Tough conversation: is Allar good enough?

May 11, 2012
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Former 5* prized recruit and now third year starting QB - I think everyone can agree that Allar has IMPROVED every year since arriving at PSU. But is this another case of looks the part vs actual production?

What is Allar’s best game of his career? USC? He also threw two picks in that game. Likely, what we’d come up with was a game vs mediocre to bad competition. He has yet to put together a good performance against an elite defense in his career. His MENTAL aspect of the game doesn’t seem strong - emotional, visibly down, seems anxious and nervous in big moments.

He continues to make the same mistakes with his footwork which results in inaccuracies.

Is it finally to admit the deep ball issue is an Allar issue? The WR needs to be 10 yards wide open for him to even throw it, or he regularly under throws the WR. Does he change his mechanics too? It looks like he aims a deep pass.

I don’t want to ignore what we does well, of course - he has a canon of an arm and throws down the middle of the field + across the far hash better than any qb is college. He’s become a hell of an athlete and moves well out of the pocket as well. But after yesterday, I think it’s time to commit to running the ball and taking as much pressure off Allar as possible. Develop the OL and lean totally on our two elite RBs - I’m talking 40-50 rushing attempts a game.
Is it the players or the coaching....or lack of coaching? Clifford hit a ceiling and never got better...and now Allar seems to not develop past his current level. I have no idea concerning the quality of the QB coaching....but I still see technique problems.
 

Nits1989

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Drew is not a hard worker. Lack of preparation and poor execution = not a winner.

Drew rather wear ugly chains and get terrible haircuts.
You attend every practice and team meeting? He looks like a really talented QB to many.
 

KingLando

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Is it the players or the coaching....or lack of coaching? Clifford hit a ceiling and never got better...and now Allar seems to not develop past his current level. I have no idea concerning the quality of the QB coaching....but I still see technique problems.
You can say that about Nussmeier, Klubnik, Manning, Sellers, etc.
See Josh Allen when he went to the NFL and they had to literally change everything about how he threw the ball.
Most college coaches aren't good enough to get the most out of a guy like Allar or Nussmeier. (This is also why many prefer lesser QBs like Beau) It's why Arch stayed at Texas to work with Sark and even that's not working so far as his mechanics completely abandon him (like most college QBs) under pressure or when he's moving--especially to his right.
I said last year, if I was Allar and I wasn't going to enter the draft (he should have) that I would have gone to Miami where I could just put up big numbers in a QB friendly offense. Drew's loyalty is actually his biggest fault.
 
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bdgan

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He isn’t consistent enough. The Drew from the 2nd half of the USC game, the Oregon game, and the Boise game is good enough. The Drew from the last two weeks and Notre Dame is not even close to good enough.

Here’s hoping he shows up on the 27th with the same mindset he displayed the last time he faced Oregon. I’ll take a couple INTs if he plays aggressively and decisively
There's no question that Allar is big and strong and has a strong arm. I believe he's a hard worker and student of the game. I see some posters talk about his footwork but I don't think that's the biggest problem. I think the biggest problem is how he senses and deals with pressure. IMO he doesn't have great instincts and confidence and I don't think you can coach those things. Sometimes they come with experience but he's a senior so I'm not counting on a lot of improvement.

Elite QBs make quick confident decisions. They are in sync with their WRs and often release the football before the WR even makes their break. Allar seems to wait until a WR comes open. McSorley didn't have the size and arm strength that Allar has but he played with confidence. Allar doesn't play with that same confidence.

JMO
 

LMTLION

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Mar 20, 2008
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After 3 weeks I don't see how one can deny any of this. When you say "not good enough"....I'm assuming you mean to beat Oregon or Ohio State.
I am reminded of a time as a young coach I attended a football clinic in Atlantic City. The clinician was Lee Corso. I believe he was HC at Indiana at the time and everyone wanted to hear him.....because he was hilarious even then. He said "the good news is we have 37 lettermen returning from last season. The BAD news is we have 37 lettermen returning from last season." (the team was like 3-8)
So the media hype was centered on returning production and assuming .....all will be better than before. That isn't automatic, is it?
There is good reason every fan should take a "show me" attitude.
Right now, it think it's fair to say this team looks like a 10-2 or 9-3 team. The horror!
My experience and intuition tells me that we will see a different mind set versus Oregon. That could make an incredible difference.
There is a difference in attitude one has between getting out of bed and going to work on a Monday Morning.........and jumping out of bed as a 5 year old on Christmas Morning. Will that propel this team to actual NC level achievements? Show me.
10-2 or 9-3 in 2025 would be a monumental failure. Unfortunately that is the trajectory we are on unless Drew pulls it together.
 

Nits1989

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You can say that about Nussmeier, Klubnik, Manning, Sellers, etc.
See Josh Allen when he went to the NFL and they had to literally change everything about how he threw the ball.
Most college coaches aren't good enough to get the most out of a guy like Allar or Nussmeier. (This is also why many prefer lesser QBs like Beau) It's why Arch stayed at Texas to work with Sark and even that's not working so far as his mechanics completely abandon him (like most college QBs) under pressure or when he's moving--especially to his right.
I said last year, if I was Allar and I wasn't going to enter the draft (he should have) that I would have gone to Miami where I could just put up big numbers in a QB friendly offense. Drew's loyalty is actually his biggest fault.
Is it about time and money? College QBs only have so much practice time allowed, and they are still attending class. The Bills and Allen himself have more money to develop Allen than Allar has right now. Plus the Bills and Allen have more time. The Bills and Allen saw what Allen could be. Allar could be the same. He’s got a lot of talent and can make pro throws. I’m really glad PSU has him.

Allen doesn’t always use “perfect” form. He’s so big and strong he can do that. Allen is very accurate even when he gets away from perfect form when he under pressure or making an unusual throw.
 
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sdwcpa

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May 17, 2013
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How many points has the starting defense allowed so far?
Honestly, the only thing I can think is that most people her only watch Penn State. Ohio State sleepwalked through the Ohio game today, we saw LSU/Georgia do that last week, Illinois was ungained in the first half today, the list goes on and on and on.
We have played like we're uninterested a lot of the time so far because, let's be honest, we didn't have to be focused to win.
If Oregon plays like they did against Northwestern today we'll win easily--it goes both ways
Ohio U would beat the 3 tomato cans that PSU has played so far by a combined 100 points. They beat West Virginia and should have beaten Rutgers,
Yes OSU has some first half red zone issues which I am sure that Day will take of in the bye week but it is a stretch to say that they sleepwalked through that game. They still won by 4TDs. The yard differential was something like 580-160
 

Nits1989

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My experience and intuition tells me that we will see a different mind set versus Oregon. That could make an incredible difference.
There is a difference in attitude one has between getting out of bed and going to work on a Monday Morning.........and jumping out of bed as a 5 year old on Christmas Morning. Will that propel this team to actual NC level achievements? Show me.
Agree. They‘re totally capable. No team is perfect every drive, every quarter, every game. Just need to play well when it counts. Georgia scored 44 against Tennessee, but “only” won 28-6 against Austin Peay last week.
 

KingLando

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Ohio U would beat the 3 tomato cans that PSU has played so far by a combined 100 points. They beat West Virginia and should have beaten Rutgers,
Yes OSU has some first half red zone issues which I am sure that Day will take of in the bye week but it is a stretch to say that they sleepwalked through that game. They still won by 4TDs. The yard differential was something like 580-160
This post is delusional
We won by 46 and almost had our second straight shutout if not an elite catch with no time left yet we suck
 

Ludd

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Ohio U would beat the 3 tomato cans that PSU has played so far by a combined 100 points. They beat West Virginia and should have beaten Rutgers,
Yes OSU has some first half red zone issues which I am sure that Day will take of in the bye week but it is a stretch to say that they sleepwalked through that game. They still won by 4TDs. The yard differential was something like 580-160
No, they wouldn’t.
 

Ludd

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So we didn’t like McSorley, and we didn’t like Clifford, and now we don’t like Allar. So should we start not liking Grunk now, or just wait until his first win as a starter that isn’t by 75 points?
 
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WaffleShopper

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IMO he doesn't have great instincts and confidence and I don't think you can coach those things.
Mechanics and footwork are the symptoms but I agree that confidence may be the underlying problem. However, I do think that things like confidence and perspective can be coached.

I’ve coached and been around sports a long time and have seen the difference between confident teams/players and teams/players that are timid and afraid to pull the trigger. It makes a huge difference and less skilled or athletic teams will often win just based on attitude. Doesn’t matter what sport, if players feel like they have the trust of the coaches and can let it rip without consequences then they are going to let it rip.
 

sdwcpa

Sophomore
May 17, 2013
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This post is delusional
We won by 46 and almost had our second straight shutout if not an elite catch with no time left yet we suck
My comment was not about PSU winning by 46 against FCS Villanova or that PSU sucks , although getting back to the theme of the thread 16 for 29 with 1 TD and 1 Int is nothing to write home about against an FCS team for a senior QB that most are saying will be a first round draft pick. What was delusional about my post? Are you proud of PSU's OOC schedule?
 
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Ludd

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Seriously?? To say the least we just have an honest difference of opinion.
If we would have played Ohio and beat them 37-9, what do you think the posts would be like on this board?
 

LMTLION

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My comment was not about PSU winning by 46 against FCS Villanova or that PSU sucks , although getting back to the theme of the thread 16 for 29 with 1 TD and 1 Int is nothing to write home about against an FCS team for a senior QB that most are saying will be a first round draft pick. What was delusional about my post? Are you proud of PSU's OOC schedule?
My biggest issue with Allar is often staring down the primary receiver. When he does work his way through progressions, it’s far too slow, particularly for having so many games under his belt at this point of his career. It’s like he’s not keeping the play in his working memory.
 

KingLando

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My comment was not about PSU winning by 46 against FCS Villanova or that PSU sucks , although getting back to the theme of the thread 16 for 29 with 1 TD and 1 Int is nothing to write home about against an FCS team for a senior QB that most are saying will be a first round draft pick. What was delusional about my post? Are you proud of PSU's OOC schedule?
What was delusional? Your overvaluing of Ohio
No, our non-conference schedule is garbage--the players don't care about it either.
This isn't just Penn State or Allar specific. Look at every QB on a contender. You see the same thing.
Allar has 1 turnover on the season--there's zero concerns in that regard. We still lack playmakers and the offensive play calling is awful. AK refuses to take out the RPO junk and is using those plays as run only. He has to adapt to him team. We need far more crossing route and pick routes to get people open, we need to use Singelton in the slot, we need someone to actually make someone miss after a catch, we need better route running, we need a ton of things to make this offense better--which includes Drew play better but for that to happen AK has to adapt. No QB will put up elite numbers without better play calling. See how good we look in a 2 minute drill. There's no trickoration or other nonsense. Let Allar read defenses from the pocket and make the throws that basically no other QB in FBS can make with the possible exception of Nussmeier.
 

KingLando

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My biggest issue with Allar is often staring down the primary receiver. When he does work his way through progressions, it’s far too slow, particularly for having so many games under his belt at this point of his career. It’s like he’s not keeping the play in his working memory.
He doesn't do that. It's a completely false narrative.
 
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olelion

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I'll say it again. Drew Allar is a perfectionist who wears his emotions on his sleeve. He fears failure and overthinks the situation at times when given plenty of protection. When he has to just get out there and sling it, he does quite well. Beyond that, right now I'd have a hard time picking Penn State to win against any of the teams in the top ten except maybe Illinois. Something(s) is/are wrong
 

sdwcpa

Sophomore
May 17, 2013
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If we would have played Ohio and beat them 37-9, what do you think the posts would be like on this board?
I think that the reaction would be the same as most OSU fans had about last night's game. They have to clean up the red zone offense. Sayin is still a little green when under pressure as evidenced by the 2 Int where he probably should have taken the sack and lived for another play. All that said they still won by 4TDs in spite of their shortcomings. Sayin was still 25/32 with 3 TD passes and 2 Int.

My contention is that Ohio U already has beaten a power 4 team and outplayed another P4 team that they were very unlucky to lose.
 
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cntblvitsbutter

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Nov 1, 2021
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A QB does not win championships, or games for that matter, by himself. But sometimes he can be the main factor in winning or losing a game: like throwing an interception to kill a game-winning drive.

So far except for the USC game, he has not shown the ability to put the team on his shoulders and win a game. There are two main glaring weaknesses to his game keeping him from being "elite." 1) slow processing and 2) inaccuracy. With Mateer, I think PSU is a natl championship contender. With Allar, I think they're a bubble team.
 

cntblvitsbutter

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I suppose I’m just imagining it. It happens very often. Why couldn’t you have chosen a different PSU board to migrate to?

I was keenly watching Allar yesterday, and on almost all his throws where he's not scrambling, he's locked on to his primary receiver.
 

Ludd

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I think that the reaction would be the same as most OSU fans had about last night's game. They have to clean up the red zone offense. Sayin is still a little green when under pressure as evidenced by the 2 Int where he probably should have taken the sack and lived for another play. All that said they still won by 4TDs in spite of their shortcomings. Sayin was still 25/32 with 3 TD passes and 2 Int.

My contention is that Ohio U already has beaten a power 4 team and outplayed another P4 team that they were very unlucky to lose.
They beat a P4 team that is starting all over with a new coach and new system. The other team they outplayed was Rutgers. These early season games often mean nothing for the season for both teams. Look how many times over the years a G5 team plays a really good P4 team very well or even beats them then goes on to be a .500 team in their own conference. Perfect example is NIU last year…followed up their victory over ND with a loss to Buffalo and ended the season 8-5 and 4-4 in conference.
 

Nitt1300

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If I was to give Allar any advice based on what I've seen of him, it would just be to relax and play with reckless abandon.
 
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uh-Clem

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I could be talking out of my fat posterior but I had a conversation with my brother after watching Allar's post-game interview after the FIU game. I have watched a couple of his postgame interviews and he has always seemed to be very high emotionally after games, evidenced by fast paced speech pattern and loud voice. I wondered to my brother whether Allar gets too pumped up during games which would affect his consistency in the fundamentals. In my career as a manager I always followed the idea that the boss has to look like everything is hunky-dory even when the roof is caving in.

Outsiders never know the dynamics inside a team's huddle and I certainly know nothing about Allar's psyche. But we have all seen college and pro quarterbacks who have projected that "What? Me worry?" attitude and their teams seem better for it. McGloin and McSorley both had it. I hope Allar does.
 

WaffleShopper

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I could be talking out of my fat posterior but I had a conversation with my brother after watching Allar's post-game interview after the FIU game. I have watched a couple of his postgame interviews and he has always seemed to be very high emotionally after games, evidenced by fast paced speech pattern and loud voice. I wondered to my brother whether Allar gets too pumped up during games which would affect his consistency in the fundamentals. In my career as a manager I always followed the idea that the boss has to look like everything is hunky-dory even when the roof is caving in.

Outsiders never know the dynamics inside a team's huddle and I certainly know nothing about Allar's psyche. But we have all seen college and pro quarterbacks who have projected that "What? Me worry?" attitude and their teams seem better for it. McGloin and McSorley both had it. I hope Allar does.
I agree with you but we’re probably in the minority here. The hunky-dory comment goes back to the other thread where there were comments about Franklin calling timeouts at the end of the game yesterday. I understand wanting to get another shutout for your defense, but the appearance to me was a head coach that was panicking and scared to give up a TD to a bad team. Who cares if they score? Trust your backups to do their jobs and if they give up a TD then no big deal, either way they are learning. Calling timeouts at the end of the game up 52-0 is not a good look.

Athletes can absolutely take on the personality of coaches. Franklin has always looked panicked in tight games and Allar seems to have that same panic as though he’s scared to fail.
 

BobPSU92

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Josh Allen’s stat line from today’s 30-10 win over the Jest:

14 for 25, 148 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

Not good enough. Buffalo needs a new QB.
 
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PSUSignore

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So we didn’t like McSorley, and we didn’t like Clifford, and now we don’t like Allar. So should we start not liking Grunk now, or just wait until his first win as a starter that isn’t by 75 points?
Have to wait until Gronk is QB1 to not like him, as is tradition.
 
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rigi19040

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Are the RBs good enough? Nope. They are good but not good enough to beat OSU or Oregon. Allen gets run down by a dt. Singleton misses the hole and runs into the back of the ol. Need to get another rb involved.
 

Ludd

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Have to wait until Gronk is QB1 to not like him, as is tradition.
Good point, but we can dislike him a little for almost throwing a pick in the end zone. He obviously panics and stares down his receivers.
 

PSUSignore

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I'll say it again. Drew Allar is a perfectionist who wears his emotions on his sleeve. He fears failure and overthinks the situation at times when given plenty of protection. When he has to just get out there and sling it, he does quite well. Beyond that, right now I'd have a hard time picking Penn State to win against any of the teams in the top ten except maybe Illinois. Something(s) is/are wrong
Ignoring your comments about who we'd beat, I somewhat agree about Allar. I do think Allar is a perfectionist and holds himself to a very high standard. That can be good, or bad. The good is I imagine Allar works his *** off in practice and preparation for games. But when he makes an error, I think he's hard on himself, probably even moreso than the coaches and more rational fans are. I think that results in him lacking the swagger many are looking for, like McSorley had. He's overthinking because he wants to be as perfect as possible and play to the level of his abilities, which is very high. He shows emotion when he makes an error, directed at himself. I'm thinking that's just Drew's personality, which is fine. What I'd like to see him improve on is being a bit less hard on himself for errors as no QB in history has ever had a perfect game, there will always be some mistakes. But expecting him to fully change his personality isn't going to work, we have to learn to work within it and the coaches need to set him up for as much success as possible.

I think the way the coaches are trying to encourage him could be better. For example, I think they asked him to make some deep throws in these first couple of games even when it wasn't the perfect time for it based on down, distance, coverage, etc., in an effort to get him comfortable with more risk. We took shots on some strange down and distance situations yesterday. I think that's only going to lead to less likelihood of a successful play and even less confidence for Drew as he will get frustrated with the negative play result, especially if it results in a turnover on downs. I'd like to see AK draw up some plays to maximize opportunity for medium and deep routes where a WR can get open with room for YAC, to encourage Drew to attempt some medium and deep balls that hit a WR in stride instead of the back shoulder and intentionally underthrown stuff we seem to ask of him most often.

Franklin keeps saying he's ok with Drew making mistakes but then postgame yesterday one of the first things out of his mouth in his opening comments was that the one INT "drives me crazy." You can't say things like that if you are trying to encourage your perfectionist, emotional QB to take more risks. Someone with Drew's personality is going to hear that comment and allow it to frustrate himself and he will work to not do it again rather than make the risky throw.

I guess the time for that has passed since now we have a real opponent coming up and we aren't going to use Oregon as an extended practice like we did these first 3 games. Maybe the answer is to run a 2 minute offense more often as Drew seems to do well in it, as he probably has less time to think and just plays ball using his incredible talent.
 
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