A cut above

Football Digest, Sept, 2005 by Barry Wilner

WHO SAYS THE KANSAS CITY Chiefs don't have anyone who can play a lick on defense?

Of course, the Chiefs' management knew it had to upgrade that unit to have a competitive team, and it did so in the offseason. But one holdover, defensive end Jared Allen, doesn't fit into the mold of underachievers.

In fact, Allen was one of the better rookie defenders in the NFL last season, finishing with nine sacks, 10th best in the AFC. Not bad for a fourth-round draft pick from Idaho State who didn't get much notice heading into the 2004 schedule.

He's getting plenty of notice now.

"Last year it was Jared Allen who became the first player who was really ready to play," Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil says of the only defensive player he could brag about. "A lot of times coaches are blamed for not getting young kids in and pressure is put on them. Well, they have to fight their way into the lineup, understand the schemes, understand the pressure that is on them to do things right. It isn't as easy as a lot of people like to believe."

Allen made it look pretty easy, even while veterans were flopping around him and the Chiefs were finishing 7-9 and allowing 435 points. His energetic style and coachability helped him earn playing time, and he progressed throughout the season.

"We've said all along that he's a good football player, and he's going to continue to get better and has to play more," Vermeil says. "I think he's a guy who has some very natural instinctive pass-rush ability."