Haden’s impact on secondary increasing

Veteran cornerback’s major leadership role becomes more obvious in training camp

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Joe Haden did not get to spend training camp with the Steelers last season, but he still managed to have a major impacton their secondary.

That’s what you would expect from a former No. 1 draft choice and two-time Pro Bowl cornerback.

Haden, though, is having a bigger impact on the secondary now because he is in training camp, getting to work with young cornerbacks Artie Burns, Cam Sutton and Brian Allen and show them how to succeed in the NFL.

He didn’t get that opportunity in 2017 because the Steelers didn’t sign him until Aug. 31,after camp was over.

He is relishing the opportunity.

“It’s beneficial, more as far as team building, getting to meet my guys, hang out with them, getting to see how everyone works,” Haden said. “During the season, when I got here, they had already been through the struggle.

“Once you get to training camp, that’s when you really get to see the grit and the grime and being with your guys.

“Be able to do that now with the secondary, that’s really good.”

The Steelers are rebuilding their secondary with youth. Three of their top five corners have been in the league two yearsor fewer, and Burns is in his third season.

At safety, Sean Davis is in his third season, and rookies Terrell Edmunds and Marcus Allen were added in the draft.

That’s why Haden and the addition of strong safety Morgan Burnett — a pair of beenthere, done-that veterans — is a plus for new secondary coach Tom Bradley. He calls his veteran tandem “pro’s pros.”

“Joe is a very seasoned guy, same with Morgan,” Burns said before an afternoon practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. “They’ve both played in big games, they know the situations we’ll be put in. Being able to detail your work in those situations, so there won’t be any miscommunication, that’s what he does a goodjob of helping us with.”

Haden, of course, is not just a mentor, a figurehead. He has been a starter every year in the league since he was the seventh overall selection in the 2010 draft. In that time, he has registered 101 passes defensed — second most in the league — with 20 interceptions, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.

His presence in the Steelers defense immediately improved the secondary, which ranked among the league leaders in fewest passing yards allowed the first half of the season. But Haden fractured his fibula Nov. 12 in the second quarter in Indianapolis and missed the next five games. With Haden out, the Steelers allowed eight completions of 40 yards or longer after allowing just five in the first eight games.

With so much emphasis being placed on improved tackling — “They just beat it into our heads,” Haden said — adding Burnett to the secondary is a major plus. According to Pro Football Focus, he missed only two tackles in 2017, fewest among any NFL player.

Burnett, however, missed the past four days of practice witha hamstring injury.

“It’s great having a veteran out there that can show you the right way to do things,” said safety Edmunds, the team’s No. 1 pick, who has taken Burnett’s place with the first-team defense at strong safety.

“It’s been positive for me, positive having them out there.”

“It’s beneficial [to be in camp], more as far as team building, getting to meet my guys, hang out with them, getting to see how everyone works.” Joe Haden