La'el Collins reminds me of Larry Allen

[Idgit]

People are fairly down on him lately overall. He got hyped quite a bit when he was a probowl alternate a couple years ago I guess. That doesn't hold a candle to the deification of Barry Church though.

FWIW, Tryone singled him out as a most-improved player in his interview this week. I think the team likes what he's doing, overall, and we're just getting a few camp-reports that are blown a bit out of proportion. Or we're seeing one-on-ones where the OLs get beat and think that's going to translate into games.

But fans seem to love the guy, for some reason. It was the Larry Allen comparison that moved me to say something. I like the guy quite a bit. I think he's got potential to be a very good OL long term. He started really well, with some rough plays and some outrageous plays sprinkled in, had an injury setback in his second year, and is now changing sides and positions. Some adjustment ought to be expected. But the sense I get is that fans expect he's a season away from being the 4th Musketeer on that OL, and that's a pretty rosey expectation for him given where he was last season.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I like Collins and think he will do really well. He just needs to settle down a bit. IMO he is still trying to prove he belongs and is more of a bull in the a china shop. Dude will be a beast.

Exactly .......just settle down and understand every block can't be a pancake.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

FWIW, Tryone singled him out as a most-improved player in his interview this week. I think the team likes what he's doing, overall, and we're just getting a few camp-reports that are blown a bit out of proportion. Or we're seeing one-on-ones where the OLs get beat and think that's going to translate into games.

But fans seem to love the guy, for some reason. It was the Larry Allen comparison that moved me to say something. I like the guy quite a bit. I think he's got potential to be a very good OL long term. He started really well, with some rough plays and some outrageous plays sprinkled in, had an injury setback in his second year, and is now changing sides and positions. Some adjustment ought to be expected. But the sense I get is that fans expect he's a season away from being the 4th Musketeer on that OL, and that's a pretty rosey expectation for him given where he was last season.

That's fair. Some people overrate him like that certainly. I think in terms of overall sentiment.

That being said, either way nothing compares to how people viewed Church from 2012-2014. He came out of the offseason going to that speed training camp and won the starting job over a bunch of crap and by the end of the season Eatman was writing about how he was snubbed for the probowl. People at ate that up. Year after year he was labeled as a probowl talent and Eatman was saying that mostly because Church made himself available for interviews and such.

Drove me nuts too because we were giving up big plays and his lack of range was a big part of that. Lots of people can tackle. Not many can run with NFL WRs.

 

[SlammedZero]

That is quite the comparison. Let's just hope he can become even half of what Allen was.
Also, the Justin Tuck interview about LA is one of my favorite football interview clips ever. I know it has been circulated here plenty but I just had to bring it up.

 

[EPL0c0]

somebody say Larry Allen?

 

[erod]

If Collins is so great, why was Ron Leary substantially better than him last year?

 

[tunahelper]

I think physically (power and leverage wise) he is somewhat similar, (though Allen is still far superior (4.6 40 at 325lbs!), there are very few people who could push Reggie White around) but Allen's football intelligence and just intelligence in general is miles ahead of Collins. In a class of only rare and special athletes, Larry would still be considered rare and special even in that group due to his physical AND mental abilities.

4.6 40???????

I don't remember his time, but I don't see how he would of been drafted 2nd round if this was true.

 

[Texas_Pete]

somebody say Larry Allen?

The funny part? #58 had a running head start and 325lb LA still walked him down!

Collins might have his speed and a similar mean streak, but I bet he can't bench 700lbs like LA. No knock on Collins but he got a long ways before he is worthy of a true comparison.

 

[John813]

If Collins is so great, why was Ron Leary substantially better than him last year?

Leary is the far better polished guard than Collins.
Think Collins got a lot of hype for his pancake blocks and that he should of been a first round pick that we picked up for dirt cheap.
Potentially he could be better. However, potential can only go so far.

He has some impressive power, and isn't a slow guy. However, Allen was on another level for power and acceleration. There is a reason why he didn't wait for the HOF, as a Guard.

 

[haleyrules]

That is quite the comparison. Let's just hope he can become even half of what Allen was.
Also, the Justin Tuck interview about LA is one of my favorite football interview clips ever. I know it has been circulated here plenty but I just had to bring it up.

Yeah. Woot Woot..

 

[darthseinfeld]

Our Larry Allen is now a Bronco...............

That's gonna leave a mark.

I wouldnt go that far

 

[haleyrules]

There is/was only one Larry Allen.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I like Collins and think he will do really well. He just needs to settle down a bit. IMO he is still trying to prove he belongs and is more of a bull in the a china shop. Dude will be a beast.

That is well said.

 

[perrykemp]

4.6 40???????

I don't remember his time, but I don't see how he would of been drafted 2nd round if this was true.

I've read of Larry Allen's 40 time being 4.85 which, in itself, incredible. I've never heard the 4.6 time.

 

[erod]

4.6 40???????

I don't remember his time, but I don't see how he would of been drafted 2nd round if this was true.

Sonoma State

 

[Seven]

I wouldnt go that far

I would and I did.

 

[links18]

He's more like Erick Williams. Actually, I don't know, but the OP wanted to talk football, so is Collins more like Allen or Big E?

 

[viman96]

He's more like Erick Williams. Actually, I don't know, but the OP wanted to talk football, so is Collins more like Allen or Big E?

I do not recall Williams being as athletic as Collins. They both have the mentality of wanting to destroy the person across from them or anyone else until the whistle blows which I love. Martin and Collins could potentially be a place no one wants to be because both are looking to hammer you.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I would and I did.

Leary is no where near Allen

 

[diefree666]

4.6 40???????

I don't remember his time, but I don't see how he would of been drafted 2nd round if this was true.

I think 4.6 is possible; remember LA did run down that DB on a pick during his rookie year.