I know Cortez Allen has had a rough start, but

[K Train]

He will at least get another chance next year.

Ike had similar struggles early in his career, and was benched just the same after Javon Walker made him his bitch.

Maybe he gets back on the field as the #2 guy a bit more with Ike being back as the #1

[feltdizz]

He will at least get another chance next year.

Ike had similar struggles early in his career, and was benched just the same after Javon Walker made him his bitch.

Maybe he gets back on the field as the #2 guy a bit more with Ike being back as the #1

Almost forgot this thread was about Allen. This guy has all the tools but something wasn't clicking this year. Maybe he got a little comfortable after the contract or maybe he is over thinking while on the field.

I never witnesssed a defender this close to a WR who refuses to put his hands up. There were 3 or 4 plays where it looked like he baited the QB into throwing an INT but Allen just watched these guys catch it. At least Ike swiped at the ball or dropped a sure INT.

Hopefully he gets it together, I think he will have a chance to redeem himself this year in spot duty. If he stinks it up though, who knows...

[K Train]

Steelers have done a great job of protecting themselves post woodley contract....pouncey, gilbert, mitchell, and allen all got pretty great deals as long as they play well. Guaranteed money was very front loaded, great cap management.

Pouncey is a top 3 center...worth every penny
Gilbert is a top half RT....hes great at his best and ok at his worst. Signing him was a necessary evil, but hes everyones favorite whipping boy even when he plays well
Mitchell is a work in progress, I believe he will find a niche in the defense...especially as they improve the CB and pass rush situation
Cortez is the biggest disappointment, but i have seen him play well before...his awareness needs to be worked on, i just dont think he was ready to be the #1 guy

[phillyesq]

Who do we replace him with? We are 7-4 and we are missing a few key people on defense.

I think the coaches are more patient and realistic than the fans... at least I hope so.

I'm not necessarily saying that the Steelers should replace Mitchell. I'm just saying that it is an option. Obviously, there is no option to replace him on the current roster. But I'm not quite sure that he's the guy for the future.

[feltdizz]

I'm not necessarily saying that the Steelers should replace Mitchell. I'm just saying that it is an option. Obviously, there is no option to replace him on the current roster. But I'm not quite sure that he's the guy for the future.

If there is a better option then sure... but I wouldn't be surprised or upset if we gave him time to mature in our system.

[WindyCitySteel]

He will at least get another chance next year.

Ike had similar struggles early in his career, and was benched just the same after Javon Walker made him his bitch.

Maybe he gets back on the field as the #2 guy a bit more with Ike being back as the #1

How depressing is that thought?

With Shazier, Tuitt, McCullers, Shamarko, and Jones all still big question marks, Worilds looking like last year was a fluke, Mitchell and Allen looking way overpaid, the future of this defense is up in the air to say the least. If the vast majority of these young guys don't become stars, we're looking at a several year rebuild on that side of the ball.

We're heading into a stretch run celebrating the return of Ike Taylor and a much diminished Troy, to pair up with Keisel and Harrison, who weren't on the roster when camp broke.

Three years after they were Tebowed.

[Snatch98]

How depressing is that thought?

With Shazier, Tuitt, McCullers, Shamarko, and Jones all still big question marks, Worilds looking like last year was a fluke, Mitchell and Allen looking way overpaid, the future of this defense is up in the air to say the least. If the vast majority of these young guys don't become stars, we're looking at a several year rebuild on that side of the ball.

We're heading into a stretch run celebrating the return of Ike Taylor and a much diminished Troy, to pair up with Keisel and Harrison, who weren't on the roster when camp broke.

Three years after they were Tebowed.

The overly ridiculous negativity for the most part has left this board. You really don't need to fill in the void. The defense getting healthy right now is a huge bonus and not something that should be passed off as some sort of negative. We are fighting for first place in the division not last.

[bostonsteeler]

The overly ridiculous negativity for the most part has left this board. You really don't need to fill in the void. The defense getting healthy right now is a huge bonus and not something that should be passed off as some sort of negative. We are fighting for first place in the division not last.

We all hope it doesn't return. If, god forbid, they lose one of the next two, watch the legions of doom return. Shamefully, I will likely be part of it -- I hate it when they lose. It destroys my week.