Exactly one-half of a sack away from tying Michael Strahan's NFL record of 23 in a season, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen is fully healthy and ready for another run at history in 2012.
Allen made his first appearance at a Vikings organized practice on Tuesday, and spoke at length about what the future might hold for the coveted sack record. "I think 25 is possible," Allen told the Pioneer Press. "Then again, no one has ever had two 20-sack seasons in their career in the history of the NFL, so someone has to do that first."
When asked what specific thing from his 2011 campaign allowed him to flourish his way to 22 sacks, Allen credited his mental growth as both a player and human off the field. "I really grew in my faith last year" he said. "I really was able to play more free."
For a man who literally had the NFL sack record in his grasps last season, it will be hard to count the interview-friendly Allen out of contention for the league's sack championship once again. Even if he isn't able to match his output from a year ago as double and triple teams predictably come his way, the 30-year-old veteran remains one of the sport's premier pass rushers.
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