Josh Allen
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Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are dealing with a rash of injuries.
If you are a Buffalo Bills fan that was holding your breath waiting to see if the reigning NFL MVP would lace them up tonight, don’t bother. Josh Allen told the media this week that he simply doesn’t think he needs to get out there.
“No, I don’t think I need preseason reps,” Allen said Tuesday. “If I were to get them, I’d appreciate them. But I don’t think it’s a situation where we need to get out there.”
One might expect that this nothing new for the now NFL veteran heading into his eighth season in the league, but that is actually not the case. In his previous seven years in the league, Allen had always appeared in at least one preseason game. Now after reaching the pinnacle of NFL performance, it appears as though Allen has outgrown this tradition.
Head coach Sean McDermott says that he is leaving the decision entirely up to Josh.
“I’m giving him some ownership as well, which I think is important,” McDermott said. “He knows by now what he needs in order to be ready.”
McDermott went on to say that in a perfect world, he could play Allen worry free. But this world is far from perfect.
“I would love to, if you could put him in a bubble, guarantee me that he wasn’t going to get hurt,” McDermott continued. “For every player, you’d love to be able to say, ‘Hey, let’s get out there and play three good games.’ It’s just really hard to say that.”
Allen Says Joint Practice Reps Are Good Enough
Reports coming out of this weeks joint practice sessions with the Chicago Bears indicated that the Bears might have gotten the best of the reigning AFC East champions.
Some outlets reported that Allen’s aggressive play style got him in trouble on a few accounts, while others highlighted that the MVP had more turnovers than second year gun slinger Caleb Williams.
Regardless, Allen is too experienced to place stock in trivial things like practice turnovers, when he took to the podium in front of the media he spoke on the productivity of getting in front of another defense.
“It’s new opportunities to see new looks, and it’s not the same defensive system that we’re going up against each and every practice here in camp,” said Allen. “Sometimes, it is nice to see some fresh faces across from the O-line, and across from our receivers, and utilizing certain matchups, and seeing what guys can do.”
Controlled Reps Versus Uncontrolled Reps
Allen’s argument is that just going out there against another defense is just as good as the real thing and it’s hard to argue with him.
In this weeks joint practice, Allen has gotten the opportunity to compete under the veil of safety, as has much of the team. The environment is very competitive, but at the end of the day these are professionals and they are not out there trying to hurt one another.
The same cannot be said on Sunday.
This allows you to take more risks as a signal caller, and make more mistakes in a practice format. Allen said its “as good as it gets.”
“I think we are in a good spot. I think that going and practicing against somebody, when you’re not live, I think those are good reps to get. It’s practicing against somebody else. So, no, I don’t think I need preseason reps,” Allen reiterated.