How will Cortez Allen do this week against Josh Gordon?
Josh Gordon, who torched the Steelers for 237 receiving yards last month, won’t have Ike Taylor shadowing him Sunday at Heinz Field. The Steelers have stopped flipping their cornerbacks so Taylor can cover the opposing team’s top wideout. The change isn’t an indictment of Taylor, Dick LeBeau said, as much as it is a reflection of the Steelers’ desire to minimize the moving parts on defense.
“We didn’t think we were playing anywhere near our capability and we thought that might settle us down,” LeBeau said. “I think to some extent it has. So we’ve just stayed with that formula.”
Taylor has played almost exclusively at right cornerback the past three games with Cortez Allen starting at left cornerback. Allen, slowed early in the season by a high ankle sprain, returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown last Sunday at Green Bay.
“I think once he got back to 100 percent he’s played fine,” LeBeau said. “He’s got good ball skills. He’s got good hand-eye coordination and I think he’s coming along.”
It will be interesting to see if the Steelers can somehow slow down Josh Gordon, because if they want to make the Playoffs the first thing they have to do is win this game.
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