Jared Allen visits Seattle over weekend, Dallas tomorrow

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As if the Seahawks title-winning death trap of a defense wasn't scary enough as is, they have reportedly had veteran sack-artist and free agent Jared Allen in for a visit. Allen, who has had double digit sacks for six straight seasons, including 11.5 last year in Minnesota, is the best free agent left on the market at any position. He has also reportedly has a visit scheduled for tomorrow with the Cowboys, who will be looking to add a defensive end after cutting ties with Demarcus Ware.



Today Boston Herald Pats writer Jeff Howe wrote an article about the team's remaining needs to be addressed before the season started, and placed the highest priority on adding an edge-pass rusher to add alongside Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich. But, given his caliber as a player, Allen is not going to come on the cheap, and Howe explains how other free agent signings have affected his price tag and also mentions some other players who could add depth at the position for less money:

The contract is the question with Allen, though. Comparable free agents Demarcus Ware and Julius Peppers each signed three-year, $30 million deals, but Ware’s contract is more realistically for two years and $20 million. Peppers’ deal only includes $7.5 million in guarantees, so it’s projected as a one-year pact until the official details emerge. Also, Justin Tuck (two years, $11 million) and Antonio Smith (two years, $9 million) received deals on the lower end of the scale.

With all of that in mind, Allen might be had for two years and between $12-$15 million. He’d be paid more than Ninkovich, but the idea would be to field a quality pass-rushing rotation with three effective starters. If Allen can’t be had, Robert Ayers, Shaun Phillips and Anthony Spencer would be sound alternatives.

I agree with Howe that adding a capable pass rusher would significantly bolster a defense that has already improved exponentially with the addition of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. Improving the pass rush, which collectively failed to so much as get a hand on Peyton Manning in the AFC Championship Game, would do wonders for the unit as a whole. Especially if it is a player like Jared Allen.

Given his price tag and the fact that he has visited with the Seahawks and Cowboys, Allen in New England next season seems like a bit of a pipe dream. That being said, so did Darrelle Revis.


@PatriotsLife

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