Vikings Sign S Boulware, DT Allen

The Minnesota Vikings added to their depth in the secondary with the free-agent signing of safety Michael Boulware on Thursday and added depth at defensive tackle with the signing of Kenderick Allen.

The Vikings signed two four-year veteran defenders on Thursday – free-agent safety Michael Boulware and defensive tackle Kenderick Allen.

Boulware signed a one-year contract and will add depth behind starting safeties Darren Sharper and Madieu Williams.

The four-year veteran of the NFL played for the Houston Texans in 2007 after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks. He had 11 tackles and two passes defensed for the Texans in a backup role.

In Seattle, Boulware started 34 games over a three-year period, including the playoffs, after becoming their second-round draft pick (53rd overall) in 2004. As a rookie, he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 11 and earned all-rookie honors from Pro Football Weekly and ESPN.com

He was traded for defensive end Jason Babin just before the start of the 2007 season and was expecting to be a starter in Houston before C.C. Brown earned a starting spot.

Boulware has 13 career interceptions, including the playoffs, and set the Seahawks rookie record with five interceptions, including three that saved or won ballgames.

His versatility to play both safety positions and his durability have to be considered plusses for the Vikings defense. He hasn’t missed a game in his four-year career.

Before his limited opportunities in Houston’s defense last year, Boulware had started eight games for the Seahawks in 2006, registering 39 tackles and two interceptions that came in back-to-back games. He started both playoff games for the Seahawks that year.

In 2005, he started all 16 games for Seattle and led the team with four interceptions and was second on the team with 73 tackles. As a rookie, he started four games and played in all 16, garnering 53 tackles, five interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble.

Allen began his NFL career as a rookie free agent in 2003 with New Orleans, starting one game. He played his next two seasons with the New York Giants and played in two games in 2006 with Green Bay before being sidelined with a foot injury. Allen has seen time in 31 career games with three starts.