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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NFL
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008
Kansas City Chiefs trade Jared Allen to Minnesota Vikings
ASSOCIATED PRESS
MINNEAPOLIS All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen was traded from Kansas City to Minnesota in a blockbuster deal, making the Chiefs one of the major players in this weekend's NFL draft and the Vikings a serious contender in the NFC.
Kansas City gets Minnesota's first-round pick, No. 17 outlay, and both
of the Vikings' third-round selections. The teams also swapped sixthrounders in the deal announced Wednesday.
Allen, who had an NBL-best 15 and one-half sacks last season despite being
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen, left, sacks Oakland Raiders quarterback Dante Culpepper when the teams faced each other Oct. 21. The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly traded Pro Bowl defense end Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings.
Coming off an 8-8 season, the Vikings are paying a hefty price in a move they believe will vault them into contention in the wide-open NFC.
Allen, who had an NFL-best 15 and one-half sacks last season despite being suspended the first two games, agreed to terms on a six-year deal that includes $31 million in guaranteed money.
A pass-rushing defensive end became the team's top priority this season after Kenechi Udeze was diagnosed with leukemia, and with fellow former first-rounder Erasmus James coming off a third major knee surgery. The Vikings weren't sure
suspended the first two games, agreed to terms on a six-year deal that includes $31 million in guaranteed money. It could be worth more than $74 million if he reaches certain incentives, according to a person familiar with the deal. The contract will make Allen the highest paid defensive player in the league.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
The Kansas City Star was the first to report the trade.
a gifted pass rusher such as Florida's Derrick Harvey would be around at pick No. 17, so they went after a player who dominated them last season.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Vikings played at
run and had all day to throw against a weak pass rush.
Arrowhead Stadium in Week 3 of 2007, Allen's first game after serving a two-game suspension for multiple DUI convictions. Allen had two sacks, eight tackles, two batted passes and a forced fumble in Kansas City's 13-10 victory.
The relentless rusher fills perhaps the lone weakness on a proud veteran defense. Minnesota ranked No. 1 against the run last year, but last against the pass primarily because opposing offenses abandoned the
Ben Leber, Ray Edwards and Udeze tied for the team lead with five sacks apiece, allowing offensive lines to double-team Pro Bowlers Kevin Williams and Pat Williams on nearly every play.
Just 26, the 6-foot-6, 270-pound Allen was a supplemental fourth-round pick by the Chiefs out of Idaho State in 2004. He quickly established himself as a topflight pass-rusher, but also has a tendency to overpursue and sometimes gets out of position on running plays.
Allen was recognized as the premier defensive player in NCAA Division I-AA as a senior, but fell to the fourth round because of character concerns. Allen says he has quit drinking, and another DUI arrest could bring with it a yearlong suspension from the NFL.
The Chiefs designated Allen their franchise player, but Allen made it clear he wanted no part of the team's massive rebuilding plan. He told the team he wanted to play for a contender and was not interested in signing a long-term deal with a team that is embarking on a youth movement under coach Herm Edwards following a 4-12 season.
The bounty of picks obtained in the trade, and the cap space created by Allen's departure, could help expedite that process in Kansas City.
fifth overall selection to go with Minnesota's No.17, six of the first 82 picks and 13 altogether in this weekend's draft.
The Chiefs now have their own
They shelled out more than $30 million in guaranteed money
In making the splashy move to cap a busy offseason in free agency, the Vikings are telling their fans that their time is now.
Minnesota has made the playoffs just one time in the last seven seasons, a stretch of futility that hasn't helped owner Zygi Wilf's efforts
to get receiver Bernard Berrian, safety Madieu Williams and fullback Thomas Tapeh in free agency, then exceeded that number to make Allen the highest paid player in franchise history.
>> NFL
to secure public money for a new stadium.
With Green Bay's Brett Favre retired, the Chicago Bears losing more players than they gained following a 7-9 season and the typical dysfunction surrounding the Detroit Lions, the NFC North is there for the taking.
Former Patriots assistant, commissioner to meet about spying
BY BARRY WILNER ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Matt Walsh will get his day with the commissioner. What he has to offer is anyone's guess.
The former Patriots assistant will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on May 13 about New England's videotaping of opposing teams. It took a couple of months, but the league reached an agreement with Walsh on Wednesday.
During Super Bowl week, and nearly five months after the Patriots were sanctioned for illegal taping of the New York Jets in the season opener — a $500,000 fine for coach Bill Belichick, a $250,000 fine for the organization, and the loss of a
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who shot videos for the Patriots during his six-year stint with the organization.
Walsh relating to his employment by the Patriots and the Patriots' videotaping operations," said McLish's lawyer, Michael Levy of McKee
"Mr. Walsh is looking forward to providing the NFL with the materials he has and telling the NFL what he knows."
Nelson LLP.
"I am pleased that we now have an agreement that provides Mr. Walsh with appropriate legal protections. Mr. Walsh is looking forward to providing the NFL with the materials he
MICHAEL LEVY
Matt Walsh's lawyer
first-round draft pick on Saturday there were reports of possible other videotaping by the Patriots. Those reports centered on Walsh,
Since the Super Bowl, Goodell's staff has sought a meeting with Walsh.
"Today, Mr. Walsh and the
has and telling the NFL what he knows"
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So what might Walsh have and what does he know? The Patriots
National Football League reached an agreement under which the NFL will provide legal indemnification and a release of claims against Mr.
say he has nothing.
"The New England Patriots are pleased to learn that Matt Walsh is finally willing to come forward to meet with the NFL," the team said in a statement. "We are eagerly anticipating his honest disclosures to commissioner Goodell next month and the return of all the materials he took during his time of employment.
"We fully expect this meeting to conclude the league's investigation into a damaging and false allegation that was originally levied against the team on the day before this year's Super Bowl."
The allegation was that New England videotaped the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough on the day before the 2002 Super Bowl. Although Belichick admitted to Goodell during the Spygate investigation that his team often taped opposing coaches' signals during games, he adamantly has denied anything about that Super Bowl.
"At all times, we cooperated fully with the league's investigation and stand by our initial public statement from Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008: The suggestion that the New England Patriots recorded the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough on the day before Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 is absolutely false."
In their statement Wednesday, the Patriots reiterated that stand:
"I think they've addressed everything they possibly can address. I've addressed so many questions so many times from so many people I don't know what else the league could ask."
"I've never seen a tape of another team's practice. Ever!" Belichick said at last month's NFL owners meetings. "Certainly not that one."
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