Steelers' Mike Tomlin Makes Clear Comparison Of Team's Usage Of 13-Year Veteran Patrick Peterson To Former DB

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Patrick Peterson was seen as one of the team's most impactful signings this past offseason. Through six games, it has come with mixed reviews. While the veteran has provided some much-needed leadership in the locker room, he has been beaten deep on numerous occasions by opposing wideouts. That only continued in Week 7, as Los Angeles Rams rookie wideout Puka Nacua lit up the Steelers secondary for 154 receiving yards. 

The team has started to use Peterson a bit differently over the past few weeks, something that Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette criticized them for. In the first month or so, Peterson was primarily used as an outside cornerback. To Dulac's point, the team has started to move him all around the secondary. In his press conference on Tuesday, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin compared Peterson to Cam Sutton.

"You might remember we moved Cam Sutton around a lot. Pat [Peterson] is essentially Cam Sutton."

Sutton became a free agent this past offseason, and many expected the Steelers to retain him on a long-term deal. Instead, the 28-year-old signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Detroit Lions. That forced Pittsburgh to have to pivot rather quickly in free agency, and Peterson was their main replacement for Sutton. Sutton has performed well for Detroit so far, as Pro Football Focus ranks him 37th out of 115 qualifying cornerbacks.

The Steelers have missed his steady presence, as he evolved into the team's best cornerback for his last few years in Pittsburgh. Peterson certainly isn't the player that he once was, so that has been a downgrade in the secondary. Moving the veteran around puts him in better positions to succeed, particularly with his diminishing speed and quickness. Additionally, it has allowed the team to finally get rookie second-rounder Joey Porter Jr. on the field more. 

When Will The Steelers Name Porter A Full-Time Starter?

While he is still yet to officially be named a full-time starter, things are trending in that direction. He played more snaps than Levi Wallace in Week 7, and he performed well. In fact, he allowed his first (and only) catch of the season in the contest. While he's seen just 139 defensive snaps through six games, he's done well when on the field. PFF ranks him ninth amongst corners with an 80.4 overall grade. 

Tackling remains a questionable part of his game, which is why the coaching staff hasn't made him a starter quite yet. Still, he's made timely plays in coverage, most notably the fourth quarter interception off Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in Week 5. It was his first career interception, and it really turned momentum around late in that fourth quarter.

Despite inconsistencies from Wallace and Peterson, the Steelers pass defense still is near the middle of the pack in terms of NFL ranks. As a whole, the defense continues to make the necessary game-changing plays to win contests. After the team's latest road victory over the Rams, they stand at 4-2 with an easier schedule coming up in the near future. They face another big test in Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as the cornerback unit may struggle with the AFC South squad's quick, elusive wide receivers. Following the Jaguars, they face the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers, both at home, who currently have a combined record of 4-8.

Do you agree with comparison of Peterson and Sutton? How badly does the Steelers secondary miss Sutton's presence? When Porter becomes a full-time starter, will it help take some pressure off Wallace and Peterson? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!

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