Oct 31, 2009 12:10 pm US/Central
Packers Must Account For Jared Allen
(AP)
-
-
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers is chased by Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings during the Monday Night Football game on Oct. 5, 2009 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
The last time the Vikings played the Packers, Jared Allen sacked Aaron Rodgers 4 1/2 times.
Even though Green Bay's offensive line appears to be as shaky now as it was then, Allen doesn't envision another day quite like that at Lambeau Field on Sunday.
"I'm not expecting them to let me tee off on him like that again," Allen said.
That's exactly what happened when the teams met on Oct. 5, Brett Favre's first matchup with his former team. Allen blew by tackle Daryn Colledge, who was filling in for the injured Chad Clifton, time and again. He also had a forced fumble and a safety in Minnesota's 30-23 victory.
Colledge went down with an injury as well, prompting Packers coach Mike McCarthy to insert rookie fourth-round pick T.J. Lang at left tackle later in the game. It was Lang's first extensive action at left tackle of his young career, and McCarthy said this week he has liked what he has seen from the rookie.
"He is doing a good job taking advantage of the opportunity of playing left tackle," McCarthy said. "I was pleased with the way he played in Cleveland and I have been pleased with the way he has played in both Minnesota and Detroit."
Allen isn't sure who he will be lined up against Sunday, with Clifton and newly signed Mark Tauscher both on the injury report.
"I don't know if Clifton's playing. I don't know if Lang's playing. I don't know if Colledge is going to be out there," Allen said. "I'm going to prepare for everybody. I'm going to do my due diligence and watch tape on everybody."
If he plays the way he did in their first meeting, it might not matter. Allen is fourth in the league with 7 1/2 sacks this season and has more sacks than anyone since 2004.
"We've got to put ourselves in position to get in rushing situations," Allen said. "We've got to put ourselves in positive positions. We've got to win on first and second down. That's key. And they thrive on big plays. We've got to hold them off of that."
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Mike Max's News & Notes
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
