Jared Allen (recently traded from the Kansas Chiefs to the Minnesota Vikings) is a good defensive end, but we will never confuse him for a good businessman.
Here is what Jared Allen thinks are good ideas:
1. Wearing #69 (for the exact inuendo reasons your dirty mind is drawn to)
2. Racking up two DUIs (which resulted in a suspension for two games last season)
3. Building an expensive sports bar and grill in Kansas City during his contract year (2007) Follow the train of thought: I have two DUIs, so let's go open a BAR!! [as the Guiness brothers say: Brilliant!]
4. 15.5 sacks, 64 tackles in 14 games (what, he couldn't manage 5 more tackles?)
5. After his typical contract year performance (most players have their best year in the last year of thier contract - hmm), he cops an attitude demanding a ridiculously large guaranteed contract (basically because he really wanted out of Kansas City)
6. He shows up at an awards banquet for 10 mins only to pick up his award dressed in boots, jeans and a tuxedo t-shirt.
7. Makes it OBVIOUS he wants out of Kansas City up until his trade is finalized
I keep hearing the old Seasame Street song "One of These Things is Not Like the Other" in my head. Other than the solid stats, his actions have not been all that bright.
Jared Allen is NOT Junior Seau. Anyone who thinks you can compare the two either a desperate Vikings fan or an uneducated football novice.
Seau opened up a great restaurant in San Diego which still thrives today. Why? Because Seau was a pillar in the San Diego community for many years. Allen has been in Kansas City for 4 years - and not a stellar citizen during most of that time.
Seau left San Diego after more than a dozen years of faithful service and was simply a cap move. He wanted to continue to try to get a Super Bowl ring (which is the only thing he has not accomplished in his career) and the people of San Diego still love him.
Allen's departure is only considered a loss to the Kansas CIty are simply because of his on-field talent. Otherwise, it is not a big loss. And having two first round picks Saturday makes the wound a lot easier to take.
Unless Allen decides to have all of his waitresses skimp down to nothing but a string bikini, his bar venture will soon circle the drain, as will his Vikings who desperately needed that first-round pick (and the two third rounders they gave up) to rebuild their franchise. And Allen's career won't be far behind.
Now his agent is a genius! But that's a different piece altogether.
Veteran