EXCLUSIVE: "They wanna cut the head off" - Ex-NFL HC Mike Smith advises Josh Allen to exercise caution or face the music
Josh Allen has established himself among the elite quarterbacks of modern-day football. Standing at 6'5" and weighing close to 240 lbs, his frame allows him to make plays not just with his hands but with his feet as well.
Not afraid to ram through the opposition defense, the quarterback has seemingly redefined the term "dual-threat." But how long can it last? Currently in his fifth season in the NFL, Allen has picked up some heavy blows over the years.
Allen did much of the same against the Miami Dolphins this past Sunday as the Buffalo Bills snatched a last-second victory at home. Former NFL head coach Mike Smith was asked by host Reggie Roberts to break down the QB's play and how he should proceed with his bullish style of football:
"I'd say in the fourth quarter if we're up by two touchdowns, get down. But if the game is close, go ahead because you know can't train him, but you got to try and educate him on when's the right time."
Smith expressed concern regarding Allen's safety as players like him are often the ones defenses are expected to bring down right from the get-go:
"I tell you, when he takes off and runs, they're trying to get him. Those are the opportunities opponents will try to get the head off. They want to cut the head off when they talk about getting the quarterback out of the game. Especially, a guy like him."
The former NFL HC, who has worked with veteran Matt Ryan in the past, went on. He explained that while the QB's head-on approach can't be taken out of him, the Bills should definitely exercise caution with his trademark runs:
"You can't just totally take it out of his game, but you got to try to educate him. So when do you do that (run the ball himself)? You do it in the first quarter. Do you do it when you're down by or up by 17? No, you don't do that. You don't want to take the competitive drive away, but you do want him healthy."
Josh Allen has his eyes set on clinching division against Bears
With a win against the Dolphins, the Bills confirmed their wildcard berth in the upcoming postseason. But Josh Allen and the Bills are hungry for more. Beating the Chicago Bears this Saturday will enable them to clinch their division. A loss or tie by the Miami Dolphins against Green Bay would also suffice.
#BillsMafia fun fact of the day:
Josh Allen has played against 30 NFL teams.
Saturday will be his FIRST game against the Chicago Bears in his career.
Booking their fourth straight playoff appearance, a win against the NFC North side will see them be crowned division champs for the fourth-time in a row. And there's more than that on the line as well. If the Kansas City Chiefs are to slip up against the Seahawks, they'll be in the driver's seat to nab the all-important #1 seed from the AFC.
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With so much to play for, one can expect Josh Allen to break off on some of those signature runs at Soldier Field this Saturday.