Morris County – One of the better pass plays of Tuesday’s Jets training camp practice was quarterback Geno Smith hitting tight end Mason Taylor on a deep crossing route.
Good pass, good catch.
But one part of this play that should not be ignored is what RB Braelon Allen did picking up a blitz, giving the QB an extra second to make the completion.
Jamien Sherwood blitzed up the middle and got past the offensive line, since all the linemen were occupied blocking defensive linemen, the linebacker was bearing down on Smith, and Allen stepped up and stonewalled him, stopping him in his tracks, and the QB was able to throw a dime to Taylor downfield.
Something not talked about enough with Allen is his blocking ability.
We know what he can do as a running back, especially in short-yardage situations, with his chiseled 6-1, 245-pound frame, but he’s also a terrific blocker.
And unlike many young running backs, who need a lot of work on their blocking entering the NFL, that wasn’t the case with Allen.
He was a good blocker at Wisconsin, and that has continued with the Jets.
“He has a good understanding of protection duties and has size to square and stop the blitz,” wrote NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein about Allen before the 2024 draft.
And he certainly did a great job stopping Sherwood’s blitz at Jets practice this morning.
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