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PITTSBURGH -- The learning curve is starting to level off for Javon Hargrave, Artie Burns and Sean Davis. That hardly means its flat. Not by a long shot. Still, the game is beginning to slow down for the three Pittsburgh Steeler rookies, all of whom have made significant plays on a defense thats picked it up during the teams modest turnaround.I get so excited when were in the huddle, said Davis, a safety. I see us and theres not a drop off.Exactly what the Steelers (6-5) had in mind when they used each of their first three picks in the 2016 draft to give an underperforming unit a needed jolt of youth and talent, even if they didnt anticipate relying on them to become regulars quite so soon. Yet there was Burns, the 25th overall pick last spring, picking up his second career interception against the Browns on Nov. 20. There was Hargrave, a third-rounder from South Carolina State, falling on a fumble in the end zone for a score in the same game. There was Davis, a second-round safety, making a touchdown-saving tackle against Indianapolis that set up one of Pittsburghs two goal line stands in a 28-7 victory on Thanksgiving.Youve got to go with what you got, defensive coordinator Keith Butler said last week. Its not like youve got a lot of choices.Maybe, but all three have found their legs following a shaky start, particularly Davis, who was forced to split time at safety and nickelback early in the season. By Davis own admission, it was a bit much a bit too soon.You have to study watching the same film but its two different aspects, Davis said. Im not running away from it, but its hard. Im trying to learn everything, trying to learn two different positions. It got a little tough so they backed up. Im handling my job well. Maybe theyll be giving me a little bit more moving forward.It seems Davis is already there. He was the only Steeler to be on the field for every defensive snap against the Colts, a very tangible vote of confidence from Butler and head coach Mike Tomlin.They rewarded me and put me out there, Davis said. Im just going to continue to do what Im doing, keep my head down, stay humble and continue to work.Not that he has much choice in the matter, particularly for a club still trying to escape the rubble of a nightmarish four-game losing streak that threatened to derail a once promising season. Solid if hardly spectacular victories over the winless Browns and Andrew Luck-less Indianapolis stopped the slide. The Steelers werent exactly dominant but maybe thats a good thing. After spending most of the first five weeks winning with style, Pittsburgh opted for a more substantive approach in games they absolutely had to have.The defense picked up 11 sacks over the two games -- nearly doubling the Steelers season total -- and forced a pair of fourth quarter interceptions against the Colts, the kind of splash plays Tomlin so dearly covets. A far more difficult task awaits on Sunday when Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr. and the streaking New York Giants (8-3) visit Heinz Field. Its a measuring stick of sorts to see just how far the kids have come and if Pittsburghs recent return to normalcy is for real.Burns is trying to downplay the prospect of facing the explosive -- and occasionally overly emotive -- Beckham.I dont want to use it as a measurement because everybodys going to make plays here and there, Burns said. Im just going out there and competing and (if) you come out with a `W, thats what matters.Still, theres little doubt getting a shot at slowing down the New York star is one of the reasons the Steelers made Burns the first cornerback theyve taken in the opening round of the draft in nearly 20 years. Tomlin describes Burns as combative, particularly at the line of scrimmage where most plays are won and lost, though Burns has exceptional recovery speed and long arms to make up for the occasional mistake. Hes made believers out of his teammates, including wide receiver Antonio Brown, who spent a portion of the spring and summer providing Burns with some pretty good on-the-job training.Hargraves progress has been more subtle, though hes clearly taken a step forward with defensive end Cam Heyward now out for the season. The player teammates call J Wobble appears decidedly sturdy, picking up the first two sacks of his career over the last two weeks and making a season-high four tackles against the Colts.Its really making me want more, Hargrave said. Im even hungry for more.Game notes WR Darrius Heyward Bey (foot) is likely out against the Giants. ... RB DeAngelo Williams (knee), TE Xavier Grimble (quadriceps) and Shamarko Thomas (groin) could play.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cameron Wake Dolphins Jersey . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. Minkah Fitzpatrick Womens Jersey . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. http://www.authenticdolphinspro.com/Larry-csonka-dolphins-jersey/ . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. Custom Miami Dolphins Jerseys . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. Jason Taylor Jersey . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. PITTSBURGH -- Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers was a healthy scratch last week against the New England Patriots for a violation of a team rule, according to sources.Rogers did not play a snap in Sundays 27-16 loss, and he referred to his absence as a coachs decision, declining to elaborate. Rogers, who won the starting slot receiver job in the preseason, said he expects to be back on the field for Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens.The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported Rogers inactivity was due to discipline froom coach Mike Tomlin.ddddddddddddogers has 13 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. He also missed two games with a turf toe.He just has to do the little things, offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. He has to show hes accountable and that we can trust him and that hes the same guy every day. If he does that, hes shown he can do the things on the field necessary to make plays and help us. ' ' '