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Ricardo Allen: From Practice Squad to Starting FS?

By Jonathan Savitske

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It’s not long ago the Ricardo Allen was one of the featured players in HBO’s knocks during the 2014 NFL Preseason.

The program took an in depth look at the Atlanta Falcons in what was ultimately former Head Coach Mike Smith‘s final season of the team, and highlighted Ricardo Allen and his journey going into training camp. Despite Allen’s hard work, he failed to make the Falcon’s roster, but was signed to a contract, allowing him to remain in Flowery Branch with the practice squad.

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Since then, Ricardo Allen has had to work against all odds in an attempt to make the Atlanta Falcons’ opening day roster in 2015. A former 5th round pick by the Falcons out of Purdue University, Allen has had to learn much over the past year, switching from the cornerback position to free safety. Allen recorded 13 interceptions while at Purdue, displaying the requisite amount of athleticism needed to be a defensive back in the NFL.

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He now finds himself as perhaps the leading candidate to land the starting gig at FS, performing exceptionally well during camp in this past Friday’s first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. Allen’s “junkyard dog” mentality has given him an opportunity to compete for a starting role on Dan Quinn’s defense. Because Ricardo Allen as former cornerback is used to a quicker speed of the game, the slower pace of playing the safety position gives him a speed advantage over other players.

Ricardo Allen has done a lot of work with defensive pass coordinator Raheem Morris and secondary coach Marquand Manuel, making the transition to his new position as seamless as possible. Dan Quinn’s new defensive system that focuses on mitigating big plays and creating turnovers has also helped, as Ricardo Allen played with a similar scheme in college.

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    • If attitude is everything, then Ricardo Allen stands a great chance to begin the season not only on the Falcons roster, but as a starter on an improved defensive squad. His mentality to play wherever the team puts him demonstrates the effect that Dan Quinn has already had in changing the culture of the club.

    Without other candidates standing out at camp, and despite lacking the typical size for a safety, Allen’s athleticism and quickness will allow him to be an impact player on the Atlanta Falcons defensive squad in the coming season and help improve the Falcons’ secondary.

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