Pittsburgh steelers must be added talent rookie, the Steelers secondary sucks! They
have to get some young talent on their NFL network! If they
don't improve their secondary, they will not make it back to the playoffs! Sound
familiar? Sure it does. Those words normally are followed by stats that say how
the Steelers pass defense dropped from first in 2008 to 16th in 2009. Another
brilliant observation is, Will Gay was destroyed last year, we really miss
Bryant McFadden. There are a couple of things that all of the "sky is
falling" fans have forgotten. Troy Polamalu. First and foremost, when
Polamalu was playing, the Steelers pass defense looked as good as it did in
2008. Did Will Gay forget how to play when Polamalu was not in the games? No,
with Polamalu playing in the secondary, it makes ALL of the defensive backs
play better. Do you not think Polamalu had anything to do with McFadden playing
great in 2008? Lets take a look at the Steelers defensive backs for 2009. Ike
Taylor is in his seventh year with the Steelers. He did not become a full time
starter until 2005. It was his third year in the league, he joined the Steelers
in the fourth round of the 2003NFL news. Then we have Deshea Townsend. Townsend
joined the Steelers in the fourth round of the 1998 draft. He did not earn a
starting job until 2005. This means the Steelers HAVE to draft someone to help
the secondary this year, right? WRONG! The Steelers spent two draft picks in
2009 on their secondary. The third round brought Keenen Lewis. Lewis, who is 6
foot tall, is being groomed to be the eventual replacement for Ike Taylor. Taylor still has some
years left in his tank. No, he can't catch. He never could. He still defends
the oppositions best receiver, and normally, does a better than average job
against them. You may be asking now, well Ike did not do that great last year,
what about that? Remember, POLAMALU. The fifth round brought the Steelers the
speedy Joe Burnett. Burnett is expected to eventually take over the Nickel
position, to cover the faster slot receivers. Now you may say, well neither of
them played fantastic last year. Two points. 1. Steelers rookies NEVER play
amazing, because of the scheme they need to learn. It is a big transition going
from college to the NFL teams. 2. Do you remember Troy Polamalu's rookie
season? He stunk too! Very annoying.
