Austin Allen Vs The Field Of Dreamers
June 30th, 2018
GM Jason Licht has a QB decision to make
The Buccaneers have a fourth quarterback on their roster, but is the team willing to ride with him as their potential No. 3 or No. 2 QB with Jameis Winston suspended for the first three games of the season?
There is a roster spot open now with the booting of free agent bust guard J.R. Sweezy. So we’ll soon find out where undrafted rookie QB Austin Allen out of Arkansas really stands with the front office.
(Sorry, Sweezy fans, he didn’t get the job done. And anyone gets the “bust” label when he pockets massive quantities of Team Glazer loot and doesn’t help the cause.)
Allen was a two year starter at Arkansas. He had a very strong 2016, leading the SEC in passing yards, followed by a poor 2017, which included a shoulder injury.
With the help of SECCountry.com, Joe has compiled some nuggets on Allen. First, he played behind an offensive line that allowed him to get dropped at a near record pace. He was known for being a tough guy — and for holding the ball too long. In his 17th college start, a hit at South Carolina injured his throwing shoulder and he missed four games.
Allen also had a reputation for being loose with the football, throwing three second-half picks his lone Bowl game appearance and leading the SEC in interceptions in 2016.
Allen measured at 6-0 at his Pro Day, so he’s not an NFL prototype and Joe could see that on the Buccaneers practice field.
So what will Jason Licht do?
Veteran backup QB T.J. Yates, 31, is on the street. He played for Dirk Koetter with the Falcons in 2014. Fantasy football fans know well that Yates started three games for the Texans last season and was brutal. He did with his two starts with the Texans back in 2015, and played for Miami in 2016.
He seems like the most likely QB to latch on with the Bucs, if Koetter and Licht want another experienced arm.
Former Pro Bowler Derek Anderson, Cam Newton’s backup for the past seven years, may be the most intriguing option on the street. But Joe can’t imagine Anderson would want to be an emergency veteran in Tampa.
June 30th, 2018 at 10:21 am
“I have no doubt Licht Bulb is talking to Arizona/Steve Kiem for Long neck Glennon….Giaraffe has a reasonable 2 year 4 mill per contract.”
Kobe Faker
June 30th, 2018 at 10:29 am
Ryan Griffin should play the three games Winston is out. The kid looked good last preseason before he was injured!
June 30th, 2018 at 10:31 am
What I find interesting is Ryan Griffin….the Bucs have used a roster spot for 3 years to retain Griffin….and yet, he is still not our primary backup…..now we are talking about bringing in a backup for Fitz in front of Griffin.
What gives…..does he have videos on Licht jumping in his pool, naked with someone other than his wife?
Some have said Griffin would have been the primary backup to Winston but he was injured……now, if that were the case….what is the excuse now?
June 30th, 2018 at 10:59 am
“You guys actually think Klueless can evaluate talent”
“2019, Giaraffe Glennon will be the Bucs Bridge QB and they will package (Tampa #1 and JW3 trade draft pick to get get 1 of top 2 rookie QBs) ”
“Klueless destroyed my career”
Blaine Gabbert
June 30th, 2018 at 11:02 am
AOBJ…….
June 30th, 2018 at 11:36 am
Austin Allen. . . . well our season is saved.. . . Super Bowl Baby!!!!!!!!
::facepalm::
June 30th, 2018 at 11:37 am
Those of you who believe Griffin should be playing, well, that’s based on hope not facts. All he’s shown is he can get hurt. As for Allen, well, if we lose our top 3 QBs we are going to lose. Period.
June 30th, 2018 at 11:57 am
No way Allen should play over Ryan Griffin. There’s a reason we’ve held his roster spot for three years. I’d have more faith in Griffin than Yates. Yates is the definition of a Career Clipboard Holder.
June 30th, 2018 at 12:01 pm
IMHP I think McCarren would be a good pick up. At times when he played in Cincy, he looked better than Dalton. Could be a #1 QB
June 30th, 2018 at 12:40 pm
Arkansas guy here. Austin Allen is 10 times better than his brother Brandon who is currently playing with the Rams. In his Junior year, Austin flashed promise that would’ve made him draftable, even tho he was crushed. I have never seen a QB taken the repeated beatings that he did over his career. Bielema’s outdated offense just got him killed. By his Senior season, he really started looking shell shocked. The beatings continued. Many of his INT’s were just him trying to stay safe or playing catch up. He is at best a practice squad guy. I think he needs minimally a year to get right then he can start to think about playing. All being said, he is on par with Fitz as far as arm strength goes, but that isn’t a glowing endorsement. Neither of those guys arms will get any stronger. He isn’t as mobile as even Winston. I wish I could say, he’s the man!! but I just can’t.
June 30th, 2018 at 2:01 pm
Allen will be a camp arm, period. Maybe he unseats Griffin as #3 at best. But I am betting both are gone and a game-experienced QB is brought on to back up or even compete with Fitz. Jameis is #3 spot and has to earn his way out up to #2.
June 30th, 2018 at 2:11 pm
Why are we even worried about carrying a 3rd QB on the roster? Almost all teams only carry 2 QBs nowadays anyways. If Griffin doesn’t cut it, replace him. If he does, let’s worry about more important things.
June 30th, 2018 at 3:12 pm
I am with the first two responses what’s up with Griffin? I actually feel really good about Fitz starting as long as the defense isn’t as ambarrasing as they are know for being
But why have they been carrying this Griffin guy around for so long? Is there some special potential there?
Screw it start the kid week 1 and let’s see if they found the next Tom brady
June 30th, 2018 at 4:35 pm
Kobe… Glennon ain’t coming here, too overpriced for why I don’t know. JR Squeezy was able to squeeze out an oversized amount for his is he or is he not going to play mystery. A few fans calling for Kaepernick, yeah that’ll happen when pigs fly.
June 30th, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Great, more shoulder injuries…
July 1st, 2018 at 11:10 pm
This was the year to draft QBs they said. Might be a few years before another Franchise caliber QB comes along. The next time one comes along, you mortgage the farm. The Falcons traded a draft for Julio. Crazy at the time but it’s paid off. And that was for a receiver. A QB is worth more. Until then it’s Jameis. Besides, the Bucs have blown more picks than Matt Millen. From 2000-2013: 4 times no pick and only Gerald McCoy paid off (maybe). Then it’s Evans, Winston, Hargreaves, Howard and Vea. Hargreaves is on a tight rope and Winston is on a cliff. Vea who knows. Look at rounds 2,3,4 since 2000 and it’s worse. There’s a few players still on the Bucs that are good. The Bucs have been by far the worst drafting team since the Millenium. They are maybe 10% and that’s being generous. If you want to know why they’re where they are, your answer is there. Still optimistic this season and Jason Licht should not be fired under any time soon.