Training Camp – Defensive Backfield
This is the first of my posts breaking down this year’s positional battles during this year’s training camp. I figured that I would start with my personal favorite and get finished with the cornerbacks (or lack thereof) in Latrobe this year. Positions reflected are straight from the Steelers website, for example DB could reflect cornerback or safety as needed on the roster. Ok, here is what we are looking at:
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Age | Exp. | College |
| Taylor, Ike | CB | 6/2 | 195 | 30 | 8 | Louisiana-Lafayette |
| McFadden, Bryant | CB | 6/1 | 190 | 28 | 6 | Florida State |
| Gay, William | CB | 5/10 | 190 | 25 | 4 | Louisville |
| Pitman, David | CB | 5/11 | 185 | 26 | 4 | Northwestern St. |
| Burnett, Joe | CB | 5/10 | 192 | 23 | 2 | Central Florida |
| Lewis, Keenan | CB | 6/1 | 208 | 24 | 2 | Oregon State |
| Butler, Crezdon | CB | 6/1 | 191 | 23 | R | Clemson |
| Madison, Anthony | DB | 5/9 | 180 | 28 | 5 | Alabama |
| Harris, Tuff | DB | 6/1 | 198 | 27 | 4 | Montana |
| Polamalu, Troy | SS | 5/10 | 207 | 29 | 8 | USC |
| Allen, Will | S | 6/1 | 200 | 28 | 7 | Ohio State |
| Thornton, Justin | S | 6/1 | 213 | 23 | R | Kansas |
| Clark, Ryan | FS | 5/11 | 205 | 30 | 9 | Louisiana State |
| Mundy, Ryan | FS | 6/1 | 209 | 25 | 2 | West Virginia |
I’ll start with the easier of the two first and talk about the safeties first. Baring injury, this position is set as reflected with the exception of Justin Thornton whose only chance would be to make the team on special teams. We can only hope that the return of Troy Polamalu will help cover Ryan Clark’s oft-exposed backside of last year.
No surprises at cornerback where the starters will be Bryant McFadden and Ike Taylor. Where things will get interesting is when the Steelers go into the nickle package. Odds on favorite at nickleback would be William Gay, but with his performance last year when given the opportunity to be a starter his position is nowhere near secure. If either Joe Burnett or Keenan Lewis have a decent camp, my bet is that the winner of that battle will take Gay’s job.
I love Anthony Madison (the straw that stirs the drink on special teams), and given the Steelers made a move to bring him back last year, he’s safe. I’ll give Crezdon Butler an outside chance at making the final roster, but he might get caught in a numbers game in the end. David Pitman and Tuff Harris will see the Turk before camp breaks.
A-Mad is the special teams Ace! Look for Lewis to have a big camp.
1I need some help here. Other than they both showed they couldn’t play last year, and I’m praying for a big improvement. What is the difference between the two that has you thinking Lewis over Burnett?
2Burnett already showed his hands of stone. I think Lewis was banged up a lot last year. Lewis is taller, faster and has better college pedigree. He is also boys with Mike Wallace (same HS team).
3