Cortez Allen was standing under a tree, trying to hide from a broiling sun that sent temperatures into the mid-90s. It was an ironic piece of symmetry for a cornerback who, despite his protestations, has a bright spotlight on him this season.
Allen is trying to bounce back from a 2014 season in which he was benched for poor play and eventually placed on injured reserve with a thumb injury. It was a disappointing and frustrating end for a player who was rewarded with a five-year contract right before the start of the regular season.
Now, the Steelers hope Allen, like all good cornerbacks, has a short memory and forgets what happened in 2014.