Commanders defensive end Jonathan Allen told The Sports Junkies that he liked what he saw from second-year quarterback Sam Howell in his first real start as Washington's QB1 and provided an update on injured defensive end Chase Young during his weekly appearance on Monday with 106.7 The Fan, which is presented exclusively by our partners at MainStreet Bank — Cheer Local. Bank Local. Put Our Team in Your Office."
As it relates to Howell's play, Allen admitted that even as a seven-year NFL veteran playing in the same scheme for four years he had "butterflies before the game," so it would be expected for the young passer to have some nerves to overcome ahead of his second career start.
"It takes time" for a young quarterback to get settled into the NFL and expectations of the second-year passer looking like Tom Brady were unrealistic and that isn't a knock on Howell, Allen told the Junkies.
"Whenever you have a new offensive coordinator you always say it's gonna take the offense a little bit more time to catch up, cause new schemes... it's just harder for an offense hitting that top-notch as opposed to a defense," Allen said, adding teams that start fast usually involve continuity at quarterback and offensive coordinator for "a couple years at least" and "we have so many new pieces, so many new things, just be patient."
"And what I do like," Allen added of Howell, "is that even though with all that going on, I always look at his mannerisms and his posture and his demeanor and it doesn't waver. He's good. He knows what he's gotta do, he knows what he's gotta fix. But the moment wasn't too big for him. He didn't stress, he didn't panic and he came back and he made the plays that we needed him to do to win the game.
"And you guys know this more than I do, [Sunday was] a game that the old Redskins teams would have lost and we woulda been here talking about the season, but we were able to overcome our adversity and win the game. So obviously, you don't want the game to be that close, you want the offense to do better, you don't want the turnovers, but with all that were still able to overcome and win the game.
"And I think we're definitely taking steps in the right direction. Are we gonna get there overnight? No, but I'd much rather learn this lesson on a win than a loss."
When asked about Chase Young's injury absence, Allen said he didn't want to speak for the defensive end, but that he would expect him to play Sunday in Denver. However, Allen told fans to add the context that when you look at injuries involving the head, neck and spine, there are lots of layers to getting back on the field and how it might impact a player's career and their life after football.
"For him to have a stinger like that, that was that severe, you don't want to make a decision for him to play one game that could affect you, not only the rest of your career but the rest of your life," Allen said. "So when it comes to hamstrings and groins and stuff like that, especially in our position, I mean, 'hey stop being a baby and push through it.' But when you start talking about the back and stingers and spine and neck and head, it's alright, let's not just look at this from a football perspective. Let's look at this from a life perspective."
But he did tell the Junkies that Young has been doing really well during practice and he "would expect him to be back soon."
Allen added: "In my four years of being with Chase, I haven't seen him this focused and dedicated. So when he does get back, he's gonna be special."
