Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin Dips Into Alma Mater William & Mary
Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings (15) runs the ball against Dallas Cowboys cornerback B.W. Webb (20) in the game at AT&T Stadium. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The night before the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to trim their roster down to 53 players, the front office made a peculiar move by signing CB B.W. Webb. The Cowboys cut the former 4th rounder on Thursday, and the Steelers seemed to act quick and nabbed Webb.
It’s a curious move from the Steelers, and one that could only mean that there are some cuts headed the way of the cornerbacks before 4pm Saturday. Webb is a graduate of William & Mary, the same college head coach Mike Tomlin attended. Jim Wexell from Steel City Insider tweeted that Webb may have done a bit of rear end kissing during last year’s combine.
New #Steelers CB BW Webb told me at his combine that Mike Tomlin the greatest Wm & Mary alum. Paid off.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 29, 2014
Tomlin had an amusing response when Wexell questioned him about it.
Tomlin laughed when I told him. He Did say drafting Wm & Mary grad would be albatross. I guess waiver claim ok.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 29, 2014
The Steelers are taking a bit of a gamble by signing Webb prior to the 53 man deadline. The team won’t really have time to give Webb a proper physical, and so the coaches know nothing of any type of physical condition that might have been the root of his release from Dallas. Webb didn’t play well last season – 16 tackles isn’t anything impressive. What is very curious about this move is Webb’s past. Webb had an altercation with a fan that led to Webb taking a swing at a fan after they went at him with a helmet – and it’s ultimately what got him released from the team. In light of recent “troubles” with other Steelers players, such as Bell and Blount, you would think the Steelers would try and avoid someone with a bit of the ol’ character issues.
So who gets the ax on Saturday? Ike Taylor, Cortez Allen, and William Gay are essentially locks. The team will more than likely take six corners with them going in to Week 1 of the regular season. That leaves Antwon Blake, Brice McCain, and Shaquille Richardson to fill two slots after Webb takes the sixth. Richardson only played 17 snaps before his injury, so I doubt the Steelers will cut him because they absolutely need young corners who have the potential to develop. That leaves Blake and McCain. Your guess is as good as mine on that one. It’s a toss up.
Pro tip for Steeler Nation attending games this season: Don’t mouth off to Webb unless you want to taste some face mask….