Allen’s Expectations Part of Progression

Jared Allen’s quote – “We expect to go to the Super Bowl” – was part of a progressive statement, the whole of which isn’t always included in stories. But Vikings coach Brad Childress knows that an improved roster should breed confidence in his players.

Jared Allen has yet to play a game as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. But the Pro Bowl defensive end clearly has big expectations for his new team.

“Put all the pressure in the world on us,” said Allen, while attending the Vikings’ three-day minicamp last weekend. “Expectations should be high. Winning is expected. That’s not a hopeful thing. It’s not like, ‘We hope to get here.’

“We expect to win the NFC North. We expect to go to the playoffs, and we expect to do well in the playoffs. We expect to go to the Super Bowl. That cannot be put on the back burner. I came here because I expect to win. That’s the attitude this organization has.”

Allen, acquired in a blockbuster offseason trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and then signed to a six-year, $73.3 million contract, is a major reason the Vikings should show major improvement from the team that went 8-8 last season.

Free-agent additions Bernard Berrian and Madieu Williams also are expected to be difference-makers.

Coach Brad Childress and the rest of the Vikings brass got their first look at the entire roster during the minicamp. Childress didn’t appear adverse to the confidence displayed by Allen.

“Things always build this time of year,” Childress said. “Our guys are able to look around and know that the team continues to get better. That’s our job — to continue to put good players on the field.

“Competition continues to grow, and that’s what you want to try to do to be a good football team. ... You’ve got to be a pretty confident guy outright in this business, first of all, to play it. As a unit — offense, defense, special teams — I think our confidence continues to build.”

NOTES

DE Ray Edwards sat out the Vikings’ three-day minicamp because of a lower back injury. Edwards is slated to be the team’s starting left end this season after playing right end last season. Newcomer Jared Allen is taking over on the right side.

MLB E.J. Henderson is expected to be the member of the Vikings’ defense who wears an in-helmet communication device this season. The NFL approved one defensive player on each team wearing the device this spring and the Vikings experimented with the system in minicamp.

TE Visanthe Shiancoe, a disappointment last season after signing as a free agent, was a standout at minicamp. Shiancoe made several nice catches, including three circus grabs on the first day of the workouts.

Four coaches will work with the Vikings in the coming months as part of the NFL’s Minority Fellowship intern program: Martin Bayless, an assistant defensive backs coach with the Houston Texans from 2006 to 2008; Michael Bryant, offensive coordinator at Prairie View A&M; James Franklin, offensive coordinator at Maryland; and Joe Panos, a former NFL offensive lineman who played at Wisconsin.

The Vikings have just two practices remaining as part of their Organized Team Activities over this week and then will be done until reporting to training camp July 23 in Mankato. However, they may elect to have the final day on Tuesday be a team outing instead of a practice.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “Because that’s how I feel. It ain’t nothing that, ‘I’m going to say this to get attention.’ That’s what my plan is, that’s one of my goals is to make history.” — Ray Edwards explaining why he said he planned to break Michael Strahan’s singe-season record of 22.5 sacks.