WGR

‘Peterman was the second quarterback in Sunday afternoon on Military Appreciation day here at St. John Fisher College. Then it was the rookie Allen’s turn after that. But, as usual, all three QBs wound up taking snaps with the starting offense at some point throughout the practice.’

‘“I mean, I felt like I would’ve been even more successful if … I don’t know, man… If I would’ve…Looking back at it, I should’ve just been drafted by somebody else. I should’ve never went to Carolina. Truly, I just think Carolina was bad for me. It was bad a bad fit from the get-go. If you would’ve put me with any other Quarterback, let’s be real, you know what I’m saying? Any other accurate quarterback like Rodgers or Eli Manning or Big Ben — anybody! – quarterbacks with knowledge, that know how to place a ball and give you a better chance to catch the ball. It just felt like I wasn’t in that position.”’

‘“The hard thing about it is it always seems like it’s the onus of the defender not to do it. You can have a runningback running through and he dips, so you lower because this is a game of leverage, so I’m lowering and if I still hit him with my facemask and you have it at a certain angle you may think I dropped my head, but they look at it on film and say, “No, that’s a good play,’ but it’s a 15 yard penalty and that could’ve hurt the team.”’

‘After practice I asked Edmunds to walk me through the play. McCoy, walking nearby, overheard the conversation and came over. He said with a smile, “I want to hear what he says.” Edmunds diplomatically praised the 30-year old running back for how great of a player he is and how going against him makes the entire defense better. Before McCoy walked away he looked at the group of reporters interviewing Edmunds and said, “Something I will say this about him,” looking at his teammate. “In about two years, he’s going to be one of the best players in the league, for real.”’

‘“I remember growing up, how much it meant to me to talk to athletes. I was in middle school and the Millard West starting quarterback, he was everything, and there was a D-lineman there who probably never even went on to play in college, but I just thought the world of him,” recalled the Omaha, Nebraska native. “I just hoped that when I got to that platform, those kids were doing the same thing I was doing. Anytime I can go back and tell them the same message they’ve been hearing somebody else, maybe they’d be more willing to listen because of who it came from.”’

‘One play, and it’s not something to build an offense around… but it stuck with me. McCarron might win the job to start because he can be relied upon to make some easier plays and “not get you beat”. Once Allen goes in, it’ll be a ride… and I’d bet the Bills are hoping he gets opportunities just like that play.’

‘As I mentioned, the overall performance of the passing game left a lot to be desired. At times the quarterbacks were holding on to the ball too long and the play was whistled dead since it would have been a sack. There were other times where the offensive line had breakdowns and left pass rushers coming free. During one of the 11 on 11 periods, Kyle Williams sacked McCarron on three straight plays.’

‘Despite the chaos, McCarron was unfazed, “That happens sometimes, its part of the game. That’s what I try to tell the guys, that it’s not always going to be perfect and you win some and you lose some and today, we just lost that opportunity, but it’s also an opportunity to learn from it and then get better.’

‘“Things are going well,” Allen said. “Just getting back into the swing of things with football, diving into the playbook and going out there and executing plays…we’re dormed up so to get to know teammates on a deeper level and develop those relationships I think is going to help us on the field.”’

‘But prior to that in 1-on-1 drills, Benjamin made two highlight-reel catches, both against Tre’Davious White, even though the second-year cornerback seemed to have excellent coverage. The first was deep in the middle of the back of the end zone. White was just off Benjamin’s hip. McCarron threaded the needle, allowing the 6’ 5” wideout to stretch his hands out and grab it as his body was falling out of the back of the end zone. He not only got both feet inbounds, but it looked like both legs also landed inside the chalk before the rest of his body came down out of bounds.’

‘I wasn’t convinced that talent would be enough to overcome lack of experience and put Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott and company at ease with the idea of playing the seventh overall pick in the April draft in Baltimore on opening day. It still might not be enough but what many observers have termed as a very low bar for Allen could also clear his path to the number one job by September 9th. While Allen is still getting the fewest number of reps with the ones, neither McCarron nor Peterman has done anything to improve their chances of winning this competition.’

‘For an opportunity to see Russell in action, the next practice open to fans will be on Wednesday at 8:45 AM.’

‘The wide receiver group has rotated so much with players playing with all three hits that it’s hard to put together a fair chart. For the most part, though, Kelvin Benjamin and Jeremy Kerley are constants, with plenty of others getting opportunities.’

‘Taking all of that in and looking at the big picture, it’s clear Allen is a legitimate option to become the team’s starter week one at the Baltimore Ravens. Of course there is still a long way to go and he hasn’t been perfect by any means, but to anyone watching practice, from fans in the stands to local or national media on the sidelines, there’s no doubting who the most naturally gifted QB is on the field every day.’

‘”There is a buy in that’s important. For a new coach, new teacher, new whatever. Winning early was big, starting off 5-2. At the end of the day, you hope the buy in comes.”‘