Vikings Allegedly Increase Offer for Jared Allen

by Gonzo on Apr 21, 2008 8:01 PM CDT in News Comment 9 comments

Take this for what it's worth. . .this information comes from an Insider article that was published on Viking Update. Per protocol and common decency, I'm not going to link to the article here (and, hey, even if I did, you couldn't read it anyway), but the jist of it is this:

The Vikings' offer to the Chiefs for Jared Allen now consists of their #17 overall pick in the 2008 Draft, their #73 overall pick in the 2008 Draft, and a second-round selection in the 2009 Draft.

On the surface, all one can say is "wow." Because, honestly, it looks like a lot at first glance. But after a closer look, it really doesn't seem so terrible. Consider this for a moment.

Our first round pick was, more than likely, going to be spent on a defensive end anyway. If given the choice, who would you rather have. . .a proven commodity like Jared Allen? Or a guy that "might" work out like Derrick Harvey or Phillip Merling? Hell, how many first-round defensive ends has this team drafted since Chris Doleman was traded away with no real success? If you need to be reminded, here's the list:

1995 - Derrick Alexander (11th overall)
1996 - Duane Clemons (16th overall)
1999 - Dimitrius Underwood (29th overall. . .and, hopefully, this will be the last time that that guy is ever mentioned on this site)
2004 - Kenechi Udeze (20th overall)
2005 - Erasmus James (18th overall)

Kevin Williams was drafted as a DE, but I really don't think we're going to count him. Five times since the Vikings traded Chris Doleman to the Atlanta Falcons, they've drafted a DE in Round 1. . .and they've taken some shots in Round 2 as well with guys like Michael Borieau and Kailee Wong.

Take a good look at that list. . .include Borieau and Wong if you want. Of those seven guys, the only one that can't be classified as total crap at this point is Udeze. . .and even he hasn't developed into quite the pass rush guy that the Vikings hoped he'd be when they drafted him out of USC. Unfortunately, there's a chance that we'll never know if he could have developed into such a player. . .but I certainly hope we do. (Get well soon, BKU!)

So, then, if the choice is between taking a risk on Derrick Harvey or Phillip Merling or acquiring one of the 4-5 best defensive ends in the NFL. . .I think the choice is pretty much a no-brainer.

The third rounder we're offering in the trade? Hell, we stole that pick from Denver. It's only right that we use it for something bigger. Essentially, we trade away a pick that really wasn't ours to begin with.

And the second rounder in 2009? Come on. . .how much value does the 32nd pick in the second round have, anyway? (Okay. . .maybe as high as, say, 28th or so.)

So really, when it comes down to it, we'd be dealing next year's second round pick for Jared Allen. Who could possibly have a problem with that? That's the way I see it, anyway. . .as always, your mileage may vary.

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Thanks

Thanks for the update Daily Norseman! That's a great upgrade. I had heard from my all of my searching that when Hunt got involved the asking price went from (1st and 3rd this year) to (1st and 2nd this year AND 2nd next year) and we (the Vikings walked away). So us offering a 2nd round next year is getting closer. Now, I hope Hunt wasn't "firm" in his asking price and they come down some too.

Any idea who the "source" is on the Vikings now offering a 2nd round next year? Nobody and I mean nobody else besides Viking Update has gotten any "wind" of this yet and it's been hours now.

Thanks again.

Thanks Again for the update!

by vikingdrew on Apr 21, 2008 8:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why Not!!

That still seems like a great deal to get it done before the draft; allowing the team to focus on other positions for the draft.

LIONS AND PACKERS AND BEARS..... WHO CARES!!!

by skol4life on Apr 21, 2008 10:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think it's a bad deal

I'm all for going thru the draft and not giving up picks, but one of the positions I think teams should buck that philosophy is weakside 4-3 DE (and QB as well). It's just extremely hard and important to find a good quality weakside DE in the 4-3. If you don't have it, you're likely going to have a ceiling as how far you can go as good strongside guys usually are not terrors and can be taken on with help from a TE.

While I like going thru the draft, teams can spend a lot of picks trying to find that right weakside DE (one of the reasons why I don't like the 4-3), so if you can get a proven and just as important young quality DE, you probably want to give up the picks to get him. Of course, this makes Carl Peterson and Herm Edwards look like idiots for not doing everything they can to keep Allen, a guy they magically got in the 4th round.

Normally deals like this make my stomach turn because the transition to a new team is underrated and so is the injury rate. But with as many picks as the Vikings have and the player that Allen is, I'd pull the trigger on this move if I'm the Vikes.

by Yakuza Rich on Apr 21, 2008 10:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No Reasonable Offer Refused

I doubt Tampa will out-bid this. Even though it is clear Carl Peterson falls from the folder marked "unreasonable", the latest rumored offer would be considered a fair trade by most. If Carl doesn't agree, my advice is to go Godfather on him and jam those out-year first rounds down his throat next week. Gag him with a nasty poison pill offer to Jared. Let his rebuilding be delayed and watch the Arrowhead fans lynch him in the streets for losing their best player with nothing to show for it in the 2008 season. We can call it the Curse of Thigpen. It might make a good movie with Al Pacino as Peterson. Or maybe they'd call it 69 Minutes I'd watch it. If Jared wants to go see it, I'll buy the popcorn.

by Purple Reign on Apr 21, 2008 10:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Unreal

I'm sorry, but its obvious that the Chiefs organization is trying to fleece the Vikes. Period. I'd bet this all goes the "poison pill" route. Peterson & crew are obviously blind idiots that think they have the Vikes by the nose. Screw them over!!! Wait until after the draft & if Allen is still hanging around forcefully take him away from the Chefs. What a bunch of un-ethical mo'fo's the Chefs mgmt. is turning out to be. Dont let them fleece us. Play hard ball. I for one am glad I'm not a Chefs fan. What a bunch of morons!

by VikingDave on Apr 22, 2008 8:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jared Allen Trade thoughts

Yes, I agree. Don't let those Chiefs fleece us. Let's show them and force them to take our next TWO number one draft picks! That will make the chiefs and every other team in the league know that you just can't mess with the Vikings!

Hunt likes Allen.
Harris will be paid according to the contract he gets for Allen thus he doesn't care who actually signs him as long as it's for the most money possible.
Peterson is made to look like a bad guy by Harris.
Allen is made to look disloyal, greedy and risky with those past D.U.I.'s by Peterson.
(that's all part of negotiation) If K.C. offers a bigger, better deal than the Vikings there will be lots of public love between Allen, Peterson, Harris and the fans of KC.

We (the Vikings) are playing "chicken" with the Chiefs. Our front office knows exactly how high they are willing to go and they are simply trying their best to get him at the lowest possible price.

The Chiefs are playing "chicken" with the Vikings. Their front office knows exactly what they are willing to take and when and they already know that the "worst" case scenario is a 1st rounder the next two years OR that everyone changes their minds and Allen plays this year for the Chiefs (at least part of the year after holding out). If they play chicken with the Vikes too long maybe the Miami offers us Taylor and we accept (for a lot lower price) or maybe Carolina offers us Peppers for the same price we are willing to pay for Allen and we accept. Then Allen holds out and plays only a partial season with KC and is a F.A. next year and K.C. looses him for nothing. (and we get him as a FA because he visits us first as he already knows everyone here and likes minny and we are willing to pay through the nose to get him.)

Lots of outcomes. Everyone involved knows all of these possible outcomes also.

Just one big "poker" game with Allen going to the winner. Who is bluffing. Who will win.

I am rooting big time for our Front Office but then again I am biased.

We won't be "sticking" it to K.C. by taking him from KC with a poison pill offer and 2 first rounders. We might do that because our front office really thinks Allen is worth it (I personally would pay two first rounders if all else fails including trying to get peppers and or taylor for less) but we will be doing it only if it is in our best interests to do so.

For now, I'll continue to trust the front office that is in place now. I'll trust them more as soon as Allen is under contract. I'll trust them less if they let him get away.

This is very, very similar to the Santana, Twins, NY Mets situation. Except that this time we are the NY Mets fans instead of the Twins fans. It can be frustrating being on this side BUT it is way, way, way, way, way better than being a KC Cheif fan right now!!!!!!!

I feel your pain KC fans. I feel your pain. I am sorry to tell you this but I hope your pain gets worse soon and the Vikes actually SIGN the papers with Allen before your owner steps up to the plate and decides to play the hero to all of you and ponies up the money and tells his employee (peterson) to sign Allen to a long term deal and keep one of his favorite players in KC for the rest of his career. Man, I hope that doesn't happen...but it is just one of the possible outcomes of all of this. The longer it takes to get signatures on paper the less chance of it happening in our favor.

by vikingdrew on Apr 22, 2008 9:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Coming from another team

that always values defense first let me say I still don't understand moves like this. Yes, you have AP, but still your offense needs playmakers almost everywhere else and to give up all those picks that could go to the offense is questionable regardless of the quality of player you are bringing in.

by Adam T on Apr 22, 2008 3:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I understand where you're coming from, WCG

But here's the way I see it. . .

Yes, the Vikings' offense needs playmakers. Everybody knows that. It was obvious to anyone that watched the team last year.

Do they need playmakers at RB? Nope. . .they're pretty well off there.
Do they need a playmaker at QB? Maybe. . .like I've said, I'm a believer in Jackson and his abilities. And any QB they draft this year is going to sit for a year behind Jackson and Frerotte anyway.
Do they need playmakers in the receiving game? Hell yes, they do. But there's, at best, one or two WRs with a first-round grade in this year's class, and no TEs with a first-round grade that I can see unless we're willing to reach for one.

If the Vikings do this deal, they still have their #2, their own #3, and #4 this year. . .which is where all the WRs and TEs are going to be found anyway. That's what the Vikings need, and they'll get them where they should get them. . .on top of getting one of the best pass-rushers in football, which has been their most glaring defensive weakness for the last two years.

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by Gonzo on Apr 22, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs