hawaiiansteeler
02-27-2016, 07:17 PM
ESPN: Steelers to sign William Gay, 'moving On from Will Allen
by Bryan DeArdo
http://s3media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/698/335/6_4335698.jpg
With less than two weeks until the start of free agency, the Steelers' offseason game plan is beginning to take shape.
After reporting that the Steelers are likely to pick between free agent linemen Kelvin Beachum and Ramon Foster, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also said on Friday that the team has already made executive decisions on how it will begin to construct its secondary for the 2016 season.
According to Fowler, the Steelers are likely "moving on" from strong safety Will Allen, but will look to sign William Gay, and could work out a deal with Gay before the March 9 deadline.
The team is likely moving on from safety Will Allen, all but ensuring the team needs a new starting safety in 2016 alongside Mike Mitchell," Fowler said with regard to Allen. "Considering Allen was a utility defensive back for much of his career, he filled the stat sheet as a starter for Pittsburgh -- 80 tackles, four sacks, eight passes defended. But Allen is 33, and this is a chance to upgrade that spot."
In his second stint with the Steelers, Allen enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2015. He started all 13 games he played in, and set career highs in forced fumbles, passes defensed, and sacks. Against the Rams in Week 3, Allen had a key interception late that helped Pittsburgh record its second victory of the season.
But it appears that his age--he'll turn 34 in May--and the Steelers 30th place finish in 2015 overshadowed all the good that Allen did last year, as the Steelers look to strengthen a secondary that was abused on several occasions last season.
With Allen most likely moving on, Pittsburgh has options at free safety. They could let Robert Golden--who played well in relief of Allen this past season--try out for the starting job. Pittsburgh will surely draft a strong safety, with several good ones likely to be available by the time the Steelers make their first pick in the draft.
Then, there's the prospect of singing a free agent to replace Allen. If the Steelers go that route, they'll surely look into singing veteran Eric Weddle, who will most likely be on the open market when free agency season begins on March 9.
Continuity is most likely the main reason why the Steelers want to bring back Gay, who is easily the longest tenured player in Pittsburgh's secondary. With Senquez Golson yet to play a regular season snap, the team wants a veteran presence at cornerback, and Gay, who has played in two Super Bowls for the Steelers, certainly provides that.
It's apparent that the Steelers are putting their money where their mouths are with regard to the secondary. While Allen shouldn't shoulder most of the blame for the team's lackluster statistics against the pass, the Steelers promised changes to a secondary that finished two spots shy of being dead last in pass defense last season.
http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/ESPN-Steelers-to-sign-William-Gay-moving-on-from-Will-Allen-43948678
by Bryan DeArdo
http://s3media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/698/335/6_4335698.jpg
With less than two weeks until the start of free agency, the Steelers' offseason game plan is beginning to take shape.
After reporting that the Steelers are likely to pick between free agent linemen Kelvin Beachum and Ramon Foster, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also said on Friday that the team has already made executive decisions on how it will begin to construct its secondary for the 2016 season.
According to Fowler, the Steelers are likely "moving on" from strong safety Will Allen, but will look to sign William Gay, and could work out a deal with Gay before the March 9 deadline.
The team is likely moving on from safety Will Allen, all but ensuring the team needs a new starting safety in 2016 alongside Mike Mitchell," Fowler said with regard to Allen. "Considering Allen was a utility defensive back for much of his career, he filled the stat sheet as a starter for Pittsburgh -- 80 tackles, four sacks, eight passes defended. But Allen is 33, and this is a chance to upgrade that spot."
In his second stint with the Steelers, Allen enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2015. He started all 13 games he played in, and set career highs in forced fumbles, passes defensed, and sacks. Against the Rams in Week 3, Allen had a key interception late that helped Pittsburgh record its second victory of the season.
But it appears that his age--he'll turn 34 in May--and the Steelers 30th place finish in 2015 overshadowed all the good that Allen did last year, as the Steelers look to strengthen a secondary that was abused on several occasions last season.
With Allen most likely moving on, Pittsburgh has options at free safety. They could let Robert Golden--who played well in relief of Allen this past season--try out for the starting job. Pittsburgh will surely draft a strong safety, with several good ones likely to be available by the time the Steelers make their first pick in the draft.
Then, there's the prospect of singing a free agent to replace Allen. If the Steelers go that route, they'll surely look into singing veteran Eric Weddle, who will most likely be on the open market when free agency season begins on March 9.
Continuity is most likely the main reason why the Steelers want to bring back Gay, who is easily the longest tenured player in Pittsburgh's secondary. With Senquez Golson yet to play a regular season snap, the team wants a veteran presence at cornerback, and Gay, who has played in two Super Bowls for the Steelers, certainly provides that.
It's apparent that the Steelers are putting their money where their mouths are with regard to the secondary. While Allen shouldn't shoulder most of the blame for the team's lackluster statistics against the pass, the Steelers promised changes to a secondary that finished two spots shy of being dead last in pass defense last season.
http://pit.247sports.com/Bolt/ESPN-Steelers-to-sign-William-Gay-moving-on-from-Will-Allen-43948678