Aug 20, 2017 5 min read

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The Steelers had to have been mildly concerned – at the very least – with the way their first-team defense performed in Sunday night’s 17-13 preseason win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Yes, they were playing without safety Mike Mitchell, linebackers Bud Dupree, Ryan Shazier and James Harrison, but the Falcons evened that out by not suiting up receiver Julio Jones or running back Devonta Freeman.

So there’s that.

And Atlanta marched up and down the field throughout the first half of this game, putting up 259 yards, including 224 passing, against players who will largely be on the Steelers’ roster by the time they open the season at Cleveland.

Yes, there was no game planning for this one, and that could certainly make a different. And yes, if the Steelers were getting anything out of their offense – which they did not in the first half – it could have made a difference by keeping the defense a little more fresh.

But I thought some of the players – both starters and reserves – were a bit exposed.

Safety Robert Golden and corner Ross Cockrell both struggled with their coverage in this game. Inside linebackers Vince Williams and Tyler Matakevich also struggled in coverage.

Golden and Matakevich are both reserves. But both also are just one play away from being needed to step in and fill big roles.

I love Cockrell’s headiness as a player. He’s never going to be in the wrong position. But his lack of straight-line footspeed was exposed a bit, especially on a 44-yard gain down the sideline by rookie Reggie Davis.

Davis just blew past Cockrell, who earlier had allowed a touchdown on a quick slant.

And that’s the problem with the Steelers playing more man-to-man. Cockrell is a zone safety. He’ll diagnose plays quickly. He’ll break on the ball correctly and read the quarterback. He’s not at his best with his back to the ball.

But rookie Cam Sutton hasn’t been able to practice throughout training camp because of a hamstring injury, so he won’t challenge Cockrell anytime soon. Maybe Coty Sensabaugh works his way into the conversation, but he’s largely been a slot player throughout his career.

As for Golden, he’ll continue to be the No. 3 safety. But coverage is not his strong point, either.

The Steelers tried to upgrade their backup safety spot by signing Daimion Stafford in the offseason. But he then did not report for training camp because he is considering retirement.

That could be a spot the team keeps an eye on when cutdowns start.

@ That said, Jordan Dangerfield and his two interceptions Sunday made a strong point toward him staying on the roster. But he’s more of a striker from the safety position than he is a run and cover guy.

@ I thought James Conner warmed up to the game.

That is to say, he didn’t play well early gaining 13 yards on five first-half carries and 30 on his first 10 through three quarters. Then, he had 68 yards on 10 fourth-quarter rushes.

That was good enough for many to start measuring him for his bust in Canton.

I’m not a Conner hater by any stretch. But he’s made it through just a handful of practices since joining the Steelers as a third-round draft pick. I saw nearly every game he played at Pitt and he was a very good college running back.

But there are very good college running backs on every NFL roster. Some make it. Some don’t.

His is a story that fans root for. I get that. It is a great story.

But when national web site start Tweeting out stuff like Conner’s salary over the next four seasons and comparing that to what Le’Veon Bell will make this season, they’re overstating things more than just a little bit.

How about we just let the kid play football before we enshrine him in Canton after every carry. He’d probably appreciate that as well.

@ L.J. Fort had a strong game for the second consecutive week, tying for the team lead in tackles after leading the Steelers last week at New York.

I like Tyler Matakevich. He’s a heady player and one who makes plays in the box.

But to me, Fort is the closest thing to Shazier – and it’s not all that close – that they have among their other inside linebackers. He covers well and also will come up and hit.

But right now, Matakevich remains the backup at both inside linebacker spots.

@ I thought it was telling that Matt Feiler both started at guard and played into the fourth quarter. The Steelers are looking hard to see who their eighth offensive lineman will be behind the starters, Chris Hubbard and B.J. Finney.

Coming into this camp, I thought it was Jerald Hawkins. But he has underwhelmed.

Obviously, Feiler has the inside track right now.

@ They probably won’t do it at this point, but the Steelers should take a look at Mike Hilton in the slot with the first-team defense over William Gay.

Gay is a veteran and steadying factor on defense. But Hilton just keeps making plays.