The signing came in August, a week after reporting day for this unique training camp, so it barely reverberated. But when the Pittsburgh Steelers inked Curtis Riley, by all indications they were adding a player who will be their No. 3 safety.
The first week of padded practices, according to the official pool reports, have reinforced that. Riley “keeps making plays” during 11-on-11 sessions and has taken reps with the starters when Terrell Edmunds has missed time because of injury.
“I think Curtis can help us from a depth standpoint,” defensive backs coach Tom Bradley said during a video conference call Monday. “He’s one of the guys each day that has shown a little bit more and more. We’re getting excited about him as we continue through this process, watching him.
“He’s been impressive so far in camp, and we are looking forward to seeing if he can keep this thing going for the next few weeks.”
Newly signed Curtis Riley could answer some of the questions about the Steelers' depth at safety heading into training camp. https://t.co/zk2dr6KeIc
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 3, 2020
Riley had interceptions during team periods of two of the past three open practices. Friday, he took a pass that had been tipped at the line of scrimmage from out of the arms of tight end Eric Ebron. Monday, Riley picked off Mason Rudolph’s pass during a pass-under-pressure drill.
Riley also splashed on special teams Friday, making a great save of a punt that was bouncing into the end zone, diving to stop the ball and pin the play inside the 1.
“Curtis just came in, and he’s doing a good job, making plays,” starting safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Riley is a five-year NFL veteran who is in his sixth training camp since signing with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. Riley started 19 games at free safety over the past two seasons — all 16 games for the New York Giants in 2018 and three for the Oakland Raiders in 2019.
In 2018, Riley played 96% of the Giants’ defensive snaps and had four interceptions, including a 42-yard return for a touchdown. Last season, he was tied for third on the Raiders for special-teams snaps played.
Still, at age 27 this past spring, Riley languished on the free-agent market.
“It was a little frustrating with covid going on,” Riley said. “It was a long waiting process. It was kind of frustrating. I kept my head down, worked out every day. Was just trying to make sure I was ready so when I got a call, I was ready to go.”
I'll Take That! Curtis Riley with the pick and the #NYGiants take over. #NYGvsCAR pic.twitter.com/sHgNgNaudK
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 7, 2018
After Fitzpatrick and Edmunds, the Steelers had no proven depth at safety before signing Riley. Marcus Allen has played in just three NFL games and has 18 regular-season defensive snaps. Antoine Brooks is a rookie sixth-round pick. Cameron Sutton is a cornerback by trade. Jordan Dangerfield is a great special teams player but hasn’t played much on defense.
Bradley pointed out that this coronavirus-affected camp and preseason leaves less opportunity for development. That could help more-established veterans such as Riley and running back Wendell Smallwood who were signed late in the offseason.
“We were interested in increasing the level of competition in this environment,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “The way that you do that is you bring as many capable men in as you can. Both of the guys that you’ve mentioned have credible NFL resumes. They’ve proven that thus far. They have a veteran-like look to them, and both are being positive contributors to the days that we’re having. We look forward to continuing getting to know them and looking at ways that they could maybe carve out a niche for themselves within what we’re doing here.”
For Riley, that niche could be as the No. 3 safety.
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