Austins Name Doesn’t Mean Bad Quaterback

Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterbacks Austin Allen (8) and Brandon Allen after the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Mississippi 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterbacks Austin Allen (8) and Brandon Allen after the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Mississippi 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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 Last year I jokingly said to my step-father, “I really hope Austin Allen doesn’t get the job next year because I’m tired of yelling about an Allen making dumb plays.” Little did I know there is actually a group of fans, who because of his last name, doesn’t want Austin Allen to be the starting quarterback.

I am hearing more and more people with this ridiculous idea, that because Austin shares a last name with his brother Brandon, he shouldn’t start. Now Arkansas is not known for having the highest I.Q. fans, to begin with, but this small but growing group has got to be the lowest of the low. These are the same fans that believe a motorcycle wrecking adulterer to be the best coach Arkansas had or will ever have.

I ask myself, one serious question and that is when will people understand circumstances? Brandon Allen, as much as I screamed and threw remotes on behalf of him, was a good quarterback. Was he clutch? Not a high percentage of the time, but when he finally got comfortable and took the team on his back, he did some phenomenal things for the Razorbacks.

Three things stunted Brandon’s collegiate football career. One, he got thrown into a game before he was ready and got hurt. Two, BA never had anything close to the weapons they have now at receiving. Lastly, he never got set in a system as he would end up having four offensive coordinators during his time at Arkansas.

I feel like I shouldn’t even have to say this but here goes. Austin, brace yourselves, isn’t Brandon. Now I know what you’re thinking, “but Chris, if they are brothers then they are exactly the same right?” Well buttercup the answer, as crazy as it sounds, is no. They are completely different.

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Maybe you have a sibling or even a best friend. Are you the exact same as your siblings or best friend? No? Then what makes this situation any different?

No offense to Brandon, but his arm strength wasn’t something to just rave about. If it was past 15 to 20 yards, his accuracy went through the floor. Also, thanks to that first game he was just thrown into, his confidence was about like Steve Carrell’s character in the 40-year-old virgin. It didn’t help his confidence that he had almost no quality options to throw to.

Now, let us take a look at Austin Allen. Starting with arm strength, the guy has a cannon. All off-season, if you have heard anything about him, I am sure that his deep ball was mentioned somewhere in there. His confidence had to have come up too because he is at times, overly confident. Nevertheless, he believes he is the best and is ready to show it. Lastly, take a look at who he has to throw to. I mean this is probably the deepest, most talented receiving core Arkansas has ever had.

must read: Pro Hogs Update: More NFL Debuts, Chris Gragg

One last statement I’ll leave you with. In case you were wondering, Bret Bielema makes $4.06 million to be the head coach of this team. So if Bret wants to keep his job which in turn keeps him paid, he is going to play the best quarterback he’s got. Regardless if his name is “Bob Picksix” or “Terry Fumble”, the best quarterback on that team, will be leading that team.

I am sure I will continue to hear this nonsense all season, but just realize you are in fact entitled to your opinion, it just doesn’t mean your opinion is right. I think I am going to go with the coach on this one. Bold prediction, Austin throws for over 3,000 yards this year. Shooters shoot. Woo Pig.