Rams TE Davis Allen deserves an expanded role: Daily Breeze

LOS ANGELES – Tight end Davis Allen lay on the floor of the Rams’ training room during the second week of the season when his back first began to seize up with spasms. A happy location for an unfortunate situation.

Allen missed three games because of that injury and then had to slowly play his way back into shape, still walking stiffly around the Rams’ locker room. But over the past four weeks, Allen has seen his rushing numbers steadily rise from 12 in Week 7 to 27, to 42 to 56 in Week 10, where he earned his first start of the season.

“He deserves it out there on the practice field,” Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said. “He was a little banged up during training camp, so as his training has gone up, his reps in the game have gone up as well.”

If everyone wants to earn playing time within the Rams’ offense, it starts with run blocking. As a senior at Clemson, Allen served as a run blocker on a slim majority of his snaps. As a rookie with the Rams, he steadily improved in that area as the season progressed.

But when he returned from the back spasms, Allen needed some time to give his back a chance to catch up with the physical demands of a tight track.

“I got an old man back,” Allen joked. “It obviously took some time, because if I get out of bed wrong, I now have to pay attention to it. It took a while for me to feel comfortable, committed and really effortful.

Allen spent extra time watching teammate Tyler Higbee’s film to get an idea of ​​how he handles his blocks. But given coach Nick Caley’s connection to this week’s opponent, the New England Patriots, Allen has also studied Rob Gronkowski’s cutups and tape of fellow Clemson alumnus Dwayne Allen, who Davis Allen affectionately calls “Little DA.” mentions.

“I tried to do extra after that from a run-blocking standpoint or whatever, watching more film,” Allen said. “(Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen’s) technique, how they shoot with their hands, how fast their feet are. But they were both very physical at the same time. And I think that’s what I’m trying to apply as well: how physical can I be within my framework while trying to use the right technique?

NOTES

Right tackle Rob Havenstein (ankle) was ruled out by McVay for Sunday’s game against the Patriots, as were CB Charles Woods (ankle) and DT Neville Gallimore (shoulder). Offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (ankle) will be questionable for Sunday, McVay said, leaving Warren McClendon Jr. the likely starter is at right tackle.