This isn’t your father’s defense. Actually, wait, yes it is. Departing is the Dick LeBeau defense and in its place, a more old-school approach. Cover 2 and man coverage with big, tall, physical-at-the-line receivers. And the Pittsburgh Steelers choosing Brian Allen over the weekend reinforces the point.
I’m not saying he will be Mel Blount, or anything remotely similar to him, but he certainly looks the part. And ideally, will play with a similar style. Allen has the size, length, and ball skills to be a strong man and Cover 2 corner, possibly the two most dominant coverages we’ll see Keith Butler play in 2017.