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Steelers: Robert Golden should start at SS

By Josh Fitzer

Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Robert Golden (21) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (not pictured) during the second quarter of the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Robert Golden (21) celebrates after breaking up a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (not pictured) during the second quarter of the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Until, second-round pick, Sean Davis is ready to man the defensive backfield, Robert Golden should be the man next to Mike Mitchell.

Strong safety Robert Golden has been a unsung hero in Pittsburgh. An undrafted free-agent out of Arizona, the Steelers signed Golden in 2012. Since coming the Steelers, Golden’s “bread & butter” has been found on special teams. To which, he was named the special teams co-captain, next to Shaun Suisham, at the start of the 2014 season. As much as Golden is an ace on special teams, he’s also not too bad on defense.

Last season, in Week 5, against the San Diego Chargers, starting strong safety Will Allen left the game with an injury. So, his backup, Golden, came in relief. His first NFL start, on defense, came the next week against the Arizona Cardinals, in which, he had eight total tackles (7 solo, 1 assisted), and one pass breakup. Now, these are not eye popping stats by any means, but Golden did a few things that doesn’t appear on the stat sheet. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Here, Golden is covering the TE, and he made an excellent breakup to ensure no catch.

Here we see Golden put his body in traffic, and do his part in stopping positive yardage.

Here, in his second start, against the Chiefs, Golden recognized that the running back is going to run a route out of the backfield and stopped him right in his tracks.

Some of you may be calling for, second-round pick, Sean Davis to be the day 1 starter, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Could it happen? Yeah. But I don’t think it will. Robert Golden is the best option to start at strong safety, I also think he’s earned it. He knows the system, great locker room guy, Pittsburgh loves him, and he loves Pittsburgh.

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