Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cortez Allen signed a new contract just prior to the start of the season, but so far through the first six games of 2014, the former fourth-round draft pick hasn’t played well at all. In fact, he’s been awful and that’s even when you consider that he’s intercepted two passes.
The poor play of Allen hasn’t gone unnoticed by head coach Mike Tomlin, who hinted Tuesday during his press conference that Allen could possibly be replaced in the starting lineup Monday night against the Houston Texans by cornerback Brice McCain.
“Yes he is and not only is his play deserving of consideration, but obviously under the circumstances, because of the inconsistent play of others, he’s under consideration for more playing time and rightfully so,” said Tomlin when asked if McCain is a candidate to play more Monday.
The Steelers had to replace Allen with cornerback William Gay in the starting lineup for several weeks last season after he got off to a slow start. Once no longer a starter, Allen still went into games when the Steelers used their sub package and that will likely be the same plan Monday night should McCain indeed start opposite Gay against the Texans.
Despite him having a solid game in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, McCain only played 13 snaps Sunday in the loss to the Cleveland Browns. The reason for that was because the Browns kept the Steelers in their base defense most of the game due to them using two or more tight ends for most of the game.
McCain has only started 10 games during his first five years in the league. Three of those starts came during the final three games last season when he was a member of the Texans.
