During the offseason, Jay Glazer of FOXSports has roughly the same profile as Punxsutawney Phil. But when Glazer emerges from hibernation, he comes with something more than a hairy *** and tail. Glazer reports that the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to trade defensive end Jared Allen before the draft. The two suitors are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Minnesota Vikings. Allen, who bears the franchise tag, tells Glazer that he’ll visit with the Vikings this weekend in Minnesota, and that he plans to meet with the Bucs next week. “It’s a situation that works out best for both sides,” Allen told Glazer. “I can go to a team that is competing for a championship right now. The Chiefs can get valuable draft picks to rebuild with.” The deal will be driven by two things — compensation to the Chiefs, and a new deal for Allen. As to the former, the Chiefs surely will want at least a first-round pick. They probably will want even more, such as a third-rounder. Minnesota holds the No. 17 overall pick in round one, and Tampa has the No. 20 selection. As to the latter, Allen might want the same six-year, $72 million package paid last year to Dwight Freeney by the Colts. The deal included $30 million in guaranteed money. The Vikings know what Allen can do. He returned from a two-game suspension to face Minnesota in Week Three of the 2007 season, and Allen arguably was the reason the Chiefs won the game. Speaking of suspensions, that’s the one issue that could hold down the trade package and/or the contract. Allen has had two DUI arrests in less than a year, and even though he has been clean the risk of a relapse will always be present. The only potential glitch here is that G.M. Carl Peterson is known to drive a hard bargain. But the ceiling on the demands is two first-round draft picks, since any team could snag Allen, if they’re willing to ship two first-rounders to K.C. http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/04/17/allen-heading-out-of-kansas-city/
The Chiefs are willing to listen to trade offers for Jared Allen, according to NFL Network's Adam Schefter. He is visiting Minnesota on Friday and is expected to visit Tampa next Friday. Allen is one of the five most valuable defensive players in the NFL, so any trade for him would be a blockbuster. It's a curious move by the Chiefs, who placed the franchise tag on Allen. They are basically admitting they can't afford to keep Allen past this year. Allen will likely require a huge contract and at minimum a first-round pick for any interested suitors. Minnesota has a higher first round pick than Tampa and is likely the favorite. At this point, we doubt he's a Chief by May. http://www.rotoworld.com/content/home_NFL.aspx
UPDATEVikings | Team considering offering draft picks for Allen Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:43:18 -0700 John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Minnesota Vikings are considering offering their first-round pick and second-round pick in next year's NFL Draft to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for DL Jared Allen, according to sources. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Buccaneers | Team offers draft picks for Allen Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:32:10 -0700 John Clayton, of ESPN.com, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have offered their first-round and fifth-round draft picks in next year's NFL Draft to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for DL Jared Allen. The proposed deal could also include Buccaneers DL Jovan Haye, according to ESPN's Michael Smith. http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl
I doubt they take Bucs offer. It seems to low for them. As for the Vikings offer, that is a lot to give up but that is a big need for them.
UPDATE As expected, Chiefs franchise player Jared Allen is in the Twin Cities on Friday to visit with Vikings officials. The Vikings are expected to try and keep Allen in town until an agreement is reached. Minnesota seems poised to offer Allen a record setting contract. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune http://www.rotoworld.com/content/home_NFL.aspx
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune is hearing that a deal between the Chiefs and Vikings involving Jared Allen "is close to being in place." The Star-Trib cautions to "not get too excited yet," but the Vikings are thought to be in contract talks with Allen currently. It's a safe bet to project Allen's deal being worth more than $30 million in guarantees. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune http://www.rotoworld.com/content/home_NFL.aspx
Team that gets Allen will spend at least $70 millionOnce a team acquires Jared Allen's rights, the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder is likely to demand the same six-year, $72-million package paid by the Colts last year to defensive end Dwight Freeney. The deal included $30-million in guaranteed money according to the St. Petersburg Times. Allen, entering his fifth season out of Idaho State, brings some off-field baggage. He was suspended two games last season for substance abuse violations, including two DUI arrests. He returned to start 14 games, finished with 64 tackles, made his first Pro Bowl and, according to Bennett, has grown. "He's gotten over that, I think," said Tampa's Michael Bennett, a teammateof Allen's in Kansas City. "Everybody makes mistakes. We've all been there. We learn from our mistakes, and I think he's matured." Source: St. Petersburg Times http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/...lt=Apwgb07NwSBmrIg.QOInggRDubYF?urn=nfl,77591
update VIKES, CHIEFS, ALLEN STILL TALKING Posted by Mike Florio on April 19, 2008, 7:22 a.m. The discussions are continuining between the Minnesota Vikings and the Kansas City Chiefs and the Minnesota Vikings and defensive end Jared Allen regarding the transaction that would entail the Vikings giving picks and/or players to the Chiefs and plenty of money to Allen in order to acquire the league’s sack leader in 2008. “It’s a multi-front type of [deal],” owner Zygi Wilf said on Friday. “You have to deal with Kansas City, you have to deal with Jared. It’s a whole aspect, and you have to weigh that with what’s best for the club. That’s ultimately what’s most important. What would be the best for this club and how we can get to the next level?” Chiefs G.M. Carl Peterson, a hard-nosed negotiator who would request a sixth-round pick for a partially used stick of gum, claims that nothing is close. “[W]e’re talking in speculation right now,” Peterson said. “At this particular point, nothing has been done or consummated.” 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 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. link http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/04/19/vikes-chiefs-allen-still-talking/
UPDATE Vikings | Team increases offer for J. Allen Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:18:45 -0700 Sean Jensen, of the Pioneer Press, reports the Minnesota Vikings have increased their offer for Kansas City Chiefs DL Jared Allen, according to Scout.com. The Vikings would be willing to give the Chiefs their first-round pick in this year's NFL Draft, along with its 2009 second-round pick and 2008 third-round picks. http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl
