Jared Allen is Back!

“You’ve got to play on the edge to be a great player,” Allen said, “but you don’t have to live on the edge to be one. I’ve always lived and played football the same way. I was playing on the edge and living on the edge."

To go along with it, Jared Allen has made a lot of positive change in his life. He has trimmed his wiry whiskers into a well-kept beard. People now have been asking about him- he is smiling much, much more.

He spouted trash- all spring, he once did have his grief with the GM "King Carl Peterson" You see, Allen was seeking a multiyear contract while he is approaching the top of his game. He wanted to be paid similarly to the best at his position. He got in the end , just a one year contract.

Someone asked Allen whether he’d shed some weight, he answered “Fifteen pounds,” “Thanks for noticing.” Is this the same Defensive End who was suffering his second DuII just last year?
Allen has spent the off season learning jujitsu and kick-boxing. He’s busy, he has got himself a personal trainer and uses a high-protein diet.

“Haven’t had a drink in eight months,” Allen says. “I don’t need any more headaches.”
No more beer. Herm Edwards is beaming, couldn’t be more pleased with the new attitude. Jared said. “I’m here to get the rust off and help these young guys get ready for the season,” adding “We’ve got a great team. Someone has to step up. Whether it’s an injury, a suspension or whatever, things happen in football. Someone has to step up. Being a leader on the team, my job is to help get that person ready.”

Allen said he’s chosen the latter — and it’s not just about giving up drinking.

It’s little things, like going to bed earlier so his workout the next day will be more productive. Or hiring a personal trainer to monitor his exercise and diet. Along with chicken and steak, Allen likes sushi.

“I love my diet,” Allen said. “I’m eating lean, man. Even when I’m out having fun I try to make sure my diet stays clean.

“For me it was all about deciding to do something in life. My hand was forced, sure. It is what it is. I’m a self-driven guy. I started making these changes eight months ago. This is how I live now.”

Allen is hoping his hard work pays off on the field. He led the league in pressures a year ago, but, for him, that’s not good enough. Instead he dwells on the sacks that he narrowly missed, the ones that “slipped through” his hands. If he’d just finished a few of those plays he may have been in Hawaii in February.

“I missed the Pro Bowl again,” Allen said. “I’m trying to get to the Pro Bowl. I’m trying to help our team more, maybe by getting a sack late in the fourth quarter or whatever. There are all sorts of different things running through my mind about how make our team better.”

The only problem is that the Chiefs will have to wait until October to reap the benefits of Allen’s offseason work. As optimistic and bubbly as Allen is now, Edwards said he realizes there could be mood swings during the ensuing months.

Coach Herm definiely likes what he sees, yet... he has reservations. “He thinks it’s easy now,” Edwards said, “but when we kick the ball off in Houston and he can’t play … you’re talking about a healthy player that loves to play football. He won’t be able to go out there and help his team win. It’s going to bother him. And it should because he’s a heck of a player who brings a lot of energy to this team. It’s something we’re going to have to help him with.”
Allen has insisted he’ll be fine, that his positive attitude will help him persevere.