No lack of confidence for Vikings’ Jared Allen
F ormer Chiefs defensive end
Jared Allen is no longer mincing words (OK, he never really did).
Allen is flat out expecting a ride through confetti at the end of the season. At least that’s what he told the Chicago Tribune recently.
“The talent here is unbelievable,” he said. “On paper we have one of the best teams in the NFL.”
And as you probably know, Allen will benefit greatly from playing next to Pro Bowl tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams.
“For me, they were the top reason I wanted to come here,” Allen told the paper. “It was a selfish reason obviously, but they can make my job easier, and hopefully I can make their job easier.”
Hmmm. So the $31 million guaranteed from the Vikings wasn’t Allen’s No. 1 reason? Or to get away from Carl Peterson?
Allen, by the way, as usual had some interesting things to say about his opponents, this time from the NFC North. His season starts Monday night at Lambeau Field against the Packers.
“To get to play in Lambeau Field on Monday night to open up the season — that’s the coolest thing ever,” he said. “…obviously I feel we have a better shot without Brett Favre back there just because Aaron (Rodgers) is a young quarterback with less game experience. But it doesn’t matter who’s back there, we’re going to get after them."
Allen told the newspaper he also regrets that Bears rookie left tackle Chris Williams is injured.
“I wish he would have started,” Allen said. “Rookies have no chance. They aren’t real people yet. They don’t exist in my world. Whatever you did in college, you did in college. This is the NFL. I’m coming to get you. I wish (Williams) was playing.”
Winless Pats
After the Patriots’ final preseason game, coach Bill Belichick said of the winless preseason:
“When the regular season starts, it’s the ultimate ballgame, we know that. Is it nice to win the games? Yeah, but it doesn’t mean anything. We’ve had good records in preseason, we’ve had bad records in preseason. What counts is how you play in the regular season. That’s what matters.”
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