PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers 25- year-old corner James Pierre made his second career NFL start, filling in for Cam Sutton. Quite a memorable afternoon as Pierre involved in a couple of the biggest plays of the game.
The Effort
Pierre finished second on the team in the 27-19 win Sunday against Denver with six tackles; all solo. The first seemed like stopping the inevitable.
Tailback Javonte Williams, the rookie from UNC who is already one of the toughest players in the league to tackle, busted through the line. Williams appeared to be heading for a touchdown that would potentially tie the game in the second quarter. Pierre ran him down and tackled him at the two-yard line.
“Big time,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin called the play. “Big-time hustle play.”
“It was a big lesson for me because on the sidelines,” Pierre said. “All the older guys were excited. They were juiced, their energy. I just knew it was an important play. I didn’t know, being so young, everything (is important).”
After the play, Williams got up and spiked the ball. That’s a five-yard penalty. Instead of being first and goal at the two, Denver started at the seven-yard line. Williams gained two yards on the next play. Devin Bush sacked quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on second down. Third down, Denver was unable to convert a third and goal from the 17-yard line. Instead of a tie game, Steelers maintained a lead.
The Bad
Steelers holding onto an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, Denver’s leading receiver, Courtland Sutton, gets behind Pierre for a 39-yard touchdown.
“Young guys, they are going to come after you,” Tomlin said. “They’re going to get some plays. You going to have to make some plays. It's an education of a corner in the National Football League.”
Pierre talked to his coaches in the booth and also talked to a few players. He said he needed to get his eyes right.
“I appreciate his mentality,” Tomlin said. “He was tough-minded about it and stayed in the fight. I appreciate some of the veteran leadership that he has and support that he has. A guy like Joe Haden talking you through those moments and helping you threw a football game is significant and I just can't say enough about Joe's efforts in terms of nurturing him and helping him grow in those ways as well.”
The Finish
Steelers up eight points. Denver facing a fourth and goal from the three-yard line with 17 seconds left.
“I knew they were coming at me,” Pierre said. “I got beat. I knew they were coming at me again.”
Pierre was right. Teddy Bridgewater back to pass and looked for Sutton in the back of the end zone. This time Pierre was ready and picked it off.
Game over.
“I listened to my coach,” Pierre said. “I kept my eyes at my work. I took two steps at the receiver and just looked back for the ball. I caught the pick.”
“Out-of-body experience. It was crazy.”