In 2011, former Steelers wide receiver, Mike Wallace dubbed the young and upcoming wide receiver corps as the “young money crew”. That group consisted of Mike “fast money” Wallace, Emmanuel “easy money” Sanders, and Antonio “cash money” Brown. (They also jokingly referred to Hines Ward as “old money” and Ben Roethlisberger as “large money”).
In 2016, the Pittsburgh Steelers will field a new group of young and talented players. This time around, however, this new young money crew won’t be catching passes, they will be defending them.
This version is made up of 5 players. Cornerback Ross Cockrell will be entering his third year. Cornerbacks Senquez Golson and Doran Grant will be starting their second year (though Golson was out last year with an injury). Rookies Artie Burns and Sean Davis were both acquired in this years draft.
Pittsburgh felt they needed to invest their money in upgrading a porous defensive secondary. Golson, Burns and Davis were all 1st or 2nd round picks and are expected to make the most impact. Cockrell and Grant were both 4th round picks, but it should be noted that the last “young money crew” was made up of prospects drafted between the 3rd and 6th rounds. The Steelers front office have shown time and again that it’s not about where you are drafted, it’s about seizing opportunities. Every prospect will have a chance to make his mark.
This new secondary is taller and faster. The Steelers looked for prospects with better instincts and athleticism. They jettisoned several veterans and opted to virtually start from scratch so as to build the kind of secondary that can compete with the new pass friendly NFL.
Mike Mitchell and William Gay will provide veteran leadership. They will take the younger players under their wings and show them the “Steeler way”. Coach Butler has simplified the defense so as to utilize young talent earlier than the legendary Dick LeBeau. The front office has done an exemplary job of collecting talented and hungry players eager to prove themselves.
Artie Burns is driven and has the skillset to be elite. Sean Davis is a human missile in the backfield and could make receivers fear his area. Senquez Golson may be the future at nickel corner. Ross Cockrell worked his way into the starting rotation last year and showed a natural feel for coverage. Doran Grant is a boundary corner and solid wave player.
From 2010 to 2011, the first young money crew took the Steelers from a 14th to 9th ranking in overall receiving yards and from a 21st to 13th ranking in receiving touchdowns. If this new batch of talent can have the same impact, we could see the defensive secondary rise from basement dwellers to a respected, if not feared, ranking. Even with conservative expectations, with the offensive juggernaut that the Steelers should field this year, that may be all that is needed to bring home a seventh Lombardi trophy.
There are going to be growing pains. You know that the collective fan base will think that the sky is falling at some point in the season. But there is reason for excitement. The pieces seem to be in place.
It’s been five years since Wallace and company dubbed themselves the young money crew. The time is right for this newest young group of Pittsburgh Steelers to show the fans that they are ready to earn their money…perhaps a new moniker…but more importantly…our respect.