From the day he took over in 2006, Vikings coach Brad Childress has spoken about a "culture of accountability" among his players and taken disciplinary steps to back it up.

Enter Jared Allen, a standout defensive end acquired by the team from Kansas City on Tuesday. Why would the Vikings give up so much to obtain someone who has been arrested three times for drunken driving since 2002, was suspended for the first two games of 2007, and has been described as a "young man at risk" by Chiefs President Carl Peterson?

Childress didn't wait for the question-and-answer portion of Allen's news conference Wednesday at Winter Park to address the subject.

"I had extensive conversations with people that raised Jared, with people that played with Jared and people that coached with Jared," he said. "I think he's learned from his mistakes and realizes what it takes to become positive and productive."

The Vikings were the laughingstock of the NFL during the 2005 season after players participated in a bye-week Lake Minnetonka boat cruise, where strippers were present. Four players were eventually charged with misdemeanors for alleged sex acts in what has since been dubbed the "Love Boat" scandal. Zygi Wilf, in his first year as Vikings owner, authorized a 77-page code of conduct to be distributed to team personnel as a result. After the season he also replaced Mike Tice with Childress, who had a reputation as a disciplinarian.

'A better man'

Allen, who cost the Vikings a first-round selection and two third-rounders in this weekend's NFL draft, appeared comfortable addressing his issues and didn't seem the least bit annoyed when asked about the past.

"I've never run from my mistakes. I've owned up to them," he said. "I've made the changes necessary to be a better man, and that's what I explained to [the Vikings]. You don't have to hear me tell you how I've changed; you can come and see me live. People in the community and you guys will get to know me and see, wow, this is how he lives and this is his life."

Allen, 26, has said that he quit drinking after being arrested for drunken driving twice in just over four months in 2006. That led to a four-game NFL suspension; it was eventually reduced to two games.

Allen, whose first DWI arrest occurred in college, proved to be a force when he returned after the suspension, leading the NFL with 15 1/2 quarterback sacks and being elected to the Pro Bowl.

The Vikings did not negotiate this contract without plenty of thought. While the six-year deal will make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at nearly $74 million, the website profootballtalk.com reported the team is on the hook for only $16.3 million if Allen gets into trouble before March 2009.

Team's been burned before

The Vikings have run into issues before after believing a player had turned things around. Receiver Koren Robinson was charged with drunken driving and felony fleeing of a police officer in St. Peter, Minn., in August 2006 only months after signing a three-year, $12.7 million contract. Robinson was released shortly thereafter.

The list of players who have had legal issues since Childress took over includes cornerback Cedric Griffin, offensive lineman Bryant McKinnie, defensive lineman Darrion Scott and safety Dwight Smith. Griffin and McKinnie remain with the team, while Scott is a free agent and Smith was released after last season.

There has been speculation that the team's off-field issues, and especially the Love Boat scandal, have hampered their image enough to hamper efforts to get a new stadium.

"The Vikings have a bit of a PR problem and this [signing] won't help," said Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, and an outspoken opponent of public funding for pro stadiums. "But it will help make the team better, and that's what most fans will think about. ... It seems fans are more forgiving when it's a great player."

Bob Dorfman, a nationally recognized sports marketing analyst and author of the Sports Marketers' Scouting Report, confirmed Marty's belief -- at least when it comes to Allen's transgressions.

"Football seems to be the sport that's immune -- or the most immune -- to these types of things," he said. "It's so big, and there is so much money behind it, and the fan loyalty is so great. ... If the team is winning, and you're going to help them win, it will have to be more than a DWI to get the fans thinking negatively."

Childress, though, is confident that Allen won't repeat his past mistakes. "At the end of the day you have to trust your intuition and your homework on the decisions you make," Childress said. "I believe it will be positive for the organization."

Staff Writer Kent Youngblood contributed to this report.