{"id":28825,"date":"2017-08-31T08:30:14","date_gmt":"2017-08-31T12:30:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=28825"},"modified":"2017-08-31T05:24:49","modified_gmt":"2017-08-31T09:24:49","slug":"setting-expectations-joe-haden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/08\/31\/setting-expectations-joe-haden\/","title":{"rendered":"Setting Expectations for Joe Haden"},"content":{"rendered":"

The release<\/a> of Joe Haden<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0by the Cleveland Browns<\/a> surprised some around the football world. Haden made second team All-Pro in 2013 and with two strong years before that, combined with first round pedigree, a lot of media members began claiming Haden amongst the best in the NFL. However, since then, injury along with other varying factors have led to the decline in his play, and ultimately, the\u00a0Browns felt fine eating four-million dollars just to move on from him altogether.<\/p>\n

Still, many teams were interested and were wondering who was going to get the player who has declined since 2014. When the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> ponied up and signed him to a three-year deal at an annual salary<\/a> that would put him back in the above average group of cornerbacks, it was expected by some but surprising to others. However, the important thing is to understand the expectations assigned to Haden by the Steelers.<\/p>\n

Setting Expectations for Joe Haden<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Big Plays<\/h2>\n

Joe Haden used to have a bounce in his step. He could give room and make instant jumps on the ball. However, in 2016 he gave up 43 receptions. Eight of them went for 20 yards or more. Those plays were given up to Odell Beckham<\/a> <\/strong>twice, Antonio Brown<\/a>, Chris Hogan<\/a>, Jason Witten<\/a>, Nelson Agholor<\/a>, Martellus Bennett<\/a> <\/strong>and Travis Benjamin<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Over ten percent of the time he was targeted he allowed a big play and gave one up in 72-percent of his games played. It is safe to say that Haden has lost a step or two.<\/p>\n