I've been ragging on Josh Allen since we drafted him (still can't believe we drafted a guy with a worse completion percentage than JP Losman had in college). I've always maintained that he'll never improve his accuracy, because that's just something you're born with and can't be taught. BUT - he's definitely better than last year and shown incredible improvement with his accuracy - I guess I was wrong. It's almost too good to be true. My Buffalo mind won't allow me to go all-in just yet and I'm waiting for that other shoe to drop (just so I can proclaim my God-given rite of "I told you so's"). Hopefully, it doesn't happen but wow, what a turn-around. Gotta give him credit where credit is due.

And now if it all goes to hell, you can blame me for jinxing it.
- kritter65

The problem with Allen right now is ..... which josh Allen are you getting?

First 4 games josh Allen or Before the Seattle game, Allen sucked for 4 games in a row.

Wildly inconsistent.

Define what you mean by fix.

It's been proven over many years that the so called inability for a player to improve their skating when they become a pro is a myth.

Brayden Point is the most notable recent player who was condemned for his skating prior to his draft year, only to improve it markedly since he has become a pro.
- kingcong39

I'm not saying it's impossible (just like what Allen did) but anecdotally it seems very rare. Generally speaking, what you are as a skater when you reach the NHL level is where you land - below average, average or fast.

I can't think of any Sabre in the past 20 years who started a tier below where they finished. Guys like ROR, Reinhart and Larsson just get by with what they have.

I remember Luke Adam tried to shed about 20 pounds, Hodgson did the Gary Roberts stuff. It's hard to do. Ill throw freakarenko in here too

The problem with Allen right now is ..... which josh Allen are you getting?

First 4 games josh Allen or Before the Seattle game, Allen sucked for 4 games in a row.

Wildly inconsistent.
- Sabretooth9

He was injured it was pretty obvious.

rip Howie Meeker. 97 years old.

Lots of great memories of pre-cable hockey broadcasts with that man.

Same. After going through it with EJ Manuel I never wanted to hear about how changing footwork and mechanics will fix accuracy ever again. Thats why I hated the Allen pick.

It's like speed in hockey. Very few guys actually fix their skating after being at the pro level - john Tavares being the notable exception there
- jcragcrumple

Palmer has a great Case Study with Josh's development...should result in an uptick in his business.
Good on Josh for his dedication and having an open mind to accept the improvement suggestions and then implement them.

Maybe Kevyn Krueger can hook Casey up with Josh...or maybe a contract of 1 year at $700k could wake his dead ass up.

The problem with Allen right now is ..... which josh Allen are you getting?

First 4 games josh Allen or Before the Seattle game, Allen sucked for 4 games in a row.

Wildly inconsistent.
- Sabretooth9

He was injured as well, how much that impacted him we may never know, but it was reported somewhere that this was the 1st game in a while he didn't wear his shoulder brace...and he was listed as injured after the game, apparently on that left shoulder again.

Might have had and could still have an impact.

Palmer has a great Case Study with Josh's development...should result in an uptick in his business.
Good on Josh for his dedication and having an open mind to accept the improvement suggestions and then implement them.

Maybe Kevyn Krueger can hook Casey up with Josh...or maybe a contract of 1 year at $700k could wake his dead ass up.
- IonSabres

He has a pretty good top gear. I remember his rookie year there were a couple times he surprised me with his top-end speed. He just takes a long time to get there and his endurance is no bueno. He could be a good candidate to show skating improvement if he tries harder

I'm not saying it's impossible (just like what Allen did) but anecdotally it seems very rare. Generally speaking, what you are as a skater when you reach the NHL level is where you land - below average, average or fast.

I can't think of any Sabre in the past 20 years who started a tier below where they finished. Guys like ROR, Reinhart and Larsson just get by with what they have.

I remember Luke Adam tried to shed about 20 pounds, Hodgson did the Gary Roberts stuff. It's hard to do
- jcragcrumple

I think it may be more a case of how hard the player has worked on improving his skating with a professional.
If there wasn't much work, the player is prime for improvement.
If the player has already taken steps to improve, then the upside is limited.
I would think most players have taken steps to improve, so future improvement is limited

I have no source or proof, but it seems a reasonable possibility.

He has a pretty good top gear. I remember his rookie year there were a couple times he surprised me with his top-end speed. He just takes a long time to get there and his endurance is no bueno. He could be a good candidate to show skating improvement if he tries harder
- jcragcrumple

Ya, I read in late July that Point had worked incredibly hard on strengthening his legs during the Covid Pause with the results being that he significantly improved his initial burst of speed.
Similar story for Cozens last summer when be broke his hand/wrist and worked on his legs almost exclusively...he said he could see the difference in his burst and overall speed.

IMost players I have heard talk about that initial burst as being a critical component of their game.

The problem with Allen right now is ..... which josh Allen are you getting?

First 4 games josh Allen or Before the Seattle game, Allen sucked for 4 games in a row.

Wildly inconsistent.
- Sabretooth9

Will he sustain another shoulder injury?

He was injured it was pretty obvious.
- Elite Josh Allen

He also didn't suck, at all

He also didn't suck, at all
- sbroads24

This impression that he "sucked" is so entirely false. Unless, of course, your standard is Josh Allen vs the Seahawks, then yeah, he sucked.

The team underperformed the past 4 games, no doubt, but a lot of that has to do with how coaches scheme and counter scheme, and that doesn't always allow Josh Allen to gun sling. He wasn't spectacular vs KC and TEN but he was certainly pretty good, or at worst, decent.

This impression that he "sucked" is so entirely false. Unless, of course, your standard is Josh Allen vs the Seahawks, then yeah, he sucked.

The team underperformed the past 4 games, no doubt, but a lot of that has to do with how coaches scheme and counter scheme, and that doesn't always allow Josh Allen to gun sling. He wasn't spectacular vs KC and TEN but he was certainly pretty good, or at worst, decent.
- TheSabresTaco

But, is he elite?

But, is he elite?
- IonSabres

you would think he was 2-7 this season

But, is he elite?
- IonSabres

If you're measuring by the numbers, yes. The only way to argue otherwise is by injecting narratives

rip Howie Meeker. 97 years old.

Lots of great memories of pre-cable hockey broadcasts with that man.

- LandlordTom

Oh wow...that sucks. I remember him from Hockey Night In Canada broadcasts.

This impression that he "sucked" is so entirely false. Unless, of course, your standard is Josh Allen vs the Seahawks, then yeah, he sucked.

The team underperformed the past 4 games, no doubt, but a lot of that has to do with how coaches scheme and counter scheme, and that doesn't always allow Josh Allen to gun sling. He wasn't spectacular vs KC and TEN but he was certainly pretty good, or at worst, decent.
- TheSabresTaco

He had 1 really bad game. KC.

The Titans game he made 2-3 bad throws, otherwise was ok. The defense was atrocious that game and couldn't get off the field.

Even the second Jets game, Allen was money in Q's 2-4. They had two missed FG's, some whacky play calling (11 yard loss on a reverse in the redzone) a TD called back, and Kroft falls running into the endzone

He had 1 really bad game. KC.

The Titans game he made 2-3 bad throws, otherwise was ok. The defense was atrocious that game and couldn't get off the field.

Even the second Jets game, Allen was money in Q's 2-4. They had two missed FG's, some whacky play calling (11 yard loss on a reverse in the redzone) a TD called back, and Kroft falls running into the endzone
- sbroads24

It's amazing how quickly people have forgotten what really bad QB'ing looks like.

The groundwork has been laid for Erie County to be shut down by thanksgiving.

How did I not know the Jets traded Bill Belichick to the Patriots?

Jesus, that's like the ROR trade times a million

He also didn't suck, at all
- sbroads24

Ahhh yes he did. Stop being bias. Stats don’t lie.

Allen couldn’t even throw a td pass against the jets during that 4 game skid.

Titans and chiefs game he sucked too.

Patriots game. I’ll give him the wind excuse

Will he sustain another shoulder injury?
- kingcong39

He practiced in full and played every game. If your hurt. Sit out and heal.

The groundwork has been laid for Erie County to be shut down by thanksgiving.
- dadeadhead

This would be terrible.

The problem with Allen right now is ..... which josh Allen are you getting?

First 4 games josh Allen or Before the Seattle game, Allen sucked for 4 games in a row.

Wildly inconsistent.
- Sabretooth9

Long time reader, 1st time poster :

I disagree with this post. Allen is 7-2. Probably played thru non throwing arm injury.

Yesterday may have been the best ever performance of a Buffalo Bills Quarterback.

Unbelievable qb play
almost zero running game
Good on defense, but gave up 34 points


How did they control the entire game and win?

He practiced in full and played every game. If your hurt. Sit out and heal.
- Sabretooth9

Being hurt means you play. Being injured means you are out.

I have little doubt he was hurt and it affected his mechanics and therefore his results.