Keim: Josh Allen’s bowl performance had John Elway cursing in disbelief
Nov 13, 2020, 9:16 AM | Updated: 9:17 am
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
After watching Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen play at the pro level, it’s clear the dude has some serious firepower with his arm.
Throw in his elusiveness and that’s a pretty complete signal caller in this day and age.
The Cardinals certainly took a look at him going into the 2018 NFL Draft, with Cardinals GM Steve Keim and president and owner Michael Bidwill flying out to Boise State to catch Wyoming take on Central Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Allen’s abilities were on full display as he escaped the pocket and fired off absolute daggers for touchdowns in the 37-14 win.
Of his three scores on the day, his last one really turned heads.
While turning others into sailors.
“Josh Allen was high [on the Cardinals’ draft board]. I won’t tell you where but he was high. He is a physical freak. His ability to throw the ball with that type of velocity,” Keim told Arizona Sports’ Doug & Wolf on Friday.
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“When was playing in a bowl game before the draft, Michael Bidwill and I flew up and I was sitting beside [Denver Broncos GM] John Elway in the suite. Wyoming was going in I’d say on the plus-40. He dropped back and threw a laser. I’m telling you right now, it took off like a rocket. Threw the ball on a rope, 40 yards, touchdown. And John Elway looked at me and said, ‘Holy bleep.'” … From the guy who is the king of throwing lasers. It was interesting and he certainly caught our eye that day.”
Keim would never get the chance to take a swing on Allen, who went No. 7 to the Buffalo Bills. The Cardinals settled for another Josh in Rosen after trading up from No. 15 to the 10th pick. Baker Mayfield (No. 1) and Sam Darnold (No. 3) were the only other quarterbacks taken ahead of Allen.
And despite the cursing, Elway and the Broncos added to their defensive line, selecting pass-rusher Bradley Chubb with the fifth overall pick.
There’s no doubt the Cardinals organization is pleased with second-year quarterback Kyler Murray and his trajectory as an NFL signal caller, but Allen’s stellar throws in the bowl game left a lasting impression on Keim.
Now, the Cardinals GM gets to take another look at Allen come Sunday when the Cardinals take on the Bills. This time, however, Keim is hoping that three-touchdown effort is from Murray, not Allen.
