NEW BRONCOS QB TRIES TO GET “COMFORTABLE”
Brandon Allen described his previous 48 hours as a “whirlwind,” because he’s still spinning from a Sunday morning phone call.
Allen, a fourth- year NFL quarterback released from the Los Angeles Rams on roster cut- down day, was notified the Broncos picked him up on waivers, and “a couple of hours ( later) you get on a plane and get out here as fast as you can,” he said. On
Monday, Allen suited up in a No. 2 jersey for Broncos practice to begin his week- long preparation to back up starter Joe Flacco against the Oakland Raiders on “Monday Night Football.”
Should Flacco be unable to play for any reason, Allen, a former sixthround pick from Arkansas, would make his NFL regular season debut in the Black Hole on national television. Gulp.
“It’s not about trying to learn it all in the first week,” Allen said. “It’s about being comfortable with some of the stuff they might have me do in case that happens. It will be a crash course, but obviously taking it in steps.”
Denver’s decision to part ways with quarterback Kevin Hogan and refresh its backup with another unproven passer hinges on Allen’s physical tools at 6- foot- 2 and 209 pounds, which were on display in his third preseason appearance this year against the Broncos completing 12of- 19 passes (. 63) for 162 yards with a 90.2 rating. Allen’s complete LA exhibition stats, though, were less promising with three interceptions to zero touchdowns and a 63.1 rating
over four games.
“( Allen) is a good athlete and throws a good ball,” coach Vic Fangio said Monday. “I liked the way he runs an offense in what little I’ve seen from him. We think he’s a good fit. We’ll see.”
The foundation for Allen’s NFL quarterback mentorship the past two seasons is rooted in much of the same philosophy expected in Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello’s playbook. Sean McVay ( Rams) and Kyle Shanahan ( 49ers) were assistants on the same Washington Redskins staff from 2010- 13, and their new- age concepts unleashed on the NFL as head coaches have spread across the league. Denver us included, with Scangarello spending several seasons under Shanahan’s guidance in Atlanta and San Francisco.
“( Allen) comes from a similar system,” Fangio said, “so hopefully his learning curve will be short.”
Allen’s adaptation to the Broncos’ offense won’t happen overnight, but speed is appreciated with only three practices left until kickoff at Oakland. Fangio told reporters Monday there were about 30 plays on each side of the ball in practice, with Allen making his introduction to teammates and coaches. Allen called Scangarello a “smart guy” who is “doing his best to bring me up to speed as soon as possible.”
“A lot of the concepts are very similar,” Allen said. “Terminology wise, I’ve just got to learn that, which will be fine. As far as reads and things, I think I’ll be able to pick that up pretty quickly because of the similarities.”
Allen, 26, is essentially a shortterm fix while rookie quarterback Drew Lock completes an injuredreserve assignment with a sprained thumb on his right throwing hand. But much like Allen’s approach to his last- minute Sunday flight, he isn’t sweating the strange in pursuit of a football future in Denver. The whirlwind will eventually stop spinning.
“It’s really about not letting any of those distractions take away from what I’ve got to get done this week,” Allen said.