Steelers Defense, Timmons’ Deal, Blake’s Aim

The Pittsburgh Steelers heading back out onto the practice field for the second week of OTAs where the rookie class and returning players will be participating in drills and getting more acquainted. While the new Steelers get acclimated with the Steel City we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Friday, June 5^th.

Steelers a top 5 defense again?

Former Steelers CB Ike Taylor joined NFL Network to discuss the state of the Steelers defense and where they may be headed without longtime members like Troy Polamalu, Brett Keisel and “the living legend”, Taylor himself.

Taylor says that he likes Defensive Coordinator Keith Butler and his game plan and predicts the unit could be on their way back up to the top rankings. Taylor doesn’t give a whole lot of reasons why the Steelers defense could be going from being ranked 18^th overall in the NFL to within in the top 5 in one season beyond the fact that he likes Butler and his game plan though.

Timmons willing to renegotiate to stay

The Steelers aren’t exactly hurting for cap space at the moment but when it comes time to try to lock down players like Kelvin Beachum, David DeCastro, and others to long-term contracts the team could use some space freed up.

According to ESPN Timmons’ cap hits over the next few years are $12.6 million in 2015 and $11.8 million in 2016. When Timmons was asked if he would be willing to do a restructure and/or extension Timmons was already on board.

"“I’ve been here for nine years, I’ve got a house here, I’d like to keep that house. I’ve got a family here that loves it.” – Lawrence Timmons"

Timmons was Mike Tomlin’s first draft pick for the Steelers in 2007. He’s also got a field full of puke stains with his name on it. He belongs here.

Blake aiming at corner spot

The Steelers didn’t really flinch at the idea of re-signing cornerback Brice McCain during free agency this Spring and barely kicked the tires on potential free agent replacements for him. According to the Trib’s Mark Kaboly that means the Steelers like what they’ve seen out of Antwon Blake.

It could appear that Blake could be what Kaboly deems as a “stopgap” until second-round pick Senquez Golson or fourth-round pick Doran Grant will step in and claim the starting role. Kaboly says that from what he’s seen out of OTAs so far, Blake is winning some matchups against the Steelers receivers.

Blake’s going to have to keep that up all the way into training camp and beyond if he wants to be more of a permanent fixture on the Steelers defense. Perhaps the Steelers are leaning towards giving Blake more of an opportunity since they didn’t go out and grab a free agent corner or perhaps it will be lucky for them that they drafted two of them. Time will tell.

Next: Steelers Honors and Snubs

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