Steelers Sign Will Allen, Release DaMon Cromartie-Smith

Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Less than a week after he was released by the Dallas Cowboys, Will Allen was signed by the desperate Pittsburgh Steelers according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

With DaMon Cromartie-Smith nursing a hip injury, the news comes as no surprise since the Steelers have seemed “oh so willing” to bring back retreads who were unable to hack it elsewhere around the NFL during the last few seasons. With Allen in town and Cromartie-Smith hurt, the Steelers are expected to release their third-string strong safety according to Dulac as well:

I am not sure that I have many positive things to say about this trade, especially if Allen’s signing means that youngsters like Shamarko Thomas and Robert Golden will lose significant playing time. I guess that Allen’s familiarity with Mike Tomlin and Dick LeBeau were what compelled the front office to sign him after he was released.

With Allen’s signing in mind, I can only assume that if a person has lined up in Pittsburgh’s secondary at any point during the last two decades then they are a viable option for this team.

Heck, if Ike Taylor or William Gay go down with injuries down the stretch, then we might see Deshea Townsend, Chad Scott, or Dewayne Washington lining up in the Steelers’ defensive backfield! I wouldn’t be shocked if the front office had Russell Stuvaints, Ricardo Colclough, Brent Alexander, Mike Logan, and Anthony Smith on speed-dial for their “secondary fill-in” needs!

“Negative Nancy” attitude aside, I honestly fail to see how the acquisition of Allen helps the Steelers.

Stats & Contract Info. Provided By: ESPN.com, Steelers.com , Spotrac, and Pro Football Reference

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