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S Will Allen (Official Thread)

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Students aim to get fiscally fit
By LENORA LAKE
[email protected]
Published: December 2, 2009

For the kickoff of the third year of the program, Will Allen, a Tampa Bay Buccaneer for six years, spoke to the students.

Allen sponsors the Quest program to focus on career building and life after high school. An Ohio State University graduate, he told youngters this stage in life is a chance for education and then "money and wealth come next."

"If you ain't smart enough to sign a checkbook, someone will steal it from you," he said.
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Students aim to get fiscally fit
 
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March 04, 2010
Last day as Buccaneers? It could be for some in Tampa Bay
The free-agent signing period begins at 12:01 a.m. tonight, and that means those players whose contracts expired after last season are officially up.

This includes the Bucs' handful of unrestricted free agents, some of which are probably spending their final day as Buccaneers. The team's key unrestricted free agents are S Will Allen, WR Antonio Bryant, LB Angelo Crowell, S Jermaine Phillips and DE Jimmy Wilkerson.

We don't really have to address Bryant because, right or wrong, the Bucs have made it known they're not re-signing him.

As for the others, Allen is not a sure bet to return. But given the lack of depth at safety, he is someone the Bucs likely will consider on a low-cost, short-term deal to fulfill a backup role. He is a versatile and reliable special teams player and was the team's special teams captain last season.
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Last day as Buccaneers? It could be for some in Tampa Bay
 
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Pittsburgh Steelers free-agency digest: Tampa's Will Allen a target, Nick Eason to talk with Cards
March 7
Pittsburgh Sports Examiner
Matt Pawlikowski

Allen.jpg

Will Allen could provide some much needed depth at safety for the Steelers.
Will Allen 26

PITTSBURGH - The Steelers have yet to host a free-agent as its coaching staff is away from town for the weekend, but as reported yesterday, Arnaz Battle will be the first.

His visit has been pushed back to Monday as the team is apparently searching for a replacement for Limas Sweed as the 4th receiver.

Examiner.com has learned that the Steelers may also be targeting a safety/special teams ace, and yet another player Mike Tomlin is familiar with in Will Allen.

Named as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2009, the former Ohio State player is known for his versatility and his ability to contribute at either safety position. He has 195 combined tackles and is also an ace on special teams, something the Steelers were missing last season.
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Pittsburgh Steelers free-agency digest: Tampa's Will Allen a target, Nick Eason to talk with Cards
 
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Allen, who played for Mike Tomlin when the latter was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' secondary coach, won't get the chance to do that with the Steelers. But the Ohio State product could play a role similar to the one Tyrone Carter filled the last several seasons, when he was the primary backup to Troy Polamalu at strong safety and Ryan Clark at free safety.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Allen started 26 games in six seasons with the Buccaneers and also excelled as a special teams player.

"The appeal (of joining the Steelers) is the opportunity because you don't know what can happen," said the 27-year-old Allen, whose new deal could be worth as much as $4.4 million. "It's a new look, and I get to play under coach Tomlin again. It's just a matter of where they need me to be and how they need me to play."

Will Allen file
? Taken in fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

? Started 26 games from 2004-09 and had 174 tackles and four interceptions.

? Had 63 special teams tackles from 2004-09, including 21 in 2008.
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Steelers' headquarters hums with activity - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
 
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Veteran safety Allen gets chance to start
By Mark Kaboly, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

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Will Allen
Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Will Allen doesn't necessarily have to enjoy the reason why, but the veteran free safety certainly will not turn down the opportunity to start alongside Troy Polamalu.

Allen will get the start at free safety for the Steelers' most important preseason game of the summer Sunday night at Invesco Field against the Denver Broncos.
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"It's a tremendous opportunity, most definitely," Allen said. "To roll with the starters, they're a close-knit group, and I'm new to the team. So, to be able to play with those guys and get an opportunity to play a lot of snaps with them, it's going to be a great opportunity to be part of that."

Allen was signed as a free agent in the offseason to replace Tyrone Carter as the backup free safety to Clark. Allen also provides a significant upgrade on special teams.

He was a two-year special teams captain during his six years in Tampa Bay, but also started 24 games between 2005-06 before losing his job to rookie Tenard Jackson in 2007.

"That's the way the game is,'' Allen said. "Initially, it was a letdown, but you have to strap your boots up and make do with what you have, and I think I've done that. Throughout my career, I've fought adversity."

Allen came from Tampa Bay's "Tampa Two" defense and has found learning Dick LeBeau's zone-blitz scheme defense hard to grasp, as many before him have claimed.

LeBeau's defense is more of a read-and-react style compared to a cover style of a Tampa Two.

"Initially, it was a little tough for me to learn, but I'm starting to pick it up better every week," Allen said. "I'm understanding the concepts, but it's a growing process. And as long as you play fast and play physical, everything else will fall into place."

Allen has gotten more and more comfortable, and it shows on the field. He had two tackles against the Giants Saturday and added another on special teams.

"Will Allen is a great player, and he made a lot of good plays for us last game," linebacker Lawrence Timmons said. "I can't wait to see him out there."

The main reason the Steelers signed Allen was his special teams play. Allen said he already feels like one of the leaders on the unit this year, even though he has been in town less than six months.

"I definitely feel like a leader," Allen said. "We've got some young guys, some young rookies and second-year players who need to learn how to play special teams in this league. It's different than it is in college. I played at a high level in Tampa."

Allen said he is up for whatever is asked from him.

"Whether it's in a starting role, as a backup or a special teams ace, whatever it is, I'm willing and ready to do it," he said.
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Veteran safety Allen gets chance to start - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
 
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