[Blogs] Allen Making Strong Bid For Spot

[BR News]

Ravens rookie running back Anthony Allen could have been one of the heroes of Thursday night’s game versus the Washington Redskins.

With two minutes and 16 seconds remaining in the game and the Skins up by four points, quarterback Tyrod Taylor lofted a pass to Allen, who had blazed by a Washington defender, in the end zone.

“I saw the ball and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, here we go. I do this every day,’” Allen said. “Then I short-stroked it.”

In other words, he dropped it. Allen continued running through the back of the end zone and buried his head into the M&T Bank Stadium concourse, as if he was looking for a place to hide.

It was a moment in which the seventh-round pick could have made a statement in his battle for the third running back position behind Ray Rice and Ricky Williams.

But in the end, it seemingly will have little impact on whether he makes the team.

That’s because Allen’s overall performance this preseason have impressed Head Coach John Harbaugh.

“The funny thing is he has great hands,” Harbaugh said. “He’s one of the best hands guy on our team, especially in the backfield. He’ll make a lot more of those [catches] in his career than he’ll drop.

“He had some huge runs, north-south running. He had a good game. [In] pass protection [he] did a good job too.”

Allen has 10 combined rushes for 64 yards in three preseason games, an impressive average of 6.4 yards per carry. He had a 1-yard touchdown run and gallop for 14 yards versus Kansas City and broke off a 20-yarder against the Redskins.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder out of Georgia Tech has shown his strong, low running style and how difficult he is to bring down. Against the Chiefs, one defender was literally drug as he hung on to the back of the rookie’s jersey.

“I think my physical nature and the way I run the ball late in the game tends to help,” Allen said. “It just comes with the size.”

Allen’s main competition for a spot on the Ravens’ 53-man roster is fourth-year veteran Jalen Parmele. He was the Ravens’ third running back last year and also served some as their kickoff returner.

Parmele has run 15 times for 55 yards (3.7-yard average), including a 10-yard touchdown, this preseason. He has also been one of several Ravens in the mix at kickoff returner.

While Allen didn’t help himself with the dropped pass Thursday night, Parmele had a fourth-quarter fumble near the Ravens’ red zone.

One factor in the coaches’ decision could be how much Parmele offers in the return game. If Baltimore determines that wide receiver David Reed will be their primary returner, then that could affect Parmele’s value.

Historically, the chances of late-round running backs making the Ravens’ roster haven’t been good. Sixth-rounder Cedric Peerman didn’t make it in 2009, nor did seventh-rounder Allen Patrick in 2008.

But Allen is hoping to turn the tide – and he’s making a strong bid to do so.

“Every game is an audition for me,” Allen said. “I’m just trying to put my best foot forward and my best stuff on the tape so I can make this team.”

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/08/27/allen-making-strong-bid-for-spot/]View the full article[/url]

[Marcus]

he should get the spot. hes been running hard in the preseason man

[ravnsfann]

I hope he makes the team! He is a great power back.

[ravenflock68]

FIRST!!!!! but anyones i think allen has shown more than parmele, and hes a really good power back

[cwmst22]

I totally agree, I think he shows much more promise than Parmele has been able to show in 4 years of play.

[First_Impression]

Allen reminds me of Steven Jackson, and no not just the dreads, just his powerful running style. I have never been impressed by Parmele he isn't terrible but Allen looks like he could be a feature back with Rice with a little more time

[Nick04263]

Ravens have waived OL Oniel Cousins, WR Justin Harper, TE Stupar, OT Bond, WR Zachery, LB Leon, WR Bradley, C Bartholomew

[BmoreB]

He'll make the team. He reminds me a lot of Marion Barber

[display name]

I really like Jalen Parmele, but I think it might be better for the Baltimore Ravens if Anthony Allen were on the active roster and Parmele was on the Practice Squad.

[Ray27Rice]

THANK GOD ONIEL COUSINS IS GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[uhhhh]

I would be shocked if Allen isn't on the 53-man roster. He was very productive these past games, Parmale wasn't.

[RavenFan28105]

We could have a 4 headed monster running game with Ray Rice, Ricky Williams, Anthony Allen and Vanta Leach!!!!

[Ravenmadfan]

Yes Yes he has to make the Team he has been the best future back we have had!! He has RAVEN Heart and RAVEN POWER!!! Ricky Williams is only around as of now for two years!! Allen our NEXT Back up RB!!!! GO ALLEN!!!!!!

[balfan23]

I'll say he's making a strong bid ... it would be insanity to let this guy go. I love the look of him and I firmly believe that Ricky is here only to provide a bridge to this guy being our clear #2 RB. If he becomes what I think he will become, this will be a mammoth steal in this year's draft.

[jrs034]

i wonder who will make the team because Jalen is good for special teams and probally knows the playbook even better but Allen looks like a better runner and could be valuable in the long run I would say keep Jalen and put Allen on the practice squad

[Coltrane]

by midseason Allen needs to be starting over Ricky Williams.

[balfan23]

[quote name='jrs034' timestamp='1314457766' post='768511']
i wonder who will make the team because Jalen is good for special teams and probally knows the playbook even better but Allen looks like a better runner and could be valuable in the long run I would say keep Jalen and put Allen on the practice squad
[/quote]
When you get this deep into the roster to make decisions, it is about 2 things: current service to the team and future up-side. If Reed is our kick returner (which may not even be a necessary position with this new rule in place) then Jalen's service to the team currently is diminished. Jalen has very limited future up-side and Allen's future up-side I believe is huge. IMO, this should be a no-brainer.

[philip211]

He'll make the team. He can fix that mistake, no biggy.

[ravenskman1]

you know what the funny thing is? I have been saying all of this since the first week after the draft. I currently am a student at GT and I was so happy when the Ravens drafted him. He has been running like this for two years at Tech, constantly. He can seriously handle being a feature back. At tech in 2009 (year we won the ACC no matter what the NCAA says), Allen had a 9.7 average. As he became the feature back in 2010 and had over 200 carries, his average went down to 5.5, but that is extremely high for starting back.

what he is doing now with the Ravens, comes to no surprise to me as he will continue to be consistent and honestly I don't remember him missing a snap at all last year.

Good to see people actually giving him some much due credit, FINALLY.

[Legendary Ravens]

A Strong Bid?? SOLD TO THE RAVEN NATION.. Anthony Allen is the Truth. That is the Back we need. He has "It". Parmelee has never done it for me. I get nervous when they put him in the game. David Reed is the Kick Returner. ALLEN is the Man. No Question.

[BLIZTMORE]

I like Anthony Allen to make the team think about he's a good runner also we need to run well vs the steelers and in a year or 2 he ca help with that my be even now
also i like Parmele but D.Reed is the new KR and i dnt like him running well vs the steelers at all

[militaryravenfan]

I said it in the other Blog. he will make the team and probably at the expense of Parmele. Allen is gonna be a beast for us!!

[Rice Rice Baby]

Ricky will retire in a year or so and Allen will shine when he does.

[AnarchyBlues]

Oh yeah! he should make the team hands down! and i'm glad they Cut cousins

[Free Agent]

Anthony Allen was a steal in the 7th round. He definitely has earned the #3 RB spot over Parmele.

[ravenwildman]

I like this guy. Kind of reminds me of a young Barber.

GO RAVENS!

[FlygonKali]

Allen has impressed me as well. I was watching him the first game and thinking to myself, "Now that looks like a NFL runningback, not a rookie struggling to make the team..." And he's only continued to perform throughout.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='ravenflock68' timestamp='1314454688' post='768459']
FIRST!!!!! but anyones i think allen has shown more than parmele, and hes a really good power back
[/quote]

First for what?

[birdland blitz]

Allen has been far better than Parmele running the ball. The only advantage Parmele had was that he could return kicks. But let's face it, kick off returns don't matter anymore. We could have Mount Cody waiting in the end zone and it wouldn't make a difference. Parmele has never really shown much outside of special teams. Allen has the battle won as long as he doesn't really mess up next week. I think Parmele's time is up, I don't think they'll carry 4 running backs.

[crickitt]

Anthony Allen is a beasttt!!!... Keeper please!