New York Giants (finally) sign veteran runningback
In a move that is too little, too late, the New York Giants signed veteran runningback Javorius Allen on Friday.
Many had (correctly) been clamoring for the New York Giants to sign a capable runningback since the unfortunate injuries to Saquon Barkley and Wayne Gallman. In a theme that is becoming all too common with General Manager Dave Gettleman, Big Blue seems to have the timing all wrong as they finally bring in a veteran runningback- right when it seems their top two ball-carriers are due to make their returns.
Man, it would be fun to replay that Patriots game with newly signed Javorius ‘Buck’ Allen and see what kind of difference it would have made. While we’ll never get our wish- and while Buck Allen is surely no Barry Sanders– it’s peculiar to say the least why Gettleman thought the best plan going into the last two games was to heavily-feature an undrafted runningback from Rutgers, and another undrafted ‘back from Rice, when there were always legitimate guys on the free agent market.
In another instance of waiting too long to make a call, Gettleman finally made the right move to release everyone’s favorite Giant, quarterback Alex Tanney – the only problem being he waited until game-day to do so, leaving him with only the option to promote Austin Walter off the practice squad (I’m sure this was premeditated, which makes it even worse). Have no fear, though, Gettleman somehow managed to sneak Tanney past the rest of the league (eyeroll) and add him back to the Big Blue roster yesterday after he shockingly cleared waivers.
Get to know Javorius “Buck” Allen
Other than having a sweet nickname, Buck Allen is actually known to be a very solid tailback. His specialty has always been receiving out of the backfield, as Allen has flourished in that role all the way back to his USC days. A monster Junior season led to him declaring for the NFL Draft in 2015, and he ended up being selected in the fourth round by the Baltimore Ravens.
Allen enjoyed what might have been his best season as a rookie in 2015, accumulating 847-total yards and three touchdowns. 353 of those yards came in the receiving game, as Allen was consistently targeted with 45 catches on the season. He averaged just 3.8 yards-per-carry, which is right around what he has averaged in just about every one of his professional seasons.
For what it’s worth, Allen has actually totaled 35 receptions or more in every season he’s played at least eight games in (which is 3/4 of his seasons in the NFL). It’s clear that he started to tail off, though, as he started to do less and less with those catches- the former USC standout tallied only 5.6 yards-per-catch in his final season in Baltimore in 2018.
Like most receiving runningbacks, Allen is known for his proficiency in pass-protecting. A good receiving ‘back has to be able to stay at home and protect his quarterback, even if it’s only for a second or two before he flanks out into the flat. Allen possesses good size at 6’0, 218 pounds, and Daniel Jones should feel comfortable when the big-bodied tailback stays at home to take on incoming threats.
After playing out his rookie deal with the Ravens, Allen latched on with the Saints and was expected to make the roster at the time of his signing. An undisclosed injury and the addition of Latavius Murray made him expendable, though, as the Saints ended up putting him on injured reserve in August, and then later reaching an injury settlement with him.
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It appears that Allen is healthy again, as he beat out numerous other (unreported at this time) runningbacks in a tryout with the Giants after the game Thursday. I hate to beat a dead horse, but again, wouldn’t it have been nice to have that tryout on Monday? After it was already known that Wayne Gallman would be out for the short week game with a concussion?
It’ll be interesting to see how long Allen sticks on this roster, as maybe Gettleman has learned his lesson about only dressing two tailbacks in a contact sport. Rookie Jon Hilliman was waived to make room for the veteran (expect him to be added back to the practice squad, later).