Jared Allen and The Alcoholics

I get why Minnesota and Tampa would both be incredibly interested in Jared Allen. He's a genuine superstar who's going to be in his prime for about five more years. He's a rare find in todays NFL, a run stopping end who also is explosive enough to notch double digit sacks. The main principle of the "Tampa 2 Defense" is to generate pressure with your front four, this defense does not believe in blitzing. Minnesota,in particular, desperately needs to generate pressure off the edge and in that regard Allen is a perfect fit. The only impact pass rushers in this draft are Vernon Gholston and Derreick Harvey. Both are likely to be off the board by the time either the Vikes or Bucs pick.


However acquiring Allen is a tremendous risk and one I would not take. It's going to cost; a first and third round pick to acquire Allen, as well as a Dwight Freeny sized contract. Allen has a decorated off field history

Allen has been arrested/charged for Driving Under the Influence a total of 3 times within 4 years. Once in Pocatello, Idaho, on May 11, 2002, and twice within 5 months in Leawood, Kansas on May 11, 2006 and on September 26, 2006. He was sentenced to 48 hours in jail as a result of the latter arrest.[6])

Allen has already been suspended by the NFL once and who knows how another offense/suspension would affect his long term NFL status. As we have seen with Mike Vick it's hard to collect bonus money from a player who gets into legal trouble.

On the field Allen brings a skill set that few can rival however when you factor in the salary cap impact, the draft picks, as well as the looming off the field issues acquiring Allen becomes more of a negative than a positive.