Steelers re-sign veteran safety Will Allen

Quote :

Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers have re-signed veteran safety Will Allen, one day after Troy Polamalu told the team he was retiring.

Allen, who is entering his 12th NFL season, has played for the Steelers for the past five seasons. Allen will provide depth in a defensive backfield that lacks experience behind free safety Mike Mitchell.

READ MORE: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/04/10/Steelers-re-sign-veteran-safety-Will-Allen/stories/201504100309

Troy who?

Good idea. Allen has filled in admirably when called upon and dare I say, maybe helped improve the defense when Troy was down. He'll never be able to fill Troy's shoes, but he can definitely man the gates until the next great comes along.

Well, what other choices do we have? It is justified though...

Good depth move. I like Allen. No Troy obviously but a solid fill in guy.

Great move.
Shark has yet to stay healthy and that's when he's just playing special teams.

We need his presence.

Great move.

Wouldn't it be great to see Shark take off in year 3 like Troy ?



I think with his speed and reckless abandon he can be a similar player...

If he can stay healthy. .

I think this is good news

Gotta figure out who is gonna fill those big shoes that Troy left.

Wallace108 wrote:

Quote :

Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers have re-signed veteran safety Will Allen, one day after Troy Polamalu told the team he was retiring.

Allen, who is entering his 12th NFL season, has played for the Steelers for the past five seasons. Allen will provide depth in a defensive backfield that lacks experience behind free safety Mike Mitchell.

READ MORE: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/04/10/Steelers-re-sign-veteran-safety-Will-Allen/stories/201504100309

Troy who?

Wow that's about a distressing statement. At least he didn't use the term "veteran leadership"!

steelstoned1972 wrote:

Wouldn't it be great to see Shark take off in year 3 like Troy ?



I think with his speed and reckless abandon he can be a similar player...

If he can stay healthy. .

Yep. That's the biggest question mark I have for Shark. Every time the guy has an opportunity to get PT he's sidelined by an injury.


We'll know what the FO thinks of Shark with the draft coming up.

I feel sorry for Shark. He's going to be compared to Troy, and it aint going to be pretty. Following a legend is nearly impossible.

I agree, LambertLunatic. It's kind of like every QB that followed Marino in Miami.

I do like Will Allen though and I'm glad to see him re-sign.

I was waiting for Troy to retire for the team to pull the trigger on bringing Allen back. He can play both safety spots and also manned the nickel last season. He's a solid veteran and provides good insurance if 1) we don't draft another safety 2) Shark isn't ready and/or healthy 3) Mike Mitchell lays an egg

A lot of chatter about where MM is going to be, and if he would move to SS too. Allen can play either spot, so I guess it depends on if we draft another S and whether or not Shark appears ready to move the jump to starter.

Quote :

Allen: 'I will do whatever is asked'

Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

Will Allen, who signed a one-year deal, is the definition of a true team player.

The 12th year safety, who was an unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year deal to stay with the Steelers, remaining exactly where he wanted to be.

“I am just thankful that the Lord has provided and that I am here and I can help the team win,” said Allen. “I appreciate everything. I appreciate playing football. I appreciate playing for the Steelers. Everything about it is really good.”

READ MORE: http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Allen-I-will-do-whatever-is-asked/7a1fb196-43f5-434a-8f03-cae98952b40f

The "I will do whatever to help the team" is the kind of mentality I love in a player. Especially at the highest level of sport. Yes, you are a phenomenal talent, but are you a phenomenal ATHLETE. The two don't always go hand in hand.

SteelersYak wrote:

The "I will do whatever to help the team" is the kind of mentality I love in a player.  Especially at the highest level of sport.  Yes, you are a phenomenal talent, but are you a phenomenal ATHLETE.  The two don't always go hand in hand.

I think that's what makes Brown such a special player. He really is both. Exceptionally gifted talent wise, ridiculously dedicated to his craft and might be a better teammate above all else.

OT: It'll be interesting to watch the camp battle between Allen and Thomas. Allen has familiarity with the scheme, but Thomas has the upside and explosive ability. If he doesn't win in camp though, it's time to express some concern over the lack of talent and depth at safety.

I like the signing, but am apprehensive about our depth in general. This draft is extremely weak at the safety position so it will be paramount that Mitchell/Shark/Allen stay healthy.

43Hitman wrote:

I like the signing, but am apprehensive about our depth in general. This draft is extremely weak at the safety position so it will be paramount that Mitchell/Shark/Allen stay healthy.

This is where I wish we would have drafted Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Will Allen’s Offseason Preparing Him On And Off The Field

By Alex Kozora on May 29, 2015

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/05/will-allens-offseason-preparing-him-on-and-off-the-field/ …