Teicher: Jared Allen quickly exceeding KC's expectations

[tk13]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/10041488.htm

Sack-tacular SURPRISE

Pass rusher Allen quickly exceeding KC's expectations

By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star


Chiefs rookie Jared Allen wore a black eye this week courtesy of a stray fist he took in last week's victory over Atlanta. Allen couldn't have been prouder.

“It makes me feel,” he said, beaming, “like a football player.”

Allen has other reasons for feeling as if he belongs. A fourth-round draft pick, Allen has emerged as the Chiefs' pass-rush specialist. Despite playing limited snaps, Allen leads the Chiefs and all NFL rookies in sacks with four.

He took down Michael Vick twice last week, including once when he shoved 290-pound Atlanta tackle Kevin Shaffer aside on the way to his target. Allen's play gives the Chiefs hope they can get to Peyton Manning when they play the Colts on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.

Manning has been sacked just four times this season. The Chiefs got to Manning only once in last year's playoff game, and that was accomplished by the since-departed R-Kal Truluck.

“Peyton Manning is obviously a different beast than Michael Vick,” Allen said. “You look at the schedule, and you kind of get excited about this game. But we've still got to get to him.”

If they do, chances are it will be Allen. He plays the right end on passing downs and is pushing for more playing time. Chances are, after the way he played against the Falcons, he will get it.

“I'd like to see him play more,” said Lynn Stiles, the Chiefs' vice president for football operations. “I'm a spectator on Sunday just like everybody else. He's a player other teams have to account for. I'm not comparing him to Derrick Thomas, but Derrick was one of those kinds of guys. Neil Smith was one of those kinds of guys.

“I've said all along that if he gets enough snaps, he'll get a sack a game. But he's got to be playing to do it.”

Allen is far ahead of the curve. A fourth-round pick is supposed to be playing on special teams at this point of his rookie season, particularly for a veteran-filled team like the Chiefs.

But Allen is the unusual Chiefs draft pick who is exceeding expectations. The Chiefs hoped Allen would eventually become a starter. He had 38½ career sacks at Division I-AA Idaho State, including 17½ as a senior.

Combine his small-college background and the fact that at about 270 pounds he's a little undersized, and even the Chiefs weren't certain.

Now the Chiefs are lining up to take credit for his selection. Asked who pushed for his selection, Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said: “Me. No one makes all the decisions or gets everything right. But I had a real strong feeling on this guy and I got support from everybody else and we drafted him.

“I loved what I saw on college tapes. I've said this many times: I saw Grant Wistrom in this kid, that kind of passion to play the game and a long body that can lean and turn and twist and run. I'm not the only one who saw it, but I know at that time in the draft I was pushing for everybody else to get involved in the evaluation process and consider this guy seriously.”

Stiles, who oversees the Chiefs' draft preparations, was startled to hear Vermeil's comment.

“He said that? Well, whatever Dick said,” Stiles said. “I don't care who gets the credit. Coach Vermeil, Carl Peterson, Lamar Hunt, the janitor can get the credit for all I care.

“If he had played Division I-A, you would have said he was the next Grant Wistrom because he was a playmaker. There are many similarities. They both have great motors. They're both instinctive players.”

Allen usually comes out of the game in regular down-and-distance situations. The Chiefs would like to see him get stronger before they will use him regularly in that role.

“We've said all along that he's a good football player and will continue to get better and has to play more,” Vermeil said. “I think he's a guy who has some very, natural instinctive pass-rush ability. He has a great passion to play the game, and his motor's always running, and if anyone makes a mistake he can get there because he doesn't turn his motor off. That's just the kind of kid he is.”

Allen also might be the kind of kid who ends the season as the Chiefs' sack leader. No rookie has done so since Thomas in 1989.

“It wouldn't surprise me,” Vermeil said. “I believe Jared Allen has the ability to one-on-one pass rush against a good offensive tackle, and he'll get his share of sacks.”

Allen is taking a good amount of grief from linemates like Eric Hicks and Lional Dalton about his sack lead. He's certain to hear more as the season wears on.

“They'll probably make me take them out to dinner,” Allen said. “But that's OK. That would definitely be worth it.”


JIM BARCUS/The Kansas City Star
In his first pro season, Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen (above) already is putting the squeeze on opposing quarterbacks. Allen leads NFL rookies with four sacks.

[R&GHomer]

Originally Posted by el borracho

I bet Gunther is in love!

He does have that thing for facial hair.

[Mr. Laz]

apparently Adam read my thread

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

Allen has the same number of sacks as Kearse and Freeney, in a fraction of the snaps.

He has more sacks than Grant Wistrom (2.5).

We did nothing to improve this defense. Didn't even try to...

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Rausch

We did nothing to improve this defense. Didn't even try to...

you really think a forth rd draft pick should be considered a "real effort" to improve a defense that had been so bad for so long as ours?


Jared allen is one of those nice surprise picks that should compliment the real improvements that are made.

a nice "bonus"

[jspchief]

Does anyone have his combine numbers? I remember someone on another board saying that his bench press numbers were absolutely pathetic. It gave me the impression that he would be a project or end up as a tweener that relied solely on speed (which won't get you much in the NFL). Based on what I had read, I had no reason to expect anything from him this year or anytime soon. Suprise, suprise.

The thing I love most about this guy is his motor. he goes non-stop and he seems to be involved in the play every time he's on the field. I can remember several times in the Atlanta game where Dunn just slipped out of his grasp, avoiding a spectacular play deep in the backfield. Even when he isn't making the tackle his penetration seems to disrupt plays. I also love that when he rushes, he rushes the ball, not the QB. I get tired of watching our other DEs trying to get to the QB while the RB is already 5 yards downfield. It's like they have no clue where tha ball is...Allen is just the opposite. As soon as the hand-off takes place he readjusts to pursue the runner. He has a nose for the ball.

[KCTitus]

Originally Posted by lazarus

you really think a forth rd draft pick should be considered a "real effort" to improve a defense that had been so bad for so long as ours?

'real effort'...I think we have another Lexicon entry boys and girls. Let's get a definition together.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by KCTitus

'real effort'...I think we have another Lexicon entry boys and girls. Let's get a definition together.

2 Lexi-pts for Titus....do I at least get an assist? I mean, that was just a perfect pick play...

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Rausch

2 Lexi-pts for Titus....do I at least get an assist? I mean, that was just a perfect pick play...

thanks for the quote




too bad iggy doesn't catch the quotes too

[Chiefnj]

Originally Posted by jspchief

Does anyone have his combine numbers? I remember someone on another board saying that his bench press numbers were absolutely pathetic. It gave me the impression that he would be a project or end up as a tweener that relied solely on speed (which won't get you much in the NFL). Based on what I had read, I had no reason to expect anything from him this year

Jared Allen Scouting Report from cbssportsline

Career Notes

The most dominating pass rusher in the NCAA Division 1-AA ranks, Jared was recognized as the division's premier defensive player by becoming the first Big Sky Conference player to ever win the Buck Buchanan Award in 2003 ... The most decorated player in school history had a stellar career that saw him wreak havoc in the opposing backfield ever since he arrived on campus ... Blessed with superb athletic skills, he adds to his impressive resume with his abilities as a quality long snapper ... The son of former Minnesota Viking, Ron Allen, Jared started 33 of 41 games during his career ... The four-time All-Big Sky Conference selection finished his career with 250 tackles (112 solos), 38.5 sacks for minus 269 yards, 73 stops for losses of 338 yards, seven fumble recoveries for 57 yards in returns, including a touchdown, 13 forced fumbles, three interceptions for 38 yards in returns with a score, 26 pass deflections, a blocked kick and a 3-yard touchdown catch ... Only Josh Hayes (42, 1994-96) had more sacks in ISU history ... His 13 fumbles caused set another school career-record.
Analysis

Positives: Has a tall, rangy, athletic build with room for additional growth ... Flashes a sudden burst as a pass rusher and has the quickness to get up field and turn the offensive tackle ... Fights pressure well and will usually always find the ball ... Smart, instinctive player who won't be fooled by misdirection or play action ... Gains advantage over the slower blockers coming off the edge ... Uses his hands effectively to separate and control ... Very emotional and vocal leader who plays from snap to whistle ... Shows good hand quickness with a snap-toe average of 0.72-0.80 seconds on long snapping chores ... Has the lateral agility to string plays wide and shows the foot quickness to mirror tight ends and backs covering the pass in the short area ... Possesses above average balance and body control in his pursuit chase.

Negatives: Has a softer-than-ideal body and needs to add strength and muscle mass to his frame ... Productive pass rusher, but the level of competition was not good ... Marginal run defender who gets sealed by the tight end, reached by the offensive tackle and does not generate power when redirecting in-line ... Has poor strength at the point of attack, generally getting stuffed when playing too tall in his stance ... Usually neutralized vs. double teams and can be sealed inside by the smaller slot receiver ... Gains an edge in his pass rush, but an offensive tackle with good hand placement can yank him to the ground (gets washed out and does not use his hands with force to shed) ... Grab-and-drag down type of tackler with poor wrap-up technique ... Needs to use his hands better to prevent blockers from cutting him at his feet ... Lacks dedication to the weight room and to a good nutrition program during the off-season ... Had several off-field incidents that need further evaluation.

Injury Report



Campus Agility Tests

4.88 in the 40-yard dash ... Bench presses 225 pounds 13 times ... 1.72 10-yard dash ... 4.36 20-yard shuttle ... 33-inch vertical jump ... 32-inch arm length ... 9 3/8-inch hands ... Right-handed ... 22/30 Wonderlic score.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by lazarus

thanks for the quote




too bad iggy doesn't catch the quotes too

Putting Mr.T on iggy is just a fuggen crime.

[KCTitus]

Originally Posted by Rausch

2 Lexi-pts for Titus....do I at least get an assist? I mean, that was just a perfect pick play...

certainly...

Here's what Im thinking:

Real Effort - Any FA pickup or draft pick made by any NFL franchise except the Chiefs.

We already have 'Get Lucky', so I'll add 'Nice Bonus' as a reference to 'Get Lucky'

[ChiefGator]

Originally Posted by Iowanian

I can't wait to see him next season, after he's addd 10-15lbs of muscle in the offseason.

Man, I'm so tired of hearing people say that. You want to see him slower next season, since he has to pull around 10-15 more pounds of muscle?

The average weight of the top 10 rated DE's by CBSSportsline is 273 pounds. If Allen is really playing at 270, he is fine. More weight does not necessarily a better DE make.

Nothing personal, o'course, Iowanian. That sentiment is expressed all over this board.

Mark

[the Talking Can]

"Smart, instinctive player who won't be fooled by misdirection or play action .."

I love that. I, also, thought he'd need a year to get stronger. But I've seen him push back some large LTs. Next year, with 10-15 more lbs he should be ready for full time.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by KCTitus

certainly...

Here's what Im thinking:

Real Effort - Any FA pickup or draft pick made by any NFL franchise except the Chiefs.

We already have 'Get Lucky', so I'll add 'Nice Bonus' as a reference to 'Get Lucky'

I'm thinking that "real effort" is also related to the amount of money paid to above FA. So Barber would have been "showing effort" due to his contract, but the Dalton signing isn't due to his.

[the Talking Can]

Originally Posted by ChiefGator

Man, I'm so tired of hearing people say that. You want to see him slower next season, since he has to pull around 10-15 more pounds of muscle?

The average weight of the top 10 rated DE's by CBSSportsline is 273 pounds. If Allen is really playing at 270, he is fine. More weight does not necessarily a better DE make.

Nothing personal, o'course, Iowanian. That sentiment is expressed all over this board.

Mark

damn, did I set you up or what?