Steelers' underrated signing could matter more than expected
When the Steelers acquired free agent pass rusher Markus Golden a few weeks ago, it came off as a smart decision to add depth. And while Golden won't be pushing T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith for starting reps, he will have a considerable role. But that role may matter even more than we realize, with […]
When the Steelers acquired free agent pass rusher Markus Golden a few weeks ago, it came off as a smart decision to add depth.
And while Golden won't be pushing T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith for starting reps, he will have a considerable role.
But that role may matter even more than we realize, with a former teammate of Golden's and future Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson explaining why this signing is a big deal:
On one of the more recent episodes of All Things Covered on CBS Sports, newly signed Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson was asked by former Pittsburgh DB Bryant McFadden about what it means to team up with Markus Golden again:
"If you go back he didn't have the sack numbers but I believe he was top three a quarterback pressures," said Peterson in regards to Golden's rookie year when they were on the Cardinals. "For a secondary, that's huge for us because if the defensive lineman or outside linebackers are getting there, harassing the quarterback time after time again, that's forcing errant throws."
The defense may not have the same detail that offenses in the NFL do, with most guys just wanting to get the call in and play fast. But that doesn't mean there isn't cohesion. A pass rush feeds off the coverage unit and vice versa:
"I don't know if we can go back and pull this up but I believe we were top five interceptions as well," said Peterson when reminiscing on the 2015 season with Golden. "So to have a guy like that (Golden) on the line, you know in the rotation, that's gonna do nothing but add more value to the secondary. As a secondary player, that's what you want. You want the quarterback to be forcing those ill-advised throws, those errant throws. Tips and overthrows you know, that's what you thrive off of being in the secondary. So I believe Markus (Golden) definitely adds another element you know, to our pass rush. To T.J. (Watt) and (Alex) Highsmith. And with him coming around the edge now, you know, it's doing nothing but adding depth."
Fantastic insight from one of the best to ever roam the secondary, Peterson knows that Golden still has some gas left in the tank as well, coming off a double-digit sack season less than two years ago.
So as the Steelers continue to find assets through networking and relationship building, the only thing left to do is see the value they will bring in the win-loss column.
Featured image via: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
