http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sport...cial-teams.html/comment-page-1#comment-306687
Hat tip to Mike B for paying attention to the ST unit, basically it has lost it's #1 Gunner, #1 Kick Returner and is looking for replacements.
This from the unit that went from #30 to #10 in the NFL.
Which is an interesting thought coming from Jason Allen, it sounds like Mike Nolan's philosophy has leaked into the ST unit, even though it is clearly rebuilding.
All in all an excellent article and effort by Mike Berradino on a topic that is rarely covered.
As for Jason Allen being a washout, eh, as long as he contributes at a high level I'm fine with him, not every #1 pick is a home run, but typically when they wash out, they really washout, you do not even retain ST value from them.
I'd love to see him make the Pro Bowl as a STer, if Ricky Williams can come all the way back from retirement and suspension Jason Allen making the Pro Bowl is also a possibility.
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I think we are going to be seeing a lot more of Jason this year, not just on ST. I think he has played pretty consistently when given opportunities.
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He's solid depth and a great open field tackler...Should have played him at safety all along.
Merauder likes this. -
right on the money w/ SpecialTeams
however
don't rule him out @ the FreeSafety -
Im curious about Allen @ FS but I seriously doubt it happens. He's on all our ST units, and theres no viable replacement should he become a starter. Clemons was awful on ST last year, he made one good play vs NE and had to helped to the sideline afterwards. Carrol will replace N Jones I'm guessing, but we're still down a ST CB b/c W Allen, our 3rd corner, isnt playing ST. If J Allen starts, that means Clemons has to play ST again, and we'd have to carry an extra DB just to play ST. No thanks.
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Departures via release/FA:
Nate Jones (ST tackles leader) Reggie Torbor (5th in tackles)
Gone via earning starting roles:
Cam Wake (5th in tackles) Chris Clemons + Brian Hartline (combined 15 tackles)
Injured/attempting Comeback:
Pat Cobbs
Returner Ted Ginn and his 1,500 yds and 2 Td's..gone
Basically the only returning ST players are Jason Allen and Devone Bess and Lex Hilliard and Lexxy is being pushed by Sheets and RGM as "the returner" and Erik Walden who is also on the bubble.
Bonamego has his hands full this year, but imho Allen can be an anchor on ST:
GMJohnson likes this. -
I have been down on Jason Allen along time. Somehow I think a #16 pick should be a starter and he's never panned out as one. In his favor he is a strong ST guy and a solid backup in the secondary. As Padre pointed out alot of guys that don't make it in the 1st round wash out of the league quickly, so Jason has done well to carve a spot out on the roster.
He deserves his success and I'll get off his back.padre31 likes this. -
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FWIW, I've never heard him speak positiviley about his role as a ST guy, I think he is finally comfortable and will play even better.
Don't laugh, but when he first started on ST he literally had no idea what he was doing, as in he would go out of bounds, come back in bounds, and touch the ball...which is a penalty..
He seems to know that now..:DTin Indian likes this. -
JA is kind of the underdog I want to see succeed for us. As disappointing as his career has been so far, he never quit, nver stopped giving it his all, taken all the criticism and made the best from what he's got. I am rooting for him, and hope he gets on the field more and more. He certainly is not afraid to tackle and has talent, speed and the tools to be a VERY solid backup CB for us. Would love to have seen what he could do at FS, but mostly because Clemons scares me there, his inexperience more than anything.
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this was a comment on the article. too funny, -
he can do both if necessary
more importantly
is to resolve the FreeSafety -
Allen is a bum and hes only useful on ST dont know how much hes getting paied but when it comes time to resign he needs to take a pay cut
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So are Dan Carpenter, Brandon Fields and John Denney. ;)
We can't discount the importance of special teams. This regime certainly doesn't.
Look back to the first half of 2008. Remember how every other kick/punt was coming back for big yardage? Then we signed Erik Walden midseason and it just stopped.
Allen has proven himself to be useful in spot duty on defense. But he is a big special teamer. 15/16 special teams tackles each year is a lot. Padre is right. He didn't work out as a first round pick, but he's found himself a niche that will ensure he remains in the league for several years to come.Ohio Fanatic likes this. -
JA is who he is...a WASTE of a 1st rounder but a scrappy special team player. I refuse to waste anymore energy on him than that.
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Jason Allen has been going about
re-establishing his NFL career,
fulfilling the hopes he once held for Miami.
He is first & foremost a FreeSafety
& will get a shot @ it this year,
competing on a level playing ground,
he's as good as, if not better
than anything else we can field to date. :yes: -
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -
Pat White, Paul Solai, Channing Crowder, Pat Turner, Jason Allen, Ricky Williams all have what in common? think about it.
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said it before many times and will say it again JA is a better CB than a S
sad to see him chasing kicks considering the pick but he is still on this team.
will allen goes down might see him at nickel CBdjphinfan likes this. -
no way in hell I want to see Jason Allen at nickel. JA has a ton of speed but his hips aren't the greatest which affect his agility and change of direction,these are the most important qualities in a nickel corner. So if Will Allen goes down I would rather see Vontae(man has a serious case of the quick's) moved inside and have SSmith and JA as the boundary corners.Pandarilla likes this. -
he is a FreeSafety & will get his opportunity to compete @ this crucial & virtual defensive vacancy.
the playing field is level & he has more experience & ability than most.
wouldn't sell him short. I'm sure the new defensive coordinator will look @ things w/ different eyes -
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so much useless banter
Nolan will decide who is
the best man to play the position
throughout his college & professional career
Jason has played about as much Safety, as CB
which means he has more experience playing
the position than anyone else on the current roster
he's not to be taken lightly under these circumstances
FreeSafety remains our AchillesHeel
the only sure thing is we won't
go to the SuperBowl w/o a starting calibre
NFL FreeSafety in the line up
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To me he looks like a fine dime corner, and special teams ace...will see what happens in camp with mr. athletic man carroll.Killerphins likes this. -
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Friend OhioFan:
until they throw the ball right down the middle over top our much improved defense into a mediocre match-up @ FreeSafety to a hot shot receiver that goes in for a touchdown:
the position remains our potential road to ruin in any given game
I have said since the beginning of the RebuildingProject: We will Contend in 2010
however, being a contender & actually making it to the SuperBowl may very well
be decided on a FreeSafety in today's pass oriented NFL & this is our Achilles heel
I believe Nolan will rule no one out, including Jason Allen, until he has had time to evaluate w/ his own barometer all possibilities @ the position. no reason to settle for mediocre, find the best man & coach him up big time. we have many talented players & all options remain open. this is potentially a season maker/breaker decision. it will not be taken lightly