Count former Vikings’ assistant coach Dean Dalton among those enthusiastic about the team acquiring defensive end Jared Allen from Kansas City. Dalton, who now analyzes the NFL in the media, told Sports Headliners on Monday that Allen’s impact on the Vikings will be dramatic. Today the Vikings and Chiefs are expected to announce a deal that will bring Allen here in exchange for draft choices.
“That could be the type of move that could put the Vikings over the top,” Dalton said. “If I were coach (Brad) Childress I would be lobbying hard to make that deal happen.”
Allen, 26, led the NFL in sacks last season with 15.5. Not only was pressure on the quarterback a Vikings’ deficiency last year but the team lacks both depth and quality at defensive end. Dalton said the addition of Allen means the pass defense becomes a lot better including the secondary which receives a “tremendous boost.” The Vikings have perhaps the NFL’s best defense against the run, but gave up more passing yards per game than any team in the league last year.
It’s believed the Chiefs will acquire the Vikings’ No. 1 draft choice and other picks in the deal. Dalton said acquiring Allen is “worth the cost” of the picks.
The Vikings’ need for a speed rushing defensive end was expected to be settled by Saturday night. By then it was expected a deal for Allen would either materialize or flop. If the trade didn’t come off, then the Vikings could have been in position to choose sack specialist Derrick Harvey of Florida with their first round pick, the 17th choice in Saturday’s college draft.
Dalton describes Harvey as a “pure speed rush guy.” If Harvey wasn’t available, the choice could have been defensive end Philip Merling of Clemson, a player Dalton describes as “not just a situational guy” like Harvey. Merling is a bigger body than Harvey, making him a more versatile defensive end, although not as dazzling a pass rusher. “They (either player) can make the Vikings better right away,” Dalton said.
Dalton hosts a show on Sirius Satellite Radio on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Minneapolis time. He will be talking about the draft Saturday with former Denver general manager Ted Sundquist.