He's our 6-3, 215 lbs athletic CB, drafted 5th last year. He's 24 years old, with a full year of practice under his belt, I'm hoping he blossoms this season. He didn't really see the field last year, but he's been covering the Steelers WRs in practice which had to be good for him. What role do you guys see for Big Brian Allen?

Heir apparent to Haden. I think he’ll get on the field this year in place of Willie Gay in the dime.

Haden has probably been a good influence on all our young DBs including Allen.

I would think with his size and speed he is a boundary corner. Who is moving inside when he comes in as the dime corner?

Allen has one job to do this year - cover Gronk.

I meant he'd be perfect as the dime LB position Gay plays.

Allen will do a damned fine job warming the bench. His length will increase the temperature of the wood from the very top of the backrest, all the way down through the end of the leg rest.

i was thinking Sutton would be getting dime snaps - no?

I hope and pray Cam Sutton wins that starting CB job from Artie Burns... unless, of course, Artie gets his head out of his backside. Or maybe that Sutton beats out Sean Davis for a safety spot.

I do think he is strictly a CB, former WR turned CB, still learning how to tackle honestly. I don't see him being able to play safety and play well against the run. He also does turn 25 years old in October, so the Steelers can and do take chances on older players. I am hoping he bucks the trend and really develops because most of the time when we draft older players they don't turn out very well.