Will 4 yards and bit of history affect Anthony Allen's chances of being selected in the NFL draft?
He says it shouldn't, but added it probably will.
Like Jonathan Dwyer before him, Allen is facing questions about whether he can transition from being the B-back in Georgia Tech's offense to a running back in the NFL. The differences seem subtle: The B-back lines up approximately 3 yards behind the quarterback, while running backs in the NFL usually line up 7 yards deep.
The ability to make the reads from a deeper spot, as well as blocking pass-rushers, were a few of the factors that caused Dwyer to drop from a projected first-round selection in last year's draft to the sixth round.
Allen, who is trying to show he can transition by participating in Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, said "I'm going to have to prove them wrong." The game is at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Allen said he made reads as a B-back, much like a running back in a pro-style offense, often analyzing the gaps and the linebackers in a split second. Of course that seeming lack of patience has a plus. His espn.com draft profile characterizes him as a "no-nonsense runner and very decisive." He's projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
He has been interviewed by several NFL teams. He said he was asked frequently how he knew when to take the ball and when not to take the ball on an option play. The question tickled him because "either the QB gives it to me or not."
Allen points to his production as a sign he can be effective as a pro. He rushed for 1,225 yards as the featured back at Tech last season and 618 yards as an A-back sweeping around the edges in 2009.
He also played at Louisville in what is considered to be a more NFL-friendly offense. He surpassed 1,100 yards with 20 touchdowns in two seasons as a Cardinal before he transferred.
He said the most difficult thing about the Senior Bowl practices has been trying to learn the playbook in such a short time, but added that he's getting good coaching, which has made the process easier. He said his pass-blocking is improving.
After the game, Allen said he will return to Boca Raton, Fla., to resume his training for the NFL combine. He wants to improve his time in the 40-yard dash. Another knock against him is that he doesn't have the speed to run away from defenders once he gets past linebackers.
He said what made him effective at Tech is what will make him a good pro: "just showing people I can hit the hole quickly and burst through it," he said.
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Senior Bowl
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Mobile
TV: NFL Network
Notable: Georgia Tech's Anthony Allen and Georgia's Clint Boling are on the South team; former Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey and assistant coach Giff Smith are leading the South team.
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