Sean Davis, Artie Burns growing into the players the Steelers hoped they could be
Lucy Schaly|Calkins Media
Stelers safety Sean Davis returns an interception by Giants quarterback Eli Manning in the fourth quarter Sunday at Heinz Field.
Artie Burns warms up before the Steelers played the New York Giants Sunday at Heinz Field.
PITTSBURGH 鈥� It蘑菇视频 safe to say Steelers rookie defensive backs Sean Davis and Artie Burns are developing well since taking on full-time starting roles within the last month.
Davis, 23, and Burns, 21, are finally beginning to play up to the expectations that come with being first and second-round picks. It wasn鈥檛 a matter of if, but when the duo would develop into the players the secondary has lacked over the last several years.
As they are starting to perform, it蘑菇视频 no accident that the Steelers鈥� secondary as a whole has been lightyears better during the current three-game win streak.
鈥淚 just think we鈥檙e finding our rhythm,鈥� coach Mike Tomlin said after the 24-14 win over the Giants. 鈥淚 think we鈥檙e gaining continuity with the mix of guys who are playing. The young guys are growing up. And by the young guys I mean (Javon) Hargrave, (Artie) Burns and (Sean) Davis.鈥�
Davis and Burns now hold major roles within the Steelers defense after facing bumps along the road early on in the season that required some mental fortitude.
Both played 100 percent of the defensive snaps against the Giants, which was the second consecutive occurrence for Davis while rotating at as a safety and cornerback in dime packages. He matched Burns with a team-high seven total tackles, one for loss, a pass breakup and an interception.
Davis鈥� first-career interception came in the fourth quarter on a play that was just as impressive from a mental standpoint as it was physical. Giants quarterback Eli Manning was forced to scramble right outside of the pocket and heaved a deep pass across the field intended for Sterling Shepard. Davis, playing in center-field zone coverage, read Manning蘑菇视频 eyes, changed direction and recovered about 10 yards for the pick. He returned it 41 yards, but an illegal block negated the extra effort.
鈥淭he game is starting to slow down,鈥� said Davis. 鈥淚鈥檝e got my confidence up.鈥�
On another play, Davis read a run as the Giants were backed up against their own goal line and came rocketing in for a big hit on running back Paul Perkins.
鈥淚t was second-and-long,鈥� Davis said. 鈥淲e know on second-and-long that they like to either run the ball or do a screens. We had a good disguise. We covered it well. I just shot down and made the play.鈥�
In addition to his seven stops, Burns played an integral role in the Steelers limiting the Eli Manning to just 195 yards passing. Odell Beckham Jr. was relatively contained, although amounting 100 yards on 10 receptions, as Burns and Ross Cockrell both took turns defending him. Outside of Beckham, Shepard finished with just four receptions for 21 yards on eight targets while Victor Cruz was held without a catch.
鈥淎rtie is playing well. Sean is playing well,鈥� Cockrell said. 鈥淲e are going to need those rookies to continue to play like veterans for us.鈥�
Cockrell蘑菇视频 statement holds high merit. He蘑菇视频 alongside the pair of rookies during individual and team drills in practice, and is well aware of their desire to learn during secondary film sessions. Cockrell shares a locker right next to Davis. Burns鈥� is just a few more down.
鈥淭he thing about Artie and Sean is that they鈥檙e guys that, no matter the success level they have, no matter how high they鈥檙e talent is, they work hard to find details,鈥� Cockrell said. 鈥淲here can I get better? What little details can I improve upon to take my game to another level? I think that蘑菇视频 what makes them special.鈥�