Rookie Matt Kalil and Veteran Jared Allen not Getting Along

Rookie offensive tackle Matt Kalil, who recently signed with the Minnesota Vikings for four years worth almost $20 million, is settling into training camp and is looking to protect quarterback Christian Ponder's blind side.  However, he is having a bit of difficulty with one person on the team: pro-bowl defensive end Jared Allen.

According to an interview on NBC SportsTalk, Allen is quoted as saying, "Just don't touch me, I'm too old to deal with overzealous rookies right now. Keep your hands out of my face, don't grab my jersey, and we won't have to fist fight."  This sounds exactly like the Jared Allen that we all know and love. Allen is coming off of the best season of his career as he recorded  22 sacks and wants nothing to do with a rookie who has a lot to prove.

However, this is good news for the Vikings' faithful.  If Kalil is bothering Allen this much, then clearly Kalil is doing a good job.  Ponder needs all the help he can get from the offensive line because he was sacked 30 times in 11 games last year.  It seemed that when Ponder had time in the pocket, he was making much better decisions as opposed to when he had no time in the pocket.  The more protection Kalil gives Ponder, the better quarterback he will become.

So, while this is all at the expense of enraging Allen, it isn't a bad idea for Kalil to be pushing the old man around.  However, if the two of them do get into a fist fight, I'm putting my money on Allen.  The guy wrestled a bear with his bare hands you know!

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