DAMON DISHES ON JOINING THE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
By: Allan Ly
RP Show Intern
The Las Vegas Raiders recently signed one of the best quarterbacks in CFL history and his name is Damon Allen. Allen joined the Raiders coaching staff this week as part of the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
“I’m excited about the opportunity and to learn as much football as possible,” Allen happily described on Thursday’s Rod Pedersen Show.
A recent member of the Fellowship was another CFL great, Henry Burris, who did his stint with the Chicago Bears. Now Smilin’ Hank is back for the 2021 NFL season as the Bears’ Offensive Quality Control Coach.
Allen, who has a tremendous offensive mind, threw a grand total of 72, 381 passing yards for his career and won multiple CFL awards and was enshrined into the CFL Hall of Fame in 2012.
While it’s true that Allen is an offensive savant, he is ready for the challenge on the defensive side as well.
“It doesn’t matter what position that I’m learning from, I understand the game of football, on offense and defense.” Allen explained.
“I’m excited about stepping on the field and be among some of the great minds in the National Football League.”
For the Bill Walsh Fellowship, according to Zach Barnett of Football Scoop, applicants need to select the five places they most wanted to go. The Fellowship has been around for 30+ years and this year’s deadline was June 15.
“The Raiders were one of my five, and so I’m very thankful for it to work out,” said Allen.
The entire experience of getting signed for the Raiders has been tremendous for Allen.
“It’s been amazing, especially throughout Canada. I mean, the press release came through Canada first,” Allen detailed. “And so the response from everyone wishing me well. It’s been really great”.
Another person that is excited for Allen is his brother Marcus Allen – the Raiders great and Pro Football Hall of Famers – who Damon described as “excited for me and the opportunity.”
After spending 23 years in the CFL, Allen still pays attention to the game and when asked about recent comments made by Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Paxton Lynch, who under-estimated the CFL game, Allen offered some words of advice
“I would say to him, learn as much as he possibly can on the defensive side of the ball.
“They can do a little bit more things on the defensive side of the ball with an extra man. Now they can zone blitz and create pressure.”
The next couple of weeks will be busy for Allen as the Raiders are preparing for training camp.
“July 23rd is when I first arrive in Vegas,” explained Allen. “This will be four days earlier than what the Raiders originally scheduled for training camp on July 27.
“I’ll be down there with the other coaches… it’s going to be a cram session for me to try to get a great feel for what the Raiders are doing offensively.”
However, this does not faze Allen as he concluded, “I know football, and I can adapt.”
The Raiders made a great choice with Allen, and now the sky’s the limit for them. There is only one thing left to do, or as the late great Raiders owner Al Davis would say, “Just win, baby.”
(Follow Allan Ly on Twitter @AllanTheIntern)
Jon Gruden will have half his day accomplished by 6:00 am. One would think Damon would have transitioned to a CFL coaching career. The understanding I have is that similar to Danny Barrett he is a get up at the crack of noon type. He can have a phd in football. It is an internship. When he is running errands and making mcpaint diagrams for plays 18 hrs a day we will see how this goes. Nobody respects interns unless they grind and are there before you and after, and with guys like Jon Gruden and me you better be… Read more »
Its a very sad reflection on the CFL that after all the years Mr. Allen played in the league that not one team offered him employment in the coaching ranks nearing the end of career or thereafter. The man deserved better after his illustrious CFL career. Congratulations Mr. Damon Allen on your appointment to the NFL Las Vegas Raiders coaching staff.
You don’t have a singular clue. It’s the same reason why Bobby Jurasin was never offered a job. There are 9 CFL teams. Over 30 NFL teams and well over 150 to 200 NCAA/NAIA Colleges……They all missed the boat on these guys that quote “know football.”