Jared Allen Would Rather Retire Than Rotate

Nov 24, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) following the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Vikings and Packers tied 26-26. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Allen is an every-down player or he is nothing. Rotating with other guys to remain fresh is not something Jared will ever be down with. Becoming a third-down pass rush specialist, also something he would not consider.

“I’ll retire before taking a step down and being a rotational guy. That’s for the birds,” Jared said when asked about accepting a more limited role.

Jared is currently sitting on 7 sacks, putting him in danger of missing double-digits for the first time since 2006. Many attribute his diminished production to fatigue brought on by playing too many snaps.

Allen has heard that argument himself in the past and always bristled at the suggestion he needs to sit down in games to stay fresh. Two years ago when this came up he suggested the team rest him in practice instead of during games.

Alan Williams has always been adamant about installing a rotation on the defensive line, to keep fresh guys coming in, preserving his best pass rushers for late in games. The way the Vikings have struggled in late-game defense this year? Maybe Williams has a point.

But Williams has never successfully argued his point to Jared Allen. He has never gotten the rotation he’s always envisioned.

Pride is one thing, but you can argue that Jared has hurt the team by taking such a stubborn, selfish position. And why by the way does Leslie Frazier need Jared Allen’s permission to sit him? Why is Leslie Frazier such a pushover when it comes to veteran players?

Leslie Frazier and Alan Williams have mis-managed the defense all year. Their refusal to rotate Jared out more often has only been part of the problem. They’ve also been clueless in evaluating personnel. Which is how Audie Cole wound up sitting on the bench most of the year. They even cut Audie Cole when they needed to bring up O-line depth from the practice squad. Because they love Larry Dean so much?

Actually it’s Mike Priefer who loves Larry Dean. I guess it’s not just the players who push Leslie Frazier around.

Next year, softie Leslie Frazier will be somewhere else. So will Alan Williams. And Jared Allen will be rotating right out of Minnesota. Maybe right out of football, unless he adjusts his stance on rotating.

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