Pittsford, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Josh Allen has always taken criticism throughout his NFL career. This offseason seemed like the Buffalo Bills quarterback was getting a little more of it.
This included criticism from an unnamed NFL executive, who was quoted as saying Allen was "overrated".
Bills general manager Brandon Beane is tired of the unwarranted criticism of his quarterback.
"There are idiots everywhere," said Beane on Wednesday following the first practice of training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester. "You try to ignore this stuff, but Josh is going into Year 7, and there’s still the naysayers. I don’t get it. If I was going to use 'rated', I would say 'underrated', and I know I’m biased.
"I know people like ranking or whatever, but when you don’t put your name to it, it’s like, 'Who is this executive?' I just say if you’re not going to put your name on it, we really shouldn’t validate it. I wish the writer didn’t include that, because Josh doesn’t deserve that. I’m tired of hearing it."
Allen doesn’t appear to take those things too seriously.
"The good thing about Josh is he’s always felt the naysayers, and I don’t think there’s a year in the league where someone doesn’t want to point out something with him," Beane said.
"Even going back to some of his early games, he would make plays in a game. But if he made a dumb throw, he could’ve helped us win the game, but that’s the highlight they want to show, because that validates their thoughts and views on him.
"It’s also how great he is in his role. He stays after, and signs every friggin' autograph. He’s perfect in the role. We’re lucky as hell to have him, and I get frustrated with it. But he’s got a natural chip, and he wants a title. Every year we don’t win it, it’s digging a deeper chip."
Speaking of Allen, this summer, he got some of the offense together in Nashville to practice. Allen says the on-field work was important, but other parts of it were maybe more important.
"It’s not as much for the throwing as it is for the getting together and going out to dinner, and learning people on a personal level," said Allen following Wednesday's practice. "Don’t get me wrong, we were out there working two hours in the Nashville heat in 90-plus degrees and 100% humidity. The boys were getting after it, but more so just leaning into each other and sitting by different people at dinner, and talking and discussing family and life off the field. The more you can trust somebody off the field, the more can trust them on the field."
Beane, of course, is happy the team got together like that.
"It’s getting away for them," he said. "This is kind of like forced bonding when they went to Nashville, and guys are hanging out. That bond that you form off the field really helps you, especially when adversity hits. Having that trust and that comradery helps you work through the highs and the lows."
When it comes to the Bills at cornerback, Rasul Douglas and Christian Bedford will be the starters, but then you have Kaiir Elam and Ja’Marcus Ingram also in the mix.
"It’s a big year for Kaiir and Christian, both going into Year 3," Beane noted. "But having Rasul, who’s a cagy veteran, he’s seen the highs and the lows of this league. But if we see a veteran that we think we need to add and we can fit him in, we would do that."
When Von Miller came back last season from knee surgery, it didn’t go very well for him. This is a big camp for Miller, and there are things Beane will be looking to see.
"Last year, we were talking about Von’s ramp up. For him, it’s just seeing that explosive twitch that we saw a little bit in the playoffs, and maybe that last game of the season against Miami. Just seeing that twitch he’s always had," Beane said. "I think that’s what we’ll be wanting to see, and him winning his 1-on-1s where people are like, 'We’ve got to have a plan for him.'"
Beane loves it when camp starts, but doesn’t get really excited until they’ve been here for a while.
"Right now it’s shorts and t-shirts. I’m always excited to watch the padded period. We’re not bringing guys to the ground, but it’s 1-on-1 pass rush, 9-on-7, and they’re thumping," Beane said. "I think we’re all going to be interested in how this kickoff thing is going to unfold, and that’s going to determine some of the final roster spots on all 32 teams."
Beane was asked about safety Micah Hyde’s status heading into this season, and the general manager says nothing has really changed with that situation.
