Sports Radio Interviews

Jared Allen: “Once the game starts it is just going to be another game.”

Just in case you have been living underneath a rock for the last week or so, Brett Favre is going to face the Green Bay Packers for the first time in his career. With the ugly divorce that ensued last year after Favre retired and wanted to play again but the Packers said no, this game is going to be like no other. Coupled with the fact that this is one of the best rivalries in the NFL, people are saying that this will be the most watched Monday Night Football game in history. The hype around this game somewhat seems like the hype around the Super Bowl in February. The Packers come into this game with a high-powered offense and Favre’s former apprentice, Aaron Rodgers, at QB. After spending three years in Favre’s shadow in Green Bay, Rodgers will look to show his former mentor what he can do when they meet. Hopefully, the Packers dreaded offensive line will give him a little help because the Vikings defensive line is one of the best in the NFL and will be giving Rodgers more that he can handle. With a hostile crowd and a division rivalry, this game should be fun to watch.

Jared Allen joined WHB in Kansas City to talk about where he was when Brett Favre made last week’s game winning TD pass, whether he has been a part of something like that before, whether he now understands what Brett Favre is all about, Percy Harvin’s playmaking ability, the rivalry with the Packers and the Monday Night game, and how good Aaron Rodgers is compared to other QB’s around the league.

 On where he was when Brett Favre threw the game winning touchdown:

“I was sitting right there on the sideline closest to the endz one. To be honest I thought that he was throwing it to somebody on the sidelines and all of the sudden he is throwing it to the end zone. I was like: Who the hell is he throwing it to? And then Greg out of nowhere caught the ball and I will tell you that the whole place erupted like we won the Super Bowl.”

On whether he has been a part of something like that before:

“Yeah people started running toward the endzone and running towards the field and I think everybody kind of realized that there were 2 seconds left. So everybody was on the sidelines kind of hoping that it would come back. It was crazy. High-fiving and hugs, laughing and it was great. Had we been in college I am sure that the fans would have rushed the field.”

On whether he now understands what Brett Favre is all about:

“Yeah you know. You win a game like that… Obviously if we lose a game here it is just one loss but that was a pretty special moment. I think that it is going to be a moment that everybody remembers for a long time.”

On the rivalry with the Packers and the Monday Night game:

“It is pretty fun I tell you what. It’s a big deal for the crowd. We are only separated by not just a few miles. It is going to be absolutely nuts. I am sure the energy and the atmosphere is going to be crazy. The fans are really going to be getting into it. The game seems to always be pretty wild. Last year we were up 21-10 and within like 2 minutes they returned a punt and a pick to the house and were down 24-21. Then we come back and win 28-27. You never know what is going to happen in this game. The buildup has been so great because of the Favre/Packers situation. It is going to be fun. Once the game starts it is just going to be another game.”

On how good Aaron Rodgers is compared to other QB’s around the league:

“He is good. He is poised in the pocket, he makes smart decisions and he doesn’t really get rattled. He doesn’t try to get outside his comfort zone from what I see he is constantly getting better and… They got a good team so it’s going to be a… He is a quarterback that can beat you.”

Listen to Jared Allen on WHB in Kansas City with the Border Patrol

Tags: Aaron Rodgers, Add new tag, Brett Favre, division, Green Bay, Jared Allen, Minnesota, NFL, Packers, Percy Harvin, rivalry, Vikings