Jason Allen making strides just in the nick of time

[DolFan619]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdolphins14sbaug14,0,600554.story

Jason Allen making strides just in the nick of time

By Omar Kelly
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

August 14, 2008

DAVIE - All Jason Allen's outstretched body was missing Saturday night during a third-down stand against the Buccaneers was a cape.

Tampa Bay receiver Antonio Bryant was just about to haul in a first-down catch along the sideline of last weekend's 17-6 exhibition loss. But that was before a sprawled-out Allen made what coach Tony Sparano described as a "tremendous play," slapped the ball away, getting his defense off the field.

That single play was one of the few times the Dolphins' safety has been noticed since training camp opened, and that's a good thing for the Dolphins and their fans.

Usually when a player in the secondary gets noticed it's because he's getting torched on a passing play. Last season at this time, Allen stood out like a sore thumb during training camp for that exact reason.

It was his second season in the NFL, and the Dolphins unwisely were experimenting with him as cornerback. The quarterbacks regularly picked on the green defender.

The 2006 first-round pick was sparingly used in the first seven games, but when injuries ravaged the safety position, his coaches were forced to put the No. 16 pick out on the field. And, to their surprise, he blossomed.

Allen contributed 66 tackles, a forced fumble and led the team with three interceptions during his nine starts.

"I see a lot of change in Jason. From now to when he first came here you can definitely see the confidence," said Yeremiah Bell, Allen's strong safety counterpart. "His confidence level has shot up and his play on the field has reflected that."

When the new coaching staff came, Allen knew he'd have to prove himself all over again, and this time around he's done it with ease. His practice play has been consistent enough to have him lock down the opening-day starting free safety spot if he stays healthy.

Allen credits his experiences last year, and his understanding of the Dolphins' new scheme, for his drastic improvement.

"It's like going from the hardest math class you can imagine to basic algebra. It's easier by far," Allen said of the new defense, which numerous players describe as player-friendly. "Algebra isn't the easiest math, but it's not calculus."

Instead of having to make numerous presnap reads, checks and audibles like last season, the Dolphins' new secondary typically makes one presnap adjustment, and challenges opposing offenses to react to what they're doing.

Allen openly admits that style of play suits him best because it's the processing that slows down his natural reaction to what's happening on the field.

"It just gives you an opportunity to go out and play, and not think. When you go on the field and start thinking, it slows you down," Allen said. "With how fast things happen on Sundays you can't go out there thinking. You have to react."

Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni and secondary coach Todd Bowles have a saying they constantly hammer to the players: "Know, and know you know."

Allen's taken that slogan to heart.

Considering how productive he was on the field against the Buccaneers, Sparano said he wishes he'd had played the former Tennessee Volunteer more than he did. He plans to correct that oversight against Jacksonville.

"[He's] athletic, fast, and really pretty active in the back end," Sparano said. "He can do a lot of jobs back there."

[yuppi]

i almost forgot who this guy is
he better do somethign.


go dolphins