Vikings defensive end Jared Allen is coming off an amazing 22-sack season.
But falling a half-sack short of Michael Strahan’s single-season record had him agonizing over the ones he didn’t get.
“Before you get that close, you’re not really sure if it’s attainable,” Allen said, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. “You think it is, because you always think if someone did it, I could do it. But being right there and actually leaving some stuff on the field — they took the one away in Green Bay, they gave it a team sack — and there were a couple in my arms that I didn’t get it.
“Or the ones that I was that close. The ones at the end of the year… It was kinda like, ‘Ah, bummed out. Now I’m 23 away again, versus one away.’ But when you start working out again, it’s motivation. How can I push myself just a little further?”
Allen said he thinks conditioning can make the difference in extending last year’s mark, and when asked how many sacks in a season are realistic, said he thought 25 was a possibility.
“I think 25 is possible,” Allen said. “I thinks someone will eventually get it. Look at some of the athletes, the DeMarcus Ware’s of the league and the matchups he creates as a 3-4 guy on a running back or something. I think it’s possible.
“Then again, no one’s ever had two 20-sack seasons in their career in the history of the NFL. So, someone’s gotta do that first. Like I said, I believe 25 is a number that will get hit one year. But when, I don’t know?”
Allen sounds motivated to get there himself, otherwise, he might have to resort to a second career in Night Ops Golf.