The Vikings go on the Jared Diet
NFL April 22nd. 2008, 11:10pmWow, what a lame headline. I don’t know why I think of that Subway guy when I hear the name Jared, but hopefully that will all change as I watch Jared Allen punish QBs for the Purple and Gold. The Vikings have been on the other side of blockbuster trades recently (Moss & Culpepper) so it’s weird to see the shoe on the other foot. The bounty was a little steep (#17 & two 3rd rounders), but it’s a nice, bold move for Minnesota (as well as a necessity for Kansas City).
The Vikings generated little-to-no QB pressure last year. They were going to draft a defensive lineman in the draft. Instead of taking a chance on a prospect, wait for them to develop, and hope they pan out, Minnesota went with the present. It would be nicer if they had a QB that was ready to lead a playoff contender, but that’s a whole different story. Jared Allen teams with Kevin & Pat Williams to form one of the best defensive fronts in the league. His main concern is the bottle. If he can keep his nose clean, this should work out well. I tried to avoid it, but here goes. Let’s hope it works out far better than the Herschel Walker deal.
For the Chiefs, it was a no-brainer. They have gotten old. Real old. They needed to inject some youth into their team. Now with their pick they can go after a top tier defensive end to groom to replace Allen. With their second first round pick (if they are wise) they will address their pathetic offensive line. With a couple of extra 3rd round picks they can get some depth in their secondary and their wide receiver corps.
It took a little while to hammer out the details, but I’m glad this deal got done. It adds some excitement to the draft. I wish both teams well. This is a bold move. Let’s hope we have two winners

























April 23rd, 2008 at 4:07 am
3 draft picks, whoa! That D is gonna be nasty.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:38 am
You know, I was wondering about that title…trying to figure out how the VIkes were getting more slender… well done
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:35 am
this is a great move for them… should be interesting to see how this team shakes out this year
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:24 am
Love the first sentence. And yeah, it is a little lame. I can’t believe that Subway guy is still around. You lost weight, great, now go get a real job.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 am
BDJP - Lot to give up. They better hope he doesn’t celebrate.
Mo - tricked ya
LEV - agree
Eric - No doubt. That damn song is stuck in my head, plus the local jingle for that jewelry company
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
And hopefully Jared can stay on the wagon, otherwise it’s a year long suspension and a wasted draft for the vikes. But they probably would have taken Dimitrius Underwood’s brother, Troy Williamson’s cousin,or Luc Longley, or Felton Spencer. Wait, has Kevin McHale been running the vikes warroom??
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:39 am
Hilarious.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
great deal for the Vikes, they were gonna draft a DE anyway, they got a proven talent instead of a ???…so they gave up really 2 third round picks. JA is only 26, sack leader and now the Vikes have Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams and young up&comers Brian Robinson, Ray Edwards and Fred Evans…best D-Line in the league now!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Nate - great points. Given their track record with Eudeze and Erasmus, I’d say trading two 3rd rounders for a proven guy makes sense. The money is virtually irrelevant because in NFL trems it’s chump change compared to the TV deals, etc.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Totally Ryan…Erasmus had some injuries, but is coming back and if we can get anything out of him that would be a bonus. Udeze is out, diagnosed with Lukemia…so he’s not an option. If (big if) Tarvaris can have a break out year then they are looking good. His receivers are Bernard Berian, Bobby Wade, Robert Ferguson, Sydney Rice, Aundrae Allison…TJ has to be productive and not make mistakes.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:48 pm
The improved pass rush should help the secondary because they don’t have to stay with their man as long. That should improve their defense drastically. Couple that with a solid running game and you’re in business if TJack doesn’t make too many mistakes. I like Berrian and Rice had a good rookie season. Wade gets to move to the slot, which he’s better suited for. The others are whatever. I’d like to see improvement from the Tight End position. A young QB needs a good checkdown guy.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Their secondary definitely needed some help, they were horrible against the pass…JA should help that tremendously. Rice and Berrian should have great years, Wade too. I think Robert Ferguson brings some veteran experience and Green Bay(former team) insight which always helps! TE, OL and CB are priorities in the draft…maybe another QB in John David Booty who stated on ESPN he wants to play for the Vikes
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Great pickup. Sure, they gave up a lot of draft picks, but they haven’t had a pass rush force like this since John Randle.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
They gave up an awful lot for him, he better be one of the top 3 defensive ends next year or the fans might revolt if the picks wind up good players. but the Vikes definitely need the defensive help so maybe if thats what it took, then thats what it takes.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Great addition.
April 24th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Nate - great points
BD - No dobut
Paul - it seems like a lot, but to me it’s just two third rounders since they were going to take a DE anyway
chuck - yep