The Pittsburgh Steelers have severed ties with cornerback Cortez Allen. Allen, who was with the Steelers since 2011, was released Friday afternoon. Allen and the Steelers agreed to a big, four-year contract in 2014 that would pay him $24.6 million. However, Allen didn’t live up to the dollar signs. He had an ugly 2014 that ended when he suffered a thumb injury that kept him out for the final five games. And Allen only played one game in the 2015 season: the season opener against the New ... Read More
Three down: Season in review part two
Yesterday, we took a look at some of the best moments and performances by the 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers in our first of two installments of three up, three down. In part two of of the series, let's look at some of the worst of the past season. Three down: *There's little doubt that the secondary was a big issue for the Steelers and it will be a hot-button topic during the off-season. Only the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints gave more yards through the air than the Steelers dismal ... Read More
Steelers depth continues to be tested
The old adage "next man up" is one of the most overused sayings in professional sports. Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it's been a recurring theme that has been applicable to the team time and time again. Le'Veon Bell to miss the first two games of the season? DeAngelo Williams, come on down. Subsequent announcement of a four-game suspension for Martavis Bryant? Time to step up, Darrius Heyward-Bey. Then there was Shaun Suisham's season-ending injury and the kicking soap opera ... Read More
Boykin still not seeing field for Steelers
On the St. Louis Rams’ final offensive play Sunday, three Pittsburgh Steeler cornerbacks were on the field. Brandon Boykin was not one of them. Up by six with less than two minutes left in the game, the Steelers needed to stop the Rams’ passing game. But Boykin, whom the Steelers gave up a fifth round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for in training camp, was standing on sideline next to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Helmet in hand with his arms crossed, all Boykin could do was ... Read More
Secondary issues provide questions but few answers
After watching the Steelers secondary perform this past Thursday, I could not help but hear The Who front man Roger Daltrey passionately exhorting the final verse of their hit song "Won't Get Fooled Again" in my ear. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!" Although I'm sure some of you reading this may not remember this classic tune, it seemed to be pretty fitting. That's because anyone who watched the Patriots surgically take apart the Steelers pass defense should get the comparison: new ... Read More
Adding Brandon Boykin fills a crucial need for Steelers
You simply can't have enough good cornerbacks in today's NFL. Seems simple enough, but considering how passing offenses have dominated the league in recent years, it seems to be more the case every season. After all, in four of last six seasons alone, at least 10 starting QB's have surpassed 4,000 passing yards. It does not seem like that long ago surpassing the 4,000-yard plateau was a rarity achieved by the likes of Dan Marino, Joe Montana and John Elway. Today we are seeing players ... Read More
Cortez Allen looking for bounceback season
It’s no secret that cornerback Cortez Allen was one of the most disappointing players to wear a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform in 2014. But with training camp starting in Latrobe, there may be no player worth monitoring more throughout the preseason than Allen. Make no mistake about it, the Steelers must have Allen back to his 2013 form. If he doesn’t live up to the confidence the Steelers showed in him that earned Allen a lengthy contract, the Steelers secondary becomes that much ... Read More
Cortez Allen has a lot to prove in 2015
With training camp just over a month away for the Pittsburgh Steelers, there are several players who must use camp to take a big step forward. While Jarvis Jones’ name comes to mind on the Steelers defense, perhaps no player must show that he can have a bounce back season more than cornerback Cortez Allen. In fear of perhaps losing another young corner, the Steelers rushed to give Allen a five-year, $26-million contract extension prior to last season. Needless to say that decision ... Read More
Pittsburgh Steelers secondary must improve quickly
Pittsburgh Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert chose not to address the cornerback position when the 2014 NFL Draft came and went, unless you consider drafting Shaquille Richardson in the fifth round addressing the situation. Despite Ike Taylor’s struggles throughout the 2013 campaign, Colbert also elected to not to address the position in free agency, electing to stick with what he has. At the end of the day, that decision could prove costly as this secondary is not a very good one, ... Read More
Training camp notes from Latrobe
Another day down as Steelers continued their final week of training camp at St Vincent's College in Latrobe with two joint practices with the Buffalo Bills. This was the first time the Steelers have held a joint practice with another NFL team during the eight-year tenure of head coach Mike Tomlin. Both Steelers and Bills fans packed St. Vincent's and were treated to great weather and plenty of action. Here's some of the quick hits I can share with the readers as the Steelers get ready to take ... Read More