Steelers: Patrick Peterson raises the bar for Joey Porter Jr. expectations
Rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. appeared destined to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now he has a veteran defensive again in his nook.
It was hardly a trigger for celebration. The Pittsburgh Steelers completed with a successful file in 2022 however missed the playoffs for the third time in 5 seasons. A 9-8 mark was solely adequate for a third-place end within the AFC North because the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens superior to the postseason.
It might have been a lot worse contemplating Mike Tomlin’s membership obtained off to an embarrassing 2-6 begin. The crew rebounded to win seven of its last 9 video games and the hope is that the momentum of the season’s second half carries over into 2023.
It’s been a unique type of offseason for the franchise, led by new common supervisor Omar Khan. Pittsburgh introduced in loads of free brokers and made their share of strikes throughout the three-day draft course of.
Patrick Peterson backs Steelers draft choose Joey Porter Jr.
One of many veterans they signed very early in the process was veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson, who spent the previous two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings after 10 years with the Arizona Cardinals. He began all 16 video games for the 2022 NFC North champions, ending with 66 tackles and 15 passes defensed. He and security Harrison Smith tied for the crew lead with 5 interceptions.
In April, Khan used the primary choose within the second spherical to seize Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Sure, he’s the son of former Steelers’ pass-rusher Joey Porter. In 10 video games with the Nittany Lions this previous season, he completed 27 tackles however zero interceptions. There was a fumble restoration and 11 passes defensed.
When an eight-time Professional Bowler and three-time All-Professional has one thing to say, it bears listening to (because of Amanda Godsey of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat).
“He has all of the intangible to be higher than me,” Peterson stated.
Excessive reward certainly.
Through the Steelers’ 7-2 end this previous season, the membership restricted eight of their 9 opponents to 17 or fewer factors. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh defenders gave up 29 landing passes in 17 contests and had been a so-so nineteenth within the league in passing yards per recreation allowed. Regardless of the way you break it down, it’s an space that wants enchancment.
