Buck Allen

[mdrsharon]

What happened to Buck Allen? He must be in the doghouse for some reason. Anyone know why?

[Sami84]

he's just not that good. there are lots of buck allen standard RB's  around the league and they are mostly backups at best

[rmw10]

His value has been diminished.  He was good for us last year as a pass catcher, but despite the numbers, there was a lot to be desired as a true runner.  Allen's problem is that he doesn't really have any explosion.  When you get someone like Dixon in the fold who can run, catch, and has that explosion, it makes you realize what Allen really lacks.  I actually really liked Allen in the draft last year, but I don't think it's translated well to the NFL game for him.  Still a good pass catcher but we have other guys that can do that so he's fallen out of favor a bit.  He should be sweating when a roster spot is needed.

[757RavensFan]

He's on borrowed time.  I see him getting cut as soon as Dixon is 100% healthy.  

 

[ellicottraven]

Hasn't played well enough in TC and preseason games to warrant being active on game day. Maybe de-activated from the 53 and placed on PS (if he clears waivers) when Dixon is healthy.

Also, isn't a critical part of special teams either. So, he's not made himself a useful commodity for the team.

Edited September 23, 2016 by ellicottraven

[757RavensFan]

IMO, Waller has a much better chance making the team than Allen.  

[Tiznut]

41 minutes ago, mdrsharon said:

What happened to Buck Allen? He must be in the doghouse for some reason. Anyone know why?

No he is not in the dog house. He simply didn't out perform the others. 

[rmcjacket23]

What skill set does he offer that another RB on the roster doesn't?

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

He's probably the best receiving back on the team.. problem is Dixon isn't to shabby in that department either. He leaves a lot to be desired as a runner sadly.  

 

I like him but too many cooks one kitchen 

[terps85]

Would not be surprised to see him cut once Waller and Dixon return.  He just did not look good at all in the preseason.  Hope he does well, but it does not look like it will be for the Ravens.

With that said, I still think they should have just cut Forsett and kept Dixon, West, Allen as the backs, but that does not look likely to happen.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

We need Buck Allen right now. If for nothing else, to make us feel like Forsett and West are playing well by comparison.

[Rav'n Maniac]

22 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

We need Buck Allen right now. If for nothing else, to make us feel like Forsett and West are playing well by comparison.

Cold! lol

[AsianRice]

3 hours ago, rmcjacket23 said:

What skill set does he offer that another RB on the roster doesn't?

bench warmer?

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Coaches Day-to-Day (inactive) Status:

http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/2577253/javorius-allen

Agreeing with previous posters. Looks like we're looking at him as an utility player who could be in a fill-in role if our other backs don't return quickly. His 45 receptions from last year is good collateral for the team in that role. If needed, he might be activated to get a running-back flare reception or 2 in this game (who knows?). It'll comedown to scheme and/or situation.

Edited September 23, 2016 by jkm5bmore

[JoeyFlex5]

must say im surprised. i thought he looked very refined and polished last season, did well in all areas, showed good vision, great power, great catching and pass protection, obviously lacked explosion and top end speed, but i really thought he was gonna be a bruiser/3rd down back for us. 

obviously terrence west blasted onto the scene which was a big surprise to me, so that kinda screwed allens chances of being the bruiser because west is just better, and dixon is more suited to be a 3rd down back because of his home run threat in general even if hes a less safe option due to having inferior hands. buck allen isnt a guy id wanna lose though, id cut forsett over him in a heartbeat, because i think allen offers utility that no other back on this team comes close to, hes a legit and safe 3rd down option. 

really im just surprised by his inability to churn the legs and gain yards after contact like he did so well last year, but then again all of our backs are struggling there, i think a full switch to the gap scheme and swapping zuttah for jensen solves those issues, were not an effective zone team anymore but we do have some pieces to run some gap scheme and get some push.

[Maryland]

They should consider using Allen more for this upcoming game vs the Jags. Having a good receiving back catching passes out of the backfield could really test their LB corps and force them to play closer to the LOS. 

[Filmstudy]

He's been a lousy pass blocker as well, which is something the Ravens need badly.  Any of our 4 top RBs was supposed to be a good 3rd down back, but as of now, that's Juszczyk.

[ALPHA]

Ive never been as convinced by him or Pharoah as I am by Dixon. Hes an average player.

[AppStRavenfan]

He offers nothing outside of receiving ability. He's a below average runner out of the backfield. Forsett isn't the greatest pass catcher in the world but for Trestman's offense he offers all you really need and once Dixon is back we will have a great receiving back that offers some running ability. Chances are he will be gone once Dixon is healthy. He is what he is I suppose, give him great blocking and he'll eventually find the hole and gain a couple, give him a screen and he can get you a solid gain, but if you give him anything less than great blocking and he's going to give you literally nothing as a runner and he doesn't have the speed or burst to break any really long runs. Basically it's at the point where if you put Buck in then the defense knows exactly whats going to happen and that sort of predictability is a terrible thing.

Edited September 25, 2016 by AppStRavenfan

[January J]

West bursting onto the scene changed alot of things. Including Allen's future.

[BmoreBird22]

I have to disagree with Joey's assessment in a major way. 

I would have been shocked if Allen ever became a power back. It doesn't matter if he churned his legs (as all running backs are taught to do) because he ran so high and stiff that he's gonna get taken down on first contact most of the time. He just never stood out as a runner because the vision was iffy, the hesitation was real, and he just never exploded through holes. It's great to be a patient runner if you explode through the holes, but he didn't.

As a pass blocker, I would never call him great. I'd never call any of the Ravens running backs (except Tali) anything more than below average. Major room for improvement in this regard.

As a pass catcher, you can get the same, if not more, from Dixon. I think Dixon was clearly the best pass catching back in the draft. It's nice that Allen can catch a swing pass or a screen, but Dixon can do all that and has more elusiveness/better pad level to make those explosive plays. He's basically a better Buck Allen as a receiver.

I just don't see any reason to hang onto Buck Allen. He's below average to average in every facet of the game. 

[mdrsharon]

Right now we have no running game , nobody opening holes for our backs. I like Buck but not enough room for him . Offense in general looking lame.

[rmw10]

I mentioned it in the vent thread, but I actually think now is the time to start using him, assuming Dixon is still on the mend.  The running game is already anemic, but so is the passing game out of the backfield.  I think Buck could at least provide a spark there that West and Forsett can't/haven't so far.

[pep_meister]

We need some new blood in the running game. it's bad

[rmcjacket23]

2 hours ago, rmw10 said:

I mentioned it in the vent thread, but I actually think now is the time to start using him, assuming Dixon is still on the mend.  The running game is already anemic, but so is the passing game out of the backfield.  I think Buck could at least provide a spark there that West and Forsett can't/haven't so far.

The problem is... somebody likely has to go to the inactive list, considering we've typically been rolling with 2 RBs on gameday through 3 weeks AND we expect to get some guys back off suspension and injury in the near future.

The "easy" answer by a fan is Forsett, but I don't think its realistic to think that he goes from "starter" leading the team in carries to weekly inactive. 

I just don't see a path to Allen getting playing time unless injuries occur. 

[rmw10]

29 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

The problem is... somebody likely has to go to the inactive list, considering we've typically been rolling with 2 RBs on gameday through 3 weeks AND we expect to get some guys back off suspension and injury in the near future.

The "easy" answer by a fan is Forsett, but I don't think its realistic to think that he goes from "starter" leading the team in carries to weekly inactive. 

I just don't see a path to Allen getting playing time unless injuries occur. 

Valid concern, but if the team thinks he could play a role, then they'll find someone to make inactive.  I don't expect them to of course, but I am open to it at this point  as not much else is working.

[jimmypowder]

On 9/23/2016 at 1:23 PM, rmcjacket23 said:

What skill set does he offer that another RB on the roster doesn't?

Well here's guessing Allen may be a little quicker hitting the hole ( what little there is) than 

Forsett who looks old and slow . 

 

Edited September 25, 2016 by jimmypowder

[rmcjacket23]

12 minutes ago, jimmypowder said:

Well here's guessing Allen may be a little quicker hitting the hole ( what little there is) than 

Forsett who looks old and slow . 

 

Didn't see much quickness hitting the hole from him last season, so wouldn't expect that to improve. West and Dixon are quicker to hit the hole than Forsett, so Allen still wouldn't have skills that are beneficial over them.

He may have a skill set that's better than one individual RB on the team, but we have 4, not 1.