2014 wasn’t a great year for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cortez Allen as the former fourth-round draft pick played poorly after signing a new long-term contract just prior to the start of the season. Not only did Allen not play well, he also wasn’t able to finish the season due to injuries that plagued him most of the year.
During his Saturday press conference following the selection of Ohio State cornerback Doran Grant in the fourth-round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Steelers defensive backs coach Carnell Lake was asked if he thinks Allen can bounce back in 2015.
“I do,” said Lake. “I know from talking to him that he had some issues with lower extremities and was injured most of the year. He was fighting through that and it really affected his game. Playing the game myself, I know that if you cant run it’s hard to play corner. I mean it’s almost impossible, really. So I have to give him credit for fighting through it.
“I think its good that he’s not around, at least so far, to kind of clear his mind, refresh, come back ready and re-booted. Maybe out there in Arizona, Florida, I know that those are two places he trains in the offseason, he gets some sunshine and kind of lets those green buds sprout and come on back. It’s a new season and we’re not going to talk about the old season, we’re just going to talk about where are you know and let’s get you back to where you should be.”
Allen is expected to open up training camp this year as the starter opposite William Gay.
