Series we’re bringing back to Steelers Depot that we began last year. A snapshot of the Pittsburgh Steelers 2018 season, a look at the singular best and worst play from each player on the roster. If I wanted to sum up a players season in 30 seconds, these are the plays I would look at.
Breaking down Artie Burns’ best and worst moments of 2018.
Best Play: Forced Fumble Against Tampa
Yes, Burns had positive plays last season. Hard to believe, I know. His brightest moment came under equally bright Monday Night lights in Tampa Bay. One of four first half turnovers the Steelers’ defense forced in the win over the Bucs.
Good technique here to run through the tackle, helmet on ball, and he’s able to knock it out. Mike Hilton recovers.
Burns has always been unfairly labeled as someone who doesn’t want to tackle. I’ve never seen that on his film. There’s “want to” and he can be a physical player. He just doesn’t show consistent enough technique though here is a shining moment.
Worst Play: Touchdown Allowed To Tyler Boyd
Then we remind ourselves what got Burns benched. One of the ugliest reps in coverage you’ll ever see from a cornerback. Really wish I had an explanation for what was going through his head. It doesn’t even feel like there could’ve been a communication issue. He’s backpedaling into the end zone and offers zero resistance on Tyler Boyd’s out cut for an easy touchdown before the end of the half.
Talk about soft coverage.
Just a dude not confident in what he’s seeing and not trusting his technique. Plays like this make it hard to envision him ever carving out a career in a Steelers’ uniform. Though it seems more likely than not the team carries Burns through camp, meaning they pay him his $800K roster bonus, he’ll be in a battle just to make the team as the #6 corner. The moves this team has made, signing Steven Nelson and drafting Justin Layne, signal they’ve moved on.
