Teicher: Jared Allen quickly exceeding KC's expectations - Page 4

tk13 · 01:48 AM

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.

**the Talking Can** · 10-29-2004, 12:48 PM

"Real Effort" means we sign Wistrom and Allen never plays.

Then we 2.5 instead of 4 sacks.

which would then be another 'FA bust" + "a wasted draft pick"

KCTitus · 10-29-2004, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

"Real Effort" means we sign Wistrom and Allen never plays.

Then we 2.5 instead of 4 sacks.

which would then be another 'FA bust" + "a wasted draft pick"

The Lexicon Force is strong with this one...

**ChiefGator** · 10-29-2004, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

damn, did I set you up or what?

::chuckle:: Perfectly...

KCTitus · 10-29-2004, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

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.

Good catch...I think you're onto something.

**Rausch** · 10-29-2004, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

"Real Effort" means we sign Wistrom and Allen never plays.

Then we 2.5 instead of 4 sacks.

which would then be another 'FA bust" + "a wasted draft pick"

You're getting good at this.

jspchief · 10-29-2004, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

Jared Allen Scouting Report from cbssportsline

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.

Thanks. That's what I was talking about. 13 times? When I saw that I was sure that we had blown the pick. I Have buddies that can top that, and it's an embarrassment for NFL combine numbers. He must have had something wrong with him that day.

**Rausch** · 10-29-2004, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Thanks. That's what I was talking about. 13 times? When I saw that I was sure that we had blown the pick. I Have buddies that can top that, and it's an embarrassment for NFL combine numbers. He must have had something wrong with him that day.

Or he relies on leverage and solid technique more than brute strength. Wouldn't be surprisd if he had wrestling experience...

B2chiefsfan · 10-29-2004, 01:00 PM

Quote:

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.

Whoa!! That can't be right!!

I'm able to do a set of 25 at that weight. That's got to be a typo or something.

Mark M · 10-29-2004, 01:03 PM

People put entirely too much stock in a player's size and combine numbers.

I'd rather have a player with outstanding technique over one with sheer strength who doesn't know how to use it.

MM
~~

B2chiefsfan · 10-29-2004, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark M

People put entirely too much stock in a player's size and combine numbers.

I'd rather have a player with outstanding technique over one with sheer strength who doesn't know how to use it.

MM
~~

I know what you are saying, but an NFL player weighing 270 and only benching 225 thirteen times is absolutely astonishing.

Mark M · 10-29-2004, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B2chiefsfan

I know what you are saying, but an NFL player weighing 270 and only benching 225 thirteen times is absolutely astonishing.

True, but it doesn't seem to be affecting his ability to "crush QBs."

Maybe he had a bad day ... ?

MM
~~

jspchief · 10-29-2004, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Or he relies on leverage and solid technique more than brute strength. Wouldn't be surprisd if he had wrestling experience...

Brute strength? He's not even in the same league as brute strength. All I was saying is that is a very low number for a NFL caliber DE. Most RBs probably top that.

**Rausch** · 10-29-2004, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark M

True, but it doesn't seem to be affecting his ability to "crush QBs."

Maybe he had a bad day ... ?

MM
~~

We have a productive player and we're going to complain about his combine numbers?

WTF did I do, wake up in some twisted alternate reality?...

Mark M · 10-29-2004, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

We have a productive player and we're going to complain about his combine numbers?

WTF did I do, wake up in some twisted alternate reality?...

Did you wake up and expect the Planet to be any different than any other day?

MM
~~

philfree · 10-29-2004, 01:19 PM

Allen has long arms. Long arms are great for leverage but not so good for bench pressing. Give Allen, Siavii and Fox a year in the Chiefs offseason program and they'll be monsters. It's still early but I thnk we hit a defensive jackpot in the 2004 draft.

PhilFree

10-29-2004, 01:30 AM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $2002500	Teicher: Jared Allen quickly exceeding KC's expectations 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. Last edited by tk13; 10-29-2004 at 01:48 AM..
Posts: 54,942

10-29-2004, 12:48 PM	#46
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	"Real Effort" means we sign Wistrom and Allen never plays. Then we 2.5 instead of 4 sacks. which would then be another 'FA bust" + "a wasted draft pick" __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

10-29-2004, 01:03 PM	#54
Mark M What time is it? Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: You tell me ... Casino cash: $9884900	People put entirely too much stock in a player's size and combine numbers. I'd rather have a player with outstanding technique over one with sheer strength who doesn't know how to use it. MM ~~ __________________ ChiefsPlanet -- n. The place where brilliant minds assemble to willfully pool ignorance with questionable logic in order to reach absurd conclusions.
Posts: 4,687

10-29-2004, 01:19 PM	#60
philfree Indian Twitter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Free Agency Casino cash: $1666198	Allen has long arms. Long arms are great for leverage but not so good for bench pressing. Give Allen, Siavii and Fox a year in the Chiefs offseason program and they'll be monsters. It's still early but I thnk we hit a defensive jackpot in the 2004 draft. PhilFree __________________ [/SIGPIC]
Posts: 14,945