Steelers’ injury-ravaged secondary sees the big picture
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Taking full advantage of the NFL’s relaxed celebration rules, the Steelers have started a tradition of taking a photograph every time they intercept a pass. At first, it was a choreographed fake photo that one of them playfully snapped in the end zone. Now they have photographers and cameramen taking real photos as the defense strikes a pose together, even the reserves on the sidelines.
When Sean Davis intercepted a pass from Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota in the fourth quarter Thursday night, rookie outside linebacker T.J. Watt couldn’t muster the energy to run down to the end zone for the photo. He just walked to the sidelines, too drained to take part in the fun.
Who could blame him? Davis’ interception was the fourth of the night, and the Steelers were expending as much energy running to the end zone for the photos as they were making the interceptions themselves.
“We just enjoy playing witheach other,” said cornerback Coty Sensabaugh, who had second of the four interceptions. “It’s a group that is very energized and loves playing with each other no matterwho is in there.”
Who was in there for the 40-17 thrashing of the Titans were a couple of reserves. Sensabaugh was filling in for the injured Joe Haden, and Robert Golden was filling in for Mike Mitchell.
All of which made the run-up to the game a bit fascinating. Sure, the Steelers ranked No. 2 in the NFL in pass defense entering game, but how would they do with two new players filling starting roles?
“The standard is the standard; it’s the next-man-up mentality,” Davis said. “They came up with plays. You can’t ask for anything better than that.”
Look at who was making the plays for the Steelers. Davis was the only starter among them. It was Mike Hilton, the slot corner who continues to impress. It was Sensabaugh, who was making his first start of the season, and it was Golden, a sixth-year reserve who made his bones as a specialteams player.
“Every day you have to prepare as if you’re going to get in the game,” Golden said. “When guys go down we have to pop up and get in the game. When Joe went down, Coty had to step in. When Mikewent down, I had to step in. You never know when your name is going to be called, but when it’s called youhave to be prepared.”
The quality of depth that was on display was impressive. Mariota entered the game with only six interceptions and had thrown two in the same game once previously this season.
But you never would have known he was throwing against backups perhaps because of the quality depth the Steelers have stockpiled. Sensabaugh made his 30th career start, and Golden made his 10th career start.
“We have great coaches that prepare us very well,” Sensabaugh said. “They get us right. We depend on each other. We fight hard and we just go out there and have fun together no matter who is out there. We have a lot of capable guys in that room.
“This is by far the deepest secondary that I’ve been a part of. We have a lot of guys who started elsewhere who aren’t starting here just because of the numbers. We have a guy like Deshaun Phillips, who started for Washington last year as their nickel, and he’s on the practice squad.”
The Steelers might have to count on their reserves a lot more in the coming weeks. Haden is expected to miss at least a few more weeks with his fractured fibula. Mitchell is dealing with ankle and Achilles injuries, although the nine days off before their next game against the Green Bay Packers could help him heal.
“For them to come out here in a prime-time game, it was crucial,” Davis said. “We need that. We need them to deliver for us. We can ride that wave and elevate our game along with them. When we’re on like that, I feel like we’reunstoppable.”