Reading this statement makes me feel like you haven't watched him at all. I really don't intend to make it personal - so please don't misread me - we just have polarizing opinions on his ability. 

 

I know he at times can hit a deep pass, but it's far too inconsistent because most of his passes are him heaving as hard as he can. This is not because he doesn't posses velocity from the rotatory cuff, but because of weakness in his wrists, and overall small hands. The end result is what you see, some good deeper throws but mostly throws that pull or don't spin very well toward the target and so you have to hide him in a sense by limiting deeps throws. Even at that, he can't drive a ball into those tight windows like McCarron or Garropolo do, which gives them more of a starters appeal. This makes for a QB that looks like a solid back-up at best, but if want him to start someday and be the next Tom Brady story, you might want to look elsewhere. 

 

I agree it doesn't take long to see if someone can play will say, I feel like I can see it within 10-15 throws. I will also agree that it seems the coaching staff agrees with you since they made little effort to acquire any new arms. I still see Allen as a bubble player and career outlook potential as trusty back-up/journeyman. 

Quite a bit of what you are saying is the opposite of his draft profile though, which was put together and assembled by professional scouts or analysts. You can play QB genius on here but I will take the word of people who do this on the regular for a living, contrary to a board GM/ keyboard QB coach. According to his draft analysis,the pre-draft outlook was a solid backup QB, and his hands are on the small side I will give you that. However, Allen scored a comparable predraft grade to Dak Prescott, who was seen as a short yardage package type pre draft as well(backup role). Allen's biggest weaknesses are size(not a huge deal if he can stay healthy) and getting off his primary read.

 

STRENGTHS

 Showed substantial growth as field leader and play­maker. Comfortable under center and is effective on bootlegs and rollouts. Completion percentage jumped from 56 percent in 2014 to 66 percent this year. Outstanding 64 percent rate on intermediate throws.<strong> Good catch­-and­-run ball placement on crossing routes. Sneaky arm talent. Able to pump fake, re­set and throw with accuracy. Swift setup in the pocket with a prompt release.</strong> Gets ball out in rhythm in rollouts. Rotates hips through throws for quality velocity. Arm to make NFL throws and has drive velocity and accuracy to challenge tight windows in middle of the field. Able to extend plays outside the pocket and find a throw or scramble for first downs. Doubled completions of 20-plus yards from 24 (2014) to 48 this year.

 

Quick breakdown,

Doubles his completions of 20+ yards. You claim he is "inconsistent". "Has to limit his deep throws", Flat wrong according to actual statistics, not opinion. He got better on deep passes, you cannot refute that coming out of college. 

"Can't drive a ball into tight windows", yet just above here it says otherwise and I will take their word over yours. 

"He just heaves it as hard as he can", Well I mean if he has to, and it works, who cares? 

 

 

So yeah, he may not amount to anything more than a backup and you are more than entitled to your opinion on the matter... But until he gets some extensive time with the 2s or 1s/time to develop, you really don't have a good outlook on what he has to offer over a few drives in preseason with a bunch of no names. Why do you think most QBs throughout history are given multiple years to develop? His throws are fine regardless of the "slingshot" you see, and his wrists and smaller hands(for a QB) are adequate. I want to see him get the backup role, earn it. Then if we really bomb at QB this year, what is the harm in letting him play out 4 or so games? Hopefully Blake REALLY balls out this year and this discussion is made 110% irrelevant. Until then, I would not mind seeing him given a chance to start if we suck. 

---

He'll enter training camp as the third string QB like he did last year. Hopefully he can show that he's capable of overtaking Henne for 2nd team snaps this year. He didn't really look the part last year but in fairness it was early and during the pre season. We haven't seen him since.

---

"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

Quite a bit of what you are saying is the opposite of his draft profile though, which was put together and assembled by professional scouts or analysts. You can play QB genius on here but I will take the word of people who do this on the regular for a living, contrary to a board GM/ keyboard QB coach. According to his draft analysis,the pre-draft outlook was a solid backup QB, and his hands are on the small side I will give you that. However, Allen scored a comparable predraft grade to Dak Prescott, who was seen as a short yardage package type pre draft as well(backup role). Allen's biggest weaknesses are size(not a huge deal if he can stay healthy) and getting off his primary read.

 

STRENGTHS

 Showed substantial growth as field leader and play­maker. Comfortable under center and is effective on bootlegs and rollouts. Completion percentage jumped from 56 percent in 2014 to 66 percent this year. Outstanding 64 percent rate on intermediate throws.<strong> Good catch­-and­-run ball placement on crossing routes. Sneaky arm talent. Able to pump fake, re­set and throw with accuracy. Swift setup in the pocket with a prompt release.</strong> Gets ball out in rhythm in rollouts. Rotates hips through throws for quality velocity. Arm to make NFL throws and has drive velocity and accuracy to challenge tight windows in middle of the field. Able to extend plays outside the pocket and find a throw or scramble for first downs. Doubled completions of 20-plus yards from 24 (2014) to 48 this year.

 

Quick breakdown,

Doubles his completions of 20+ yards. You claim he is "inconsistent". "Has to limit his deep throws", Flat wrong according to actual statistics, not opinion. He got better on deep passes, you cannot refute that coming out of college. 

"Can't drive a ball into tight windows", yet just above here it says otherwise and I will take their word over yours. 

"He just heaves it as hard as he can", Well I mean if he has to, and it works, who cares? 

 

 

So yeah, he may not amount to anything more than a backup and you are more than entitled to your opinion on the matter... But until he gets some extensive time with the 2s or 1s/time to develop, you really don't have a good outlook on what he has to offer over a few drives in preseason with a bunch of no names. Why do you think most QBs throughout history are given multiple years to develop? His throws are fine regardless of the "slingshot" you see, and his wrists and smaller hands(for a QB) are adequate. I want to see him get the backup role, earn it. Then if we really bomb at QB this year, what is the harm in letting him play out 4 or so games? Hopefully Blake REALLY balls out this year and this discussion is made 110% irrelevant. Until then, I would not mind seeing him given a chance to start if we suck. 

 

Great example of the Authoritarian Fallacy (Something is true because someone is an expert) but who said I don't do this for a living?

 

I've read the nfl.com scouting report which was written by Lance Zierline (and more likely by his staff of interns). Zierline graduated from Tulane without ever setting foot on a football field but has a very successful football radio show. Most of us on this board are more qualified to write those reports than he is. 

 

That being said, I offered you a detailed reason as to why some people might see a big time arm, which is not the case. I'm all for reps, etc, etc but my main point was that he lacks the size, arm strength and vision of a starting NFL QB. I'm glad the staff sees something in him to keep him around. My analysis is spot on regardless of what some radio show host thinks.

 

The reason no QB was brought in does not give clear indication that Allen is the next diamond in the rough QB - I'm leaning toward more trust in Bortles, and I don't believe that Allen has a secure spot on the roster come September 10th

---

Great example of the Authoritarian Fallacy (Something is true because someone is an expert) but who said I don't do this for a living?

 

I've read the nfl.com scouting report which was written by Lance Zierline (and more likely by his staff of interns). Zierline graduated from Tulane without ever setting foot on a football field but has a very successful football radio show. Most of us on this board are more qualified to write those reports than he is. 

 

That being said, I offered you a detailed reason as to why some people might see a big time arm, which is not the case. I'm all for reps, etc, etc but my main point was that he lacks the size, arm strength and vision of a starting NFL QB. I'm glad the staff sees something in him to keep him around. My analysis is spot on regardless of what some radio show host thinks.

 

The reason no QB was brought in does not give clear indication that Allen is the next diamond in the rough QB - I'm leaning toward more trust in Bortles, and I don't believe that Allen has a secure spot on the roster come September 10th

 

 

Zierline's report is spot on from what I've seen. Allen throws one downfield strike after another. That's what his game is all about. He most definitely has a big arm with plenty of velocity and power to go along with excellent downfield vision. This much I have no doubt about.

---

'02

Great example of the Authoritarian Fallacy (Something is true because someone is an expert) but who said I don't do this for a living?



I've read the nfl.com scouting report which was written by Lance Zierline (and more likely by his staff of interns). Zierline graduated from Tulane without ever setting foot on a football field but has a very successful football radio show. Most of us on this board are more qualified to write those reports than he is.


That being said, I offered you a detailed reason as to why some people might see a big time arm, which is not the case. I'm all for reps, etc, etc but my main point was that he lacks the size, arm strength and vision of a starting NFL QB. I'm glad the staff sees something in him to keep him around. My analysis is spot on regardless of what some radio show host thinks.


The reason no QB was brought in does not give clear indication that Allen is the next diamond in the rough QB - I'm leaning toward more trust in Bortles, and I don't believe that Allen has a secure spot on the roster come September 10th

Oh so what nfl team do you work for? Where is the next Tom Brady? And can you pleae let Dave and TC know please? Your arrogance is so blatant. If I take an experts word because he's an expert on the exact topic we are discussing(evaluating players), that's not an authoritarian fallacy. It's common sense because I am not ignorant enough to challenge someone with more knowledge than I on a topic outside of my expertise. It's like second guessing your brain surgeon's tecnhique because you've taken a heath class and watched a couple of YouTube videos on surgery. Just because you run the pop Warner qb camp or coach some jr. College does not make you a qb guru. I'll take the word of a guy like Mayock or Zierline over some anonymous forum poster. Your breakdown contradicts what scouts and draft analysts have said outside of being a projected backup. You can have your opinion that's fine, choosing to go with a more experienced perspective has nothing to do with authoritarian ideologies. Trust me, coming from an AnCap, I have 0 issues with conflating authoritarians to expert opinion.

---

Here's a scouting report by Jon Ledyard...


 

<p style="margin-left:40px;">https://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/docume...eral/2430/

 


He mentions the small hands and his needing to go through his reads better as negatives. His negatives relating to his arm are about his "short-to-intermediate" game, which I even questioned above in this thread, and a tendency for his velocity to "dip on throws to the far hash." Then there's his positives...


 

<p style="margin-left:40px;">One of the more underrated arms in recent memory. Throws with excellent zip between the numbers. Will test defenses down the field on deep posts and crosses. Won’t hesitate to rip the ball into tight windows. ... Took advantage of limited deep ball opportunities to show off decent arm strength and accuracy over the top. ... has a legit arm and won’t hesitate to make high-degree of difficulty throws into tight windows.

---

'02

A 49ers fan had the following to say about Allen in his scouting report at
http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/4/18/11...n-allen-qb ...


 

<p style="margin-left:40px;">While the Arkansas QB did operate in a run heavy offense with a lot of play-action, he displayed an NFL skillset with a cannon arm, a quick release, and great accuracy. The underrated signal caller has also shown an ability to hold his own in a shootout, for example, when Arkansas lost 50-51 against Mississppi State on a missed field goal. Although he lacks the preferred size, Allen can throw a blazing fastball accurately and on time or loft a rainbow deep downfield.

---

'02

Well there's a reliable source...a 49ers fan.

---

Well there's a reliable source...a 49ers fan.

 

 

Yeah, but you know they're intently scouting QBs with Gabs still starting.

---

'02

A 49ers fan had the following to say about Allen in his scouting report at
<a class="bbc_url" href='http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/4/18/11454588/2016-nfl-draft-scouting-report-brandon-allen-qb'>http://www.ninersnation.com/2016/4/18/11454588/2016-nfl-draft-scouting-report-brandon-allen-qb</a> ...



<p class="bbc_indent" style="margin-left:40px;">While the Arkansas QB did operate in a run heavy offense with a lot of play-action, he displayed an NFL skillset with a cannon arm, a quick release, and great accuracy. The underrated signal caller has also shown an ability to hold his own in a shootout, for example, when Arkansas lost 50-51 against Mississppi State on a missed field goal. Although he lacks the preferred size, Allen can throw a blazing fastball accurately and on time or loft a rainbow deep downfield.

From a 49er fan..really? I thought you was about to give us a link from an expert. But a 49er fan.


Come on cuh

---

Yeah, but you know they're intently scouting QBs with Gabs still starting.

Well there's some sound reasoning to accept Joe Fan's 'scouting report'.

---

From a 49er fan..really? I thought you was about to give us a link from an expert. But a 49er fan.


Come on cuh

 

 

There's not much out there, but everyone seems to agree that Allen can throw deep very well.

---

'02

So can Bortles. Js.


Hey, I'm all for seeing what we got in Allen.


Allen to Allen....TD!

---

https://youtu.be/sdIlz9bdZJs

 

 

He made some nice throws in this one.  He almost came back for the win at the end but it dont show it

---

<p style="text-align:center;">

I think some back tracking needs to be done here because there is a throw around of very subjective terms. Mostly when it comes to Cannon arm which has only been said by the likes of other forum posters and mild qualifiers. 

 

1. When analyzing any player you break his skills down several ways

    - Proficiency in natural ability

    - Proficiency in aquired skills

    - Physiological Assets (Heighht, Weight, Arm Length, Muscle Size)

    - Mechanical Flaws (Poor Technique, Sloppy movement,)

 

2. You compare those skills to a set of standards

    - Standard tests against other players of the same age/skills set

    - Standards of former players or former test results

    - Game Results/ Statistics and Analytical Metrics 

 

Now lets come back to this Cannon arm - Think about what qualifies just for yourself? When I see a Cannon Arm - It's a easy, naturally thrown ball with a tight spiral over a long distance. Allen does not posses this despite what bleacher report or a guy on a 49ers forum said when I was getting my keyboard set on fire two posts earlier. Again Cannon arm is subjective. Outback Steakhouse has passable steaks at affordable prices, are they the best steaks I've ever eaten? No, but if i'ts a drizzly Tuesday and I have a coupon you know where I'll be.  

 

I'm not denying that Allen didn't have a very successful career and he was successful on his intermediate throws. This is where your armchair scouts are getting it wrong and seeing something that isn't there. 2015 was a great year for Razorback football. Those are great things and he should be recognized in that way. In professional terms, of a starting franchise NFL thrower, he gets exposed. But by all counts if you think a 25-30 yard pass on broken coverage is a great deep ball, then please sign him up. 

 

Allen is much like a Javalin thrower, his deep throws come mostly from a running start or on roll outs with receivers coming back toward him. The shoulder comes back and he then slings it into his throw. Most of that motion is good and it works against UTEP and Auburn. He makes up for his small frame by putting so much into those throws and here is where the exposure begins. Now he's at the pro level. the best throwers have true cannons because they have long arms, big hands and actually need to take a little off their throws to bend and weave into windows. this is where Allen will struggle. Allen relies on predetermined decisions and scripts because of this hefty wind-up style to create deeper passes. Allen puts so much into his throw that he's not going to be able to improvise or think about his 2nd or 3rd reads. There's so much going into Allen's throws in compensation for weakness in the wrists and his small hands. 

 

Look at his interceptions in the preseason (yes, this it nit picky)

Week 1 @ NYJ: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highl...highlights

 - Skip to 2:54 and you'll see that Allen cannot get the ball over the defense, the ball falls short because he can't get enough on it because he didn't go into his running javelin start. It's doesn't look super uncomfortable, it had a decent spiral but it's clearly a strength issue in a clutch situation. that's a simple 25 yard pass. A natural thrower overthrows or gives that ball more of an arc. So yeah it's an area to improve on and that is a catch-able ball in the SEC, not against 3rd stringers in the majors. 

Week 2: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highl...n-Therezie

 - This is another strength issue, wobbly straight pass with little arc caused by weakness in the hands/wrists - he simply can't get the ball over the defense. A QB with a stronger arm burns this broken coverage. Most starting QB's in this league score a TD on this play. Allen just can't arc that ball over (Therezie robinson does make a great play here to his credit).

 

The pro sample size is small, however this is the kind of NFL exposure I'm referring to. Allen made it very far in college and now you see him in the pro-game and the flaws become highlighted on the bad throws. It's a harsh reality, and I'm not totally giving up on him or against any player pushing through his own flaws or struggles and battling his way to the top.

 

Compare Allen to Carson Wentz. Have you seen Wentz throw a ball? Holy wow can Wentz throw with some fire compared to Allen. Wentz doesn't have the resume that Allen does, nor the level training and conditioning. Wentz does naturally, what Allen will never be able to do. This makes Wentz a 1st round talent despite the amount of work he needs. So a QB coach would really work with those players completely different ways and with Allen, he's a bit more of a completed project. 

 

Can Allen develop? Sure, Brady changed his motion and improved arm strength- Rodgers did it - Russell Wilson and Drew Brees make it work with small frames. I believe most NFL players don't reach their arm strength potential until their late 20's. Allen can make deep throws at times, he doesn't have an overall weak arm, but realize that there is so much predetermination and compensation leading up to those throws. 

---

I think some back tracking needs to be done here because there is a throw around of very subjective terms. Mostly when it comes to Cannon arm which has only been said by the likes of other forum posters and mild qualifiers. 

 

1. When analyzing any player you break his skills down several ways

    - Proficiency in natural ability

    - Proficiency in aquired skills

    - Physiological Assets (Heighht, Weight, Arm Length, Muscle Size)

    - Mechanical Flaws (Poor Technique, Sloppy movement,)

 

2. You compare those skills to a set of standards

    - Standard tests against other players of the same age/skills set

    - Standards of former players or former test results

    - Game Results/ Statistics and Analytical Metrics 

 

Now lets come back to this Cannon arm - Think about what qualifies just for yourself? When I see a Cannon Arm - It's a easy, naturally thrown ball with a tight spiral over a long distance. Allen does not posses this despite what bleacher report or a guy on a 49ers forum said when I was getting my keyboard set on fire two posts earlier. Again Cannon arm is subjective. Outback Steakhouse has passable steaks at affordable prices, are they the best steaks I've ever eaten? No, but if i'ts a drizzly Tuesday and I have a coupon you know where I'll be.  

 

I'm not denying that Allen didn't have a very successful career and he was successful on his intermediate throws. This is where your armchair scouts are getting it wrong and seeing something that isn't there. 2015 was a great year for Razorback football. Those are great things and he should be recognized in that way. In professional terms, of a starting franchise NFL thrower, he gets exposed. But by all counts if you think a 25-30 yard pass on broken coverage is a great deep ball, then please sign him up. 

 

Allen is much like a Javalin thrower, his deep throws come mostly from a running start or on roll outs with receivers coming back toward him. The shoulder comes back and he then slings it into his throw. Most of that motion is good and it works against UTEP and Auburn. He makes up for his small frame by putting so much into those throws and here is where the exposure begins. Now he's at the pro level. the best throwers have true cannons because they have long arms, big hands and actually need to take a little off their throws to bend and weave into windows. this is where Allen will struggle. Allen relies on predetermined decisions and scripts because of this hefty wind-up style to create deeper passes. Allen puts so much into his throw that he's not going to be able to improvise or think about his 2nd or 3rd reads. There's so much going into Allen's throws in compensation for weakness in the wrists and his small hands. 

 

Look at his interceptions in the preseason (yes, this it nit picky)

Week 1 @ NYJ: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highl...highlights

 - Skip to 2:54 and you'll see that Allen cannot get the ball over the defense, the ball falls short because he can't get enough on it because he didn't go into his running javelin start. It's doesn't look super uncomfortable, it had a decent spiral but it's clearly a strength issue in a clutch situation. that's a simple 25 yard pass. A natural thrower overthrows or gives that ball more of an arc. So yeah it's an area to improve on and that is a catch-able ball in the SEC, not against 3rd stringers in the majors. 

Week 2: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highl...n-Therezie

 - This is another strength issue, wobbly straight pass with little arc caused by weakness in the hands/wrists - he simply can't get the ball over the defense. A QB with a stronger arm burns this broken coverage. Most starting QB's in this league score a TD on this play. Allen just can't arc that ball over (Therezie robinson does make a great play here to his credit).

 

The pro sample size is small, however this is the kind of NFL exposure I'm referring to. Allen made it very far in college and now you see him in the pro-game and the flaws become highlighted on the bad throws. It's a harsh reality, and I'm not totally giving up on him or against any player pushing through his own flaws or struggles and battling his way to the top.

 

Compare Allen to Carson Wentz. Have you seen Wentz throw a ball? Holy wow can Wentz throw with some fire compared to Allen. Wentz doesn't have the resume that Allen does, nor the level training and conditioning. Wentz does naturally, what Allen will never be able to do. This makes Wentz a 1st round talent despite the amount of work he needs. So a QB coach would really work with those players completely different ways and with Allen, he's a bit more of a completed project. 

 

Can Allen develop? Sure, Brady changed his motion and improved arm strength- Rodgers did it - Russell Wilson and Drew Brees make it work with small frames. I believe most NFL players don't reach their arm strength potential until their late 20's. Allen can make deep throws at times, he doesn't have an overall weak arm, but realize that there is so much predetermination and compensation leading up to those throws. 

So after your best attempt to nitpick his games this past preseason, you can only find two plays to criticize him for? I see none of them were in the fourth game where he saw the most action. You're nitpicking his mechanics, but from what I've seen he's able to make every throw one way or another.

The other day Marrone talked to a reporter writing an article on Allen. He wrote that article a few days ago, and it's a good read. It confirms that Allen is challenging for Henne's spot...

http://gridironnow.com/arkansas-brandon-...p-jaguars/

---

'02

I think some back tracking needs to be done here because there is a throw around of very subjective terms. Mostly when it comes to Cannon arm which has only been said by the likes of other forum posters and mild qualifiers. 

 

1. When analyzing any player you break his skills down several ways

    - Proficiency in natural ability

    - Proficiency in aquired skills

    - Physiological Assets (Heighht, Weight, Arm Length, Muscle Size)

    - Mechanical Flaws (Poor Technique, Sloppy movement,)

 

2. You compare those skills to a set of standards

    - Standard tests against other players of the same age/skills set

    - Standards of former players or former test results

    - Game Results/ Statistics and Analytical Metrics 

 

Now lets come back to this Cannon arm - Think about what qualifies just for yourself? When I see a Cannon Arm - It's a easy, naturally thrown ball with a tight spiral over a long distance. Allen does not posses this despite what bleacher report or a guy on a 49ers forum said when I was getting my keyboard set on fire two posts earlier. Again Cannon arm is subjective. Outback Steakhouse has passable steaks at affordable prices, are they the best steaks I've ever eaten? No, but if i'ts a drizzly Tuesday and I have a coupon you know where I'll be.  

 

I'm not denying that Allen didn't have a very successful career and he was successful on his intermediate throws. This is where your armchair scouts are getting it wrong and seeing something that isn't there. 2015 was a great year for Razorback football. Those are great things and he should be recognized in that way. In professional terms, of a starting franchise NFL thrower, he gets exposed. But by all counts if you think a 25-30 yard pass on broken coverage is a great deep ball, then please sign him up. 

 

Allen is much like a Javalin thrower, his deep throws come mostly from a running start or on roll outs with receivers coming back toward him. The shoulder comes back and he then slings it into his throw. Most of that motion is good and it works against UTEP and Auburn. He makes up for his small frame by putting so much into those throws and here is where the exposure begins. Now he's at the pro level. the best throwers have true cannons because they have long arms, big hands and actually need to take a little off their throws to bend and weave into windows. this is where Allen will struggle. Allen relies on predetermined decisions and scripts because of this hefty wind-up style to create deeper passes. Allen puts so much into his throw that he's not going to be able to improvise or think about his 2nd or 3rd reads. There's so much going into Allen's throws in compensation for weakness in the wrists and his small hands. 

 

Look at his interceptions in the preseason (yes, this it nit picky)

Week 1 @ NYJ: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highl...highlights

 - Skip to 2:54 and you'll see that Allen cannot get the ball over the defense, the ball falls short because he can't get enough on it because he didn't go into his running javelin start. It's doesn't look super uncomfortable, it had a decent spiral but it's clearly a strength issue in a clutch situation. that's a simple 25 yard pass. A natural thrower overthrows or gives that ball more of an arc. So yeah it's an area to improve on and that is a catch-able ball in the SEC, not against 3rd stringers in the majors. 

Week 2: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highl...n-Therezie

 - This is another strength issue, wobbly straight pass with little arc caused by weakness in the hands/wrists - he simply can't get the ball over the defense. A QB with a stronger arm burns this broken coverage. Most starting QB's in this league score a TD on this play. Allen just can't arc that ball over (Therezie robinson does make a great play here to his credit).

 

The pro sample size is small, however this is the kind of NFL exposure I'm referring to. Allen made it very far in college and now you see him in the pro-game and the flaws become highlighted on the bad throws. It's a harsh reality, and I'm not totally giving up on him or against any player pushing through his own flaws or struggles and battling his way to the top.

 

Compare Allen to Carson Wentz. Have you seen Wentz throw a ball? Holy wow can Wentz throw with some fire compared to Allen. Wentz doesn't have the resume that Allen does, nor the level training and conditioning. Wentz does naturally, what Allen will never be able to do. This makes Wentz a 1st round talent despite the amount of work he needs. So a QB coach would really work with those players completely different ways and with Allen, he's a bit more of a completed project. 

 

Can Allen develop? Sure, Brady changed his motion and improved arm strength- Rodgers did it - Russell Wilson and Drew Brees make it work with small frames. I believe most NFL players don't reach their arm strength potential until their late 20's. Allen can make deep throws at times, he doesn't have an overall weak arm, but realize that there is so much predetermination and compensation leading up to those throws. 

On the second video, he may have just not seen the underneath defender. It happens. At least he doesn't throw like an egyptian

---

Reading this statement makes me feel like you haven't watched him at all. I really don't intend to make it personal - so please don't misread me - we just have polarizing opinions on his ability. 

 

I know he at times can hit a deep pass, but it's far too inconsistent because most of his passes are him heaving as hard as he can. This is not because he doesn't posses velocity from the rotatory cuff, but because of weakness in his wrists, and overall small hands. The end result is what you see, some good deeper throws but mostly throws that pull or don't spin very well toward the target and so you have to hide him in a sense by limiting deeps throws. Even at that, he can't drive a ball into those tight windows like McCarron or Garropolo do, which gives them more of a starters appeal. This makes for a QB that looks like a solid back-up at best, but if want him to start someday and be the next Tom Brady story, you might want to look elsewhere. 

 

I agree it doesn't take long to see if someone can play will say, I feel like I can see it within 10-15 throws. I will also agree that it seems the coaching staff agrees with you since they made little effort to acquire any new arms. I still see Allen as a bubble player and career outlook potential as trusty back-up/journeyman. 

Quite a bit of what you are saying is the opposite of his draft profile though, which was put together and assembled by professional scouts or analysts. You can play QB genius on here but I will take the word of people who do this on the regular for a living, contrary to a board GM/ keyboard QB coach. According to his draft analysis,the pre-draft outlook was a solid backup QB, and his hands are on the small side I will give you that. However, Allen scored a comparable predraft grade to Dak Prescott, who was seen as a short yardage package type pre draft as well(backup role). Allen's biggest weaknesses are size(not a huge deal if he can stay healthy) and getting off his primary read.

 

STRENGTHS

 Showed substantial growth as field leader and play­maker. Comfortable under center and is effective on bootlegs and rollouts. Completion percentage jumped from 56 percent in 2014 to 66 percent this year. Outstanding 64 percent rate on intermediate throws.<strong> Good catch­-and­-run ball placement on crossing routes. Sneaky arm talent. Able to pump fake, re­set and throw with accuracy. Swift setup in the pocket with a prompt release.</strong> Gets ball out in rhythm in rollouts. Rotates hips through throws for quality velocity. Arm to make NFL throws and has drive velocity and accuracy to challenge tight windows in middle of the field. Able to extend plays outside the pocket and find a throw or scramble for first downs. Doubled completions of 20-plus yards from 24 (2014) to 48 this year.

 

Quick breakdown,

Doubles his completions of 20+ yards. You claim he is "inconsistent". "Has to limit his deep throws", Flat wrong according to actual statistics, not opinion. He got better on deep passes, you cannot refute that coming out of college. 

"Can't drive a ball into tight windows", yet just above here it says otherwise and I will take their word over yours. 

"He just heaves it as hard as he can", Well I mean if he has to, and it works, who cares? 

 

 

So yeah, he may not amount to anything more than a backup and you are more than entitled to your opinion on the matter... But until he gets some extensive time with the 2s or 1s/time to develop, you really don't have a good outlook on what he has to offer over a few drives in preseason with a bunch of no names. Why do you think most QBs throughout history are given multiple years to develop? His throws are fine regardless of the "slingshot" you see, and his wrists and smaller hands(for a QB) are adequate. I want to see him get the backup role, earn it. Then if we really bomb at QB this year, what is the harm in letting him play out 4 or so games? Hopefully Blake REALLY balls out this year and this discussion is made 110% irrelevant. Until then, I would not mind seeing him given a chance to start if we suck. 

Wow, this is a lot of copy for a third-stringer who'll be out of the league in a couple years. Let's talk about next year's QB class--that's where Blake's potential replacement is most likely lurking.

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"I am only an average man, but by George, I work harder at it than the average man." - Teddy Roosevelt

The biggest support indicator for Allen and his potential to compete was no other QB was drafted or brought in during free agency. The kid is a 6th round developmental QB entering his 2nd year. Give him a chance to learn and grow, before chucking him aside. He's got some skills.

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