{"id":117772,"date":"2021-07-11T14:37:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-11T18:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=117772"},"modified":"2021-07-11T16:28:47","modified_gmt":"2021-07-11T20:28:47","slug":"ricardo-allen-can-be-secret-weapon-for-bengals-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/07\/11\/ricardo-allen-can-be-secret-weapon-for-bengals-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Ricardo Allen Can Be Secret Weapon for Bengals Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amidst a series of flashy off-season additions, Ricardo Allen<\/a> flew under the radar for the Cincinnati Bengals. After six seasons as a starter with the Atlanta Falcons<\/a>, the Bengals added the veteran to its young defense. With the team in desperate need of identity building, Allen brings some spice to the table. Plus, in the run-heavy AFC North, another roaming weapon could prove quite valuable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Heading Into 2021, Ricardo Allen Might End Up Being an Off-Season Steal<\/span><\/h2>\n

Over the last two off-seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> have been quite aggressive in defensive spending. Many of those moves brought a good deal of excitement from the fanbase, especially in the trenches. However, the move to bring Ricardo Allen to town left some confusion amongst the Cincinnati faithful. Considering Vonn Bell<\/a> and Jessie Bates<\/a> III are prepped to be the league\u2019s top safety duo, a veteran like Allen left some question marks. In the grand scheme of things, Allen probably won\u2019t end up starting many (if any) games for the Bengals. Instead, he could become one of their best value on the margins. Given his one-year, $1.5 million pact, he might wind up greatly outplaying his contract value.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

First of all, the team simply needs more veterans like the 29-year-old ballhawk. Allen has 76 starts in 77 career games in his career. This season will be the first time he\u2019ll be used more as a rotational weapon. Certainly, it could be a downgrade for some, but for Allen, it might give him a chance to augment his best assets. Ricardo Allen has a tremendous feel for the game and has learned to read running backs quite well. Cincinnati has been the league\u2019s worst rushing defense over the past two seasons, a trend that needs to end in 2021. While Allen isn\u2019t a catch-all solution, he could be a big step in the right direction. Additionally, his 66.3 run stop grade from 2020 is also the seventh-highest of any Bengal currently on the roster.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ricardo Allen Brings Prior Success From Within the Bengals Defensive Scheme and System<\/span><\/h3>\n

Interestingly, Allen has a relationship with the Bengals defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo. Allen played his college ball under Anarumo at Purdue<\/a>, where the duo linked up for the safety\u2019s freshman and sophomore seasons. Over those two seasons, Allen compiled 6.5 tackles for loss, 6 interceptions, 152 tackles, 8 pass break-ups, 2 touchdowns, and a sack. Clearly, Anarumo found ways for Allen to get involved all over the field. Plus, during his 2011 season at Purdue, Allen wound up as a member of the Big Ten\u2019s All-Conference team. Certainly, the college and pro games are different animals and it\u2019s been eight years since the duo collaborated. Still, Allen is known as a smart player with a good grasp of defensive concepts. If he retained even some of Anarumo\u2019s strategies, it\u2019ll go a long way towards instant impact for the Bengals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Further, his experience and success in Anarumo\u2019s defense will be valuable for the team\u2019s safety depth. Last season, Bates and Bell each partook in the range of 99% of the Bengals defensive snaps. In the circumstance that either misses time or generally needs a breather, Allen provides immediate rotational value. Plus, he plays with the same hard-knocking, high-IQ style that Bell brings to the table. Given this team\u2019s recent injury history<\/a>, especially in the secondary, having that weapon is a pretty big deal. Especially in a division that relies so heavily on creative defensive design in the run-stop, his availability is a plus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the Linebacking Room a Clear Weak Point, Allen\u2019s Versatility Will Be Crucial<\/span><\/h3>\n

While he\u2019s a positional safety at 5\u20199\u201d, 186 Lbs, Allen is destined to assist the team\u2019s young linebackers. After all, he\u2019s been used more as a weakside linebacker and slot safety for Atlanta\u2019s defenses in recent campaigns. There\u2019s no doubt that the team will need all the help they can get in that room. Currently, the starter duo projects as solid second-year player Logan Wilson<\/a> and suspect third-year man Germaine Pratt<\/a>. Neither was particularly impressive in the run-stop effort last year. Conversely, it\u2019s an area where Allen excels when dropped into the middle of the defense. Not to mention, this is a team that\u2019s been atop many of Lamar Jackson’s highlight reels for all the wrong reasons. Allen, who has a great nose for the football, can have a major role in slowing Jackson\u2019s attack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Think you'll see Ricardo Allen get a lot of usage like this in the #Bengals<\/a> defense this season. Looks as a coverage linebacker and in the slot. <\/p>\n

This is a good example of that look; IDs McKinnon well, uses the blocker to his advantage, makes a tackle for loss in the flat. pic.twitter.com\/ohS7CTvu8A<\/a><\/p>\n

— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) July 11, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n