The Vikings’ defense desperately needs some splashy plays by someone other than Jared Allen. The kind of plays expected of a player who signed a $41 million deal in September.

Chad Greenway understands the expectations. And he’s trying to stay patient, he said. But the big plays just aren’t coming this season.

“You can’t play at the same level every year,” Greenway said. “Unfortunately, this year I’ve had a few dips, but all in all, I’m still working really hard and trying to keep improving.”

Entering today’s game against Oakland at the Metrodome, none of Greenway’s team-leading 73 tackles has been for loss of yardage. Zeros occupy his sack, interception and forced-fumble stat lines. As far as impact plays, Greenway has one fumble recovery off an Allen forced fumble and one pass deflection, according to NFL.com.

The Vikings rewarded Greenway with $20 million in guaranteed money after four straight seas ons with at least 99 tackles.

Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus, which reviews video of every NFL play, says Greenway has missed some tackles and is “not getting home on some sacks he should have.”

Also, the Vikings’ cover-2 scheme calls for Greenway to stay disciplined in his gaps and not freelance. The defense is “as vanilla as it gets” because the Vikings are relying on backup-caliber talent in certain areas, Monson said.

“I think linebackers in that scheme at the moment are just target practice, lost in loose zones covering guys they shouldn’t have to because everybody is playing a pretty loose cover-2 and offenses know where the holes are to attack,” Monson said.

The Vikings’ scheme hasn’t changed since Greenway joined the team as a first-round draft pick in 2006, a defense that Greenway says is “creating the same opportunities.” But gone from the NFC championship team of two seasons ago are Pat Williams, Ben Leber, Ray Edwards and Madieu Williams. Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin, E.J. Henderson and Kevin Williams have been slowed by injuries.

With more support around him in 2010, Greenway had a Pro Bowl-type season without the Pro Bowl, with 144 tackles, including 10 for a losses, a forced fumble, three pass deflections and a sack.

That set up Greenway for a big contract, but talks progressed slowly because outside linebackers in a 4-3 scheme aren’t high-profile pass rushers; 3-4 outside linebackers are. That’s why the Dallas Cowboys could justify paying DeMarcus Ware a reported seven-year, $79 million contract worth $40 million guaranteed in 2009.

The Vikings had to take into account Greenway’s consistency, locker room presence, age (28) and work ethic, putting his 6-1/2 sacks and five interceptions through his first 63 NFL games into a 4-3 context.

“I don’t think me making splash plays is going to help us win games,” Greenway said. “It will be a difference, but it’s not the only thing helping us win. Everybody’s got to play together.”

Linebackers coach Mike Singletary has seen this before – a player works hard, gets the big contract and presses to live up to the deal.

Greenway stays in his gaps because it’s best for the team, Singletary said, but the big plays aren’t coming to his spot.

“(With) his desire to be great, sometimes … he can get frustrated,” Singletary said. “The things I have to keep telling him, Chad, settle down. They will come. Nobody works harder than Chad around here, and I have all the confidence in the world he’s going to be a great player.”

Greenway is heeding Singletary’s advice. Greenway is encouraged that at times he has been playing “better than I ever have” in pass coverage and playing physically at the line of scrimmage.

“I think he can cover any tight end or running back,” Singletary said, “even the special ones.”

Now it’s all about consistency.

“The body of work has been there,” Greenway said. “My work in the community is there. It’s more about what can I bring to the organization….You just have to go out there and keep playing and not putting too much pressure on yourself.”