Allen could have bright future

[fordfixer]

Steelers' Allen could have bright future
[url]http://www.profootballweekly.com/2012/12/28/steelers-allen-could-have-bright-future[/url]
Posted Dec. 28, 2012 @ 10:08 p.m. ET


By Mike Wilkening
Two days before the Steelers’ season finale, CB Cortez Allen was asked what he would take away from his second NFL campaign.


“I still have a lot of growing to do,” Allen said. “ … There’s still so much to learn.”


More improvement from Allen would be an exciting prospect for the Steelers considering the promise he has shown in 2012.


Allen’s potential was on full display in the Week 16 loss to Cincinnati, when he had a hand in all three Bengals turnovers. He twice intercepted Bengals QB Andy Dalton, and he forced an A.J. Green fumble recovered by S Ryan Clark in Pittsburgh territory. The interceptions were the first of the 24-year-old Allen’s NFL career. Allen shared credit for the takeaways with his teammates, saying that the defense’s collective play “enabled me to make the plays I did.’


Improved technique will be a focus of Allen’s offseason workouts. He figures to be no worse than the Steelers’ third cornerback in 2013, and a starting spot is quite possible, especially if Keenan Lewis departs in free agency.


We may look back and see 2012 as a “bridge” season of sorts for Allen, a campaign where he showed he could be a consistent contributor for an older defense that will need its younger players to continue to step forward.


“I do feel like I’ve progressed a little each week,” Allen said.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I like Cortez a lot. Hope we bring back Keenan as well.

[Snatch98]

I like Cortez a lot. Hope we bring back Keenan as well.

Same. They're the future of our defensive secondary.

[Chadman]

The future could be now if Lewis gets a decent offer elsewhere.

[Snatch98]

The future could be now if Lewis gets a decent offer elsewhere.

I think the Steelers offer him a nice contract and he stays, especially if they do the same with Wallace.

[SS Laser]

The future could be now if Lewis gets a decent offer elsewhere.

Lewis looked like a young Ike this season 0 INT's. He should stick around for awhile like Ike I hope. Now Cortez looks like a playmaker better sign him up before he hits the open market in a couple years.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Not good that Gay finally became an NFL CB only to leave via FA, and now Lewis starts and looks good then becomes a FA, and now we are talking about Allen maybe being ready in year 3 if Lewis leaves.

does the CB's steep learning curve have anything to do with recognizing when they have no safety help by reading what Troy is up to? If so, I would rather our SS play SS and not a 5th LB at the LOS.

[D Rock]

Not good that Gay finally became an NFL CB only to leave via FA, and now Lewis starts and looks good then becomes a FA, and now we are talking about Allen maybe being ready in year 3 if Lewis leaves.

does the CB's steep learning curve have anything to do with recognizing when they have no safety help by reading what Troy is up to? If so, I would rather our SS play SS and not a 5th LB at the LOS.

This team looked the most sound defensively with Troy out and everyone playing their roles. They also couldn't get a turnover to save their lives at that point.

It wasn't until the last couple weeks here that some turnovers happened. I'm wondering if that is because they all finally got used to playing with Troy and everything had finally come together.


I can never make my mind up on the role I want to see Troy playing for this defense.

[NorthCoast]

Troy's interception while Cleveland was driving was a key momentum stopper.

[Dee Dub]

I think the Steelers offer him a nice contract and he stays, especially if they do the same with Wallace.

I agree. The Steelers look as if they have two young corners who could be more than adequate as starters in Lewis and Allen. But for this to happen (signing Lewis), Ike Taylor is going to have to be released. And I think that is the best move...considering the amount over the cap the Steelers are and the fact that Ike will be 33 next season and on the downside of his career.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I agree. The Steelers look as if they have two young corners who could be more than adequate as starters in Lewis and Allen. But for this to happen (signing Lewis), Ike Taylor is going to have to be released. And I think that is the best move...considering the amount over the cap the Steelers are and the fact that Ike will be 33 next season and on the downside of his career.

What will be the cap implications if they release Ike?

[phillyesq]

I really hope the Steelers find a way to keep Lewis, Ike and Allen. You need three good corners in today's NFL, especially considering that you'll usually have a corner get dinged up for a few games during the season.

If Lewis leaves or if Ike is cut, you have Lewis/Allen, which is an ok starting tandem, but no depth behind them. Victorian? Curtis Brown? Ugh.

[Dee Dub]

What will be the cap implications if they release Ike?

I could be wrong but I thought it was BigRob that showed it would save about $6 million dollars if they cut him at some point in this off season.

[D Rock]

I could be wrong but I thought it was BigRob that showed it would save about $6 million dollars if they cut him at some point in this off season.

[url]http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/ike-taylor/[/url]

He has cap numbers of just about 9.5M and 10.5M the next two years.

He has just under 3.5M in bonus money each of the next two years as well.

My understanding is that any bonus money owed is split over the remaining years if cut after June 1, so his cap hit would be 3.5M each of the next two years if that is the case, saving 6M this year and 7M next year.

[Dee Dub]

[URL]http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/ike-taylor/[/URL]

He has cap numbers of just about 9.5M and 10.5M the next two years.

He has just under 3.5M in bonus money each of the next two years as well.

My understanding is that any bonus money owed is split over the remaining years if cut after June 1, so his cap hit would be 3.5M each of the next two years if that is the case, saving 6M this year and 7M next year.

Yes that is what I had thought too. Do you think this is the best way to go? Cutting him and allowing Allen to take his spot and trying to re-sigh Lewis? Ike is on the downside and will be 33.