For the first time since joining the Vikings via trade in 2008, defensive end Jared Allen will be lining up on the opposite side of the field, as an opponent and as a member of the Chicago Bears.
For six seasons, Jared donned the purple uniforms of the Minnesota Vikings, and for a better part of those six years, he spent most of his time in the opponents backfield terrorizing the opposition. During Jared's tenure with the squad, each and every season saw him post double digit sacks and in total, he finished his Vikings career with 85.5 quarterback sack.
2014 has not exactly gone the way that Jared or the Chicago Bears thought it would though. Fighting through pneumonia early in the season and then the continued adjustment to joining a new team with a new defensive scheme, to date, Jared has only 1.5 sacks.
But this week, Jared is expected to get up and come to play, maybe more so than ever before. This week, he faces his former team and many of the teammates that he played beside during his time in Minnesota.
"I'm excited," Jared said this week. "It's going to be a fun game. It's always fun when you get to compete against your friends. I'm excited to compete against my old brethren."
While many Vikings fans are licking their chops getting ready for their team to face one of the league's worst passing defenses, Jared is licking his chops preparing to face the struggling Matt Kalil on Sunday. It's no secret. Matt Kalil, currently rated the 73rd best tackle in the entire league by ProFootballFocus.com, has experienced his fair share of criticism. While some defended him early, it's becoming increasingly tough for anyone to side with Kalil on the matter. Fast-forward to this weekend and Allen is chomping at the bit to get out there and do his best to get into the Vikings backfield.
But, this whole knowing your opponent situation is most definitely a two way street. While Jared is looking for tells from the Vikings offense to maybe give him an advantage, the entire Vikings offense has the book on Jared as well.
Jared has always been known as a guy who will sacrifice the bigger picture if he sees an opportunity to get to the quarterback present itself. His argument there, sack the quarterback quickly and he won't have the opportunity to exploit your error in approach. This is arguable Jared's number one strength.
