Jeff Allen struggled in his first year with the Houston Texans and says he’s hoping to get back to the way he played in Kansas City.
Before he left in free agency, Jeff Allen left the Kansas City Chiefs front office with a tough choice as to whether or not they could afford to keep him from hitting the market. Ultimately the Chiefs decided to let him walk and the Houston Texans won the bidding war with a four-year, $28 million deal to bring the offensive lineman to Texas.
For the Chiefs, there were reasons on both sides to be argued. On one hand, Allen had struggled with various injuries and ailment that kept him from ever playing a full season during four years in Kansas City. On the other hand, Allen was a versatile option who could step in at left guard or right tackle without the team missing a beat. As a still young option, it was hard to watch Allen leave.
However, unfortunately for both the Texans and Allen, the lineman had a difficult first year. On the plus side, Allen started a career high 14 games for the Texans, at right guard, but struggled to play at a level that the team was hoping.
"“I think I can do things better than last year,” Allen said. “The way I played in Kansas City, that’s the way I’m used to playing.”"
Allen cited a new team, a new playbook and head coach as part of the reason why he struggled, but he’s also lost a significant amount of weight, down 21 pounds from the previous eyar.
"“I feel good; I lost a few pounds,” Allen said. “I think it will be beneficial for me this season. I’ve done a lot of hard work, a lot of cardio. I changed my diet. I’m eating a little cleaner. I have a better understanding of what I need from my body."
Allen came to the Chiefs as the second round pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, the final draft class selected by Scott Pioli.