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Pittsburgh Steelers: Assessing the secondary entering summer

By Russell S. Baxter

Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) scores a touchdown past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Sean Davis (28) and cornerback Artie Burns (25)during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Cowboys won the game, 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) scores a touchdown past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Sean Davis (28) and cornerback Artie Burns (25)during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Cowboys won the game, 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /
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Training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers is on the way. We are now focused on the defensive side of the ball. Next up is the secondary.

We continue on with Part 8 of our 10-part series for NFL Spin Zone. As the NFL offseason carries on, the Pittsburgh Steelers and 31 other teams are all on hiatus from team practices. In the meantime, we’ve been looking at every aspect of the roster in the Steel City in-depth. The entire offensive unit, as well as the defensive line and linebackers have all been assessed to this point. Meanwhile, it’s time to take a look at what has lately been a problem area for Mike Tomlin’s club: The secondary.

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Slowly but surely, the Steelers defensive backfield makes progress over the course of the 2016 season. A pair of rookies in cornerback Artie Burns and strong safety Sean Davis eventually become starters and help this unit grow.

And then came the AFC title game at Foxborough. A humbling 36-17 loss to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots was a major step backwards for the secondary.

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This offseason, the team uses free agency twice to add veteran depth to a relatively young group. The additions of cornerback Coty Sensabaugh (New York Giants) and safety Daimion Stafford (Tennessee Titans). General manager Kevin Colbert also uses a pair of draft choices on cornerbacks Cameron Sutton (3-Tennessee) and Brian Allen (5-Utah).

Elsewhere, these newcomers join a group that includes cornerbacks Ross Cockrell and William Gay. The latter enters his 10th NFL season. Free safety Mike Mitchell has been a good fit for the club and is arguably the leader of the secondary. He’s backed up by Robert Golden. And by all indications, we’re finally getting ready to see 2015 second-round cornerback Senquez Golson. His NFL career has been derailed by injuries to date.

Evaluation:

It’s arguably the biggest question mark regarding Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers. Will 2016 rookies Burns and Davis make strides? Can Cockrell bounce back from a disappointing year? Will Golson finally see the field? How quickly can Sutton and Allen contribute?

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Yes, Brady and the mighty Patriots have been the Black and Gold’s big albatross for a long time. All told, it’s time Tomlin and company found some solutions when it comes to this group.

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