Ask Ed: What's going on with Steelers cornerback Cortez Allen?

Cortez Allen (Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)

Some  Ask Ed questions from devout Steelers fans as you take on this Holy Thursday:

YOU: I don’t know why I’m fascinated by the Cortez Allen situation. What do you think the Steelers offered him in the revised deal? He has had performance issues but it was my impression he was a solid citizen type. Maybe there is hope he can be productive with us with less pressure and another chance.

ED: I know it’s been reported the Steelers asked him to take a pay cut, but I did not report it (nor did anyone at the PG) so I cannot speak on that. It’s been my experience that the Steelers only ask those players they know will make the team and contribute and have contributed in the past to take pay cuts because once a player of that stature takes one, they almost surely will be on the team that season.

If you look at what has been said about Allen by both Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert, it’s hardly been a vote of confidence. Both also have mentioned that they do not know if he is healthy. Wouldn’t you think that if they were counting on him that they would know right now if he is healthy or not? For example, they know Mike Adams is now healthy enough to work out and should be a full participant in their spring drills. Why not Allen? Perhaps Allen is following the same path he did when he was placed on injured reserve after six games (one played) last season – pulled a disappearing act.

He has done little since they gave him that big contract late in the 2014 preseason, a deal they rue to this day. I am on record many times saying I do not believe he will be on the roster when the season kicks off this year and I believe that as strongly as ever.

YOU: Would you rather have Ryan Harris for 2 years at $2 mil per season or Kelvin Beachum for one year at $4.5 Million per season? (The Jaguars do not have to exercise the 4 year option).

ED: I believe the Steelers would rather have a healthy Beachum both in 2016 and long-term and they made that known to him last year when they offered him a multi-year contract before the season and he turned it down.

The Jacksonville offer seems rather fair to both sides and it’s a surprise the Steelers would not agree to something like that, except for this: They wanted not only to be assured they had someone healthy and competent at left tackle this year, but perhaps still think that person is Alejandro Villanueva. Let’s say Beachum was not ready to start the season, who is the No. 3 tackle? This way, they allow Villanueva and Harris to compete to start at left tackle and the other becomes the No. 3 tackle. I also would not put it past them to draft a tackle.

YOU: Aside from Martavis Bryant and Heath Miller, which was out of their control, and possibly the loss of McClendon for a comparatively cheap contract, I think the Steelers have done the best that could be reasonably expected. What are your thoughts?

ED: The Steelers had one big weakness entering the offseason, the secondary. They reacted by re-signing starting cornerback William Gay and backup safety Robert Golden. They lost starting cornerback Antwon Blake, which generally was cheered by their faithful. However, as I noted, Blake started every game last season so the coaching staff thought he was a better alternative than anything else they had. Therefore, their secondary did not improve and perhaps has taken a step back.

They also got weaker in their defensive line with the loss of nose tackle Steve McLendon. Maybe they feel Daniel McCullers is now a better option or they just want to get younger there. But they have added no one to their defensive line and they have little behind starting ends Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.

Have they done their best? Maybe, but it still looks as if they are weak in the secondary and have gotten weaker in their defenisve line. It’s way too early to judge because they could sign a free agent safety or defensive lineman at any point and knock it out of the park in the draft with someone who will help immediately. It’s a long way between now and their September kickoff – if the NFL still decides it’s going to open games with kickoffs, that is.

YOU: So does the year suspended effect when M. Bryant becomes an UFA?? I thought he had two years remaining on his rookie contract and didn’t know if 2016 will count. I really want to see that kid stay a Pittsburgh Steeler and get his life squared away. –

ED: As we reported all along, Martavis Bryant will still have two years left on his contract because 2016 will not count. So, instead of his contract expiring after the 2017 season it will now run through 2018 – as long as he is reinstated next year and there are no more suspensions.

YOU: Do the Steelers ever play at home the same day as the Pirates or do the schedule makers take other sports in the city into consideration as well? Seems they have enough to worry about to look at that too. Looks like the only Sunday in September the Pirates are not at home is September 18.

ED: The NFL will not schedule the Steelers for a home game if the Pirates are home that day. Remember, though, that there are Thursday nights and Monday nights open on Sept. 12 (Pirates in Philadelphia) and Sept. 22 (Pirates in Milwaukee). But I think you can probably count on a home game Sept. 18, a Sunday when the Pirates are in Cincinnati.