Cortez Allen breaks up a pass intended for the Colts’ Donte Moncrief on Sunday at Heinz Field. — GETTY
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
If the Steelers lose the rematch with the rival Ravens this weekend, here’s betting it won’t be because of the offense. Not with Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell each ranking No. 1 in the NFL at his respective position in Pro Football Focus’ most recent rankings. Not with Martavis Bryant’s breakout and Markus Wheaton’s with maturation adding to the options. Not with the offensive line “completely feeling it now, like a band of brothers,” as Kelvin Beachum was telling me Wednesday on the South Side.
If the Steelers lose, here’s betting it won’t be because they have big heads from the Indianapolis W:
If the Steelers lose, here’s betting it won’t be because of the defensive front seven. Not with the regaining a push it had previously only showed in Charlotte. Not with Jason Worilds rediscovering his terrorizing 2013 form. Not with Ryan Shazier’s return freeing up Lawrence Timmons to perform what Brett Keisel beautifully described as “being a Steeler.”
If the Steelers lose, be eminently sure it won’t be because of the atmosphere. Not with Mean Joe Greene’s No. 75 being retired, a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of the man whose combination of brilliance and bullishness defined “being a Steeler.”
No, if the Steelers lose, it will be because Cortez Allen plays a lot.
Hate to say that. Sounds mean. But sorry, so be it.
And this game between 5-3 teams is too big — in the standings alone, never mind the natural animosity or any revenge for the 26-6 Week 2 spanking in Baltimore — for anyone to not be shooting straight on this subject.
Allen can’t play Sunday. He just can’t.
If he does, and by that anything more than a dabble of work in the dime or as an injury replacement, it will speak so very loudly about the Steelers’ stubbornness regarding Allen and the five-year, $25 million extension he was given this summer, that they’d prioritize that over the best chance to win.
At this point, there would be no other way to explain it, given that:
• Allen ranks No. 107 out of the NFL’s 107 players who have taken so much as a snap at corner by PFF. For further perspective, his minus-16.1 rating is miles below the minus-10.8 of the No. 106 corner, the Titans’ Blidi Wreh-Wilson, and almost twice as bad as the minus-9 of the No. 105 corner, the Chiefs’ Marcus Cooper.
• Allen has been targeted 57 times, fourth-most among NFL corners. That isn’t being picked on. That’s being bullied right off the playground.
• Allen has allowed 34 of those to become completions, also fourth-most, and has conceded an average of 16.2 yards on those plays.
• Allen has two interceptions, six passes defensed and has allowed five touchdowns. I don’t need to offer any comparative metrics on that ratio, right?
• Allen’s nine penalties are tied for most among NFL corners.
• Allen’s seven missed tackles are tied for second-most among NFL corners.
Man, at this stage, even the facts sound mean.
Now add into this equation the Ravens’ propensity for deep passing — half of Joe Flacco’s 14 touchdown passes traveled 20 or more yards in the air, and Steve Smith and Torrey Smith are both outstanding downfield — and the need to sit Allen, at least this Sunday, is all the more underscored.
NFL media guidelines prohibit reporting anything seen when covering practice, but special teams gunner Antwon Blake told reporters after the Steelers’ session Wednesday that “it looks like” he’ll take Allen’s place. If so, wonderful. Blake has been superlative on kick coverage and, more pertinent, had a leaping interception against Indianapolis. He’ll have earned the chance.
But remember, Tomlin also made it sound as if Allen would be benched this past week when I’d asked him about that the previous Tuesday, and Allen was right back out there against the Colts.
I’ll believe an Allen benching when I see it.
It’s tough to say with certainty what’s wrong with Allen at the core, although seriously crushed confidence stands as the strongest suspect.
The physical tools are there. We saw that in spurts over the 2012 and 2013 seasons, as well as a tantalizing flash of takeaway abilities. He’s 6-1, he can fly, and even now, as Mike Tomlin and others have stressed this week, he’s mostly in position to make plays. What’s more, he’s guided by one of football’s brightest minds when it comes to pass defense in Carnell Lake. So he knows how to make those plays. He just doesn’t make them.
“He has to finish opportunities,” Tomlin said. “Often times, he is in position because he does a great job of getting in position, but position is just an element of it. You have to finish.”
Or not. Allen was actually miles off Donte Moncrief on that play. Never mind.
Anyway, to get the vibe of Tomlin and his players the past couple of days, the primary objective right now as it relates to Allen is building him back up. That’s why Tomlin has asked injured Ike Taylor, who has traversed his own peaks and valleys, to spend time with Allen, to let him talk it out. And, according to the former, that’s happened.
“Cortez gotta know he’s the guy, that the rest of his guys in this locker room got his back. And we do,” Taylor said. “He knows he can do this because he’s done. Now, he’s just got to figure it out, and we’ve got to be there for him.”
I asked a couple other defensive backs about the camaraderie required of a position that’s generally noticed only in the event of a seismic error.
“There’s nobody who understands what it takes to play in an NFL secondary unless you’ve done it,” Robert Golden said. “I’ve had that moment, those downs. I’ve been there. It’s hard for other people to understand, but guys who have been there … we have to be there for each other. It’s part of who we are.”
Willie Gay said that, even when the corners aren’t physically together, they often meet up in a private chat room to check up on the rest.
“DBs only,” Gay said with a smile. “There’s nothing fake about our group. We really do care about each other. And that carries over to the field.”
Of Allen specifically, Gay added, “He knows we’ve got his back. Whatever he needs from us, we’re right behind him. We believe in him. We’re going to keep pushing him every day at work. And he’s going to do some tremendous things for the Steelers.”
Allen wasn’t around to be interviewed Wednesday. Read into that what you will.
It’s likely, as Gay spoke, that Allen will be around for years to come, though. But it’s the view here that the team — and possibly the player, too — would do well to watch Sunday. And take a deep breath or two.
I never stopped smiling the entire time I read this...not for one sentence. It was reading therapy for the Steeler Soul. It stated the obvious, but damn, it felt good to read it.
For me, it was great to get a breakdown of how bad Cortez Allen has been playing from an objective standpoint. Sure, I can tell by watching that he has looked awful, but this confirms just how awful he has been.
Indeed, his NFL combine emphasizes how athletic he is - I can't help but wonder if his inability to play CB is just in his head? But then I ask myself how? The team paid (believes) in him.
We'd almost be better him just holding on the line than letting him go into coverage.
Seems to me we had similar conversations this past summer about a certain 3rd baseman. For professional athletes, the primary thing that sets the successes apart from the rest seems to be an abundance of confidence in their abilities. Once that's shattered, all bets are off.
i said the other day I thought mike Mitchell was worse than Allan but these numbers are hard to argue. What's mitchells rating on pff he misses or tackles than anybody out there.
I don't know if I can remember even Ike ever playing this poorly. In fact, as much as I hated Gay before he left the Steelers last time, I don't even remember him playing this poorly either.
It's amazing how far Allen's productions has fallen. I'm not saying that Blake shouldn't play in lieu of Allen but isn't he a special teams guy? Pretty sad how we have to turn to him. We could very well draft two CBs with our first two picks next year.
I'm with you on this, Dom. They're expecting a lot of Blake against a team that not only completes a ton of long passes, but they seem to also draw pass interference on long passes a large % of the time. But, the Steelers really have no choice due to extreme lack of CB depth.
I'm with you on this, Dom. They are facing a team that not only completes a lot of long passes, but also seems to draw a lot of PI calls on long passes. We have an extreme lack of depth at CB due to not addressing the position early in the draft yr after yr.
You know what this tells me? That Allen is SOFT. no other way to put it. The position he plays, CB, is a position where you have to be cocky and have "swagger". If you don't you aren't going to be any good. Physical talent isn't the only thing you need. Need the mental side.
It is simple, when he is in position he just has to make the plays, he doesn't have the confidence to make those plays...other times he looks lost in coverage...maybe he needs to study the mental part (film) more...maybe if he works on knowing what is going to happen it can help!
Dumb reasons. The money is already gone. Playing him doesn't change that in any way. You spent the money, you have a team. You play the best players that help you win the most.
I don't think they should bench Adams( I can't believe I am saying this!) either. He needs to get a ton of reps in practice. If Gilbert falters Adams will not be prepared as he was the week before. This is a muxt game for the Steelers and they need to pull out all the stops.
I thought you were going to beat him up again (deservedly so, but again?). And then you made a turn that brought empathy. You showed the brotherhood that is only evident in a true team. Thanks for reminding us of what being a "STEELER" is all about.
THANK YOU DK for writing this. Lets hope the Steelers actually come to their senses and actually do this. I am skeptical as well, OBVIOUSLY! The Steelers NEED to beat the Ratbirds and if this dude plays it won't happen. Makes me happy to read this by a well respected media guy
Allen needs to be removed from the field before it is too late. Continued failures will only fuel the shattered confidence. Step back, annalize mistakes, SLOWLY reintegrate in low stress situations is only chance at salvage now
Yeah, his teammates "got his back." Because that's all they'll see ... his back as he streaks in vain 5 yards behind the Ravens receivers after they catch pass after pass. Tomlin is like a bag of plain M&Ms .. .no nuts. He talks tough but will not bench Allen. And it'll cost 'em.
I pray you are wrong, Tim. I think MT knows he has to bench Allen this week. If he really does want to build him back up, as DK alludes to, then Allen needs a mental break at least for this week.
A guy like Revis, a local kid, would look great in a Steelers uniform right about now instead of a Pats uniform - not that saving cap space for situations like that makes sense or anything. ;-)
Would be nice, but that is a ton of cap space you would have to peel off. They aren't built to pay an elite FA CB salary level (IMO). Only way to get there is draft and that is only if one of those guys is available to you (or you get REAL lucky with a diamond in the rough).
October 29, 2014
Column: Steelers can’t let Cortez play Sunday
by Dejan Kovacevic • Columns • Steelers
Cortez Allen breaks up a pass intended for the Colts’ Donte Moncrief on Sunday at Heinz Field. — GETTY
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
If the Steelers lose the rematch with the rival Ravens this weekend, here’s betting it won’t be because of the offense. Not with Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell each ranking No. 1 in the NFL at his respective position in Pro Football Focus’ most recent rankings. Not with Martavis Bryant’s breakout and Markus Wheaton’s with maturation adding to the options. Not with the offensive line “completely feeling it now, like a band of brothers,” as Kelvin Beachum was telling me Wednesday on the South Side.
If the Steelers lose, here’s betting it won’t be because they have big heads from the Indianapolis W:
If the Steelers lose, here’s betting it won’t be because of the defensive front seven. Not with the regaining a push it had previously only showed in Charlotte. Not with Jason Worilds rediscovering his terrorizing 2013 form. Not with Ryan Shazier’s return freeing up Lawrence Timmons to perform what Brett Keisel beautifully described as “being a Steeler.”
If the Steelers lose, be eminently sure it won’t be because of the atmosphere. Not with Mean Joe Greene’s No. 75 being retired, a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of the man whose combination of brilliance and bullishness defined “being a Steeler.”
No, if the Steelers lose, it will be because Cortez Allen plays a lot.
Hate to say that. Sounds mean. But sorry, so be it.
And this game between 5-3 teams is too big — in the standings alone, never mind the natural animosity or any revenge for the 26-6 Week 2 spanking in Baltimore — for anyone to not be shooting straight on this subject.
Allen can’t play Sunday. He just can’t.
If he does, and by that anything more than a dabble of work in the dime or as an injury replacement, it will speak so very loudly about the Steelers’ stubbornness regarding Allen and the five-year, $25 million extension he was given this summer, that they’d prioritize that over the best chance to win.
At this point, there would be no other way to explain it, given that:
• Allen ranks No. 107 out of the NFL’s 107 players who have taken so much as a snap at corner by PFF. For further perspective, his minus-16.1 rating is miles below the minus-10.8 of the No. 106 corner, the Titans’ Blidi Wreh-Wilson, and almost twice as bad as the minus-9 of the No. 105 corner, the Chiefs’ Marcus Cooper.
• Allen has been targeted 57 times, fourth-most among NFL corners. That isn’t being picked on. That’s being bullied right off the playground.
• Allen has allowed 34 of those to become completions, also fourth-most, and has conceded an average of 16.2 yards on those plays.
• Allen has two interceptions, six passes defensed and has allowed five touchdowns. I don’t need to offer any comparative metrics on that ratio, right?
• Allen’s nine penalties are tied for most among NFL corners.
Man, at this stage, even the facts sound mean.
Now add into this equation the Ravens’ propensity for deep passing — half of Joe Flacco’s 14 touchdown passes traveled 20 or more yards in the air, and Steve Smith and Torrey Smith are both outstanding downfield — and the need to sit Allen, at least this Sunday, is all the more underscored.
NFL media guidelines prohibit reporting anything seen when covering practice, but special teams gunner Antwon Blake told reporters after the Steelers’ session Wednesday that “it looks like” he’ll take Allen’s place. If so, wonderful. Blake has been superlative on kick coverage and, more pertinent, had a leaping interception against Indianapolis. He’ll have earned the chance.
But remember, Tomlin also made it sound as if Allen would be benched this past week when I’d asked him about that the previous Tuesday, and Allen was right back out there against the Colts.
I’ll believe an Allen benching when I see it.
It’s tough to say with certainty what’s wrong with Allen at the core, although seriously crushed confidence stands as the strongest suspect.
The physical tools are there. We saw that in spurts over the 2012 and 2013 seasons, as well as a tantalizing flash of takeaway abilities. He’s 6-1, he can fly, and even now, as Mike Tomlin and others have stressed this week, he’s mostly in position to make plays. What’s more, he’s guided by one of football’s brightest minds when it comes to pass defense in Carnell Lake. So he knows how to make those plays. He just doesn’t make them.
“He has to finish opportunities,” Tomlin said. “Often times, he is in position because he does a great job of getting in position, but position is just an element of it. You have to finish.”
Here’s a case in point.
Or not. Allen was actually miles off Donte Moncrief on that play. Never mind.
Anyway, to get the vibe of Tomlin and his players the past couple of days, the primary objective right now as it relates to Allen is building him back up. That’s why Tomlin has asked injured Ike Taylor, who has traversed his own peaks and valleys, to spend time with Allen, to let him talk it out. And, according to the former, that’s happened.
“Cortez gotta know he’s the guy, that the rest of his guys in this locker room got his back. And we do,” Taylor said. “He knows he can do this because he’s done. Now, he’s just got to figure it out, and we’ve got to be there for him.”
I asked a couple other defensive backs about the camaraderie required of a position that’s generally noticed only in the event of a seismic error.
“There’s nobody who understands what it takes to play in an NFL secondary unless you’ve done it,” Robert Golden said. “I’ve had that moment, those downs. I’ve been there. It’s hard for other people to understand, but guys who have been there … we have to be there for each other. It’s part of who we are.”
Willie Gay said that, even when the corners aren’t physically together, they often meet up in a private chat room to check up on the rest.
“DBs only,” Gay said with a smile. “There’s nothing fake about our group. We really do care about each other. And that carries over to the field.”
Of Allen specifically, Gay added, “He knows we’ve got his back. Whatever he needs from us, we’re right behind him. We believe in him. We’re going to keep pushing him every day at work. And he’s going to do some tremendous things for the Steelers.”
Allen wasn’t around to be interviewed Wednesday. Read into that what you will.
It’s likely, as Gay spoke, that Allen will be around for years to come, though. But it’s the view here that the team — and possibly the player, too — would do well to watch Sunday. And take a deep breath or two.