Head coach Andy Reid called Nate Allen's performance Sunday against the Bills the best of his young career on his Coach's Show on SportsRadio 94WIP on Monday night.
Known for his range and ball skills, Allen had a career-high 13 tackles on Sunday. Not only was he tremendous in run support, Allen had a crucial third-down tackle of wide receiver Stevie Johnson short of the first-down marker which gave the Eagles the ball back down just seven points in the fourth quarter.
"It gives me a lot of confidence, especially bouncing back from my knee injury, just getting back in the groove of things," Allen said of Reid's praise. "I'm just working day in, day out in practice just trying to eliminate mental errors and help the team win."
Allen was the team's second-round pick in 2010. His career got off to a scorching start with three interceptions and a sack in his first four NFL games. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September. He became the first Eagle in franchise history to record at least three interceptions and two sacks as a rookie. However, his season was cut short due to a torn patellar tendon suffered in the Miracle at the New Meadowlands.
When training camp began, Allen wasn't fully recovered and was worked in slowly. He was put back on defense in the middle of the Giants game and proved to the coaches that he deserved to stay in the starting lineup.
"It's a mental battle. It was this past offseason coming off this knee injury and just staying positive. It's tough because it's a hard thing to come back from," Allen said. "I just kept my eye on the prize and what I was working for. I just told myself to keep working hard."
Allen's teammate and fellow 2010 draft pick, Kurt Coleman, thinks that the Buffalo game showcased just how much potential the team believes that Allen has.
"He looked great out there. I saw him fill in the holes and play the pass. He did everything that we expected out of him," Allen said. "I think we want him to build on that. He has so much potential. He really does. If he can continue to build on what he did last game, the sky's the limit."
Allen's not resting on his laurels after Sunday's game. He was at the NovaCare Complex on Monday and Tuesday working out, trying to do his part to help the team bounce back from their 1-4 start. Allen wants fans to know that behind the scenes the players are doing what they can to get his season headed in the right direction.
"We're definitely putting in work. We definitely put the work in during the week. That's what a lot of people don't see, the work and the time that we put in," Allen said. "We're just trying to perfect this thing, get on track and get that win next week."
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