Jared Allen Blasts Coaching Staff After Humiliating Loss

Jared Allen is unhappy with the way things went down against the Saints. I don’t just mean the final score or the stat sheet, I mean the way he was handled by the coaches and just the overall play calling approach. Allen was pulled late in the blow out after failing to record a sack (despite getting after Drew Brees pretty good at times), and after the game he sounded off about the decision.

“I was pissed that they wouldn’t let me out there to finish the game off,” Allen said. “I don’t like that they tried to pull me at the end.” Allen added, “What are we resting me for, the playoffs? That’s not my decision. I guess they want the young guys to play. I don’t know.”

That wasn’t even Allen’s strongest remark. His most severe criticism was leveled at the play calling which could kindly be described as overly cautious.

“At some point you just have to say, ‘What the heck?'” Allen fired. “We’re 2-12, what have we got to lose? You know what I mean? Try to make every play. A lot of people probably are going to get fired anyways. At this point what are you going to lose? Go out and make plays and try to put your best effort on there and try to win games. Sometimes we get in like a backpedal mode just trying to maintain so we don’t get beat too bad. Let’s go win.”

The Vikings spent most of the game in a soft zone, in hopes of protecting their battered secondary against an assault by Drew Brees. The approach resulted in Brees posting a historically brilliant passing performance. Clearly Jared thought the defense needed to be more aggressive. Normally the Vikings fix that kind of thing by simply ignoring Fred Pagac’s calls, but obviously that wasn’t the case yesterday.

Jared’s frustration is no surprise whatsoever, and his comments about the coaches are heartily welcomed. Maybe the Vikings should just make Jared defensive coordinator for next year. At least then Jared wouldn’t have to worry about getting pulled late in games.

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