It's Got To Be Something Else Concerning....

[ethurst2]

Jason Allen.

Jason Allen had a great preseason but there is something else as to why he isn't on the football field and Chris Crocker is and I believe that the problem is one of a personal nature.

I'm confused. If Sparano says that Jason Allen is the only DB that can handle playing the safety and cornerback position with natural instincts, then why is he still on the bench? When the defense was simplified in the second half of the season last year and Allen was put at his natural safety spot, things did get a little better. Why not try Allen and Bell as your safeties?

I think the real problem is that Jason Allen comes across as a "prima donna" to teammates and coaches. From people that I know in South Florida that is around the situation, Allen is another type of Ricky Williams who is a football player but just looks at it as a job. He hangs out mostly by himself instead of other teammates and just stays to himself. You won't find Allen giving you retreaded cliches. I haven't heard him say much but in the things I've heard him say, he's direct with his responses.

When the clock strikes 4PM, Allen is not around the building at 4:01PM.

But people say that he is extremely smart with the playbook and formations so he must be studying in different environments other than at the Davie complex.
 
That has not endeared him with the last two and current coaching staffs. First, there was the holdout with Nick Saban and Saban bouncing him around in the secondary like a pin ball.

Then there was Cam Cameron, who clearly didn't like Allen being in the starting lineup. Only after all the safeties went down last year, did Cam go with Allen and as I mentioned before, Allen played good ball.

Now there is Tony Sparano who said that Allen has great cover skills and range but he's on the bench. What's that all about?

I think that the Dolphins have a problem with Allen's personality. Put Jason Allen in New England or Pittsburgh's secondary and he would have a Pro Bowl year.

To me, Jason Allen isn't a bust. I just think that Allen, for the talent that he has is with the wrong team.

It's something about the Dolphins that puzzles me. The players the Dolphins let go or cut go on to fill important roles with other teams and actually perform better with their new teams than with the Dolphins.

But Jason Allen is no bust.

[Sunstroke]

Put Jason Allen in New England or Pittsburgh's secondary and he would have a Pro Bowl year.

Good read...nice fan passion, but this pro bowl nonsense is a leap I just can't agree with. I don't think he's a bust, and I question why he isn't being used more here as well, but Pro Bowl? Holy hyperbole, Batman!!  Each conference only loads 3 safeties on a pro bowl roster, usually 2 FS/1 SS, and I can think of a dozen safeties in the AFC off the top of my head that Jason Allen would have zero chance of beating out for that honor. If I was looking at rosters, the number would probably definitely be much larger.

Tell me you think he'd play a lot better...tell me that he'd have a breakout season...but saying he "would" have a pro bowl year seems sorta unrealistic.

[dolfan13]

its been 3 separate regimes, and totally different rosters. basically he has been playing for 3 different teams and still can't crack the starting lineup. this is not just "personal" and a change of scenery isn't going to do this guy any good. he's had 3 changes of scenery already...

[Brian Fein]

I agrfee with ethurst and I put this on Sparano.  Take a cliche from Wannstedt as you will but you gotta put your players on the field that put you in the best position to win the game.  If Jason Allen possesses the mental and physical tools to help cover Randy Moss, then personality be damned, he's playing in that game.  I am baffled by this - the guy starts the first three preseason games and plays well, shows good speed, coverage ability, and break on the ball.  He's a good tackler and can pick one off now and then, yet they opt for Jabroni-du-jour Chris Crocker.

Maybe J-Allen kicked Sparano's dog one day, or insulted his kid or something.  I can't figure it out.

[ethurst2]

Something is wrong with the way the Dolphins (for the past 8 years) have looked at players. I was looking at the Bears game the other day, and the guy we called turnstile in Miami (St.Clair, the offensive tackle) all of a sudden is opening big holes for that new running back. He couldn't push a blowup dummy when he was here in Miami.

Look at Grey Ruegamer. When Wannstedt had him, he could do nothing but on other teams, he's been productive.

I don't know if Wayne carries a curse with him but i cannot explain this strange event of players going elsewhere and having good to great success once they leave the Dolphins.

Even Chris Chambers, who I've highly criticized is playing like a new man.

Jason Allen deserves to be on the field. He had a great preseason even as far as practice. Maybe they are trying to find excuses to not resign him next year or if he is playing, he could hit some bonuses that they don't want to pay out.

[Dphins4me]

Jason Allen deserves to be on the field. He had a great preseason even as far as practice. Maybe they are trying to find excuses to not resign him next year or if he is playing, he could hit some bonuses that they don't want to pay out.

  While I agree, I think Allen now realizes he will not get a fair shake in Miami for what ever reason & wants out.   Miami is turning their back on a  talented player, but I hope he find success everywhere.

The NFL is full of players that did not fit in one place only to find stardom elsewhere.

I'm no longer holding out hope, but as you said.  There is more going on here behind the scene than simply his play is not good enough.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

The NFL is full of players that did not fit in one place only to find stardom elsewhere.

The problem is, a lot of players seem to not fit in Miami but become stars or at least solid players elsewhere.

Look at the players ethurst mentioned:

John St. Clair, Grey Ruegamer, Chris Chambers

I'll add a few more:

Norman Hand, Keith Byars, Tyrone Braxton, George Teague, Tony Martin

[Thundergod]

Maybe being around better players helps them stand out?  Just a thought.

[Dphins4me]

The problem is, a lot of players seem to not fit in Miami but become stars or at least solid players elsewhere.

Look at the players ethurst mentioned:

John St. Clair, Grey Ruegamer, Chris Chambers

I'll add a few more:

Norman Hand, Keith Byars, Tyrone Braxton, George Teague, Tony Martin

  Not sure I would have used Teague in there.   Byars was  a 7 vet when he arrived in Miami & did a good job while there.

IMO.  Its comes down to what coaches think & not what they see.  If they think a player is not good enough then no matter what that player does they do not notice it.  However, if they think a player has talent then no matter the player does not do, they do not notice that.

Its why players such as Hand & Martin found success elsewhere.  Another factor is  sometimes players mature after leaving & being cut was a wake up call..

[fyo]

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