Rookie Curtis Brown Playing with the First Team a Sign of Things to Come?

The Steelers need help in their defensive backfield. I don’t think I am breaking new ground based on how the team played in parts of last season and of course in Super Bowl XLV in saying that.

Which is why it was interesting to me to hear that rookie Curtis Brown from Texas was lining up on the right side with the first team and sometimes with the second team here early in camp.

Now while I realize most of the just inked players can’t even take the field till today, could Brown getting first-team reps be a sign of things to come? Clearly this team needs an infusion of better play at the corner spot.

The club did re-sign Ike Taylor, who I still think is the best cover corner on the team, and Willie Gay, who is ok as a nickel back and sometimes fill in. But if there’s one area of the defense that needs better play – it’s the corner spot.

Last year too often wide outs were able to pull in passes that shouldn’t have been caught, and third downs were converted when pass catchers made plays due to the issues at the CB spot.

Keenan Lewis is another player that could get some time at the CB spot this summer, and rumors are the team wants to see if he can step up as well. I’d like to see what if anything Crezdon Butler can do as well.

Bottom line, if Brown can step up and make some plays in the secondary during this camp, it would be a welcome sight for a unit that needs the help and needs a young guy that can put a little fear in opposing defenses.