Boykin might get his chance with Steelers
PITTSBURGH – Brandon Boykin’s frustration with his role – or lack thereof – in the Steelers defense has never been more apparent.
It’s clear he’s not happy about playing just 22 defensive snaps for Pittsburgh this season after arriving in a preseason trade from Philadelphia in August.
That might be about to change.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he’s going to explore all options in the secondary this week as Pittsburgh (6-5) prepares to host Indianapolis (6-5) Sunday night.
The move comes after Tomlin watched his secondary allow five touchdown passes in a 39-30 loss last Sunday in Seattle.
The starting unit of William Gay, Antwon Blake and nickel cornerback Ross Cockrell might be about to change.
Tomlin said Tuesday he would look at replacing either Blake or Cockrell with Boykin.
“This is a what-have-you-done-for-me lately league,” said Steelers cornerback William Gay.
What Boykin has mostly done this season is watch from the sideline. That’s not what he expected after coming to the Steelers following the trade.
“That’s just the way they wanted the personnel to be, and I don’t really have any other answers for that,” said Boykin, a fourth-year pro. “For me, I have to maintain my professionalism. Has it been frustrating at times? Absolutely. It’s about winning, it’s about our team and I’ll never do anything to put my teammates or myself above anything. I have 100-percent confidence in myself that I can continue to do what I’ve been doing my whole career. And whenever that opportunity comes, I’ll make the most of it.”
That opportunity might come at the expense of Blake.
Blake has had his moments this season, including returning an interception for a key touchdown in a win at San Diego, but he has had issues with tackling and coverage in recent weeks.
For the past month, Blake has been playing with a cast to protect a broken thumb, but he refuses to use the injury as an excuse.
“I’m a man and a professional player; if I’m out there on the grass, I’ve got to perform and make plays,” said Blake. “As far as injuries, if I can’t play, I shouldn’t be out there.
“I’ve been missing some tackles. I’m not going to blame it on an injury. I’m not going to blame it on anything. I’ve just got to do better.”
He might not get that opportunity, at least not right now, with the Steelers falling to 30th in the league in pass defense.
If Boykin gets the starting assignment, he has no plans on giving it back. This is the first time in his career that he hasn’t been a major factor on the field. He started as Philadelphia’s nickel cornerback as a rookie in 2012 and finished tied for second in the NFL with six interceptions in 2013.
“It’s been tough, just knowing that I’m capable of being a great player. I don’t control anything but myself,” Boykin said. “I don’t have crazy reactions to things when they don’t go my way. You just kind of got to take a step back and really be a professional about the whole situation. The NFL isn’t fair. Life isn’t fair. That’s just one of those lessons I’ll take. Looking back at this, whatever happens, I think I’ll be able to grow from it, knowing that I’m better because of it on and off the field.”
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger passed his imPACT test Wednesday and was able to complete practice after suffering a concussion last Sunday against the Seahawks. … Linebacker Ryan Shazier, who also suffered a concussion in that game, was a limited participant in practice, as was fellow inside linebacker Sean Spence (hamstring). … Those sitting out included safety Mike Mitchell (knee), wide receiver Martavis Bryant (hip), linebacker James Harrison (knee) and tight ends Heath Miller (ribs) and Matt Spaeth (knee).