Jared Allen Doesn’t Want To “Look Like A Bum”

Nov 7, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) celebrates his sack against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings pass rush hasn’t been as good as it should be.  Vikings fans have expected much bigger seasons from the guys playing the defensive end positions.  This year, superstar pass rusher Jared Allen has only 6 sacks so far through 12 contests.   However, he’s not ready to throw in the towel on this year year.

The Vikings are scheduled to take on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.  Recently, Allen spoke with Ravens Insider Clifton Brown about the upcoming game.

"“I can’t speak for everybody in the locker room – it’s what we get paid to do,” Allen said. “This is our job, we’re professionals. My motivation is to try to be the best at what I do and win football games. At this time of year, when the season hasn’t gone away, if your motivation is only getting to the playoffs or to win our division, when that’s gone, what do you have left to play for? Those types of guys are going to be shutting down. We don’t have those types of guys here. You never want to go out there and look like a bum.”"

Jared Allen will be matched up against Eugene Monroe, the Ravens left tackle.  Last year, when Monroe was a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars squad, he did not allow Allen to get a sack in the head-to-head matchup.  Will Jared be able to get the better of Monroe this time?

"Nov 3, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (77) in action against Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) at AT“He’s got decent feet,” Allen said of Monroe. “From the film I’ve seen of him this year, he’s playing alright. It’s hard to watch Jacksonville’s film and then get a read on it versus Baltimore film, just because the quarterback play is so much different. The total offensive play is so much different. From what I can remember playing him last year, he’s an athletic guy, pretty decent feet, and has the ability to recover.”"

You can see the Vikings take on the Ravens on Sunday with a noon kickoff in the central time zone.