NFL NOTES: Chiefs trade Allen to Vikings
Published 11:24 pm Wednesday, April 23, 2008
VIKINGS: All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen was traded from Kansas City to Minnesota in a blockbuster deal, making the Chiefs one of the major players in this weekend’s NFL draft and the Vikings a serious contender in the NFC.
Kansas City gets Minnesota’s first-round pick, No. 17 overall, and both of the Vikings’ third-round selections. The teams also swapped sixth-rounders in the deal announced Wednesday.
“I have chills right now,” Allen said after signing a six-year deal that includes $31 million in guaranteed money and could be worth more than $74 million if he reaches certain incentives. “It’s just starting to sink in. As a player it’s cool because it shows appreciation for what you have done. But at the same time, personally, I look at it as a new challenge.”
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Allenhad an NFL-best 15½ sacks last season despite being suspended the first two games. The contract makes Allen, 26, the highest paid defensive player in the league.
Coming off an 8-8 season, the Vikings are paying a hefty price in a move they believe will vault them into contention in the wide-open NFC.
A pass-rushing defensive end became the team’s top priority this season after Kenechi Udeze was diagnosed with leukemia, and with fellow former first-rounder Erasmus James coming off a third major knee surgery. The Vikings weren’t sure a gifted pass rusher such as Florida’s Derrick Harvey would be around at pick No. 17, so they went after a player who dominated them last season.
“You don’t often get the opportunity to get a player of this caliber at his age,” vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman said.
COLTS: Indianapolis running back Kenton Keith pleaded not guilty to criminal trespassing for allegedly refusing to leave a nightclub parking lot that was being cleared by police.
Keith, who was arrested Sunday, no longer faces charges of disorderly conduct, resisting law enforcement, public intoxication and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, said Matthew Symons, a spokesman for the Marion County prosecutor’s office.
Last season was Keith’s first with the Colts after playing in the Canadian Football League. He ran for 533 yards and scored four TDs.
SPYGATE: Matt Walsh will get his day with the commissioner. What he has to offer is anyone’s guess.
The former Patriots assistant will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on May 13 about New England’s videotaping of opposing teams. It took a couple of months, but the league reached an agreement with Walsh.
During Super Bowl week, and nearly five months after the Patriots were sanctioned for illegal taping of the New York Jets in the season opener — a $500,000 fine for coach Bill Belichick, a $250,000 fine for the organization, and the loss of a first-round draft pick on Saturday — there were reports of possible other videotaping by the Patriots. Those reports centered on Walsh, who shot videos for the Patriots during his six-year stint with the organization.
Since the Super Bowl, Goodell’s staff has sought a meeting with Walsh.
“Today, Mr. Walsh and the National Football League reached an agreement under which the NFL will provide legal indemnification and a release of claims against Mr. Walsh relating to his employment by the Patriots and the Patriots’ videotaping operations,” said Walsh’s lawyer, Michael Levy of McKee Nelson LLP. “I am pleased that we now have an agreement that provides Mr. Walsh with appropriate legal protections. Mr. Walsh is looking forward to providing the NFL with the materials he has and telling the NFL what he knows.”
BEARS: Wide receiver Rashied Davis signed a three-year contract with Chicago after accepting the team’s one-year tender offer as a restricted free agent last week. Signed out of the Arena Football League in 2005, Davis caught 39 passes for 468 yards and two touchdowns the past two seasons.
PATRIOTS: New England signed three free agents: Ex-Seahawks tight end Marcus Pollard, punter Scott Player and defensive lineman Kenny Smith. Pollard has played for 13 seasons with Indianapolis, Detroit and Seattle. The 36-year-old led Seattle’s tight ends last season with 28 receptions for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
Associated Press
