Devon Allen to make NFL debut this evening

Dolphins' rookie running back ran 10.14/20.20 in college - Devon Achane.

No, but I watched him in two straight training camps. I don't care about what he did at Oregon, this is the NFL. You like him because he's a runner, works hard, and has a good attitude. I do too. He's a very likable person.

But to say he can play, at the NFL level, makes no sense. He's literally not a top 4 receiver on the Eagles. He's on the 53 man roster because Quez Watkins/Boston Scott are injured. He's on the practice squad otherwise. He's rated exactly where he should be.

I do want him to be successful, but LRC looks at him with rose colored glasses.

Did you miss the video where he blew by defendes to catch a long td pass? Did you miss his 75 yard punt return?

This cat can play that is why he's there. And in case ya don't know all the NFLers are there because of those NCAA exploits.

Jerry Rice dropped how many passes his rookie season?

At 28 amazingly Allen is already old by NFL standards. He really only has 2 to 4 years left. Having scored in pre season games both as receiver and returner, he's already shown he is NFL ready. As injuries continue to pile up, he'll either stay on Eagles or another team will scoop him up off the practice squad.

Of course we like him as a runner, but it's not like hoping Cole Hocker can make it. You apparently have some axe to grind against him.

I have no axe to grind. I specifically said I want him to be successful. I really do like him.

Don't believe me if you don't want to. The Eagles coaches, who are paid for their expertise in football, are saying he's not good enough for a spot. Look at the depth chart, he's #7. He's not even the best punt returner on the team. There's just more to it than being fast.

Can he play? Yes, he can play well enough to make the practice squad/occasional call up. That's not me saying that, its the entire NFL, any of them can sign him to their roster and they aren't.

The eagles coaches are saying he's good enough to be on the practice squad, which is much closer to making an actual roster than 150 million other males get. You focus on speed, they have him because he now has 10 years of organized football experience and he can catch, block, run precise routes, return and even tackle on special teams. If they only want speed, there are younger even faster guys.

He's been scoopable for a full season plus and no team has used the available scoop. Chances are he's not showing what NFL evaluators wish for to take up a roster spot consistently. There's a good chance that he's released and available to be re-signed to the PS once the Eagles receiving corps is back to full strength.

This is exactly what I'm trying to say. He's good as a fill in due to injury, but he's not good enough to make a 53 man roster. If he was, he'd be on one by now. He's not some undiscovered talent, the scouts know exactly what he is and isn't. He will 100% be back on the practice squad if/when they get healthy.

It's actually calumniate.

It was a good 52 yd return by Covey, but who's to say Allen wouldn't have taken it all the way? I'd say there's a good chance he would have, and I'm sure the same thought has crossed the mind of the eagles coaches. They're probably just nervous he could drop it or something, or that he's easier to tackle if you CAN get a hand on him. And the reason we are interested in this practice squad player is because we are a running website..

Allen has not fielded a punt for the Eagles in preseason in either year while Covey's been their regular punt returner this season and done a good job. There's no reason to stick Allen in there at this point. First goal of a punt returner is ball security.

Allen is a kick returner at this point. That was one job Quez Watkins (along with Covey) had and the reason Allen was brought to the roster rather than Greg Ward.

Only a handful of those few dozen HSers might make it to the NFL. Straight, flat out speed isn't necessarily that important. So many good football players don't even run track. Or you discover that an NFL star who you're following "only" has a time of 10.80.

Also, if the 100m was his main event, he would for sure be faster at it.

Hill's greatest trait is to be able to stop on a dime and get back to full speed in a couple of strides. He also plays much bigger than his stature.

Devon Allen has shown none of this ability.

More of this speculation nonsense of which LRC is famous for. Do you know the difference between running back a punt and running back a kickoff? Covey can cut and switch direction then accelerate quickly all Allen can do is run in a straight line that's why he's on kickoffs. And don't kid yourself, Covey goes 4.5 in the 40 and is not slow. 100 speed is overrated because 100 yards is rarely covered a football game, the 40 is a more useful gauge.

But you are right about the track fandom, it's the only reason he's got a thread about him because track people think they are sooooo superior. As an NFL player he's a non discussion topic.

What a debut!

Les, it may also be that the NFL can't see anything before their eyes except the label "track guy." The NFL is famous for group think and bias related to traditional perceptions of what a player should be like at various positions. This leads to many misses in the draft and many guys on rosters who don't belong. Take Zach Wilson, please. He has been absolutely atrocious. Yet, he continues to get chances. Somehow he looks and acts like a quarterback, off the football field. Allen has shown some pretty impressive preseason highlights without getting the regular season opportunities to show his stuff. Still, it hurts to be on a strong team.

Excellent. I wish him well. Does he get an increase in pay for this improved status?

Go Birds

So you know nothing about the NFL...although still likely more than Deno.