MVP Profile: Jared Allen, 2011

Defensive End, Minnesota Vikings

Age:  29

8^th season in pro football, 4^th with Vikings

College: Idaho State

Height: 6’6”   Weight: 270

Prelude:

Chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft, Allen was initially viewed as strictly a situational player who would add depth on the defensive line, but surprised by leading the team in sacks as a rookie with 9. Intense, tenacious, and with good instincts, he followed up with 11 sacks in ’05 and improved his play against the run. Allen led the league in fumble recoveries in 2006 with 6, although his sacks fell to 7.5, and there was friction with the front office as well as a suspension from the league for a second DUI offense heading into 2007. Still, he led the NFL with 15.5 sacks in ’07 and was a consensus first-team All-NFL and Pro Bowl choice for the first time. The Chiefs traded him to Minnesota in the offseason where he continued to excel while a member of a stronger overall defensive line. He received All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors in 2008 and ’09 while recording 14.5 sacks each year. 2010 was a down year for the franchise as a whole, and Allen had a comparative off-year, although he still led the team with 11 sacks, his fourth consecutive season in double figures.

2011 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 22 [1]

Most sacks, game – 3.5 vs. Chicago 1/1

Multi-sack games – 6

Interceptions – 1

Int. return yards – 14

Int. TDs – 0

Fumble recoveries – 4

Forced fumbles – 4

Tackles – 46

Assists – 17

Scoring

TDs – 0

Safeties – 1

Points – 2

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: Sporting News

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News, Pro Football Focus

Pro Bowl

Vikings went 3-13 to finish fourth in the NFC North although tying for the NFL lead in sacks (50, along with the Philadelphia Eagles).

Aftermath:

Allen followed up with 12 sacks in 2012 and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time. He registered 11.5 sacks in 2013 and signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent for 2014. Through ten seasons and 157 games, Allen has been credited with 128.5 sacks, as well as five interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries. He has been a consensus first-team All-NFL honoree four times in addition to the five Pro Bowl selections.

--

MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.