Why not Brian Allen?

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oldnotdead

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In his first year as a starter, Brian Allen didn't play as badly as some on this board contend. I find it interesting that those same people generally think Blythe is better despite video evidence to the contrary. Brian is a much better blocker when isolated on a one-on-one blocking scheme by the defense. He has better movement skills than Blythe. As a 2nd year player, in his first starting year, he played better than can be expected.

That said, having watch Coleman Shelton at UW I can say he's got better movement and is a much stronger blocker than Blythe. IMO center isn't the position of need as much as the media contends. Don't forget they also have Anchrum whom reportedly they are also high on. He's short but has a very good play radius due to his long arms. If they move to a power run attack like I think they will, they will absolutely need a center who can drive block, and has the movement skills to block on the second level. Blythe doesn't have either of those skills.

So IMO the Rams have 3 options at center, all of them potentially better fits for the offense than Blythe. More importantly, they are already on the team so there will be no cap impact. One of the reasons they were rolling Goff out so much is because the defense was as I predicted they would, isolating Blythe one on one and driving him back into Goff's lap.
 

XXXIVwin

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Just curious, doesn't this violate the rules of respect for the players on ROD?
Just my 2 cents... Den has always been super respectful to all posters and all players... can't remember Den EVER criticizing someone. So IMHO Den was just using tongue-in-cheek humor to "go against his usual pattern" for the shock factor, as a joke.

I think of another unwritten rule of this board: imagine you're at a bar with bunch of Rams fans, talking about the team. People would know that comment was mostly just a joke, going for a laugh. (I thought it was damn funny, anyway....)
 

So Ram

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In his first year as a starter, Brian Allen didn't play as badly as some on this board contend. I find it interesting that those same people generally think Blythe is better despite video evidence to the contrary. Brian is a much better blocker when isolated on a one-on-one blocking scheme by the defense. He has better movement skills than Blythe. As a 2nd year player, in his first starting year, he played better than can be expected.

That said, having watch Coleman Shelton at UW I can say he's got better movement and is a much stronger blocker than Blythe. IMO center isn't the position of need as much as the media contends. Don't forget they also have Anchrum whom reportedly they are also high on. He's short but has a very good play radius due to his long arms. If they move to a power run attack like I think they will, they will absolutely need a center who can drive block, and has the movement skills to block on the second level. Blythe doesn't have either of those skills.

So IMO the Rams have 3 options at center, all of them potentially better fits for the offense than Blythe. More importantly, they are already on the team so there will be no cap impact. One of the reasons they were rolling Goff out so much is because the defense was as I predicted they would, isolating Blythe one on one and driving him back into Goff's lap.

Goff - lol - yeah right.. blame Blythe.

Anchrum??? I think your right about 3
just thinking it’s a different 3?? Right now The Rams are only listing OLMan.
 

XXXIVwin

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He sucked in 2019. Blythe vastly outplayed him, and Blythe isn't an elite Center. Maybe he's progressed, but I'm not counting on it.
That's how I remember it, too.

I remember thinking of Allen kinda like I thought about Sloman: "This guy looks undersized and like he doesn't belong on the field in the NFL."

I agree, once Blythe stepped in at center, it really seemed to settle things down for the rest of 2019. I think that's why many of us were content when Blythe was re-signed for 2020-- because Blythe was such a noticeable upgrade over Allen.

Not saying Blythe is any better than average, but he sure was a huge upgrade over Allen. IMHO.
 

Rams43

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I’m keeping an open mind on Allen.

Bonifay gave several good reasons to explain Allen’s debut. So, what’s the harm in giving him this offseason through camp and PS games?

I mean, what do we have to lose?

If he shines, he stays. If he sucks, he goes. Simple.
 

Merlin

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Yeah and either way re: Allen the Rams can't trust in him as a starter. Position has to be addressed.
 

MachS

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25yo, 6’2” 315

9 starts in 2019, injured in game 9?

2018 36 snaps on offense, played mostly on ST.

2 false starts, 1 hold, 1 other

Trying to figure out why people seem to be so down on Allen. He played 36 snaps at C as a rookie with no starts. Wins the starter role in 2019 played 8+ games before the knee injury. I don’t recall him being terrible and it was a small sample size at best.

Convince me he can’t come back 2 years later and be a factor in the battle to be our starter.

The fact that you posted this shows you haven't really watched him close on film. Anyone can pick out stats to make someone look attractive. He's just not good and wont be on the roster next year. Emergency depth is all he's good for.
 

Karate61

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Allen had an awesome draft call when the Rams called his number, and it's been all downhill since then!
 

Shuie3225

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For I think there are three maybe four.
Creed Humphrey
Landon Dickerson
Quinn Meinerz (who we’ve met with twice)
Josh Meyers

Those are the 4 I like and all seem pretty legit. One should be there at 57 for us. The fact we've publicly spoken with Meinerz two times makes me think we're really targeting one of the other three. Brian Allen can carry the rookies equipment in camp if he's still on the roster.
 

Mackeyser

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I worry about Landon Dickerson's injury history.

I was all for Creed Humphrey and still am, but I think Quinn Meinerz became 1 and Humphrey 1a for me.

I love how Humphrey just stoned the bull rush of some big NTs. It was impressive to me.
 

blackbart

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The fact that you posted this shows you haven't really watched him close on film. Anyone can pick out stats to make someone look attractive. He's just not good and wont be on the roster next year. Emergency depth is all he's good for.
You obviously didn’t read my other posts. If you have something other than you opinion, let’s see it.

I watched the highlights of the first 4 games of 2019 yesterday and there may have been one play he didn’t do well on. Like I said on those posts I know it was just highlights.
 

shovelpass

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I compiled a "lowlight" reel for week 1, it's week 1 for a younger player so growing pains are expected. Allen played much better in the 2nd half, it also looks like the offense changed their game plan though, less 1-on-1s and more movement. He seemed to struggle going head-up with a defender, but did well with combo blocks and in stretch zone/PA.
 
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blackbart

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I compiled a "lowlight" reel for week 1, it's week 1 for a younger player so growing pains are expected. Allen played much better in the 2nd half, it also looks like the offense changed their game plan though, less 1-on-1s and more movement. He seemed to struggle going head-up with a defender, but did well with combo blocks and in stretch zone/PA.


Thanks SP, I appreciate you taking time to put this together.

Undoubtedly a young guy, he’s still only 25.

Seeing these plays added to the highlights I watched of the game yesterday balanced things out.

It would be nice to see him get a shot to earn a job in camp if he’s healthy.