Ravens' Wink Martindale compares Josh Allen to Ben Roethlisberger and Dan Marino originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale has been known to make strong comparisons of opposing quarterbacks in preparation for an upcoming game.
Wednesday, he did it once more.
The Ravens are set to face the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen, who has drastically, and surprisingly, improved from his first two seasons in the league.
“To paint a picture, he’s like young Ben Roethlisberger because of his size and how he extends plays with Marino’s arm,” Martindale said he told the defensive coaches.
Allen has thrown for 37 touchdowns, 4,544 yards and just 10 interceptions this season, which vaulted the third-year pro into the MVP conversation immediately.
His biggest improvements, however, came in his accuracy. In his first two seasons, he completed 52.8 percent and 58.8 percent of his passes. This year, he completed 69.2 percent, an unheard of jump in his accuracy.
He was no doubt impacted by the addition of All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who Allen targeted 166 times in 16 games. But Allen has made the throws this year, throws he didn’t make in his first two years in the league. And with his size (6-foot-5, 237 pounds) and arm strength, he’s been one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league in 2020.
“Usually when you evaluate a quarterback and he’s not accurate, it’s hard for them to shed that tag,” Martindale said. “What he’s done in the offseason, what he’s done this year with (offensive coordinator) Brian (Daboll) and those guys, it’s amazing to see. It’s accuracy on the move, accuracy outside of the pocket, everything he’s done he’s become more accurate with it.”
