Steelers CB Senquez Golson anxious to begin career
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be hoping to get a boost next season from a player who has yet to play a down in the NFL.
Senquez Golson, drafted 56th overall last year, missed his entire rookie season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder during training camp. After watching the Steelers pass defense struggle to a 30th place finish this season, Golson is eager to take the field and begin his career, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
"I'm just so anxious to get on the field right now. "I'll do whatever they ask me to do. At this point, I just want to be out there playing football."
Despite being unable to play, Golson doesn't consider it a wasted year, considering all of the homework he was able to do off the field. Veteran corner William Gay helped Golson learn the ins and outs of what it takes to be an NFL cornerback, and now head coach Mike Tomlin expects to see some payoff next season.
"I'm very up-front about what I expect from him. I expect him to come back and perform like a guy that's been a part of us — and he has.
"He understands how we work, and he's had a chance to grow from a football-intellect standpoint. All of those things should show up in his play as we begin '16."
There are a lot of questions to be answered in the secondary with Gay and fellow corners Brandon Boykin and Antwon Blake now unrestricted free agents. Russ Cockrell is a restricted free agent and Cortez Allen is in danger of being released.
The table is set for Golson to take on a prominent role next season. After just seven interceptions this past season, the Steelers could certainly use his playmaking ability. Golson had 10 interceptions himself as a senior at Ole Miss.