Josh Allen addresses concerns
doubledragon
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Josh Allen spoke about the concerns of running the ball and taking too many hits.
Josh Allen wary of 'taking too many hits' as Cam Newton parallels become impossible to ignore
Josh Allen looked every bit an MVP candidate in Week 1's trouncing of the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.
The Buffalo Bills quarterback put his arm on full display in a 297-yard, three-touchdown effort the likes of which even All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey had no answer. The accuracy that has become the hallmark of his development as an NFL quarterback manifest in an 83.9% (26 of 31) completion rate that set a franchise record for a regular-season game.
When the Rams took away the deep ball, he didn't force things. When they didn't, he made them pay. And when he ran? Well, good luck.
That run up and over eight-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner embodies the Josh Allen experience. His traditional quarterback skills — arm strength, accuracy, field command — make him special. Add in his physical presence as a ball carrier, and he makes the short list of elite NFL talents.
That style of play is also the biggest source of unease in Buffalo. Allen led the Bills in rushing Thursday with 10 carries for 56 yards, including the 4-yard score. There was more than one occasion in which he appeared to seek contact. In doing so, he exposed himself to repeated physical punishment that raises short- and long-term concerns about his health.
Can Allen remain healthy with his playing style?
The short-term concerns are obvious. The Bills entered the season as Super Bowl betting favorites. Nothing from Week 1 has altered that status. Buffalo has a stout defense, a respected head coach in Sean McDermott and a talented corps of playmakers featuring Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and Dawson Knox.
But make no mistake. Allen is the reason No. 1 for Buffalo's status as Super Bowl favorite. If he sustains a significant injury during the season, Case Keenum would take over at quarterback, and Buffalo's championships dreams would be all but dashed.
Allen's aware of the concerns. His physicality has been a featured part of his game since he joined the NFL in 2018. He addressed them on Wednesday after last week's display in front of a primetime audience renewed worries.
“I think I can be better in that aspect,” Allen told reporters in a news conference on Wednesday. “But given the circumstances of what it was, understanding the flow of the game, I do things sometimes that are necessary in my eyes to help our team win a football game. That’s all it is.
"But at the end of the day, availability is the best ability. So, just understanding that — and getting down and not taking too many hits, obviously that’s year-in and year-out.”
Allen's "year-in and year-out" acknowledgement addresses the long-term concerns. Even if he gets through this season relatively healthy and with a Super Bowl ring, the cumulative impact of the collisions he endures are bound to take a toll. Look no further than Cam Newton.
Comments
Its lip service, he wont change.
I'm still waiting for a clear understanding of why he ran into heavy contact up 31-10 with 6 minutes to go though.
I don't think he's going to change either, it really makes me nervous when he starts jumping over defenders.
It's all fun and games until some back up player from another contender takes his knee out when he decides to hurdle a tackler
He's 6'5" and if if he lands the wrong way it could be catastrophic.
....
You have summed it up perfectly.
Allen went out of his his way to improve his game after turning pro. He came into the league with a well-deserved reputation of inaccuracy. A couple of years ago he spent the off-season retooling his throwing motion. He became what he is now, a QB who is large and athletic, plus can throw the deep ball, and can throw the short to intermediate routes with the accuracy allowing for yards after catch and high completion percentages.
However, we then get to the crux of the issue. He made it into the NFL with his unusual running ability being a big part of his game. He became a high draft pick despite his accuracy issues. He now has all of the tools and knowledge to be an elite NFL QB just being a traditional pocket passer.
I believe that the reason he is struggling to rein it is is that his running was a natural part of his identity as a player. Both himself and coaches were of the mindset that he has to run some for him to be successful. I think that they need to imagine a world where his running is taken out of the equation entirely, build the offense like that, then sprinkle back in his escapability and well-timed called run plays when necessary.
He ran the ball late in the game against the Rams when it was totally unnecessary. The Bills had the game in the bag. I don't understand it. Every time he took off running it made me cringe. Taking unnecessary hits for nothing. His running was a topic of conversation after the game. Head shaking......It's only a matter of time......
I remember Cam Newton taking a lot of hits when he ran the ball early in his career, it eventually took its toll on him. I mean, just look at the difference.
Cam Newton in his rookie year:
Cam Newton today:
Don't listen to them Josh, you run all you want. If you happen to get hurt, c'est la vie.
Run, run, run, run.
You better run all day and run all night
But keep your 100 yard rushing feelings deep inside
and if you're taking the football field tonight
you better keep the ball well out of sight
cause if they catch you in the backfield trying to use missed blocks
they're going to send you back to mother in a cardboard box.
You better run.
run, run, run, run.
Pink Floyd fan huh, I'm impressed. Which reminds me, Mike Tyson's rock band t-shirts are now available online at participating retailers, but you'll have to hurry because they're selling like hotcakes!
Dear Josh,
Please continue to be aggressive running the ball yourself. Push push push, shoulder first at full steam into that defensive end. The more times you do that in a game, the quicker Case will get on the field and then the rest of the season for the Bills will be epic. Think that you are Cam Newton or Lamer Jackson. Yea that's it, now get out there and run!
Best, SH
Mahomes hurt his knee on a quarterback sneak. Teddy Bridgewater almost lost his leg turning to hand off. It can happen anytime, anywhere. Allens a big kid enjoying playing football.
"I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.