Jets need Brandon Allen at QB: Why the Broncos turned to Brandon Allen as backup quarterback Allen, a 2016 sixth-round NFL draft pick from Arkansas, was picked up on waivers from the Rams

I have watched this game tonight between Browns and Jets and I am convinced that the Jets who have gone through 2 QBs do not have legit QB on the team.

Brandon Allen, Dak Prescott and Chad Kelly all have equivalent stats in SEC and got drafted same time.  I think if Brandon was with NY Jets he may be viewed as a star.

It is 3rd qtr and no Jet QB has completed any pass beyond the line of scrimmage.

Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post

 Broncos quarterback Brandon Allen speaks to reporters on Monday, Sept. 2, after being released by the Rams and picked up by Denver. Allen will be starter Joe Flacco’s backup on Week 1 at the Raiders.

By KYLE FREDRICKSON | kfredrickson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post

September 3, 2019 at 6:00 am

Brandon Allen described his previous 48 hours as a “whirlwind,” because he’s still spinning from a Sunday morning phone call.

Allen, a fourth-year NFL quarterback released from the Los Angeles Rams on roster cut-down day, was notified the Broncos picked him up on waivers, and “a couple of hours (later) you get on a plane and get out here as fast as you can,” he said. On Monday, Allen suited up in a No. 2 jersey for Broncos practice to begin his week-long preparation to back up starter Joe Flacco against the Oakland Raiders on “Monday Night Football.”

Should Flacco be unable to play for any reason, Allen, a former sixth-round pick from Arkansas, would make his NFL regular season debut in the Black Hole on national television. Gulp.

“It’s not about trying to learn it all in the first week,” Allen said. “It’s about being comfortable with some of the stuff they might have me do in case that happens. It will be a crash course, but obviously taking it in steps.”

Denver’s decision to part ways with quarterback Kevin Hogan and refresh its backup with another unproven passer hinges on Allen’s physical tools at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, which were on display in his third preseason appearance this year against the Broncos completing 12-of-19 passes (.63) for 162 yards with a 90.2 rating. Allen’s complete LA exhibition stats, though, were less promising with three interceptions to zero touchdowns and a 63.1 rating over four games.

“(Allen) is a good athlete and throws a good ball,” coach Vic Fangio said Monday. “I liked the way he runs an offense in what little I’ve seen from him. We think he’s a good fit. We’ll see.”

The foundation for Allen’s NFL quarterback mentorship the past two seasons is rooted in much of the same philosophy expected in Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello’s playbook. Sean McVay (Rams) and Kyle Shanahan (49ers) were assistants on the same Washington Redskins staff from 2010-13, and their new-age concepts unleashed on the NFL as head coaches have spread across the league. Denver us included, with Scangarello spending several seasons under Shanahan’s guidance in Atlanta and San Francisco.

“(Allen) comes from a similar system,” Fangio said, “so hopefully his learning curve will be short.”

Allen’s adaptation to the Broncos’ offense won’t happen overnight, but speed is appreciated with only three practices left until kickoff at Oakland. Fangio told reporters Monday there were about 30 plays on each side of the ball in practice, with Allen making his introduction to teammates and coaches. Allen called Scangarello a “smart guy” who is “doing his best to bring me up to speed as soon as possible.”

"A lot of the concepts are very similar,” Allen said. “Terminology wise, I’ve just got to learn that, which will be fine. As far as reads and things, I think I’ll be able to pick that up pretty quickly because of the similarities.”

Allen, 26, is essentially a short-term fix while rookie quarterback Drew Lock completes an injured-reserve assignment with a sprained thumb on his right throwing hand. But much like Allen’s approach to his last-minute Sunday flight, he isn’t sweating the strange in pursuit of a football future in Denver. The whirlwind will eventually stop spinning.

“It’s really about not letting any of those distractions take away from what I’ve got to get done this week,” Allen said.

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NEW QB IN TOWN

The Broncos claimed quarterback Brandon Allen on waivers Sunday from the Los Angeles Rams. Here’s what you need to know about the new backup to starter Joe Flacco entering Week 1 at Oakland:

Hometown: Fayetteville, Ark.

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College: Arkansas (2015)

Career college stats: 38 starts, 583-of-1,016 passing (.574) for 7,463 yards, 64 touchdowns and 26 interceptions

NFL draft: No. 201 overall (sixth round) to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016

Notable: Has yet to appear in an NFL regular-season game entering his fourth year in the league. … Waived in Jacksonville after his rookie season and signed with the Rams. … In his third preseason appearance this year, Allen completed 12-of-19 passes (.632) for 162 yards with a 90.2 rating against the Broncos. … Allen’s 2019 preseason totals: 44-of-69 passing (.63) for 431 yards, 0 touchdowns and three interceptions.