Watch CBS News

Emma: Jared Allen's Swagger Is Back

By Chris Emma--

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (CBS) -- Jared Allen had never tasted humble pie before a 2014 season he hated.

The NFL's active leader in sacks had just 5.5 in 15 games, battling illness and injury along the way. The lack of production, combined with dysfunction of the 2014 Bears, led to Allen becoming a different guy.

"Last year wasn't fun, it was miserable," Allen said.

Allen, now 33, is a different player but at the same time back to being that same compelling personality.

Under the defensive direction of Vic Fangio and his 3-4 scheme, Allen is now a linebacker. He's not only responsible for rushing off the edge and attempting to add to his league lead in career sacks, but he must drop back into coverage and defend the pass, too.

"Three years ago, if you would've made me switch a position, I would've quit," Allen said. "Honestly."

But a taste of that dreaded humble pie has a way of changing one's perspective.

Allen is fully healthy and possesses the proper mindset to embrace a position battle for the first time in his stellar career. The change in scenery under new coach John Fox at Bears training camp has him feeling rejuvenated.

"We're just going to have fun this year," Allen said. "Last year was brutal. I just want to go out and have fun and enjoy this game I've been playing since the age of 8."

Very few in the game have that lively persona of Allen, but 2014 took a toll on him.

Allen couldn't be the same kind of player because of his physical limitations due to pneumonia. At one point, he dropped 15 points from his usual 255 playing weight. Factored in with the Bears' drama of last season, there wasn't much for Allen to enjoy.

If anything, Allen deserves credit for coming to training camp with such a chip on his shoulder. His personal goal is to lead the NFL in sacks this season, becoming the first player ever to do it three times in a career.

But Allen is aware that his perception from a decade of dominance was diminished by one year of ineffectiveness

"It feels fickle," Allen said. "You only get credit for what you did lately. No one remembers what you've done in the first 10 years of my career. Everyone talks about what I did last year. And that's the way I like it."

Now, it's time for Allen to go out and show what he can still do.

Training camp talk is nice, but results on Sundays are what matter. At the very least, Allen has his swagger back. That's the foundation for what's made him successful.

"In my mind, I still think I'm the best at what I do," Allen said. "Last year sucked -- it did, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. There's always circumstances around it. It is what it is. But I'm ready to go and bust someone's head open, honestly. That's the kind of year I want to have."

Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.