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The Greatest NFL Starting Job Thefts of All Time

By Erik Lambert

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: (2nd left) Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley of the Arizona Cardinals and (M) head coach Ken Whisenhunt talks with (R) quarterback Kurt Warner #13 as (L) quarterback Matt Leinart #7 stands behind and watches against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: (2nd left) Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley of the Arizona Cardinals and (M) head coach Ken Whisenhunt talks with (R) quarterback Kurt Warner #13 as (L) quarterback Matt Leinart #7 stands behind and watches against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 29: Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a sack as Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks on during the first quarter of the game on December 29, 2013 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 29: Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a sack as Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions looks on during the first quarter of the game on December 29, 2013 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Vikings: Everson Griffen takes over for Jared Allen

The Vikings have become one of the franchises in the NFL that have perfected the art of producing pass rushers. It was Carl Eller and Jim Marshall in the 1960s and 70s. It was Chris Doleman in the 1980s and ’90s. Then it was Jared Allen in the late 2000s. He built the majority of his Hall of Fame career in purple and gold and most felt when he was gone that the team would never replace him.

Turns out they did so way faster than anybody expected. At first Everson Griffen was nothing more than a mid-round draft pick who spent his first couple years just trying to get on the field. By 2012 though he emerged to the forefront with eight sacks. As Allen aged, it was becoming clear the team had to move on before his contract became a liability. So in 2014, he was allowed to walk.

That same year Griffen posted 12 sacks. He’s been their ace off the edge ever since.

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