Jared Allen Wishes Rookies Would Tone Down the Bling

Jared Allen has a message for in-coming draft picks: Dial down the jewelry boys! Don’t you know we’re in a lockout?

In an interview with KTAR in Phoenix, Jared talked about watching the Draft, and what struck him about the whole crazy spectacle.

"I don’t like anybody who was drafted ahead of me [Jared himself was a fourth round pick]. Kind of pisses me off. You know it did. I honestly think it would’ve been cool to see none or all of the players elect to not show up. I think that would’ve given a really big sign to the NFL. You want us to appease you guys by coming to this show, because that’s what the NFL Draft is on TV, it’s a show for their fans and a show for the league, you want us to do that than let’s get this deal done, let’s quit locking us out, and let’s get back to work. I think the bigger disappointment was to see the jewelry on these kids’ arms and ears. Are you kidding me? You haven’t played a down in the league yet and [there are] thousands and thousands of dollars on these kids arms and I’m like, “You guys understand you’re getting drafted into a lockout where you don’t know what rules you’re playing under or how much money you possibly might get?”"

Jared talks sense. Which is weird because he’s kind of nuts.

Allen also discussed the Vikings’ #12 overall draft pick Christian Ponder and what he thinks we should reasonably expect from the young man:

"I don’t know, the brief contact I was able to have with Coach Frazier for the whole 24 hours when the lockout was lifted, I trust them to do the right think personnel wise. Whether they believe this kid can do it that’s yet to be seen and we will have to see how the season plays out. I try not to judge people until I see them on the field. I came in as a fourth round pick, people thought I was going to be a long snapper, and I was able to prove them wrong. I don’t try to make judgments until I see them play but that’s a lot of pressure to put on a rookie quarterback, especially in our division with the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit, they’re no slouches these days either. It’s a tough thing and I will be curious to see what happens in free agency."

Sounds like Jared might also favor picking up a veteran. But we know he won’t be having an alcohol talk with Donovan McNabb, cause Jared doesn’t touch that stuff anymore.

One more Jared quote, on how he approaches preparing for the season when he doesn’t know if there will even be a season:

"I don’t think about it. I just prepare as normal. Basically as if we have a season coming and if we don’t then I will have one heck of a body when I’m laying by the pool with my wife."

In jorts, no doubt.

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