Big Bad Brian Allen

[Elmgrovegnome]

I WANT to be wrong here; and I am HAPPY to be in the small minority on this thread.

Solid play by Brian Allen at center would be a huge plus for the Rams' 2021 season ... and that's ALL I WANT.

However, I re-watched the game yesterday. I only watched the Rams' offensive snaps; and only focused on Allen ... play-in and play-out. Except for the final two possessions, I thought Allen had a very average game.

I thought he was over-powered one-on-one several times, usually by Hicks who is huge, athletic and a very good player. Also thought he whiffed on half-a-dozen blocks. Thought Stafford's pocket presence / awareness / decision-making were impactful.

I hope I am just being overly critical, and really ... REALLY ... stupid here.

I just watched it again also. I think your description is accurate. I didn’t see any big gaffes but nothing to garner PFF’s lofty grade either.

 

[kurtfaulk]

That where it’s at. Week 6 @ 1:45ish. Allen comes to help on 56 and they do fall into Noteboom. I don’t think it was late and I’d expect him to help like that so I guess it was very similar, I’ll admit that.


View: https://youtu.be/9heYbDdzMIY

that video makes it worse. he wasn't beat and pushed the rusher in desperation. he came in to help on a rusher that was not penetrating and pushed him straight into noteboom's exposed leg. stupid.

.

 

[TexasRam]

I was really happy with Allen's performance. He was often lined up against Hicks who is always an absolute load to handle. A recent 2019 Pro Bowler.

Of all 26 passing snaps Allen had zero mishaps mentally with assignments. He knew where to be and was real quick to handle the stunts and tricks the Bears threw at him. His run blocking was really solid. I have never worried about that. He gets out quick to the 2nd level and has good push when he gets a head of steam. He also, as shown on the clip above can destroy on the combo blocks.

He did get beat twice within those 26 pass snaps, but again in a game against Hicks and the others that aint bad. Even Sullivan for example would get beat by Fletcher Cox and other elite players pretty bad at times. Allen also had the one penalty. Overall I consider that a solid job. Especially for someone that hasn't played in well over a year. Good game to build on. The one sack could have been avoided if Stafford dumps it off to Henderson over the middle. Not to slam on Stafford at all because he had an excellent game. But that sack was sort of a coverage sack in my opinion.

Next up Deforest Buckner. Keep stacking blocks.

 

[blackbart]

that video makes it worse. he wasn't beat and pushed the rusher in desperation. he came in to help on a rusher that was not penetrating and pushed him straight into noteboom's exposed leg. stupid.

.

Nonsense play to the whistle, if someone is in range and you do it legally knock them on their ass.

 

[Loyal]

So how did the Rams Brian Allen perform? He was given a 77.9 grade by Pro Football Focus. Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive center, Creed Humphrey, scored a 66.8 grade by the very same PFF.

@Loyal Sonofabisquit!

We hate PFF at ROD! ~ @CGI_Ram

 

[Kupped]

I was really happy with Allen's performance. He was often lined up against Hicks who is always an absolute load to handle. A recent 2019 Pro Bowler.

Of all 26 passing snaps Allen had zero mishaps mentally with assignments. He knew where to be and was real quick to handle the stunts and tricks the Bears threw at him. His run blocking was really solid. I have never worried about that. He gets out quick to the 2nd level and has good push when he gets a head of steam. He also, as shown on the clip above can destroy on the combo blocks.

He did get beat twice within those 26 pass snaps, but again in a game against Hicks and the others that aint bad. Even Sullivan for example would get beat by Fletcher Cox and other elite players pretty bad at times. Allen also had the one penalty. Overall I consider that a solid job. Especially for someone that hasn't played in well over a year. Good game to build on. The one sack could have been avoided if Stafford dumps it off to Henderson over the middle. Not to slam on Stafford at all because he had an excellent game. But that sack was sort of a coverage sack in my opinion.

Next up Deforest Buckner. Keep stacking blocks.

Three brutal challenges to start the season, imo.

 

[oldnotdead]

I just watched it again also. I think your description is accurate. I didn’t see any big gaffes but nothing to garner PFF’s lofty grade either.

Look at Allen's blocks on Henderson's 4th qtr TD run. It was textbook stuff.

Look at Allen and Corbett power blocking on Henderson's inside runs. The Ram's switch to power blocks allowed Henderson to run in the 4th. Allen was a big part of that. Corbett set up I believe it was Hicks and Allen pancaked him.

God knows I'm the last one to defend PFF. But Allen again played better than most give him credit for just like 2019. Hell, even McVay was surprised and impressed by Allen on Sunday. This tells me he believed Kromer's 2019 assessment without looking at the film himself. Kromer coaching vets is one thing, but he can't coach younger players. Kromer's coaching is overrated and the OLs performance including Allen's this year is testimony to that fact.

 

[MachS]

I was rough on him after 2019 and it was well deserved, he didn't play well at all. But he impressed on Sunday and I and went back and watched his snaps. Got beat by Hicks a couple times, but Hicks beats a lot of centers 1-on-1. However for the most part he was very impressive and did a good job getting to the 2nd level. Hope he continues to get better.

 

[TexasRam]

Three brutal challenges to start the season, imo.

For sure. Vita Vea is a monster. Then in game four, not sure if JJ Watt slides inside much but watching the Cards game he is still a massive problem.

 

[TexasRam]

Look at Allen's blocks on Henderson's 4th qtr TD run. It was textbook stuff.

Look at Allen and Corbett power blocking on Henderson's inside runs. The Ram's switch to power blocks allowed Henderson to run in the 4th. Allen was a big part of that. Corbett set up I believe it was Hicks and Allen pancaked him.

God knows I'm the last one to defend PFF. But Allen again played better than most give him credit for just like 2019. Hell, even McVay was surprised and impressed by Allen on Sunday. This tells me he believed Kromer's 2019 assessment without looking at the film himself. Kromer coaching vets is one thing, but he can't coach younger players. Kromer's coaching is overrated and the OLs performance including Allen's this year is testimony to that fact.

I don't know about all that Kromer stuff. Maybe he is that bad. Maybe thats why they let him go. I can tell you his evaluation of Evans was terrible and was a big part of us losing the playoff game vs Green Bay, along with the Donald injury.

It's hard to say how much Allen has improved, if we are honest after one game in which we threw 26 times. But if he has improved I am not convinced it was held back by coaching. The improvement could be due to his bulking up and most importantly due to a few years in the Oline room learning technique and the playbook. Many Olineman take a few years to take that jump. Look at Corbett. Benched and dumped after being a high 2nd round pick and then turning in a solid year last year under Kromer.

Kromer's evaluation that Noteboom could be a guard was also a major flop. So I am half way with you on the Kromer sucks bandwagon. Also you keep pounding the table for this power running scheme. But it was actually pretty bad until late in the game when the defense was expectedly tired in a season opener. So where is this major improvement with this power run game. Serious question.

 

[kurtfaulk]

Nonsense play to the whistle, if someone is in range and you do it legally knock them on their ass.

Don't knock them on their arse into your team-mates leg.

.

 

[So Ram]

That wasn't his only pancake either. Homey had a nice game.

That Holding Call was BS. He was getting beat & just tossed the dude away from Stafford.There is no way that was a hold,especially on how late the call was.He just pushed the dude in the chest.

 

[jjab360]

Look at Allen's blocks on Henderson's 4th qtr TD run. It was textbook stuff.

Look at Allen and Corbett power blocking on Henderson's inside runs. The Ram's switch to power blocks allowed Henderson to run in the 4th. Allen was a big part of that. Corbett set up I believe it was Hicks and Allen pancaked him.

God knows I'm the last one to defend PFF. But Allen again played better than most give him credit for just like 2019. Hell, even McVay was surprised and impressed by Allen on Sunday. This tells me he believed Kromer's 2019 assessment without looking at the film himself. Kromer coaching vets is one thing, but he can't coach younger players. Kromer's coaching is overrated and the OLs performance including Allen's this year is testimony to that fact.

There's no way you actually believe McVay of all people didn't look at the film of his own team...

 

[So Ram]

I don't know about all that Kromer stuff. Maybe he is that bad. Maybe thats why they let him go. I can tell you his evaluation of Evans was terrible and was a big part of us losing the playoff game vs Green Bay, along with the Donald injury.

It's hard to say how much Allen has improved, if we are honest after one game in which we threw 26 times. But if he has improved I am not convinced it was held back by coaching. The improvement could be due to his bulking up and most importantly due to a few years in the Oline room learning technique and the playbook. Many Olineman take a few years to take that jump. Look at Corbett. Benched and dumped after being a high 2nd round pick and then turning in a solid year last year under Kromer.

Kromer's evaluation that Noteboom could be a guard was also a major flop. So I am half way with you on the Kromer sucks bandwagon. Also you keep pounding the table for this power running scheme. But it was actually pretty bad until late in the game when the defense was expectedly tired in a season opener. So where is this major improvement with this power run game. Serious question.

You mean AD99 PF lost The Rams that GBay game to add insult to injury.

Evans is still a Ram,I think he did alright against Green Bay.Hispass blocking sucked on 2 plays & that place got loud.Pick your poison on that one.

The Kromer sucks thing,I say give me a Freaking Break!! He left The Rams for a reason other than being the OLine coach.The fact is most around here don’t give enough credit for this foundation.I’d say maybe if Whitworth wasn’t around then the point would be more clear.
Change is good & Careberry adds a nice sweetness to all the butter on this offensive group.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Look at Allen's blocks on Henderson's 4th qtr TD run. It was textbook stuff.

Look at Allen and Corbett power blocking on Henderson's inside runs. The Ram's switch to power blocks allowed Henderson to run in the 4th. Allen was a big part of that. Corbett set up I believe it was Hicks and Allen pancaked him.

God knows I'm the last one to defend PFF. But Allen again played better than most give him credit for just like 2019. Hell, even McVay was surprised and impressed by Allen on Sunday. This tells me he believed Kromer's 2019 assessment without looking at the film himself. Kromer coaching vets is one thing, but he can't coach younger players. Kromer's coaching is overrated and the OLs performance including Allen's this year is testimony to that fact.

Textbook? Maybe Steve Loney’s textbook. I saw Allen helping on some blocks. I didn’t see him owning anyone one on one. I did see him struggle to hold ground on several pass block plays.

Im all for giving him time, but I don’t understand how anyone can give him the credit that he’s getting. He did okay. Is there room for improvement? Yes. At least when he got beat it wasn’t a disaster, but that could have more to do with Stafford, as @Allen2McVay stated.

I see a guy that is likely to be targeted as the weak link by better teams. But it was only the first game. We’ll see.

 

[So Ram]

Look at Allen's blocks on Henderson's 4th qtr TD run. It was textbook stuff.

Look at Allen and Corbett power blocking on Henderson's inside runs. The Ram's switch to power blocks allowed Henderson to run in the 4th. Allen was a big part of that. Corbett set up I believe it was Hicks and Allen pancaked him.

God knows I'm the last one to defend PFF. But Allen again played better than most give him credit for just like 2019. Hell, even McVay was surprised and impressed by Allen on Sunday. This tells me he believed Kromer's 2019 assessment without looking at the film himself. Kromer coaching vets is one thing, but he can't coach younger players. Kromer's coaching is overrated and the OLs performance including Allen's this year is testimony to that fact.

I’ll keep saying get over the Kromer issue.He is gone now. Your guy ROB HAVENSTIEN isn’t. LOL

Had to rewind a couple times to see how he got back into a run play after it was just about over.I enjoyed watching playing to the whistle.
It adds to a little nastiness & ownership of the Line.

I saw that leadership taking place.This group works hard.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Textbook? Maybe Steve Loney’s textbook. I saw Allen helping on some blocks. I didn’t see him owning anyone one on one. I did see him struggle to hold ground on several pass block plays.

Im all for giving him time, but I don’t understand how anyone can give him the credit that he’s getting. He did okay. Is there room for improvement? Yes. At least when he got beat it wasn’t a disaster, but that could have more to do with Stafford, as @Allen2McVay stated.

I see a guy that is likely to be targeted as the weak link by better teams. But it was only the first game. We’ll see.

Agreed, but I'd say he looked way more solid than the last time we saw him play.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Agreed, but I'd say he looked way more solid than the last time we saw him play.

Yes. I was just hoping for a little more. I don’t buy into coachspeak when it comes to players. So I go into it with a critical eye. Maybe more so than some others.

 

[Loyal]

So how did the Rams Brian Allen perform? He was given a 77.9 grade by Pro Football Focus. Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive center, Creed Humphrey, scored a 66.8 grade by the very same PFF.

@Loyal Sonofabisquit!

Besides, the real competition is between Creed and Tutu. Tutu didn't even TRY a pancake block last Sunday. F&cking worthless...

 

[Merlin]

I was really happy with Allen's performance. He was often lined up against Hicks who is always an absolute load to handle. A recent 2019 Pro Bowler.

He was definitely dealing with a challenging front. What is great is he played like an average starting Center, some good stuff and some bad. Overall that's a nice upgrade for us over last year, as Blythe had more whiffs than good plays.

Another thing I am seeing improvement in is coordination among the OL and I suspect it has to do with Carberry keeping guys in specific roles vice overdoing the cross-training. Our new OL coach is off to a good start.

And lastly the threat from the backfield matters to the OL as well as it affects what teams are willing to scheme up. Nobody is going to be afraid of the run game from watching that first win, they're gonna be afraid of being torched, so going forward we're gonna see more nickel looks from defenses and more aggression on the blitz. Not too worried about the blitz due to 9's ability to diagnose/anticipate, but when Stafford starts seeing loaded secondaries they're gonna need to be able to run that shit and counter it. So that next step/concern for me is the Rams being able to do that vs nickel looks.