S Will Allen (Official Thread)

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Bucs cheerleaders to
entertain troops
Squad leaves for Japan as part of
variety tour
Published : Thursday, 18 Jun 2009

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders are headed overseas to entertain the troops.

The squad left Tampa International Airport Thursday morning headed first to Okinawa, Japan where U.S. forces are stationed.

They cheerleaders are teaming up with Bucs players Will Allen and Michael Clayton, along with Armed Forces Entertainment for the Shake Rattle and Roll variety tour in Okinawa and Guam.

Allen and Clayton are set to leave for Okinawa Friday morning.

Bucs cheerleaders to entertain troops

Will Allen
Pro: Standout special teams performer and experienced defensive back with versatility to contribute at either safety position? Played in 76 career regular season games with 24 starts? Also saw action in two playoff games? Totaled 163 career tackles, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown, and seven passes defensed? Also totaled 62 career tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries on special teams? Contributed two tackles and two special teams stops in playoffs? Ranked second on the team with a career-high 21 special teams tackles in 2008? Originally entered the league as Tampa Bay?s fourth-round selection (111th overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft. Read Full Bio

Armed Forces Entertainment

 

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Base Knowledge: Military Tour Inspires

Jul 08, 2009 - Two Tampa Bay Buccaneers players recently accompanied a dozen Buccaneers Cheerleaders and the power pop band The Crash Moderns on an Armed Forces Entertainment tour of U.S. military bases in Okinawa, Japan. Not surprisingly those Buccaneers, safety Will Allen and wide receiver Michael Clayton, came back from their five-day whirlwind expedition with a greater appreciation for the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces.

But this was not some vague or general feeling of appreciation that Allen and Clayton developed on their trip. While the two Buccaneers certainly share the respect and admiration most civilians feel for the sacrifices made by this nation's protectors, they also now have a very specific appreciation for what takes place on U.S. military bases around the globe.

Allen and Clayton arrived in Okinawa on Saturday, June 20, one day after the Buccaneers Cheerleaders began their tour. Before heading back to the States the following Wednesday, the players visited four bases in Okinawa and witnessed the minute details of an armed force's daily functions.

They were impressed, to say the least.

"We saw all different aspects of the military's operations," said Allen. "They have a million jobs that they do. When you're in the military, you may be in the Army or the Marines, the Navy or the Air Force, but when you're on base you have just regular jobs, like we do here. You may see somebody working in a fire department, you may see somebody that's a police officer, you may see a technician or a mechanic, somebody who works in P.R., somebody who works in marketing, logistics, communications. You see all these different jobs that take place in order to build one unit. To go around and see that and see how dedicated these men and women are to our country and our security, it was eye-popping. It was very humbling."

Allen and Clayton joined the cheerleaders and the Crash Moderns at one of their variety shows at Camp Hansen, a Marine base, helping to pump up an already high-energy crowd and joining in the show wherever they could. They also attended meet-and-greets with soldiers and their families, signed autographs and generally did their best to spread good cheer.

"The military trains you to be a machine, to think one way, live one way and be one way, because at times of war that's the type of mindset you have to have," Allen observed. "They're used to seeing each other every day and doing their daily routines, so when you go over there it's kind of like a breath of fresh air. You can spend a little bit of time with them, say hi, sign some autographs. It just breaks up the monotony of what they go through every day, so I think it was good."

The two Bucs were even able to put their special talents to use in giving back to the members of the military. While visiting Camp Shields, another Marine base, Allen and Clayton conducted a camp to teach gridiron skills to the base's football team. Each base organizes teams in a variety of sports, forming inter-base leagues that play each other regularly. Allen and Clayton found an eager audience of Camp Shields players who wanted to get a leg up on the competition.

For the visiting Bucs, it was a chance to commune with the Marines on a topic that everyone cared about.

"We tried to teach them technique, help them get ready for a game," said Allen. "That experience right there is something that I might never get to do again. I may never get to share that again. They were so excited about what they were doing. Like I said, it was humbling to be able to be a part of their lives, and to have them share something in your life. You can't put a price on stuff like that."

Allen and Clayton also visited with some soldiers who had already seen battlefield action, some of whom had sustained injuries. Once again, that helped drive home the seriousness of the sacrifice being made by the servicemen and women overseas, and the importance of their service.

"They're putting their lives on the line and that's what really got me the most, getting to see that firsthand," said Allen. "Even though a lot of the men and women over there aren't actually on the battlefield right now, they could go at any moment. And they're willing to do it?that's amazing. You have to appreciate that. As a community, I think we should be more aware of these people being willing to give up their lives for us. I'm not sure we always have that deep appreciation?this trip definitely helped me to have that."

Buccaneers.com | News - Base Knowledge: Military Tour Inspires

 

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Bucs' Tanard Jackson suspended for 4 games
(AP)

TAMPA, Fla. ? Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Tanard Jackson on Tuesday was suspended without pay for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's substances of abuse policy.

Sixth-year pro Will Allen will take over the starting free safety job.

"I felt like Will played well in our (first preseason) game, but it's disappointing," Dominik said. "It's something we're going to deal with. It's something Tanard is dealing with ... and we have to move forward."

The Associated Press: Bucs' Tanard Jackson suspended for 4 games

 

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers turn to former starter Will Allen at safety
By Dave Scheiber, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Thursday, August 20, 2009

TAMPA ? Coach Raheem Morris left no doubt Wednesday about his plan to fill the void left by the four-game suspension of S Tanard Jackson. The job will go to former starter Will Allen, a player Morris helped bring into the organization.

"He's playing really good for us," Morris said. "He started for us two or three years."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers turn to former starter Will Allen at safety - St. Petersburg Times

 

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Bucs' Allen front-runner to replace Jackson.About the Author
Posted Aug. 21, 2009
By Dan Parr

The Buccaneers, already facing a difficult stretch to open the season with games against the Cowboys, Bills, Giants and Redskins, will have to overcome an additional obstacle in those first four contests.

FS Tanard Jackson, who has started every game since entering the league in 2007, will be suspended for the first four games of the season and he will not appeal the suspension. It?s not clear whether CB Aqib Talib will face any disciplinary action from the team or the league as of this writing, but he was arrested and charged with battery and resisting arrest after an altercation with a cab driver in the early hours of Aug. 20, leaving the Tampa Bay secondary in a very tenuous situation.

GM Mark Dominik announced Jackson was suspended for violating the league?s substance-abuse policy on Aug. 18, and it appears Jackson has a serious off-field problem, although it?s not yet clear what substance is involved in this case. Jackson apologized to fans and teammates and told reporters that his issues are not new and that he needs counseling.

?I definitely have some off-field issues that I have to address for the well being of myself and the well being of this team,? he said.

Sources say the team was caught by surprise by Jackson?s punishment. Dominik and head coach Raheem Morris were not expecting it, but we hear they?ll encourage Jackson to get the help he needs and could consider other options at safety if he doesn?t make some serious changes.

Morris has a decision to make regarding how to shuffle personnel to make up for Jackson?s absence, but no options are ideal. We hear the team?s first choice is likely to promote special-teams captain Will Allen, who hasn?t made a start since Jackson was drafted, into the starting lineup. Word is Morris is a big supporter of Allen, but the sixth-year veteran will need to show he can play tough vs. the run, which has been a weakness of his.

ProFootballWeekly.com - Bucs' Allen front-runner to replace Jackson

 

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers end experiment as Jermaine Phillips moves back to safety from linebacker
By Stephen Holder, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Morris will use Phillips, Sabby Piscitelli and Will Allen as a three-man rotation at the two safety positions until Jackson returns. The Bucs used three last year, with Piscitelli seeing time as the No. 3. Morris said he was concerned about the dropoff after Allen, a former starter, saying he was not convinced using journeyman Donte Nicholson as part of the rotation would work.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers end experiment as Jermaine Phillips moves back to safety from linebacker - St. Petersburg Times

 

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Bucs Name Team Captains
By: Jim Flynn
September 9, 2009

The Buccaneers named their team captains for the 2009 season Wednesday. Bucs C Jeff Faine and QB Byron Leftwich were voted offensive captains while CB Ronde Barber and DT Chris Hovan were voted defensive captains. Safety Will Allen was voted the special teams captain.

Allen once again serves as Tampa Bay's special teams captain. He has notched 62 special teams tackles in five seasons with the Bucs.

"It's a huge and tremendous honor that my teammates and my coaches look to me as a leader and a captain on this team," said Allen. "I just strive every day to work hard. That's it. I just work hard and thank God for the opportunity that I'm out here playing and helping my teammates."

Bucs Name Team Captains | Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Pewter Report

 

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Bucs S Phillips breaks left thumb
Posted Sept. 21, 2009
By PFW staff

The Buccaneers' safety corps ? already without FS Tanard Jackson, who still has two games left on his four-game suspension ? took another hit on Sunday, as Jermaine Phillips suffered a broken left thumb.

He's expected to miss the next 6-8 weeks and reports indicate the Bucs may place him on injured reserve, ending his season.

Phillips broke both forearms on seperate occassions last season. He was asked to move from strong safety to weak-side linebacker by head coach Raheem Morris in the offseason and agreed to try it out, but moved back to safety after the team learned of Jackson's suspension prior to the season.

Will Allen, who has played mostly on special teams since the start of the 2007 season, is a candidate to replace Phillips until Jackson returns.

ProFootballWeekly.com - Bucs S Phillips breaks left thumb

 

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Bucs' defense takes another hit
By Tom Balog
Published: Tuesday, September 22, 2009

TAMPA - Tampa Bay's 31st-ranked defense had one more wound to lick on Monday. Bucs head coach Raheem Morris revealed that often-injured safety Jermaine Phillips has a broken thumb that will sideline him indefinitely.

Phillips could miss between six and eight weeks.

It's a huge blow because Phillips, an eight-year veteran, is one of the best tacklers on a unit that is suffering growing pains with young players at several positions.

Backup safety Will Allen, who has 24 career starts, will replace Phillips.

Bucs' defense takes another hit | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida's Information Leader

 

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Allen ready to help Buc defense
By Ira Kaufman ? The Tampa Tribune ? September 24, 2009

TAMPA ? Safety Will Allen, looking forward to his first start since 2006, said he?s ready to lend a helping hand to a struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneer secondary.

With Tanard Jackson halfway through serving a four-game suspension and Jermaine Phillips out for the season with a fractured thumb, Allen is expected to start at free safety Sunday against the New York Giants.

?I look at myself as a leader,?? Allen said Wednesday. ?I?ve been voted captain of our special teams two years in a row and special teams are really big around here. I?m going to play hard every snap, but I?m not going in as a savior.??

The Bucs rank 31st in total defense and Tony Romo of Dallas and Buffalo?s Trent Edwards combined to post a startling 118.7 passer rating.

An erratic pass rush hasn?t helped as a depleted secondary prepares for the Giants' Eli Manning.

?I?m extremely optimistic,?? Allen said. ?We?ve got to keep fighting and get guys to believe. We?ve got to start building more chemistry as a unit. A lot of these guys haven?t played together before. We?re all learning here and we?re all growing. It?s going to be turned around sooner rather than later.??

Allen ready to help Buc defense | news-press.com | The News-Press

 

[Buckskin86]

Bucs Player in the Spotlight: Will Allen
by Niko Houllis on Sep 27, 2009

in 2005, the Starting Safeties for the Bucs, Will Allen and Jermaine Phillips showed big time promise as the concrete wall in the defense. Tampa Bay finished with the best defense in the NFL that year, but some coaching changes would be taking place that would have a large effect on that. Rod Marinelli; Gone to Detroit. Assistant Raheem Morris: Gone to be Defensive Coordinator. Mike Tomlin; Gone to be defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bucs secondary and D-line suffered. Not as bad as the Defensive backs did though. Will Allen and Jermaine Phillips were toasted regularly. It was so bad, that when the Bucs got Raheem Morris back as defensive backs coach instead of assistant, came back in 2007, the Bucs drafted a safety out of Syracuse Tanard Jackson, and started him as a rookie! Only once had Monte Kiffin had a rookie start for him, in 1996!

These days, Tanard is the main man, and will be again when his suspension is over. Will Allen is Captain; of special teams, where he actually does quite well.

This Sunday however, Will Allen will get the start with another safety Bucs fans have seen trying to chase down bombs in air. A strong outing would not only be completely unexpected, but would go a long way for Allen to redeem some respectability from not only his peers but the coaching staff too should a safety be called on to save the Bucs.

Bucs Player in the Spotlight: Will?Allen - Buc 'Em

 

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In his first start since 2006, Tampa Bay S Will Allen was credited with 10 tackles

Notebook: Johnson-led Bucs avoid sad historical footnote

 

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Injury report

DB Will Allen, left, broke his right thumb, with X-rays revealing a crack. He wore a cast after the game.

Key plays during the Bucs-Packers game - St. Petersburg Times

 

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Bucs' Allen undergoes surgery on thumb, out indefinitely
By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune
Published: November 10, 2009

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers probably have lost reserve safety Will Allen for a while, perhaps even the remainder of the season.

Allen had surgery on Tuesday to repair a right thumb injury he sustained during the Bucs victory Sunday over Green Bay.

Bucs' Allen undergoes surgery on thumb, out indefinitely

 

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Bucs Place Allen, Wilson On Injured Reserve
By: Jim Flynn and Scott Reynolds
November 11, 2009

Tampa Bay backup safety and special teams captain Will Allen sustained a fractured thumb vs. Green Bay on Sunday (Cliff Welch)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made several roster moves Wednesday.

The Bucs have placed backup safety Will Allen and linebacker Rod Wilson on injured reserve. The team filled those two roster spots by re-signing LB Matt McCoy and promoting cornerback Derrick Roberson from the practice squad to the 53-man active roster.

Allen, a special teams captain, sustained a broken thumb in Tampa Bay's 38-28 win over Green Bay. It is not clear what type of injury Wilson sustained to lead him to injured reserve, which ends his season.

Ironically, Allen is the second safety on Tampa Bay's roster to have his season end due to a thumb injury. Bucs S Jermaine Phillips sustained a fractured thumb that required surgery in Tampa Bay's Week 2 contest at Buffalo. Allen filled in for Phillips and suspended S Tanard Jackson, starting two games. He finishes the season with 21 tackles on defense.

?That?s big, man. He?s our special teams captain ? Captain Willie,? Bucs kick returner Clifton Smith said. ?He?s down. We?ve got to rally around him and the next person has to go pick up the stick and run with it.?

Bucs Place Allen, Wilson On Injured Reserve | Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Pewter Report