Arizona Cardinals rookie film room: 5 plays that define Zach Allen

[dscher]

No. Golden was an edge player, 34 OLB.

Allen is an interior player, 34 DE.

Gotcha. I know he played olb. I just wonder if you could hybrid any of these guys in today's game..we are getting alot of JJ Watt type freak athletes that can do it all in the box to a certain extent.. (and no, I'm not saying Allen is Watt..but he could be Watt-ish, imo)

 

[Krangodnzr]

Gotcha. I know he played olb. I just wonder if you could hybrid any of these guys in today's game..we are getting alot of JJ Watt type freak athletes that can do it all in the box to a certain extent.. (and no, I'm not saying Allen is Watt..but he could be Watt-ish, imo)

I see the Allen-Golden comparison like comparing Fitzgerald to Jermaine Gresham. Sure both catch passes and block, but they dont play the same position at all and really arent similar.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I compare him to Watt as a prospect. Nobody could tell that Watt would turn into an all-time great when he got drafted. Considering the huge amount of talent the 2011 draft held, Watt was viewed as a bad pick by most pundits. Watt is the prime example that you can get by without any bend and somewhat stiff-looking, if you have a good first step, excellent hands and non-stop motor. Zach Allen shares these traits with Watt. Their college film is similar. And no, you can't even expect Allen to turn into 10% the player Watt has become as a pro.

The comparison to Watt isn't meant to put pressure on Allen. It's just that they are quite similar as prospects. If you want a more reasonable comparison, I think of Brett Keisel. Same size, below average athleticism. Played upright, but won with hands and relentless spirit. Never a star, but had a great 10+ year career with the Steelers. Now Allen would already be a success if he turns out to be half the player Keisel was. Keisel was a similar, although much worse prospect than Allen. JJ Nelson compares to DeSean Jackson favorably, but he is a much worse player. They are just very similar. You get my point.

Even if considered a reach (by non-NFL GMs, mind you), Watt was drafted 11th. Allen was drafted top of third round. To say the are “similar as prospects” kustbdoesnt hold water.

 

[Delmar M Lewis]

I compare him to Watt as a prospect. Nobody could tell that Watt would turn into an all-time great when he got drafted. Considering the huge amount of talent the 2011 draft held, Watt was viewed as a bad pick by most pundits. Watt is the prime example that you can get by without any bend and somewhat stiff-looking, if you have a good first step, excellent hands and non-stop motor. Zach Allen shares these traits with Watt. Their college film is similar. And no, you can't even expect Allen to turn into 10% the player Watt has become as a pro.

The comparison to Watt isn't meant to put pressure on Allen. It's just that they are quite similar as prospects. If you want a more reasonable comparison, I think of Brett Keisel. Same size, below average athleticism. Played upright, but won with hands and relentless spirit. Never a star, but had a great 10+ year career with the Steelers. Now Allen would already be a success if he turns out to be half the player Keisel was. Keisel was a similar, although much worse prospect than Allen. JJ Nelson compares to DeSean Jackson favorably, but he is a much worse player. They are just very similar. You get my point.

What about my comparison of Allen to Dockett from what little I have seen they look exactly identical as players

 

[Krangodnzr]

What about my comparison of Allen to Dockett from what little I have seen they look exactly identical as players

How so? One was a 3 tech (Dockett) and the other is more of a 5 tech (Allen)

Allen's game is more leverage and hand fighting.

 

[Delmar M Lewis]

How so? One was a 3 tech (Dockett) and the other is more of a 5 tech (Allen)

Allen's game is more leverage and hand fighting.

Both are or were high energy high motor just damn good football players I remember watching Dock. In a allstar game crawl on his hands and knees to get to the QB and he did too if Allen has that kind of drive then he very well turn out to be the same kind of player that D. Dock was which would greatly improve the overall defense I didnt know they didn't play the same position either

 

[Cardsfaninlouky]

This is why you can’t scout on YouTube. They actually couldn’t put together 5 really impressive plays. In play 1 he beats a TE block. Most decent linemen would. I’ll be surprised if the Cards see him holding the edge much. He’s technically sound and fairly strong, but he’s not agile. He’s best going straight ahead. I think they try to build him into an inside player focused on collapsing the pocket in passing downs. I think he’s a role player at best. In most years that’s fine in round 3. This wasn’t most years.

From the film they showed of him when we drafted him, he doesn't show blazing outside rush ability, but he seemed to get inside the OT on strength & power alone. Just being able to tie up a blocker & possibly get held will either produce a holding penalty or free up a LB'er to make a play. I like the pick, we need some guys that can blow up the inside & depth at that position. Obviously he is strong now but will get much stronger working with the Cardinals strength coach.

 

[Cardsfaninlouky]

I agreed with k9 that he was ultimately a replacement for Nekemdiche. I guess with some of the tape I saw of him, he plays alot like Golden with his high motor....unlike diche. Did Golden not play ANY DE in the 3-4?

I'm not sure if Missouri ran a 3/4 or 4/3 but he started on the opposite side at DE along with Shane Ray. He was relentless. I hated the pressure those 2 put on my Kentucky Wildcat QB's lol.