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- Thread starter Buckskin86
- Start date
can't believe we didn't have a thread on Will Allen...merged all the thread with his name in the title into one.
Will is going to be on with Colin Cowherd on 1460 in the next few minutes...
Will is going to be on with Colin Cowherd on 1460 in the next few minutes...
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gregorylee
I'd rather be napping!!
Talking about what?
Since Speils is on now, what was the interview about, what did he have to say? Is he still down in Tampa?
Since Speils is on now, what was the interview about, what did he have to say? Is he still down in Tampa?
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and that the most dangerous thing he ever does is going out on some teammates' boats during the off-season...
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
NFL TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Allen now has full-time job
The Bucs free safety, who filled in admirably last season, will be counted on to start.
Chris Harry | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted June 21, 2006
TAMPA -- One statistic stands out when you peek toward Tampa Bay's 2006 season: The Bucs return 21 of 22 starters from last season's 11-5 team.
That sounds more like a statistic from a Mountain West Conference preview than one from a free-agent-era NFL team. And the lone non-returning starter, free safety Will Allen, actually started eight games in '05.
"I got a lot of game experience, but not enough," Allen said Tuesday as the Bucs opened a mandatory three-day minicamp. "Now, I have to pick up where I left off last season."
Allen, a third-year pro from Ohio State, filled in for strong safety Jermaine Phillips in three games and for free safety Dexter Jackson in another five. That was enough time for Allen -- who missed three games with an ankle injury -- to finish 10th on the team with 51 tackles and make numerous flash plays during Tampa Bay's surprising run to the NFC South title.
"We call him 'Big-Play Will,'" linebacker Ryan Nece said. "It'll be exciting to see him back there full time."
Allen stood out a few times last season:
He intercepted two Brett Favre passes in a 17-16 victory at Green Bay that marked the Bucs' first victory at Lambeau Field since 1989.
He returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown in a 27-13 triumph against Miami.
He made perhaps the team's biggest hit of the season, on Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith. It knocked the league's most explosive receiver out of the game in a huge road upset and received plenty of play on highlight reels.
"We still watch it," Nece said.
Now, Bucs coaches want to watch Allen, 24, continue to grow into the job. Allen was in a close battle for the starting free-safety job during training camp last year, but the Bucs went with the more experienced Jackson, who signed with Cincinnati in the offseason.
That scenario wasn't much different than during Allen's junior season at Ohio State. That year, Buckeyes coaches told Allen they considered him a starter but that they had to go with All-American Mike Doss. Understood.
As a senior, Allen started every game for the Buckeyes and caught the eye of Tampa Bay's scouts. In 2004, Allen and wide receiver Michael Clayton were the only Bucs to play in all 16 games as rookies. The progression continued in Allen's second season.
This summer, Allen, 6 feet and 200 pounds, will go to camp next month at Disney's Wide World of Sports with the job his to lose.
"We like Will Allen," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "We like both those guys back there."
Allen will team with Phillips as the Bucs' last line of defense. Playing both positions last season has given him a crash course in the cover-two scheme and prepared him for just about anything.
"It helped my character and let me see what I could do," Allen said. "The coaches pushed me to a limit last year, to the point where I think I did some things I thought I could do and maybe they didn't think I could do. There's room for me to grow this year. The opportunity is limitless; that's how I look at it.''
In other news, backup quarterback Luke McCown is expected to have surgery today or Thursday to correct what could be a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The Bucs were uncertain of the severity of the injury, but it's possible McCown could be lost for the season.
If so, Tim Rattay moves to No. 2 behind Chris Simms and leaves sixth-round pick Bruce Gradkowski and free agent Jared Allen as the only other quarterbacks on the roster.
In addition, guard Toniu Fonoti, who signed as a free agent, was a no-show Tuesday. "I don't know why. Don't know where he is," Coach Jon Gruden said. "I hope he's OK."
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-bucs2106jun21,0,5073853.story?track=rss
Allen now has full-time job
The Bucs free safety, who filled in admirably last season, will be counted on to start.
Chris Harry | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted June 21, 2006
TAMPA -- One statistic stands out when you peek toward Tampa Bay's 2006 season: The Bucs return 21 of 22 starters from last season's 11-5 team.
That sounds more like a statistic from a Mountain West Conference preview than one from a free-agent-era NFL team. And the lone non-returning starter, free safety Will Allen, actually started eight games in '05.
"I got a lot of game experience, but not enough," Allen said Tuesday as the Bucs opened a mandatory three-day minicamp. "Now, I have to pick up where I left off last season."
Allen, a third-year pro from Ohio State, filled in for strong safety Jermaine Phillips in three games and for free safety Dexter Jackson in another five. That was enough time for Allen -- who missed three games with an ankle injury -- to finish 10th on the team with 51 tackles and make numerous flash plays during Tampa Bay's surprising run to the NFC South title.
"We call him 'Big-Play Will,'" linebacker Ryan Nece said. "It'll be exciting to see him back there full time."
Allen stood out a few times last season:
He intercepted two Brett Favre passes in a 17-16 victory at Green Bay that marked the Bucs' first victory at Lambeau Field since 1989.
He returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown in a 27-13 triumph against Miami.
He made perhaps the team's biggest hit of the season, on Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith. It knocked the league's most explosive receiver out of the game in a huge road upset and received plenty of play on highlight reels.
"We still watch it," Nece said.
Now, Bucs coaches want to watch Allen, 24, continue to grow into the job. Allen was in a close battle for the starting free-safety job during training camp last year, but the Bucs went with the more experienced Jackson, who signed with Cincinnati in the offseason.
That scenario wasn't much different than during Allen's junior season at Ohio State. That year, Buckeyes coaches told Allen they considered him a starter but that they had to go with All-American Mike Doss. Understood.
As a senior, Allen started every game for the Buckeyes and caught the eye of Tampa Bay's scouts. In 2004, Allen and wide receiver Michael Clayton were the only Bucs to play in all 16 games as rookies. The progression continued in Allen's second season.
This summer, Allen, 6 feet and 200 pounds, will go to camp next month at Disney's Wide World of Sports with the job his to lose.
"We like Will Allen," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "We like both those guys back there."
Allen will team with Phillips as the Bucs' last line of defense. Playing both positions last season has given him a crash course in the cover-two scheme and prepared him for just about anything.
"It helped my character and let me see what I could do," Allen said. "The coaches pushed me to a limit last year, to the point where I think I did some things I thought I could do and maybe they didn't think I could do. There's room for me to grow this year. The opportunity is limitless; that's how I look at it.''
In other news, backup quarterback Luke McCown is expected to have surgery today or Thursday to correct what could be a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The Bucs were uncertain of the severity of the injury, but it's possible McCown could be lost for the season.
If so, Tim Rattay moves to No. 2 behind Chris Simms and leaves sixth-round pick Bruce Gradkowski and free agent Jared Allen as the only other quarterbacks on the roster.
In addition, guard Toniu Fonoti, who signed as a free agent, was a no-show Tuesday. "I don't know why. Don't know where he is," Coach Jon Gruden said. "I hope he's OK."
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-bucs2106jun21,0,5073853.story?track=rss
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zincfinger
Gert Frobe-approved
A bit off-topic, but Will Allen in '03 is analogous to several of the "inexperienced", new starters on defense for '06. Far more experienced - and capable - than the technically correct term "new starter" would suggest.
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Opportunity Knocking
By ROY CUMMINGS The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jun 22, 2006
TAMPA - The transition from one season to the next is seldom seamless. Whether it's a result of free agency, injury or player promotion, there's always something forcing a team to make at least a handful of lineup changes. The Bucs are no different. Their lineup will change as well this season. Unlike a lot of teams, however, their lineup will not change dramatically.
The Bucs have 21 of their 22 starters coming back from last year. The only spot at which they're inserting a newcomer is at free safety. But even there they will employ a familiar face.
Though he lost out to Dexter Jackson in a bid for a starter's job in training camp, Will Allen still had plenty of playing time last year. He even had significant time as a starter.
With Jackson nursing a sore hamstring, Allen wound up starting eight games last year, including five at free safety. So in a way it's like the Bucs haven't lost any starters from last year's team.
"It's almost like we have 21 1/2 starters coming back," cornerback Brian Kelly said. "And that's really unusual for the NFL. Teams are always making lots of changes, but we're not and that's great.
"I mean, Will knows the system, he knows the plays and he knows how we play football. I think that and the continuity we have are really going to help us get better defensively this year."
Opponents would argue that the Bucs don't need to get any better. After all, they finished ranked first overall in total defense last year, allowing an average of 277.8 yards per game.
The Bucs believe there is room for improvement. In particular they'd like to do a better job of taking away the ball when opponents throw it. That's where Allen comes in.
Though he has only two NFL seasons under his belt, he already has established himself as one of those guys who has a knack for being around the ball and making big plays.
A year ago, for instance, he finished tied for third on the team in interceptions with three. He also got in on 51 tackles, recovered a fumble and recorded two tackles for a loss.
One look at those numbers, which Allen accrued over just 13 games, and it's easy to understand why the Bucs didn't go out of their way to keep Jackson from leaving for Cincinnati via free agency.
"Losing Dexter was not a goal of ours," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "But we'd seen Will for two years now, and for two years we saw a guy who was steadily making progress.
"He's a guy who's always been an exceptional athlete, who has stood out on special teams and who did a good job for us when he had to go in on defense last year. Let's face it, he's earned the opportunity to be our starter."
Allen doesn't necessarily have the job wrapped up. The Bucs are high on Kalvin Pearson, James Patrick and Donte Nicholson and they believe any one of them could push Allen for playing time. But don't count on that happening.
Allen has learned quickly that it takes more than physical ability to make your mark in the NFL. He already has realized the importance of film study and off-field work, and his work habits reflect that.
Teammates and coaches say he is one of the Bucs' hardest-working young players, and the coaching staff raves about his instinct and football intelligence. There's a little something else Allen has going for him.
As a junior at Ohio State, he was good enough to start. The only problem was, there was someone just a little better (Mike Doss, now with the Indianapolis Colts) playing ahead of him.
"Mike was a three-time All-American, so the coaches told me I was going to have to be a backup," Allen said. "It was a little devastating, but it was a situation I eventually benefited from.
"I could have transferred out of there, but then who knows what would have happened? I might not have been drafted, I might not have come to the Bucs. What I mean is, everything happens for a reason.
"Last year there was a reason I didn't start right away. But then I got on the field and I showed them I can play in this league, and now look at me. I have a great opportunity here, and I think I'm ready to take advantage of it."
The Bucs don't doubt that he will.
"I've never been worried about Will Allen playing," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "He's an up-and-coming rising star, and like a lot of the young safeties before him, it's his turn to step up for us. I'm sure he'll do a good job."
RAMS: Acquired quarterback Dave Ragone from the Bengals for an undisclosed draft pick. Ragone is expected to compete with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Smoker for the No. 3 job. He likely will play behind starter Marc Bulger and backup Gus Frerotte.
Opportunity Knocking
By ROY CUMMINGS The Tampa Tribune
Published: Jun 22, 2006
TAMPA - The transition from one season to the next is seldom seamless. Whether it's a result of free agency, injury or player promotion, there's always something forcing a team to make at least a handful of lineup changes. The Bucs are no different. Their lineup will change as well this season. Unlike a lot of teams, however, their lineup will not change dramatically.
The Bucs have 21 of their 22 starters coming back from last year. The only spot at which they're inserting a newcomer is at free safety. But even there they will employ a familiar face.
Though he lost out to Dexter Jackson in a bid for a starter's job in training camp, Will Allen still had plenty of playing time last year. He even had significant time as a starter.
With Jackson nursing a sore hamstring, Allen wound up starting eight games last year, including five at free safety. So in a way it's like the Bucs haven't lost any starters from last year's team.
"It's almost like we have 21 1/2 starters coming back," cornerback Brian Kelly said. "And that's really unusual for the NFL. Teams are always making lots of changes, but we're not and that's great.
"I mean, Will knows the system, he knows the plays and he knows how we play football. I think that and the continuity we have are really going to help us get better defensively this year."
Opponents would argue that the Bucs don't need to get any better. After all, they finished ranked first overall in total defense last year, allowing an average of 277.8 yards per game.
The Bucs believe there is room for improvement. In particular they'd like to do a better job of taking away the ball when opponents throw it. That's where Allen comes in.
Though he has only two NFL seasons under his belt, he already has established himself as one of those guys who has a knack for being around the ball and making big plays.
A year ago, for instance, he finished tied for third on the team in interceptions with three. He also got in on 51 tackles, recovered a fumble and recorded two tackles for a loss.
One look at those numbers, which Allen accrued over just 13 games, and it's easy to understand why the Bucs didn't go out of their way to keep Jackson from leaving for Cincinnati via free agency.
"Losing Dexter was not a goal of ours," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "But we'd seen Will for two years now, and for two years we saw a guy who was steadily making progress.
"He's a guy who's always been an exceptional athlete, who has stood out on special teams and who did a good job for us when he had to go in on defense last year. Let's face it, he's earned the opportunity to be our starter."
Allen doesn't necessarily have the job wrapped up. The Bucs are high on Kalvin Pearson, James Patrick and Donte Nicholson and they believe any one of them could push Allen for playing time. But don't count on that happening.
Allen has learned quickly that it takes more than physical ability to make your mark in the NFL. He already has realized the importance of film study and off-field work, and his work habits reflect that.
Teammates and coaches say he is one of the Bucs' hardest-working young players, and the coaching staff raves about his instinct and football intelligence. There's a little something else Allen has going for him.
As a junior at Ohio State, he was good enough to start. The only problem was, there was someone just a little better (Mike Doss, now with the Indianapolis Colts) playing ahead of him.
"Mike was a three-time All-American, so the coaches told me I was going to have to be a backup," Allen said. "It was a little devastating, but it was a situation I eventually benefited from.
"I could have transferred out of there, but then who knows what would have happened? I might not have been drafted, I might not have come to the Bucs. What I mean is, everything happens for a reason.
"Last year there was a reason I didn't start right away. But then I got on the field and I showed them I can play in this league, and now look at me. I have a great opportunity here, and I think I'm ready to take advantage of it."
The Bucs don't doubt that he will.
"I've never been worried about Will Allen playing," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "He's an up-and-coming rising star, and like a lot of the young safeties before him, it's his turn to step up for us. I'm sure he'll do a good job."
RAMS: Acquired quarterback Dave Ragone from the Bengals for an undisclosed draft pick. Ragone is expected to compete with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Smoker for the No. 3 job. He likely will play behind starter Marc Bulger and backup Gus Frerotte.
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Buccaneers | W. Allen misses practice Sunday
Sun, 6 Aug 2006 11:07:12 -0700
Buccaneers.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers FS Will Allen (hand) missed the morning practice Sunday, Aug. 6.
http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl
Sun, 6 Aug 2006 11:07:12 -0700
Buccaneers.com reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers FS Will Allen (hand) missed the morning practice Sunday, Aug. 6.
http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl
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Buccaneers | Allen returns to the field
Wed, 9 Aug 2006 11:11:37 -0700
Katherine Smith, of the Tampa Tribune, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers FS Will Allen (thumb) returned to the practice field Wednesday, Aug. 9, with a cast protecting his broken left thumb. Allen will be given a hard splint that will allow him to play in the team's upcoming preseason game Friday, Aug. 11.
Buccaneers | Allen returns to the field
Wed, 9 Aug 2006 11:11:37 -0700
Katherine Smith, of the Tampa Tribune, reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers FS Will Allen (thumb) returned to the practice field Wednesday, Aug. 9, with a cast protecting his broken left thumb. Allen will be given a hard splint that will allow him to play in the team's upcoming preseason game Friday, Aug. 11.
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