Allen is up for the challenge

Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

It takes a unique individual to be able to handle the pressure of being a starting cornerback in the NFL. You have to be confident in your abilities, but not cocky. You have to be disciplined. And you have to have a short memory, because there will be times you are going to get beat, and you have to line up on the next play with nothing but confidence.

Cortez Allen appears to be cut out to handle the job. His days at The Citadel prepared him not just physically, but also mentally to attack any challenge that comes his way, and that is a good thing. Allen is a favorite to take over the starting left cornerback spot vacated when Keenan Lewis signed with the New Orleans Saints this offseason. It’s a job that he has always wanted, and a job he isn’t afraid to tackle.

“I feel ready,” said Allen. “Anybody who plays the game of football has dreams of one day being a starter. At least they should have those kinds of aspirations. Since day one this is what I wanted. If that is not your mindset, to compete at that high of a level, then you are in the wrong sport. Athletics is not your thing.

“Everyone should have that aspiration to one day be a starter. That is my goal. That is what I work for, to compete with the best.”

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Allen-is-up-for-the-challenge/9c84fad7-3a93-4ddf-98cc-a984c730f547

I think he'll do a good job this season. We'll just have to wait and see.

steelerdude15 wrote:

I think he'll do a good job this season. We'll just have to wait and see.

I'm stoked. Losing Lewis wasn't as bad knowing we had Allen ready to step in. Mainly, I hated seeing Lewis go because it hurt our depth. But then we re-signed Gay, so we should be OK.

Wallace108 wrote:

steelerdude15 wrote:

I think he'll do a good job this season. We'll just have to wait and see.

I'm stoked. Losing Lewis wasn't as bad knowing we had Allen ready to step in. Mainly, I hated seeing Lewis go because it hurt our depth. But then we re-signed Gay, so we should be OK.

I think we'll be just fine. Gay will be a good back up and will be good in the nickel package. Ike and Cortez really shouldn't have any issues. Cortez seems very mature and disciplined which I think will help him and Ike is far more consistent at covering than he used to be. I think we're set.