The Steelers' minicamp isn't always a time when a young player might stand out considering it's just football in helmets and shorts. But second-year cornerback James Pierre has done just that at Heinz Field Tuesday and Wednesday.
During practice Wednesday, Pierre made two interceptions, which he confirmed after practice, on Ben Roethlisberger during team practices. One of those interceptions came during the Steelers' two-minute drill, something that both excited Pierre, his teammates and prompted respect from Roethlisberger.
"I liked the two-minute drill interception," Pierre said. "It got the energy of the guys to turn up with me. Just seeing their energy, it was a good feeling to see the guys pumped and the energy of the defense. Ben isn't just throwing anybody the ball. It's precious to get one of those. Last year, he wasn't just throwing the ball, he was throwing it away from me. It's hard to get it from Ben. It felt good and made me smile and when I saw the guys get hyped it made me happier. Then after practice Ben came up to me, said, 'good job,' and gave me a fist bump. That gave me confidence."
Pierre made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2020, which was remarkable considering the lack of a full training camp and preseason because of the pandemic. He had to make his way onto the roster contributing on special teams where he made eight tackles last season.
"I saw consistent varsity gunner play," Tomlin said Tuesday of Pierre's efforts on special teams in 2020. "Often times, when you have that level of consistency and performance in a special teams area, it’s often an indication of advancement or maturity and growth opportunity in the other phases as well."
"I think over the course of my time here, the young guys that are consistent and perform in that area usually ascend within the offensive or defensive unit and so it’s reasonable to expect him to do that. He got a lot of in-game experience last year, although it was in a special teams area. I think that field time and that game speed exposure will help in the growth and development. I think it is reasonable to expect him to utilize that experience as a catalyst for his growth on defense."
Pierre only saw 38 snaps on defense, 20 of which were in coverage and was only targeted twice all season. One of those passes he allowed a reception but made a tackle for loss. The other was an incomplete pass from Baker Mayfield in the Steelers' playoff loss to the Browns when Pierre applied solid coverage to Rashard Higgins down the sideline.
"He’s one of those second-year guys that we all have high expectations for," Tomlin said. "I think it’s reasonable when you’ve been around a guy that’s been in the program and understands what to expect, what’s needed of him physically, what’s needed of him mentally, and so forth. I think we’re looking for all of those second-year players who gained experience and that guy gained a lot of experience last year."
"He didn’t play a lot of defense, but he had a helmet on every week, he was preparing every week, he was a critical component of our special teams unit, and that usually is an indication of the guys ready to proceed and advance. I think it’s reasonable to expect him to do so."
When talking to Pierre after practice, who will be 25 in September, you could get the sense that at this early stage of his career he's keeping his focus very straightforward on how he approaches his opportunities to make plays and prove he's worth a roster spot.
"I was told to keep my weight up, stay in shape and catch the ball," Pierre said when asked what he was told to work on in the offseason. "Coach told me to catch 100 balls a day, so I've been doing that, practicing catching the ball. Really, that's it."
Being undrafted, Pierre embraced his slim chances to make the Steelers' roster by focusing on his roles and responsibilities on the team.
"Just knowing what to do," Pierre said. "Play fast, and you can't play fast if you don't know what to do. I came in, learned what to do, got the playbook. The process last year was that this was not a game. When I got here I knew I was on a two-month time limit. I knew I had to get in the playbook and spend extra time on it because I was undrafted and I had to know what I was doing."
As the Steelers look to piece together answers on the secondary after Steven Nelson and Mike Hilton left in free agency, questions remain as to which players might be the answers at outside cornerback and slot cornerback, as Dale Lolley broke down after speaking with defensive backs coach Teryl Austin Wednesday.
But Pierre isn't worried about lining up outside or inside, just playing.
"Inside it's more about heart," Pierre said when asked what it takes to play slot cornerback. "But honestly, I don't know too much. Right now, I'm just working at cornerback."
There's that humility. He's still an undrafted cornerback from Florida Atlantic with no NFL starts under his belt. And he knows it. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have an ego.
"I had one bad play yesterday," Pierre said. "A guy caught the ball on me and I took it personally. I came in with the right mindset. I should come in every day like that. I just kept thinking about how I let somebody catch the ball, woke up earlier and came in and attacked the day with the right mindset."
One player who can help him stay on the right mindset is the Steelers top cornerback in Joe Haden, who's entering his twelfth NFL season.
"He always tells me I can play," Pierre said of Haden. "I know there can't be any drop-offs. Whatever he does, I have to be able to go in and do the same thing. He always tells me, 'no pressure, just play even-keel. It's not too big for you. You can do this.' He just motivates me to keep me going."
Pierre still has a long way to go before he becomes a starting cornerback in the NFL, but even after an impressive showing against a future hall of fame quarterback, he appears grounded in his approach and focused on making his next opportunity count.