drive killing trick plays and gift wrapped divisional opponent victories at home and you end up looking ordinary except for a few play making stars. We used to have some serious talent that played like a team, but we got 8-8 now.

[86WARD]

Cam Thomas is pretty bad when the rush is coming...