PITTSBURGH — The first step is important for a cornerback, and that’s something that Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Grady Brown has been working hard to instill in his newest charges, 2023 rookie draft picks Joey Porter Jr. and Cory Trice during the team’s rookie minicamp and the start of organized team activities.
Footwork is an easy thing to work on during this time of the year when most of the things the team is able to do involves individual work.
So for the first step of their NFL career, the emphasis has been on their steps.e
That’s not all the young Steelers are learning, of course. But it’s been clear the Steelers are trying not to overwhelm them as they work on an NFL practice field for the first time.
“We’re just taking it day by day, rep by rep and trying to get better every day,” Trice said. “The first thing for me is really just retaining information from the film room, so when I go out to the field, as soon as I go out there, as long as I know my job, I just try to go out there and make plays.”
The figurative first step for Trice in his NFL journey will be at outside cornerback. That was obvious for Porter, who played exclusively outside corner at Penn State. But Trice has played some safety in his past and at 6-foot-3, 206 pounds, seems to have the frame to be able to handle tight ends in the slot like a strong safety.
The Steelers believe that Trice can be a versatile player in the secondary eventually. But for now, though, the first step will be outside.
One of the benefits of putting Trice and Porter at the same place in the defense is that Brown can instruct the two of them together, as they make the transition to the NFL at the same time.
“It is (nice), but I just try to focus on my craft and focus on getting better every day,” Trice said. “(Brown) loves my press technique, so I’m just trying to better that every day, learn the scheme, and play as hard as I can.”
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