NFL
Ex-Packers Safety Morgan Burnett Brings Hope to Steelers Shaky Secondary
It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most talented offenses in the NFL. With the undisputed best RB-WR duo in the league, the offensive side of things look stellar once again this upcoming season.
The Steelers went 13-3 last year, finishing 2nd in the AFC conference. In the AFC Divisional Playoff game, their defense collapsed, allowing Bortles and the Jags to drop 45 points in a historic shootout. Even though they lost, this game showcased the Steelers’ tremendous offensive talent.
However, it proved that there is a gaping hole in Pittsburgh’s defense that needed to be filled immediately. The entire secondary and DB corps were exposed, showing that they lacked talent and needed help immediately.
Thus, the signing of ex-Packers Safety Morgan Burnett. The 8-year veteran is one of the most consistent safeties in the league, and might just do wonders for this struggling secondary in dire need.
A Struggling Steelers Secondary
The Steelers finished 5th last year against the pass but gave up huge plays to the likes of Brett Hundley and Jacoby Brissett in the second half of the season. The bottom tier of the quarterbacks in the league absolutely feasted on them, and there is no other way to put it.
The addition of Morgan Burnett might just cure this problem, as his experience and poise might translate on the field immediately in black and yellow. He joins a secondary of Artie Burns, Joe Haden, and Sean Davis this season.
From the looks of it, not that bad of a DB core. Joe Haden is still a solid player, but his best days are definitely behind him. Artie Burns continues to improve but must step up if he wants to help out their defense.
Sean Davis gave up too many big plays last season, plain and simple. FS Mike Mitchell.. well, we know how that went. Pittsburgh released Mitchell at the end of the season after a sub-par 2017 campaign.
Their defense screams mediocrity, and that’s just not good if you’re an offensively stacked team like the Steelers.
Burnett’s Impact
In comes Morgan Burnett, the 29-year-old FS on a three-year, 14.5 million dollar contract. The main weaknesses of the Steelers are their 2nd and 3rd line of defense. The secondary and linebacker core needed help immediately, and Morgan Burnett provides that for both. He is not a big-play safety, tallying only nine interceptions in his 8-year career. However, he is extremely consistent and versatile player with a multitude of uses.
His versatility allowed him to play not two, but three positions during his time with the Packers. Burnett started at cornerback, safety, and linebacker with Green Bay. A feat that I’m sure not too many other players can say they did with their respective teams. He is a sure tackler and a safety that does not get beat often no matter who he’s facing.
The skills that Burnett presents will surely help the 2nd and 3rd lines of defense drastically. The linebacker/secondary play will increase just off his presence. Burnett will now cushion these areas that need the most help, and hopefully, he provides them with a new sense of confidence and playmaking in the 2018 season.
Conclusion
I predict that Burnett will help the overall play of Pittsburgh’s defense drastically this upcoming season. He’s best in the areas that they need the most help in. So it could be a perfect fit.
However, one player can’t make too drastic of a change in a struggling defense without his teammates stepping up. This season we shall see if the acquisition of Burnett was a brilliant one or just a desperate but ineffective move to bring hope to a helpless Steelers defense.
