Jared Allen was a monster for the Vikings defensive line during a six year stretch that saw number 69 rack up 85.5 sacks.
After a down year in his first season with the Bears, Chicago is hoping a position change will help Allen become a Monster of the Midway.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Allen is saying goodbye to defensive end and hello to outside linebacker.
The biggest adjustment for Allen is learning pass coverages; he’ll be dropping into coverage if he’s able to stay on the field in passing situations.
“Drops are way better than they were the first day,” he said, “At some point, you can’t let it be too big. It’s still football. I’m just lining up in a slightly different spot, and I’ve got some slightly different responsibilities.”
Allen finished the 2014 season with 5.5 sacks, the lowest total of his surefire Hall of Fame career. While some blamed his lack of production on injuries, Allen said the game simply humbled him.
“Three years ago, if you had tried to make me switch (positions), I would have quit,” Allen recently said, according to the Chicago Tribune. “But coming off a year dealing with injuries and being sick and my production numbers were down, it kind of clears your mind. This game will humble you. I got a nice little slice of humble pie last year. You look at a new opportunity as just that.”
The Vikings will get two looks at Allen as a linebacker when they play the Bears in Chicago Week and in Minneapolis in Week 15.
Meantime, Allen still likes to have some fun. His dynamic personality is currently being shown through a series of commercials and YouTube clips for Courtyard Hotels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-99WWrEc3Is
