Pro Football Talk Comes Up With a Pretty Good Idea For the Vikings

by Gonzo on Apr 19, 2008 10:01 AM CDT in News

From their Rumor Mill tidbit about the ongoing discussions between the Vikings and the Chiefs concerning Jared Allen:

The Minneapolis Star Tribune suggests that the Vikes would have to give up at a minimum first-round pick and a third-round pick in 2008. Charley Water (sic) of the St. Paul Pioneer Press suggests that the Vikes will offer their first-round pick this year and a second-round pick in 2009.

Neither package is much less than the two first-round picks that the Vikes would have to surrender if they deal directly with Allen and sign him to an offer sheet.

And even though coach Brad Childress says that the team wouldn't give up two first-round picks for Allen, we think that the Vikings should strongly consider signing Allen to an offer sheet after the 2008 draft. If the Chiefs don't match (a poison pill might be necessary to ensure that they won't), the Vikings would give up their first-round picks in 2009 and 2010. And if Allen's presence helps get the Vikings to the next level, the picks sacrificed in 2009 and 2010 would be low in round one.

It would be the biggest trade risk that the Vikings have taken since 1989, when they gave up three first-round picks, three second-round picks, a sixth-round pick, and five players for Herschel Walker, two third-round picks, a fifth-round pick, and a tenth-round pick. In comparison, however, a first-round pick in 2009 and a first-round pick in 2010 for the best defensive end to wear purple and gold since Chris Doleman would seem to be a small price to play.

And you know something? That idea is so damn crazy that it just. . .might. . .work.

I'd have to put a little more thought into the whole thing, but looking at it on the surface, I don't think I'd be completely opposed to this. If the Chiefs don't want to come to terms on a deal, then we keep all our picks in this year's draft, load up on talent/depth, and sign Allen to a contract on Monday, 28 April after the draft is over.

Also, I'm sure that if a poison pill were to be inserted like there was in the Hutchinson contract a couple of years ago, the whining from the national media would be damn near unbearable for a while. . .but, like I said with the Hutchinson contract, Zygi Wilf isn't running a charity. He's not putting together an update of "How to Make Friends and Influence People." He's attempting to make his football team the best that it can be. Getting Jared Allen onto this roster would be a huge step in making that happen.

What say you, folks? If a deal isn't worked out prior to the draft, would you be adverse to that scenario?

0 recs | Comment 3 comments

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I'm not so sure

I'm not so sure about giving up a 1st rounder two years staight. Its not like our no.17 this coming draft is a lock on a pro bowl type player. If we whiff this season on our first two picks (come on people, we have a record of blowing out high round picks), take Allen & ANYTHING happens to him look where we are. I dont need to be swept by the Kittys, Peckers & Bears for three straight years.

Also, it almost sounds to me like KC is not playing ball. They must be asking for too much. Allen has a questionable track record off the field so I dont think he'd drive a rediculous deal. At least he probably wouldnt be dealing out of Zygi's range, dollars wise.

I dont like it. I say if we cant get the deal done now, including only sacraficing a couple of picks this season, then we shouldnt go the "poison pill" route. Its just way too risky. The vikes have some good, young talent right now & we really need O-line help anyway. Draft. Develop. I'd love to have Allen but this all smacks of the Herschel Walker deal to me. Allens shoe would probably fall off on the first play from scrimmage (and he'd blow his knee after the shoe flipped off).

by VikingDave on Apr 19, 2008 12:16 PM CDT 0 recs

Not a good idea

First off, two first rounders is pretty steep. These picks are VERY valuable to an organization. Two 1's is very different then a 1 and 3. Allen is good but thats alot on top of the huge contract he is going to require.

Second, The vikings draft strategy is probably going to depend on whether they land Allen. If they have to wait till after the draft for this scenario...then what do they do in the draft? They won't know if the Chiefs will match the offer sheet so...? Do they still draft a DE 1st? Probably not if they think they have Allen. Then what, risk not getting youre DE in the draft and then boom, something happens and the chiefs match the offer sheet and were stuck again with a gaping hole on the DLine?

Just don't think this is good idea for multiple reasons.

by footballninja on Apr 19, 2008 12:23 PM CDT 0 recs