Craig: Losses and awards can coexist in NFL

To the teammates who think the Vikings' 2-6 record means Jared Allen isn't the front-runner for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, we offer two words of encouragement:

Cortez Kennedy.

Oh, what the heck, here are eight more words to, um, ponder:

Jason Taylor. Michael Strahan. Reggie White. Lawrence Taylor.

All five players above won the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award between 1992 and 2006 on teams with losing records. Kennedy, a former defensive tackle, even has become a yearly discussion among Pro Football Hall of Fame selectors in part because his 14 sacks helped him win the award in spite of Seattle's 2-14 record in 1992.

"I remember the year Cortez won it," Vikings linebackers coach Mike Singletary said. "I was hoping I'd win it that year. But Cortez had a phenomenal year. He deserved it and he won it."

Singletary knows a thing or two about the award. The former Bears middle linebacker is one of six who has won the award at least twice (1985, '88) since former Vikings defensive tackle Alan Page won the first one in 1971.

Allen's main competition at the halfway point of his season is outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware of the 3-4 Cowboys. Allen, who has played one more game, leads Ware in sacks, 12 1/2-12; interceptions, 1-0; forced fumbles, 3-2; fumble recoveries, 3-0; passes defensed, 4-1; sack yardage, 91-69; and tackles, 34-31. Other contenders include Packers cornerback Charles Woodson (five interceptions, one touchdown) and Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (four interceptions, one touchdown).

"It's not just Jared's sacks," Vikings left tackle Charlie Johnson said. "It's all the turnovers he's creating. Those plays change games."

Four of the Vikings' 18 offensive touchdowns (22 percent) have come on the first possession after Allen has had a hand in a takeaway. Two of them came in the first half of Sunday's 24-21 victory at Carolina.

"The tough part is if we were winning and we were 6-2, he'd be the front-runner," Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield said. "But with us not doing so well record-wise, it might be a little tough for him."

Tough, but not impossible.

Allen is on pace for 25 sacks. The team record is 21 set by Chris Doleman in 1989, the same season teammate Keith Millard had 18 (an NFL record for defensive tackles) and joined Page as Vikings to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The year Strahan set the record, he had 14 sacks through eight games. And that came after he was shut out in Weeks 1-2. Allen heads into the second half of the season with a team-record 10 consecutive games with a sack.

"The thought process that all the great pass rushers have, Jared has," Singletary said. "All the great ones are always trying to figure out the methodology of getting to the quarterback. Jared really puts the work in when it comes to studying his opponent and working on his technique."

Couple that with what Singletary calls instinctive ability and, well, you get 95 1/2 sacks -- and counting -- before you turn 30.

"Some of what the great ones have really can't be taught," Singletary said. "A guy may have the speed, the hips and the hands, but not that innate ability that a Jared Allen has."

"Should Jared win it this year? Yes," Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson said. "Unfortunately, in this business, he won't. Not unless we figure out a way to start winning more games."

Although that's a good idea for the Vikings, it's not a prerequisite to Allen joining Page and Millard as Vikings that have won NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Mark Craig • mcraig@startribune.com