PITTSBURGH -- A year ago, Ross Cockrell wasnt ready to stand across the line of scrimmage from one of the NFLs best receivers and more than hold his own.It wasnt so much about confidence or ability, but knowledge. The cornerback needed time to adjust after getting cut by the Buffalo Bills and picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of the 2015 preseason.Yet there he was on Sunday, shadowing Cincinnatis A.J. Green all over the field in Pittsburghs 24-16 victory, playing a vital role in a game plan that limited Green to just two receptions for 39 yards and shutting him out completely in the second half.Theres been a lot of growth and development in my game, Cockrell said. A lot of it is being around these guys, getting to know them. Last year it was just kind of plug and play.With mixed results. The Steelers went 11-7 and posted a significant uptick in sacks and turnovers created in 2015 but also finished 30th in passing yards allowed. Pittsburgh invested heavily in the secondary during the draft -- taking cornerback Artie Burns in the first round and safety Sean Davis in the second -- and while the box score doesnt look that impressive (the Steelers are 31st against the pass through two weeks) all those yards have only translated into two touchdowns allowed during a 2-0 start.Theyve largely kept the ball in front, Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said. Theyve particularly been stout when the field gets short and good on possession downs. Those are the things that define a secondary and particularly, define a defense. But, theres more plays out there for us.Tomlin pointed specifically to instances where a defensive back managed to get his hand on the ball but failed to bring it in for an interception. Those concerns, however, are nitpicky at best.Though Dalton passed for 366 yards, most of them were check downs to running backs and tight ends as Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler disguised coverages and seemed to throw Dalton off by having Cockrell trail Green, a departure from last season where cornerbacks largely stuck to one side of the field regardless of the matchup.Were doing a lot of things differently defensively, Cockrell said. Its one of the most complex things Ive seen.Some things, however, remain basic. One of the biggest reasons Cincinnati went just 4 of 16 on third downs despite Dalton getting sacked just once (on a play that technically was a scramble for no gain) is because when Dalton dumped the ball off, the Steelers swarmed immediately.Thats just how their defense plays, Dalton said. They let the guy catch it and tackle. They are really sound on the way they play defense. They have done a good job with that.Everyone got in on the act. Burns knocked away a Dalton pass to Brandon LaFell in the end zone. Safety Robert Golden picked up a Tyler Boyd fumble caused by linebacker James Harrison -- judiciously dropped into coverage at times in addition to rushing the passer -- in the final 2 minutes to seal it. Safety Mike Mitchell sent a message early with hard but legal hits to Bengals when they came over the middle.Cockrell did his part too. While making it a point not to disparage the Bills, its obvious hes found a place to call home in Pittsburgh.Its a good culture, a good atmosphere, Cockrell said. You realize theres only one goal and everybody works toward that goal.The young guys included. Burns has rebounded quickly after spending most of training camp dealing with a quad injury. Davis can roam from nickelback to safety depending on the situation and the scheme. Most importantly, theyre absorbing as much as they can.What theyre learning now is the discipline it takes to perform at this level, Cockrell said. Its an important lesson to learn early on.Game notes Tomlin said Tuesday WR Markus Wheaton (shoulder) will practice this week and could be available on Sunday in Philadelphia. Wheaton practiced last week but was held out of the lineup for a second straight week.---AP NFL websites: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Giants Jerseys China . The 28-year-old from Calgary matched his career best after missing just one shot in his two rounds of shooting in the mens 10-kilometre sprint competition. Smith finished in 23 minutes 15. Fake Giants Jerseys https://www.cheapjerseysgiants.us/ .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. Giants Jerseys 2020 . PETERSBURG, Fla. San Francisco Giants Pro Shop . LUCIE, Fla. When Tony Popovic observes what Western Sydney have achieved in the first eight A-League rounds, theres a thirsty anticipation about what the next eight might bring.Of course, the Wanderers coach hasnt measured the teams success so far based on results - those have been virtually non-existent.But from what he saw of his new-look squad in last weekends 1-1 draw with Brisbane, theres very real reason to feel optimistic a rush of points is on the horizon.The teams latest evolution under Popovic, famous for his annual off-season surgery, has taken longer to bear fruits than some of the past.Wanderers 5.0 have struggled to match the artistry of last seasons Spanish-infused, possession-based grand finalists, while substantial back-four exits had stripped the club of the signature defensive foundations that delivered their 2014 Asian Champions League title.Their failure to win in six games leaves seventh-placed Western Sydney in the unusual position of sitting lower on the table than Saturdays opponents Central Coast.But Popovic has been watching the pieces slowly mould together, to the extent he saw fit to select an unchanged starting XI for the first time against the Roar.Front-third extravagance aside, the move was largely vindicated by the Wanderers best display yet, which Popovic put down to improved fitness and cohesion.Case in point is Argentine marquee Nicolas Martinez, whose attacking wizardry seems to multiply with his increasing endurance, while theres a lot to like about Scott Nevilles industtrious form at right-back.ddddddddddddWhen players start the season unfit and cant finish a game, or theyve come from a background where their fitness is very low, its difficult to get that fluency and continuity within the group, he said.But the fitness levels have improved, the understanding is better and were fortunate we have no injuries, so were seeing a lot more stability now.Its a work in progress but anyone who saw the game against Brisbane would tell you Western Sydney did not look like a new team.Thats encouraging for us, to have that after eight games is great and we can only imagine what can happen in another seven or eight games.But weve got to get results with a performance.That starts against the Mariners, last seasons wooden-spooners now riding on the confidence of a drought-breaking home win and clean sheet against Perth.For the players, a brief break from unrewarding temporary home ground Spotless Stadium might be a relief, as the clubs passionate fans make the regular trip to Central Coast Stadium, described by Popovic as a home away from home.The key will putting away Paul Okons pacy Mariners outfit, who snatched a point at Spotless five weeks ago thanks to a Wanderers second-half fadeout.Weve improved a lot since then; Central Coast has as well, Popovic said.Were certainly aware of their strengths and weve got a few ideas on how we can nullify them. 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