Dodging the draft: Vikings get sack leader, but not without cost

By Mike Schoemer  |   Thursday, April 24, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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The noise you heard from the Land of 10,000 Lakes was the simultaneous crumpling of paper, as thousands of Vikings fans tossed out their mock drafts on Wednesday.

They did so with a tremendous smile on their collective face, as the Vikings acquired defensive end Jared Allen from the Kansas City Chiefs, adding one of the league's top players just days before the draft.

So who cares about the draft? Minnesota cashed in, right? Grabbing the man who tormented them in the two teams' meeting last season is a great way to go. Just ask Wes Welker and the New England Patriots.

But was it worth it?

Minnesota gave up three picks in this year's draft, surrendering the 17th overall choice, along with both of the team's selections in the third round. And, just for good measure, Carl Peterson and the Chiefs will swap picks with the Vikes in the sixth round.

Minnesota will pay Allen $74 million over the next six years. That's Dwight Freeney money. That's top-of-the-line defensive end money. And it's something Minnesota hasn't had to do for an end since the Chris Doleman/Keith Millard Era.

Allen signed his contract Wednesday afternoon, accepting a $31,000,069 signing bonus. Why the extra 69 bucks? That will be Allen's number in purple and gold.

By tossing away three picks in this draft, Minnesota must believe it has all the pieces in place. It has a Pro Bowl backfield on offense, led by sophomore running back Adrian Peterson. It has the receiver it coveted in free agency with Bernard Berrian. It has a young, promising quarterback in Tarvaris Jackson.

On the other side of the ball, it has 10 legitimate starters. Only one position, the weak corner, remains a question mark.

It has built the toughest defensive line in the NFC North, perhaps the NFC. Allen joins perennial Pro Bowlers Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, while Bryan Robison and Ray Edwards will create the other bookend in coordinator Leslie Frazier's four-man front.

Minnesota will be as tough as it ever was against the run. Now, it will be downright scary against the pass, too. Allen brings an amazing rush off the edge. Robison and Edwards were solid off of the other side as well. And Kevin Williams has shown he can get to the quarterback when he gets help off the outside.

The Vikings most likely will change their draft strategy now. With just one pick in the first three rounds, they will most definitely take the best player available at No. 47, possibly on the offensive side of the ball. Needs for depth can be addressed in the sixth round (yes, the round that gave us Tom Brady), where Minnesota has two picks.

As a fan, you have to think it was worth it. Allen is only 26, and can learn from a guy like Frazier, considered one of the top defensive minds in the league today. Allen makes a top-10 defense even better, and that's great news on one side of the ball.

Your only concern is on offense, which is where the Vikings were at this time last year. However, no Vikings fans really pinned their hopes on "A.D." dropping to No. 7, and no one could have possibly imagined the ripples he'd make through the league in his first year.

Which brings us to Jackson, who, like always, is a concern. Can he continue to improve? Can he keep the momentum he built during the Vikes' five-game winning streak in the latter part of the season? Can he be a legitimate, playoff-caliber quarterback?

If the answer is yes, then it was totally worth it.

Even that extra 69 bucks.
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About Mike Schoemer

• Currently serving as managing editor of the award-winning Monticello Times after promotion in September of 2007. • Took the helm of the Edina, Minn., community newspaper, The Edina Sun Current in September 2006 in the heart of an election year. • Promoted to the Managing Editor of the...
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