EVERSON GRIFFEN.....

[soflavike]

I don't think they'll rehash the experiment at linebacker again. He's a defensive lineman. Unless they get rid of Allen going into next year, I see him battling Robison for a starting DE job, but he may just end up being used the same way next season as he was this year.

He is better in pass coverage than Henderson.

[S197]

The surgery now is arthroscopic, so I expect him to have it soon, get his rehab done with, and come back strong.

I believe he'll have it right after the Pro Bowl. Won't be an issue for the start of camp.

[NextQuestion]

I'd say trade Allen if anything. He's getting older and his pass rush is not the same

[DCman11]

I'd say trade Allen if anything. He's getting older and his pass rush is not the same

Just as Winfield is the veteran leader of the secondary, Allen undoubtedly fills the same role with the defensive line (if not the front 7 altogether). He is still productive and, perhaps more importantly, a bonafide leader for a young team that needs veteran expertise. What part of trading him makes any sense to you?

[BGM]

30 years old, playing with a torn labrum and he still gets 12 sacks and plays better than ever against the run, and some fans want to consider trading him?

Sometimes, the fan base just makes me shake my head...

[PurpleJarl]

30 years old, playing with a torn labrum and he still gets 12 sacks and plays better than ever against the run, and some fans want to consider trading him?

Sometimes, the fan base just makes me shake my head...

But you also need to factor in our depth at that position, the fall off from a trade, and the potential value and depth we could add at another position say, LB or CB. When you look at that, its not such a crazy idea to consider trading him rather than riding him to retirement. IMO

[Demi]

But you also need to factor in our depth at that position, the fall off from a trade, and the potential value and depth we could add at another position say, LB or CB. When you look at that, its not such a crazy idea to consider trading him rather than riding him to retirement. IMO

It was when I suggested it last offseason! Now he's coming off an injury, a down year...for him, and isn't he in the last year of his current contract? He doesn't have enough value to warrant trading anymore.

[BGM]

It was never a good idea. The thought that you can simply plug a player, like say, Everson Griffen, into Jared Allen's spot and get decent value is simply absurd. And there is no guarantee that any FA or group of FAs acquired will have a net positive impact to counter-balance the loss of a HoF defensive leader. The grass is not always greener...

It would be comparable to trading away Alan Page in 1975, Carl Eller in 1972 or Jim Marshall in 1967.

[PurpleJarl]

Actually, barring the 4 more sacks Everson was as good as Jared Allen this year (I know 4 sack can be seen as a lot) but considering the little value needed for a DRAMATIC improvement at, say, CB. I still don't see why trading him his a universally bad Idea. I am not even saying its what we should do but to act like he is a 22 year old ROY is silly. He has a COUPLE of good/dominate years left, tops. Trade him to defensively weak contender and get some decent value because I dont see us realistically competing again within his "quality" time left.

[BGM]

Actually, barring the 4 more sacks Everson was as good as Jared Allen this year (I know 4 sack can be seen as a lot) but considering the little value needed for a DRAMATIC improvement at, say, CB. I still don't see why trading him his a universally bad Idea. I am not even saying its what we should do but to act like he is a 22 year old ROY is silly. He has a COUPLE of good/dominate years left, tops. Trade him to defensively weak contender and get some decent value because I dont see us realistically competing again within his "quality" time left.

Except if you look historically at other HoF DEs, Allen has more than a couple good seasons left. Also, Griffen played situationally, which tends to skew stats like sacks.

Please allow me the indulgence of quoting my own post from January 13, 2012, when this very topic reared it's head as it seems to do almost like clockwork... and my opinion has not changed one iota. It's still a monumentally stupid idea, IMO.

This idea rivals the trade AP threads in the past. Seriously, even at 30, Allen is an ELITE player. Not good, not great, ELITE. The idea that he will suddenly and dramatically regress over the next 4-5 seasons is conjecture at best and does not bear up under historical scrutiny.

Michael Strahan averaged 11 sacks per season in the four seasons following his 30th birthday.
Reggie White averaged nearly 12 sacks per season in the four seasons following his 30th birthday.
Bruce Smith averaged 12 sacks per season in the four seasons following his 30th birthday.
Kevin Greene averaged more than 12 sacks per season in the four seasons following his 30th birthday.
Chris Doleman averaged 10 sacks per season in the four seasons following his 30th birthday.

To put it bluntly, trading Jared Allen at this point his career, using the misguided rationalization that he is headed for the downside of his career, would be stupid. Really stupid.

If some team were to offer a Herschel-Walker-everything-and-the-kitchen-sink trade, that might be worth considering. Otherwise... nope.

[HardcoreVikesFan]

In all honestly, I do not know how you solve this 'problem' we have at DE. It is a GOOD thing that we have this problem however.

First and foremost, Jared Allen needs to stay. This team was abysmal before he arrived. Allen's impact on this team has been huge for us. Allen has really outperformed his contract in my eyes.

Secondly, Everson Griffen needs to play more. As good as Brian Robison is, Everson is as equally good and definitely more athletic. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to sub Griffen in for Allen a tad more often.

Everson has really come a long way since we have drafted him. I very happy to see him living up to his potential.

[PurplePPLEater]

Let's not forget that playing DE opposite of JA can help your stats (see Edwards, Ray).

[mansquatch]

Jared Allen - DL - Vikings

Vikings RE Jared Allen will undergo offseason shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum.

It's the first surgery of any kind for Allen in his nine-year NFL career. Allen says he doesn't know when he tore the shoulder up, but he played with it for much of the season. Bum shoulder and all, he still recorded a respectable 12 sacks. Allen will play in the Pro Bowl on January 27 and then undergo the procedure shortly after. He should be fine for training camp.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities

For me the key quote there is "still recorded a respectable 12 sacks". I know people harp on the whole "he vanishes at times" thing. Who are they going to get to replace him? I think the key for EG is doing what the Giants did and run a 3DE front. I suspect addressing the issues at MLB will go a long way to enabling this.

[Oakdale63]

Okay, well perhaps trading JA isn't the answer. It's a possibility, however. Maybe the real solution (my preference) is to sit Brian and allow Griffen to shine.

[Mercy Percy]

Okay, well perhaps trading JA isn't the answer. It's a possibility, however. Maybe the real solution (my preference) is to sit Brian and allow Griffen to shine.

I mean he did have 8 sacks with far less snaps!