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Where will he start next year? He's not a back up, not on any team. I don't expect him to back up next year. Does he start over JA, Robison, or at OLB?

I don't think they'll rehash the experiment at linebacker again. He's a defensive lineman. Unless they get rid of Allen going into next year, I see him battling Robison for a starting DE job, but he may just end up being used the same way next season as he was this year.

That would be a crime in so many ways. He has so much flash and big play potential. I feel like he's a Jon Randle clone.

Oakdale63 wrote:That would be a crime in so many ways. He has so much flash and big play potential. I feel like he's a Jon Randle clone.

He's a freakin beast. Totally with you on this. Flashy is a good word for him. But flashy in a good way, not a Jerome Simpson sort of way. Dude is a freak athletically.

Am I crazy to suggest a Robison/Griffen starting DE tandem? Maybe I'm just not noticing, but Allen doesn't seem as effective as either of them this year.

Everson Griffen is on the rise. We may have ourselves a gem.

admvp wrote:Am I crazy to suggest a Robison/Griffen starting DE tandem? Maybe I'm just not noticing, but Allen doesn't seem as effective as either of them this year.

No, but I can't see Allen remaining with the team except as a starter. I'd certainly have no qualms about trading him for a draft pick.

I dont know if it's just me, but JA didn't look the same strong explosive player we've been used to seeing.
I would rather trade him for (LB's WR's draft picks etc) and put Griffen in. Big BIG fan of griffen.
As for the LB experiment, We need a big overhaul at LB. But I wouldn't take one of our most talented players and put him in the team at a different position. Griffen is a good DE bcause of his freakish strength and speed. To me if he moved to OLB, he would have the skill set to be an average LB.

admvp wrote: He's a freakin beast. Totally with you on this. Flashy is a good word for him. But flashy in a good way, not a Jerome Simpson sort of way. Dude is a freak athletically.

Am I crazy to suggest a Robison/Griffen starting DE tandem? Maybe I'm just not noticing, but Allen doesn't seem as effective as either of them this year.

Everson Griffen is on the rise. We may have ourselves a gem.

Not saying this was 100% of the "problem" but Allen was playing hurt for the majority of the year and I think will require surgery in the offseason. I don't understand why so many people are so quick to bash/get rid of the guy when he's still one if the top 5 DEs in the country when healthy. Memories of a pre-Allen team, for me, are not pleasant ones.

I seriously don't understand how some say Allen wasn't effective this season. He played the run well, put consistent pressure on opposing QBs and is a veteran leader in the locker room ... Despite the shoulder injury. Play these guys like the Vikings did this year and don't worry about it: rotate them, get Griffen in on passing situations at DT or DE. This is one area of the team that isn't a concern.

Jared Allen - DL - Vikings

Vikings RE Jared Allen will undergo offseason shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.

It's the first surgery of any kind for Allen in his nine-year NFL career. Allen says he doesn't know when he tore the shoulder up, but he played with it for much of the season. Bum shoulder and all, he still recorded a respectable 12 sacks. Allen will play in the Pro Bowl on January 27 and then undergo the procedure shortly after. He should be fine for training camp.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities

What about having Williams as NT and Griffen at the other Tackle position? Then Robison and Allen on the outside?

I think JA's hilarious interviews are enough of a reason to want him to stay a Viking.

PurpleMustReign wrote:What about having Williams as NT and Griffen at the other Tackle position? Then Robison and Allen on the outside?

That's basically what they do on passing downs. They did the same situational sub with Robison before he started but its just that, situational, I don't think Griffen has the size to play DT every down.

First of all, the Allen disappointment is silly. He played injured all season, yet had probably his best season against the run he's ever had. He lead the team in sacks, was 8th in the league, and was 3rd out of 4-3 DEs. He did this while garnering the majority of attention from opposing blocking schemes. If say for " down" season that's pretty impressive. I think some of you have been spoiled by Allen's spectacular play to the point where you're disappointed with anything else.

Second, have 3 quality DEs Is a huge advantage. It gives us a great rotation to keep them all fresh and with griffen's versatility inside, we have the ability to put 3 very good pass rushers on the field on passing downs

Lastly, keep in mind Griffen was a huge disappointment in college when put into a starting role. As a situational rusher, he was great in college, but struggled as a starter. And it's not like he barely sees the field, Jared and Robison may be the "starters" but all three see significant time

dead_poet wrote:Not saying this was 100% of the "problem" but Allen was playing hurt for the majority of the year and I think will require surgery in the offseason. I don't understand why so many people are so quick to bash/get rid of the guy when he's still one if the top 5 DEs in the country when healthy. Memories of a pre-Allen team, for me, are not pleasant ones.

Definitely agree with you about Allen. He has a torn labrum, which is no small thing. It not only affects him on the field, but I'm guessing it limits his weight room workouts, as well. Any stress on the shoulder when his arm is extended in any way puts him at severe risk of dislocation. It had to limit what he could do.

The surgery now is arthroscopic, so I expect him to have it soon, get his rehab done with, and come back strong.

And remember ... even with a torn labrum, Allen had 12 sacks.

As for Griffen, I think he's better than Robison. He had essentially the same number of sacks (8.0) as Robison (8.5) in half the snaps, at most.

J. Kapp 11 wrote: Definitely agree with you about Allen. He has a torn labrum, which is no small thing. It not only affects him on the field, but I'm guessing it limits his weight room workouts, as well. Any stress on the shoulder when his arm is extended in any way puts him at severe risk of dislocation. It had to limit what he could do.

The surgery now is arthroscopic, so I expect him to have it soon, get his rehab done with, and come back strong.

And remember ... even with a torn labrum, Allen had 12 sacks.

As for Griffen, I think he's better than Robison. He had essentially the same number of sacks (8.0) as Robison (8.5) in half the snaps, at most.

I thought Robison was great this year against the run and pass and I think he outplayed JA by a large margin . I think we need all three of those guys because they all have strengths that the defense needs . You can't ever have enough corners or defensive ends I think .