Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Getting to know Beau Allen

The first player the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed in free agency was Beau Allen. Let’s get to know our new defensive tackle.

From Minnetonka High School to seventh round pick to Super Bowl champion, new Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Beau Allen has shown his grit, desire, and work ethic has taken him to the top of the NFL landscape. From the moment children strap that pee-wee helmet on for the first time, they dream of playing in the NFL and winning a Super Bowl. For Beau Allen, that became a reality just a few short weeks ago.

The Bucs found that their needs and the availability of free agent players matched up in a way fans didn’t really foresee. We all know of the need to generate pressure and sacks with the front four, but that isn’t exactly Allen’s calling card. In his four seasons with the Eagles, he amassed just two sacks.

But that’s not why he’s here.

Allen is a grinder. A monster along the interior of the defensive line and he was brought here to do everything Baker didn’t. He can collapse the pocket, eat up double teams allowing Gerald McCoy to come free, and – most importantly – he can stop the run.

According to Pro Football Focus – for those that enjoy and believe in their assessments – Allen was rated as the number one run stopper available in free agency;

Here’s the thing – just like I’ve been preaching that free agency and the draft are a symphony and the parts have to work in unison, the same applies to run and pass defense. If you shut down the run, you make the opponent one dimensional, allowing your line to pin their ears back and go after the quarterback while the coverage can do what it’s supposed to. When you can’t stop the run with the front four, you’re bringing help from the linebackers to stop the run, hurting your pass coverage and allowing the offense to pick you apart. Stopping the run is vital in seeing an improved pass rush.

It all works together.

As for Allen, he’s going to be a big part of this. His three year deal as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers is giving him $7.25 million in guarantees and up to $15 million if he plays out all three years. This is less than the three year, $15.75 million with $9 million guaranteed that Baker received last year and all (early) signs point to Allen not only being the better fit, but the guy that Buccaneers fans are going to get behind because they’ll see him busting his butt on every snap, in every practice, and striving to return to the championship.

With the addition of Allen – as well as Mitch Unrein and Vinny Curry – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a formidable run stopping line, which will go a long way. Yes, we all expect them to address edge rusher in the draft, but this was the first step in improving the front four in both facets of the game.

Next: Bucs Aren't Done In Free Agency

As for Allen outside of football, he seems like a pretty fun guy. Active on twitter – including calling me out for picking Star Wars Mac and Cheese over Spongebob Mac and Cheese – and he seems to have a personality fans will gravitate towards. You can check out his introductory press conference below where he also talks about meeting his girlfriend on the dating app Bumble, where his profile picture was him in a full elephant costume.