The Pittsburgh Steelers elected not to re-sign veteran cornerback and team leader Joe Haden this past off-season. That leaves the door open for a new leader to emerge in the Steelers cornerback room. That player could very well be sixth-year veteran CB Cam Sutton. In the cornerback room this season, the Steelers have Sutton, veteran free agent signee Levi Wallace, and Ahkello Witherspoon, who the team re-signed this off-season in an effort to get younger in the secondary, to round out the top three guys. Some would say that Sutton is the closest thing to a true number 1 corner on the Steelers 2022 roster.
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In a recent article published by The Athletic, writer Mark Kaboly provided some insight on Sutton's childhood that has allowed him to flourish in the NFL.
“It took me one time to miss a game, and it sunk in,” Sutton said in the article. “It didn’t happen again. My parents instilled in me from an early age to take care of your books first or you wouldn’t participate or even have the opportunity to play sports. I definitely had good grades in school after that.”
We all know it, we know right from wrong, but we still at least try to get away with a variety of things during our childhoods. It only took one time and Sutton learned quickly that his schooling was to come first!
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In 2017, Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin and then general manager, Kevin Colbert got a chance to speak to Sutton at his Pro Day at the University of Tennessee during the draft cycle that year. He impressed them from the moment he met them.
“He talked in a real global sense, and Kevin Colbert and I just looked at each other,” Tomlin said via The Athletic. “His global football knowledge and awareness and his ability to articulate it are unique, has been unique, and it shows up often in his play. Not only in his play, but his communication helps others.”“He is one very smart kid,” said Tom Bradley, former Steelers defensive backs coach (2018-2020). “He might be the smartest player I ever coached in all my years.”
Sutton is aware that his teammates and coaches appreciate his intelligence, but he took the humble approach when asked about it.
“I’ve heard that a bit,” Sutton said. “I do a good job of understanding the game.”
Inglewood, CA, Sunday, November 21, 2021 - Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) intercepts a ball batted in the air by teammate Cam Heyward, giving the Steelers the ball late in the game at SoFi Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Sutton has the ability to move just about anywhere in the defensive backfield. He's currently playing mostly outside, but has the capability to move into the slot, dime backer, or if need be, he could also line up at free safety. The Steelers superstar FS Minkah Fitzpatrick has praised his teammate's intelligence as well.
“He’s been a guy the last couple of years of where we needed him, that is where he was,” Fitzpatrick stated via The Athletic. “There aren’t many guys in this league that have that ability up top to do that.”“He is a great player,” Fitzpatrick continued on Sutton. “I love playing with him. He challenges me mentally and physically.”
Steelers former DB's coach and current defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin is another member of the organization that has praised Sutton's ability to move just about anywhere!
“He is very important to what we want to do,” DC Austin stated. “He’s Mr. Versatility.”
What are yinz thoughts on Steelers CB Cam Sutton's versatility and intelligence being a key component for the secondary? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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