By The Gopher
Published: April 23, 2008 PrintEmail
The Minnesota Vikings, with their strong rushing attack and rushing
defense, are considered by some one or two pieces away from a
championship contender. The Vikings defensive ends have been a sorry
state. A string of failed first round draft choices have left the
position crippled. Demetrius Underwood never played a snap, Erasmus
James has had a string of injuries that has kept him off the field, and
Kenechi Udeze is out indefinitely with Leukemia.
It has been a foregone conclusion by most draft experts that the
Vikings were going to use their first round draft choice (#17 overall)
on a defensive end, whether it be Derrick Harvey, Phillip Merling, or
Calais Campbell. None of these options looked able to step in and
perform well as a rookie, but after failing to sign a free agent
defensive end, the Vikings’ hand was forced. This put the Vikings at an
incredible disadvantage in the draft. Every team looking to add a
defensive end, knew all they had to do was move one spot in front of
the Vikings, and they would likely get their man, The Vikings were
going to be forced to either reach, or trade up to get an average
defensive end because of this.
A solution to this predicament appeared in the form of Jared Allen, the
Chiefs’ disgruntled and franchised sack leader. The Chiefs were
shopping a player who likely had no future with their organization. And
since the Chiefs are in what most consider to be a rebuilding phase,
they were eager to stockpile draft picks. Negotiations began between
the Chiefs and Vikings, and it appeared that the Vikings were the front
runners, due to their extra cap space which would allow them to give
Allen the contract extension he desired, and their extra third round
draft choice that undoubtedly sweetened the pot. After a drawn out week
of negotiations, the two sides found a deal that both teams can be
proud of. The Vikings received Jared Allen and the Chiefs 6th round
pick, while the Chiefs received the Vikings First round Pick (17th
overall), Two third round selections, and the Vikings sixth round pick.
The impact of Jared Allen on the Vikings defense will be undeniable.
Adding him to the dominating duo of defensive tackles Pat and Kevin
Williams, has the potential to create a feared pass rush, in the minds
of every QB they face. Teams will be forced to decide who they will
double team, and who they will allow to face only one blocker, which
will likely be the equivalent of choosing which leg you’d like to be
shot in. Another thing that Allen will do, is free up the defensive end
opposite him, Either Edwards or Robeson will have an opportunity to
rack up sacks facing single coverage blocking schemes. The biggest
impact Allen may have, is in the Passing defense. A good pass rush is
often cited as a key aspect in stopping the pass, and the Vikings will
be able to generate that with a four man rush, allowing their
linebackers to drop into coverage. Allen has the potential to be the
key piece that turns the Vikings from a great defense, to a dominating
defense, capable of shutting down any offense.
Finally I’d like to address some of the criticisms of this trade. Many
people have stated that the Vikings have given up far too much for a
single player, and have mortgaged their future. But that couldn’t be
further from the truth. As stated earlier in this article, the Vikings
were set on taking a defensive end in the first round anyway, so the
Vikings only gave up two third rounder choices to get a much more
talented player with that selection. There will also likely be
criticisms of the contract Allen receives, as his contract made him the
4th highest player in the NFL. But, due to the Vikings having an
incredible amount of short term cap room, the Vikings have front-loaded
Allen’s contract, so his cap number is very manageable for the future,
much like the contracts the Vikings have shelled out to the likes of
Antoine Winfield, Bernard Berrian, and the first contract given to Pat
Williams.
I’ll end this article with a prediction. Jared Allen will reach double
digit sacks as a Viking, and the Vikings pass defense will improve to
top 10 in the league, without seeing a noticeable decrease in their
rush defense. The Vikings are now the odds on favorites for the NFC
North, and if Tarvaris Jackson can achieve competent play (not great)
at the QB position, the Vikings are a threat to make some noise in the
playoffs.
