Brandon Boykin is the real deal

[PhoenixEagles1]

Steelers really stole an excellent player from Philly for just a 5th. Boykin is the best nickle CB in the NFL. Why did Philly let him go for so cheap? 1) Chip likes tall and long CBs 2) Boykin wants a starting position and was going to leave via FA at the end of this year.

He really is a prime time player and had 6 picks as a non starter 2 years ago. He also made big picks in big games.

Lastly, I read a long article about him and he is a great kid, very educated and prides himself on how he speaks and carries himself. Also an elite athlete. You guys got a big time nickle CB without a big time name.

 

[MISKO]

well thanks then ..

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Thanks for the info @ncmalko1 !

I'm looking forward to seeing this kid play. I've been reading a lot of great things about him. He should become an instant starter.

Although this move does worry me about our 2nd round pick, Senquez Golson. He looked to be the nickel CB this season, but he has yet to practice in training camp due to a bad shoulder. This move makes me feel that Golson is headed for IR to redshirt the season. Bum deal but I'm glad Colbert & Tomlin jumped on this. I'm pretty surprised as well that Philly made this deal for chump change essentially.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[Cali Steel]

He's saying that Kelly dealt him because he's racist towards black players?????
Good pick up though.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

He's saying that Kelly dealt him because he's racist towards black players?????
Good pick up though.

Not at all...

He simply made the comment that "Chip doesn't understand black culture so he is uncomfortable around us" or something along those lines. He doesn't think Chip is racist at all. It was a quote that got misinterpreted.

Still a touchy subject that Boykin would have been smart to avoid. Oh well...

 

[Bridgeburner]

LOVE THIS PICKUP.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Thanks for the info @ncmalko1 !

I'm looking forward to seeing this kid play. I've been reading a lot of great things about him. He should become an instant starter.

Although this move does worry me about our 2nd round pick, Senquez Golson. He looked to be the nickel CB this season, but he has yet to practice in training camp due to a bad shoulder. This move makes me feel that Golson is headed for IR to redshirt the season. Bum deal but I'm glad Colbert & Tomlin jumped on this. I'm pretty surprised as well that Philly made this deal for chump change essentially.

Golson's health was probably a factor. Bummer for the kid, and hopefully he's doesn't go on IR, but he was probably the CB4 at best if healthy this season.

The OP is right from what I've heard...Boykin wanted an outside role and probably earned it based on his play, but PHI views him as a slot guy, and that's it...He'll obviously get a shot to play outside in PIT...3 CBs with experience changes things a great deal.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Not at all...

He simply made the comment that "Chip doesn't understand black culture so he is uncomfortable around us" or something along those lines. He doesn't think Chip is racist at all. It was a quote that got misinterpreted.

Still a touchy subject that Boykin would have been smart to avoid. Oh well...

I think it was on the Steelers website, maybe Steeler Depot...forget which now, but there is audio of him answering those Kelly questions...I thought he handled it well, clear and concise and Idt this is something he'll be peppered with all year.

That said...Kelly does seem to have some type of agenda...not along racial lines imo, but some very good players have been discarded...often for little or no return for Philly.

I see this going one of two ways...he's going to have the team at the top of the DIV and a playoff contender by '16 season if not this year...or he'll back in CFB somewhere in '17.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I think it was on the Steelers website, maybe Steeler Depot...forget which now, but there is audio of him answering those Kelly questions...I thought he handled it well, clear and concise and Idt this is something he'll be peppered with all year.

That said...Kelly does seem to have some type of agenda...not along racial lines imo, but some very good players have been discarded...often for little or no return for Philly.

I see this going one of two ways...he's going to have the team at the top of the DIV and a playoff contender by '16 season if not this year...or he'll back in CFB somewhere in '17.

I'm predicting he'll be back in CFB... He's taking A LOT of risks and it is going to really blow up in his face if things go south. Basically "All-in" in high stakes poker. He's put a lot of talent on the roster, so it could pay off.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I'm predicting he'll be back in CFB... He's taking A LOT of risks and it is going to really blow up in his face if things go south. Basically "All-in" in high stakes poker. He's put a lot of talent on the roster, so it could pay off.

Exactly...you rarely see that many starting caliber players kicked to the curb...but imo because he's let some great/good players go...it HAS to work fairly quickly.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Exactly...you rarely see that many starting caliber players kicked to the curb...but imo because he's let some great/good players go...it HAS to work fairly quickly.

Definitely... Hell, with all the risks he's taken, he would probably receive a lot of scrutiny if it simply rained in Philly.

 

[SteelersPride]

i think this guy starts for us, not nickel

 

[ATL96Steeler]

i think this guy starts for us, not nickel

Probably right...Gay moves to nickel IF Allen is deemed okay...but in this game today...your nickel better be damn near as good as the 1 & 2 because they will get almost the same amount of snaps.

 

[Superbelt]

So if his play in camp elevates him to a starting role, considering this is a 1 year rental, think they try to get him signed before the season starts?

Assuming a 4th rounder for a starting CB. Good deal.

 

[Superbelt]

Probably right...Gay moves to nickel IF Allen is deemed okay...but in this game today...your nickel better be damn near as good as the 1 & 2 because they will get almost the same amount of snaps.

Blake wants to start, too.
He's shown more than Cortez.

Boykin and Blake starting, Gay as nickel, Cortez 4th CB.

 

[Cali Steel]

This is what I read.
Guess some of the team is hinting at "racism"

Boykin, who was traded to Pittsburgh for a conditional fifth-round draft pick, is the latest to suggest such.

MORE: Eagles position battles to watch | Sam Bradford gets green light for camp

Kelly is “uncomfortable around grown men of our culture," the cornerback told CSN Philly. "He can't relate and that makes him uncomfortable. He likes total control of everything, and he don't like to be uncomfortable.

"Players excel when you let them naturally be who they are, and in my experience that hasn't been important to him, but you guys have heard this before me."

Indeed we have. Most notably, running back LeSean McCoy after he was traded to Buffalo: "You see how fast he got rid of all the good players. Especially all the good black players." CSN Philly points out comments from Tra Thomas, who served as the Eagles' defensive assistant last year. He said players suspected a “hint of racism" in Kelly’s personnel decisions.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Blake wants to start, too.
He's shown more than Cortez.

Boykin and Blake starting, Gay as nickel, Cortez 4th CB.

Cortez is having a good camp. I'm betting that Cortez starts the season as the 1 or 2, but then slips again. Blake has been having a great camp too, so he'll likely vie for a starting position. Tomlin is shifting coverage towards the Tampa 2 so that might benefit some of the smaller guys. I think you are right about Boykin & Blake starting with Gay in the nickel. But if Cortez continues to improve, he'll take Blake's spot pretty easily. That puts Boykin & Blake in a heads up battle.

One things for sure... Too many 'capable' starters is a good problem to have. It is going to intensify the competition in camp and push themselves for the better.

 

[Superbelt]

I'm pulling for Cortez to pull his head out of his ass and earn his paycheck.

But I'm just higher on Blake. He's putting in the work and he was proving it on the field last year. His superior athleticism helps to make up for his size disadvantage. He's crazy explosive.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I'm pulling for Cortez to pull his head out of his ass and earn his paycheck.

But I'm just higher on Blake. He's putting in the work and he was proving it on the field last year. His superior athleticism helps to make up for his size disadvantage. He's crazy explosive.

I agree. I've been following his offseason pretty closely and the dude has put in a crazy amount of work. He's training to be the starter, and his attitude is that he isn't a starter but wants to be. Great mentality to have.