The Next Great Steelers Line Backers?

I wrote an article in July about the state of the Steelers linebackers looking into the future.

I stated in this article that the Steelers were set at the starting positions, and many of the comments were about the lack of depth at the position.

In speaking of the backups, I stated the Keyaron Fox and Bruce Davis, could be the top backups, but they were going to have to earn it.

Thursday night against the Cardinals, they both took steps toward earning that title.

Keyaron Fox, who joined the Steelers after the 2006 season, has become more than the special teams player he was with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bruce Davis, who was drafted in the third round by the Steelers in the 2007 draft, spent last year learning the ropes.

Both of these young men have great athletic ability, but being a Steelers linebacker takes more than just ability. It takes a knowledge of a Dick LeBeau playbook.  That is sometimes hard to learn.

Ask last years Defensive Player of the Year, James Harrison.

Against the second unit of the Cardinals, Fox and Davis played like Steelers linebackers are supposed to play; full speed, and hitting hard.

Now, am I saying that either of them are ready to push any of the starters for their position?  Of course not. 

But they are defiantly two to watch into the future.