The Absurdity of Nate Allen Hate

by Talon Talent on Jan 3, 2012 12:28 AM EST

There is a lot of hate being spread Nate Allen's way and after 2 seasons a lot of people are saying he doesn't have what it takes to be a safety in the NFL. Jumping to this conclusion is showing a befuddling amount of short sightedness.

Nate Allen ruptured his patellar tendon in December of 2010. Up until that point a lot of people considered him a good rookie who could definitely man the Eagles FS spot for years to come.

Nate Allen returned to the Eagles line up in September of this year, 8 months after suffering his injury. Now according to http://www.sportsmd.com/Articles/id/19.aspx

...a return to athletic activities is delayed until 4-6 months after surgery based on leg strength and range of motion. The rehabilitation for chronic reconstructions is more substantial and prolonged than above.

Well with 8 months he should have been good to go but wait...the lockout prevented Allen from getting the extensive rehab procedures any other NFLer suffering this injury would have gotten during a non lockout year. Since the lockout didn't end until July of 2011, Allen was only receiving proper rehab for 2 months until he made his first appearance for the Eagles this year.

Any injury in the NFL takes time to recover from but who else of note has suffered the same type of injury as Allen and how did they perform the following season?

Ryan Clady, OT for the Broncos, suffered a partailly torn patellar tendon in April of 2010 but returned in time for the first game of the season. Going into the season he was rated as a top 5 OT but was not the same and by all accounts had a dismal year. Caddillac Williams tore his patellar tendon in September of 2007. He returned in November of 2008. He was not very good (2.4 yards per carry) but only a month later was performing well (4.3 yards per carry) before tearing his other patellar tendon. Total time to get back to normal, 1 year and 3 months. After tearing his other patellar tendon, Williams rehabbed and returned the following September. He started off like gangbusters (5.2 yds per carry) before being average for the next 2 months (3.6 and 3.3 yards per carry) and returning to normal that December (4.7 yards per carry), 1 year after his injury.

So how was Nate upon his return from injury. Less then spectacular absolutely. Allen's first 3 months of the season resulted in 33 total tackles, 1 int (returned for 13 yards) and only 2 passes defensed. However once December rolled around and we reached closer to that 1 year mark from initial injury, Nates stats jumped. Over December and the 1 game in January, Allen recorded 26 total tackles, 1 int ( returned for 31 yards) and 5 passes defensed.

See given any NFL injury the main ingredient for recovery is time. As Nate got further and further away from the initial injury his play improved. Hanging the young man after 2 seasons, one where he spent a large amount of the time at less then 100 hundred percent, is the exact kind of overreaction that makes for ridiculous conversations that get nowhere. Next year he will be fully recovered and will most likely show great improvement so lets give him anoother year as a fanbase.

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Comments

Couldn't agree more!!

Thank you!!! I couldn’t agree more! I’m so glad someone else said it.

Three major things hindered Nate’s play early this season.
1. The obvious recovery time from the knee injury.
2. Weak linebacker play resulted in extra pressure on the safeties to come down in the box to stop the run.
3. Slow learning curve and bad scheme of DC Castillo.

I have a great feeling that next yer we will be talking bout Nate Allen as a key cog in a stellar secondary and a pro-bowl hopeful.

Rob Wetmore
Leading Edge Martial Arts
www.leadingedgema.com

by LEKSensei on Jan 3, 2012 12:42 AM EST reply actions

Also confidence in his knee.

by mgrisez on Jan 4, 2012 3:28 PM EST up reply actions

First impressions are hard to get over...

And let’s be honest, Nate had a very poor start to the year. I’m sure the injury had a lot to do with it, but it doesn’t change the fact that he was bad.

Over the last month or so, he’s actually been pretty good, but the common refrain has still been how awful he is. His tackling has been sound, his coverage has improved… PFF has had him graded as positive in every game.

I’ll be interested to see him next year. If he picks up where he left off and plays like he has for this past month, I think we’ll have a very solid NFL starter here.

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by JasonB on Jan 3, 2012 12:50 AM EST reply actions

my first impression of him was last season starting off with him getting a couple of picks in the first few games. i’m hoping he can get back to that!

by RogerPodacter on Jan 3, 2012 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

what about the ACTUAL first impression

he started off his rookie season with picks in the first 2 games and looked well worth trading mcnabb

fuck the cowboys

by griffeagles on Jan 3, 2012 9:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

True that

I wrote a post about how much Nate Allen was sucking after the Seattle game. But seeing him get back in his rookie year form as his health has improved is one of the reasons I’m so optimistic

Him or DRC is getting comeback player of the year in 2012

by dstern77 on Jan 3, 2012 1:04 AM EST reply actions

Totally agree man

I know as fan people tend to overreact quite a bit and jump to alot of conclusions. Look at Dom Brown of the phillies. He wasn’t all that bad but people turned on him so fast because his BA wasn’t good enough for them. People need to back off a bit and give young guys a chance to grow into their positions. Not everyone is a Suh or a Partick Willis.

"Who's Been Eatin' Hummus" DJAX

Im not JIBTA.

by howard is better than pujols on Jan 3, 2012 1:22 AM EST reply actions

Also people are already calling Graham a bust. People really need to chill the fuck out

He was having a pretty good rookie year until he got hurt. And since he got hurt so late in the season last year, it should have been obvious that this season would probably be lackluster or nonexistent. He was one of the best DE’s in the draft. Give the dude time to recover. Graham and Nate are gonna be fixtures on the defense for years to come (Hopefully one that’s run by Spags :)

"Who's Been Eatin' Hummus" DJAX

Im not JIBTA.

by howard is better than pujols on Jan 3, 2012 1:27 AM EST up reply actions

It just occured to me how ridiculous it is to shit on a draft where the 1st round pick tears his ACL and the 2nd round pick tears his patella tendon (or whatever). People definitely need to chill

by dstern77 on Jan 3, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

Have you not seen him out there?

All his interceptions his rookie year were basically given to him. just look at them. His interceptions this year were given to him as well. just look at them. He is in no way a ballhawk. He is constantly beat in coverage and gets lucked out by poorly thrown balls. The only good read he had while recording an int was against the lions last year when SHAUN HILL was their QB. And i can’t believe you are mentioning the int against the redskins. Nate Allen was no where near Armstrong and came in at the last minute off a DRC deflection. He was simply in the right place at the right time. He was trailing the entire play. He was not making a play in his designated coverage. oh, and Rex Grossman, enough said. The passes defensed were against the likes of McGee, Grossman, Moore, and Losman…wooooooo. He gets carved up by any good QB’s.

As for run support he lacks any intensity. He never makes any plays on the carrier. He does not create any turnovers, he has one FF in his career. He is always taking horrible angles in support. He is very inconsistent in support. One game he will look good and the next just flat out horrible. He makes no big hits and does not run through his tackles. Take the lynch run for example. Allen runs to the LOS, takes an outside angle and just stands there. You know full well you need to gang tackle Lynch. Rather than pushing the pile and getting a hand on lynch he stands there and then chases him after he breaks free. Look at Forte and F Jackson’s games against. Nate Allen was always trailing on those runs.

Some may say that the injury is to blame but I see the same player pre and post injury. An injury does not prevent a player from diagnosing a play and put him out of position. Plus, the players you mentioned (Clady and Williams) have never returned to form from their injuries. Nate Allen was mediocre to begin with, and will stay that way. We need a safety in FA or the draft. Man do I miss Dawkins and Q…

by CornOnTheKolb on Jan 3, 2012 1:42 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Isn’t part of being a good nfl player being in the right place at the right time?

I'm great like Gatsby.

by Clint Eastwood on Jan 3, 2012 6:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Id say thats like 75% of being a good safety. Check out Eric Berry highlights college or pros, he kinda just floats to the ball and makes the tackles he should. Only Ed Reed/Polamalu make those out of nowhere plays. Nate Allens not that, but hes known as a very studious player who I am convinced can be solid in all aspects of the game

by dstern77 on Jan 3, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

I have to agree more with CornOnTheKolb’s assessment. Nate had shown some flashes here and there, but all too often he takes terrible angles, or just gets bowled over when he does have good position.

I hope he proves me wrong next year, but as of now I am not confident.

by captain nodar on Jan 3, 2012 7:55 AM EST up reply actions

hes not aggressive enough, or just cant handle the workload

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Jan 4, 2012 9:34 PM EST up reply actions

sure, you can hate on a guy for making an easy INT, but then what do you do when another player misses on an easy INT, like we have seen dozens of times over the years. those players should just be cut on the spot, right?

by RogerPodacter on Jan 3, 2012 9:35 AM EST up reply actions

He was definetly not the same player pre and post injury. He won Defensive Rookie of the Month. Throw out all tape of this year thru the Seattle game

by dstern77 on Jan 3, 2012 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

I agree totally with corn on the kolb

He isn’t a special player at all. Name something he excels at…. He is a JAG

Be heard and Sign the Fire Andy/Juan petition Fire Andy Reid and Juan Castillo Petition | GoPetition

by the-vet on Jan 3, 2012 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

Pretty apt summary. He didn’t play well last year before he blew out his knee. He will get another year to another year next year to show what he has though.

by MG77 on Jan 3, 2012 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

In Brian Dawkins’ first two years, he had one forced fumble. Give the guy some time.

by TommykUD on Jan 4, 2012 10:38 AM EST up reply actions

this

but he won’t be Dawk…no one is Dawk

Trevor Laws: "Thank Giants for kicking to (Desean)."
Mike Vick: "Why would they kick to Desean?"
Matt Dodge: "Snap too high!"
NJ Eagle: "Fly Eagles Fly!!!"

by NJEagle on Jan 4, 2012 6:50 PM EST up reply actions

but Nate Allen is a Pussy

by CornOnTheKolb on Jan 4, 2012 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

he def needs to bulk/toughen up …hes such a bad fuckin tackler….Dawkins made sure you went down….

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Jan 4, 2012 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

He has a great frame at 6'1'' and 210lbs

maybe pack on some more muscle while maintaining that weight. It is more a mindset thing with Nate.

by CornOnTheKolb on Jan 4, 2012 9:44 PM EST up reply actions

I find it very plausible

to not like him.

At least one more year of Andy and Juan. If they don't win it all they both better be gone!

by MightyJoeBanner on Jan 3, 2012 7:45 AM EST reply actions

agreed.

Be heard and Sign the Fire Andy/Juan petition Fire Andy Reid and Juan Castillo Petition | GoPetition

by the-vet on Jan 3, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

Jarrett

Did anyone pay particular attention to Jarrett on Sunday? If so, what was your assessment?

by captain nodar on Jan 3, 2012 7:55 AM EST reply actions

Didn't hear his name called practically at all

Which means plays usually got stopped before they reached his level, I guess, or he wasn’t ever woefully out of place.

French fries are really Belgian, sausages and bagels have the same amount of protein, two countries' names mean "turkey", and Santa Claus was invented by the Coca-Cola company. Is life weird or what?

Debe ser verde y volante - Πράσινο και να πετάει - It's gotta be green and it's gotta fly!

by Rabbit T on Jan 3, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

I do remember a couple of missed tackles when he was in the box in run support. Other than that I don’t remember much of note, either positive or negative

by davidbt11 on Jan 3, 2012 10:11 AM EST up reply actions

had we taken.....

earl thomas over graham this wouldnt be a issue ….

by goldenbird09 on Jan 3, 2012 8:44 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

He’d only be playing one of two safety positions.

And we’d all be complaining about how he’s one of the worst tacklers in the NFL… because he is.

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by JasonB on Jan 3, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

like you and i have discussed before

I think we are drawn to his cover skills, not his tackling, he should honestly be a corner as he was a hybrid out of college

Trevor Laws: "Thank Giants for kicking to (Desean)."
Mike Vick: "Why would they kick to Desean?"
Matt Dodge: "Snap too high!"
NJ Eagle: "Fly Eagles Fly!!!"

by NJEagle on Jan 3, 2012 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

Unless you know

he tore his ACL like Graham did or got injured like Nate did.

"Descartes commanded the future from his study more than Napoleon did from his throne."

by Euler.is.a.Pimp on Jan 3, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

Good thing we didn't trade up for Eric Berry.

His production was atrocious in the latter half of this past season.

Oh boy, is this great!

by MayIhave10,000marblesplease? on Jan 3, 2012 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

EB tore his acl

My mojo so dope. BITCH!
"People always call me up and ask me: "Why do you think you can fly?"
"Because I'm an Eagle:)." Randall Cunningham

by dday on Jan 3, 2012 6:35 PM EST up reply actions

VOID!!!

by dt3 on Jan 4, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

lol

My mojo so dope. BITCH!
"People always call me up and ask me: "Why do you think you can fly?"
"Because I'm an Eagle:)." Randall Cunningham

by dday on Jan 4, 2012 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

All I have to say is watch the tape

he was awful, injury or not. His read/react skills were terrible. He never came up and read out a run play. Was confused by what coverage he was playing. Had no chemistry with the defense. I am a big east guy by heart and did like this guy out of the draft but I just don’t think he is our answer. I would rather see an upgrade here….

Be heard and Sign the Fire Andy/Juan petition Fire Andy Reid and Juan Castillo Petition | GoPetition

by the-vet on Jan 3, 2012 1:59 PM EST reply actions

Great post

couldn’t agree more

Born in North Carolina; raised a Philly fan

The blood in my veins is red but when you cut me it turns GREEN!!

Xbox Gamertag is Bleed Greenery for anyone interested in some Madden or Call of Duty

by CarolinaGreen on Jan 3, 2012 2:08 PM EST reply actions

Agree 100% with this

Hate has gone way too far

by Mr.electric10 on Jan 3, 2012 3:35 PM EST reply actions

really?

“"I want to throw down your kid and stomp on his testicles, and then you will know what it is like to experience waking up everyday as me. And only then will you feel my pain."

No? How about this?

“I can sell out Madison Square Garden masturbating.”

No? How about this?

“Lennox Lewis, I’m coming for you man. My style is impetuous. My defense is impregnable, and I’m just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah!”
“My main objective is to be professional but to kill him.”
“I want to rip out his heart and feed it to him. I want to kill people. I want to rip their stomachs out and eat their children.”

Get em’ IRON Mike!

At least one more year of Andy and Juan. If they don't win it all they both better be gone!

by MightyJoeBanner on Jan 4, 2012 8:05 AM EST up reply actions

very confused be this…..

by Mr.electric10 on Jan 5, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

haha

He said hate has gone WAY too far….

I used Mike Tyson quotes as a display of what too far really looks like. Or in reality it would be racist remarks towards Nate, wishing him dead, death threats…..Saying he sucks and we need to replace him is just stating an opinion.

At least one more year of Andy and Juan. If they don't win it all they both better be gone!

by MightyJoeBanner on Jan 6, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

I don't hate Allen

But I also don’t think he’ll ultimately end up being the guy we want him to be. Same with Graham, lot’s of potential but also two years of excuses. And that’s a slippery slope, even if they are valid.

Joe, the reason we shout "WE ARE" and the reason the answer will always be "PENN STATE"

by Rogue Nine on Jan 3, 2012 5:33 PM EST reply actions