RICHMOND—One of the reasons that the Redskins were so excited about having the opportunity to draft Alabama defensive lineman is that a few months earlier they had hired one of the best defensive line coaches in the NFL. If anyone could get the absolute most out of Allen it was Jim Tomsula, who had one of the best lines in the business year in and year out with the 49ers.

So, how does Allen like playing for Tomsula?

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“It’s been great,” said Allen. “Coach Tomsula is crazy. We love him though. I love him. He reminds me a lot of Alabama—just his coaching mentality, his style. Just, if it’s not about wining he doesn’t want to hear about it and I love it. You know he’s going to push you, he’s going to work you, but he’s always fair. So as a player, that’s a really all you can ask for in a coach.”

Redskins coaches have been compared to college coaches in the past but usually not in a complimentary fashion such as Allen did there.

Often first-round draft picks expect to be put right into the starting lineup, especially when the player is on a unit as bad as the Redskins’ defensive line has been. However, most of Allen’s practice snaps in both the offseason program and so far in camp have been with the second and third teams. He’s not alone as every player on the line is lining up in multiple combinations without regard for any sort of formal depth chart.

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Allen is taking it in stride. “He doesn’t care about the depth chart,” he said. “We’re not worried about that. We’re just out there trying to play good football.”

Talking about Tomsula’s substitution patters, Jay Gruden said, “Hopefully there’s a method for coach Tomsula’s madness right now.”

Whatever that method is, it seems likely that Allen will be at or near the top of the depth chart by the time Week 1 rolls around. He is too talented not to be.

Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page Facebook.com/TandlerCSN and follow him on Twitter @Rich_TandlerCSN.