Buffalo coach Sean McDermott assesses the rookie QB.
By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills won Sunday’s game versus the Tennessee Titans in the manner that many expected them to win games this year: They leaned on their defense to keep the game close and relied on a rushing attack to move the chains. While it might not have been the most flashy win, the team will take a ‘W’ any way that they can.
The Bills’ offensive scheme took the heat off of quarterback Josh Allen, as the rookie only needed to make a handful of timely plays to keep the Bills in the game.
It seems that head coach Sean McDermott realizes that he needs to take a little bit off of the Wyoming product’s plate at this time when discussing Buffalo’s 11-play, game-winning drive which included eight running plays, two passes, and Stephen Hauschka’s 46-yard winner.
“I’ve been around young quarterbacks before and to put too much on a young quarterback’s shoulders like, ‘Hey, go out there and win a game.’ That’s a little bit unrealistic,” McDermott said.
Allen is in a bit of an unenviable spot, as it was expected that Nathan Peterman would be able to carry the torch for a few games until Allen acclimate to the pro game. Unfortunately, Peterman could not give the rookie time to grow into the role. Allen was thrust into action in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll echoed McDermott’s sentiments during the team’s media session on Monday.
“(Allen) is a young player, so I think if you give a young player too much information, sometimes that can cloud them up. There’s a fine line between not giving them enough and then giving them too much.” Daboll said. “Each week, I think we try to balance it the best we can in terms of the amount of plays, the responsibilities. You know, he has responsibilities at the line of scrimmage that can get us to one play and get us to the next play. Whatever it may be, again, for him, he’s only played a few games, and every experience for him is a good experience.”
The shift (or rather return in Week 5) to their philosophy or being a run-first team should give Allen some breathing room as he endures some growing pains. McDermott and Daboll, recognize that they must bring Allen along at a steady pace. Any rookie would feel some anxiety after the first quarter of the season in which Buffalo’s offensive line allowed a league-worst 21 sacks and throwing to a receiving corps which no NFL defense fears.
Yet, Allen has played adequately over the first portion of his NFL career. Daboll’s decision to call more running plays paid off Sunday, as LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory were able to keep the chains moving. Allen’s 82 passing yards were far from stellar, but he was in the driver’s seat to guide to put the team in a position to win the game in the fourth quarter. In addition, the offensive line gained more traction in the trenches against a formidable front four.
It would be surprising for the Bills to deviate from a run-first philosophy until Allen demonstrates that he can put together a consistent passing performance. McDermott and Daboll see the potential in their franchise quarterback, and they have to give Allen the tools to succeed around him.
“We have to make sure that we put a good plan in place every week that gives us a chance to win and the quarterback a chance to develop,” McDermott said.
It’s obvious McDermott acknowledges this responsibility for helping Allen emerge as a legitimate long-term option for Buffalo. Now, he and Daboll must stick to this plan and watch Allen take some positive steps forward.