Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings / Image: Zuma Press

After putting in an impressive 18-of-24 passing performance (with 232 yards and one touchdown) this afternoon, Brett proclaimed this Vikings team the best he has ever played for:

“From a talent level, this is the best team I’ve ever been on. Now, I’ve said this from day one. It’s all how it shakes out as far as—you gotta have luck, the injury bug is always a factor for everyone. But to me, how our chemistry continues to come together is the most important thing. And that goes from play calling to who runs this route better; what run and what play action comes off of one play to the next; just kind of getting into the zone, if you will. We won that game today, but we did not play our best football.”

You can say that again. After building a 14-point lead with an impressive opening drive and fumble return touchdown by Jared Allen, the Vikings kind of went to sleep. The only thing keeping the game from being close (at least on the scoreboard) in the first half were St. Louis turnovers. The Rams were controlling the clock and moving the ball up and down the field almost at will.

But, as with wins over Cleveland and Detroit earlier this season, Minnesota took their game up a notch in the second half and cruised to an easy four touchdown win. With that being said, however, it will take a better performance—much like last week’s MNF win over Green Bay—to stay competitive with the likes of Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Green Bay (again) in the next three weeks before a much-deserved bye.

Source: NFL.com

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Brett Favre 5-0 For the First Time

Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals / Image: Zuma Press

As it turns out, Matt is only the second NFL player to come back after one day of Jay’s training regimen—meaning the workout was so difficult, very few return to be punished beyond one day. Therefore, Matt is not only reaping the physical rewards, but also the mental benefits of sticking it out:

“I think the biggest thing is how far you can push yourself. It’s got me mentally tougher and obviously we’re not playing games right now but it really helps you build this attitude that nothing can stop you. It sounds like a lot, but if you saw the workouts these MMA guys do, it’s ridiculous. It’s a whole other animal ….. It’s pushing me to my limits.”

Matt needs all the help he can get. And as Jay tries to rid Matt of his “pretty boy” personna—and as Kurt Warner gets better with age—the heir apparent to the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback throne is playing a waiting game. MMA workouts certainly won’t hurt him, but game reps these workouts are not. And until Matt can get under center and “face the bullets” in real time on a regular basis, his growth as an NFL quarterback will be hindered. He needs snaps—game snaps. He needs to play football.

Source: The Dan Patrick Show

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Matt Leinart Surviving MMA Workouts

Here is the NFC Pro Bowl roster. Starters are listed in bold.

OFFENSE

QB: Kurt Warner, Cardinals; Drew Brees, Saints; Eli Manning, Giants
RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings; Michael Turner, Falcons; Clinton Portis, Redskins
FB: Mike Sellers, Redskins
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals; Anquan Boldin, Cardinals; Steve Smith, Panthers; Roddy White, Falcons,
TE: Jason Witten, Cowboys; Chris Cooley, Redskins
T: Jordan Gross, Panthers; Walter Jones, Seahawks; Chris Samuels, Redskins
G: Chris Snee, Giants; Steve Hutchinson, Vikings; Leonard Davis, Cowboys
C: Andre Gurode, Cowboys; Shaun O’Hara, Giants

DEFENSE

DE: Justin Tuck, Giants; Julius Peppers, Panthers; Jared Allen, Vikings
DT: Kevin Williams, Vikings; Jay Ratliff, Cowboys; Pat Williams, Vikings
OLB: DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys; Lance Briggs, Bears; Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers
MLB: Patrick Willis, 49ers; Jon Beason, Panthers
CB: Charles Woodson, Packers; Antoine Winfield, Vikings; Asante Samuel, Eagles
S: Nick Collins, Packers; Adrian Wilson, Cardinals; Brian Dawkins, Eagles

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: John Carney, Giants
P: Jeff Feagles, Giants
KR: Clifton Smith, Buccaneers
ST: Sean Morey, Cardinals

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2009 NFC Pro Bowl Roster

The Minnesota Vikings defensive line — and the strength of their entire team (sorry Adrian) — is in jeopardy of being completely dismantled. Defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams are scheduled to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell tomorrow to discuss testing positive for a weight-loss diuretic (aka StarCaps) that is on the list of substances banned by the league. They’re both looking at possible four-game suspensions. And defensive end Jared Allen will also meet with Commissioner Goodell to talk about his recent questionable hits on quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers (Packers) and Matt Schaub (Texans). He’s facing possible suspension time. To make matters worse, the Vikes other starting defensive end, Ray Edwards, will most certainly be fined this week and possibly suspended (eventually) for a blatant late hit on Tampa Bay Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia yesterday.

If any combination of the aforementioned happens (especially Williams, Williams and Allen), the Vikings defense will be severely hindered and any hopes of a division crown (they’re tied for the NFC North lead right now) and subsequent playoff berth will be all but finished. Vikings fans are hoping Commissioner Goodell is in a good mood tomorrow.

Source: NFL.com

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Vikings Defensive Line in Trouble?

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen was fined $50,000 yesterday for what was deemed two below-the-knee hits on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. Neither of the plays was flagged, but the Texans are calling both hits cheap shots. Jared couldn’t really defend himself:

“I’m going to avoid all questions on that right now until after my appeal. We’ll see how it works out.”

Jared has been very outspoken lately about the National Football League’s rules. And Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin had a lot to say on the same subject during a conversation we had this past week. But after watching the replays, I have to agree that they were against the rules, like it or not. In the heat of battle with an intense desperation to get a hit on the quarterback, it’s hard to say whether they were intentional or not. The first one looked clean to me. The second one looked intentional and I’m very surprised Jared wasn’t flagged for it. Regardless, rules are rules and it appears Jared broke them — twice. Rule 12, Section 2, Article 12(5) of the NFL Official Playing Rules states, “A rushing defender who has an unrestricted path to the passer from any direction is prohibited from forcibly hitting the passer in the knee area or below.” I doubt Jared’s appeal will do much good.

Source: TwinCities.com

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Jared Allen Fined $50K, Plans Appeal

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen thinks the NFL is infringing upon his right to free speech. After being fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness against the Chicago Bears a couple weeks ago, Jared planned an appeal and reluctantly had something to say about it this week:

“I say something wrong I could get another fine. I might get fined for that. I tell you what, I think it’s kind of getting out of hand. There comes a point to where we have to be able to play this game. I know it’s for our safety and that’s (NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s) job. I don’t want to be in that position to make those calls either. But football is a violent game. Things are going to happen. Tempers are going to flare. People are going to disagree with the ref’s call. They’re going to say something. At some point where do you cross the line in taking away our God-given right to express our feelings and our emotions? The last time I checked we live in America and we have freedom of speech. But not in the NFL.”

I have to agree with Jared to a certain extent. On one hand, I understand why the league doesn’t want its players bashing its officials in public. It makes the whole operation look bad. But in that process, you are essentially telling your employees they can’t speak out. It’s not illegal. The First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting free speech but it doesn’t prevent organizations like the NFL from restricting what its employees can say. Nevertheless, I think the league might be too harsh to punish even the slightest derogatory comments. I think the entire process of fines and suspensions needs to be reevaluated.

Source: StarTribune.com, Photo: Newscom

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Jared Allen Wants Freedom of Speech

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

There’s a great story on Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen in the June 30, 2008 ESPN Magazine (”The Fight Has Just Begun”). Since Jared quit drinking 20 months ago, he led the NFL in sacks last season and signed a new six-year, $73 million contract with the Vikes. Still, the road ahead won’t be easy for a guy with two DUI arrests in Kansas and a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s alcohol and substance-abuse policy:

“I wanted to show people I could man-up. I’ve been rewarded for that, and I don’t want to jeopardize that now. People ask if I became a better player because I stopped drinking. Well, I always felt like a pretty good player, but not drinking was part of my growth as a man.”

It seems as though Jared has turned his life around, but there will be a lot of pressure to do the right thing in the future. With his new contract and new lease on life, he has everything to lose with another mistake. As long as Jared can keep his attention on football and doing the job he is so well paid to do, the Vikings could have the NFL’s best defense in 2008.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

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Jared Allen’s Fight Has Just Begun

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Even though Jared Allen has stopped drinking alcohol, he hasn’t exactly settled down. Check out his recent extracurricular activities:

• He snorkeled in a shark cage at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii
• He traveled to New Zealand to go bungee jumping and white-water rafting
• He went skydiving in Arizona
• He ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain
• He wrestled and killed a wild boar
• Most recently, Jared’s been hunting black bear in northern Idaho

I wonder if there’s a “thrillseeker” clause in Jared’s new deal with the Vikes?

Source: SportingNews.com, Photo: Newscom

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Jared Allen’s ‘Thrillseeker’ Lifestyle

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

It’s official. The Kansas City Chiefs have traded All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings for three picks in this weekend’s NFL Draft. The Vikings give up their first-round pick (17th overall) plus both of their third-round picks (73rd and 82nd overall). Initially, the Chiefs wanted Minnesota’s first and second-round spots, but the Vikings had enough Draft picks (nine) to negotiate with. Considering their second-round pick non-negotiable, they decided to abandon their two third-round picks instead and the Chiefs jumped at the opportunity. KC now has 13 total selections in this 2008 NFL Draft as they try to rebuild their program.

Photos Courtesy Minnesota Vikings

Jared Allen wanted no part of a rebuilding program. As he approaches the prime of his career, Jared saw that the Vikings (who signed him for six years and nearly $74 million with $31 million guaranteed) were really only a player or two away from being serious playoff contenders. Along with the “Williams Wall” (tackles Kevin and Pat), Minnesota now has three Pro Bowlers on their D-line and a very legitimate pass rush. You know the numbers. The Vikings could stop the run (they were the NFL’s best last season) but couldn’t stop the pass. Opposing teams gave up trying to run on the Vikes and Minnesota couldn’t muster enough of a pass rush to prevent themselves from becoming the league’s worst pass defense. With Kenechi Udeze recovering from leukemia and Erasmus James recuperating from a third knee operation, it was pretty clear the Vikings needed help at the defensive end position.

Jared’s only going to make the rest of the Vikings better. I’m talking specifically about players like Ray Edwards (who should start opposite Jared at DE) and DBs Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin and Marcus McCauley. As long as Jared can stay healthy and out of trouble, the opportunistic Vikings will have arguably the NFL’s best defense to go along with an offense led by superstar running back Adrian Peterson. If QB Tarvaris Jackson can “manage” the offense, Minnesota will be tough to beat. Super Bowl contenders? In the wide-open NFC, why not?

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Chiefs Trade Jared Allen to Vikings

Image details: Kansas City Chiefs v Houston Texans served by picapp.com

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

The details of the proposed Jared Allen trade from the Kansas City Chiefs has become clearer. According to a report from TwinCities.com, KC wants a first and second round pick in this year’s NFL Draft as compensation. Thus far, the Minnesota Vikings have offered a first and third round pick in this year’s Draft. Therefore, we’re at a standstill until one side budges.

The problem is, we’re dealing with two stubborn sides. Minnesota’s VP of Player Personnel, Rick Spielman, places a very high value on Draft picks. He can live with the loss of the first round pick. It’s the second round pick he’s struggling with. The Vikes have two selections in the third round. He’s willing to part with one of them to get the NFL’s sack leader. As for Chiefs’ president and GM Carl Peterson, he’s known as one of the NFL’s toughest negotiators. So, there you have it.

I think Minnesota is going to have to be the one to give-in here. If they want Jared Allen bad enough, they’re going to have to suck it up and spend their top two Draft picks on him. Is he worth it? Well, obviously that’s the risk you take but I think they should pull the trigger on this deal. The potential reward outweighs the risk involved. Plus, Minnesota would still get seven Draft picks.

The Vikings really don’t have any competition for Jared. Tampa Bay was in the running and Jared may still make a visit there (his agent lives in Tampa), but let’s be realistic. The Bucs only have five picks in this year’s Draft. They’re not going to part with their top two. Plus, according to his agent, Jared loved his two-day visit to Minnesota. He’s sold on the Vikings and the Vikings are sold on him. Almost.

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Chiefs Want Top Two Picks for Jared Allen