For years, the Steelers wanted big, physical corners who could tackle. They were the life-blood of a Dick LeBeau-coached defense.
But when the NFL began limiting the amount of contact defensive backs could have with a receiver downfield -- and also put limits on the hits they could deliver -- having big, physical corners became more of a liability than a blessing.
And it made the Steelers change the way they viewed cornerbacks. They began putting more of an emphasis on taking the ball away rather than getting big, physical corners who didn't necessarily have ball skills -- think Ike Taylor.
For a number of reasons, however, it hasn't always worked out. For every William Gay or Bryant McFadden the Steelers have plucked beyond the first round, they have swung and missed multiple times. Senquez Golson got hurt. Curtis Brown never found his way onto the field. The list goes on.
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