Downs: Team MVP? It's Larry Allen

[Maikeru-sama]

Michael Downs: Team MVP? It's Larry Allen

03:00 PM CST on Friday, November 19, 2004



Former Cowboys All-Pro safety Michael Downs offers insight, analysis and a peek behind the X's and O's every Friday exclusively on CowboysPlus.com. Downs, a Rice graduate, played safety for the Cowboys from 1981-88. Send questions for Downs' consideration to askdowns@dallasnews.com

There haven’t been many shining stars for the Cowboys this season. The veteran players brought in during the off-season have performed well at times. But no one has played exceptionally. With little hope for the playoffs, Bill Parcells may begin to look at younger players. Just this week, many experts suggested the player shuffle should have started in the second half of the Eagles game Monday night.

One player I have watched throughout the season is tackle Larry Allen. There should be no shuffling here. In his 11th year as a Cowboy, I would vote for Allen as the Cowboys’ MVP. Tight end Jason Witten would be a distant second.

Without fanfare, Allen has played consistently well each week. Not too many members of the media have noticed or at least talked or wrote about his performance. Just a few months ago, it appeared Allen was on his way out of the silver and blue.

Allen struggled through the 2003 season with injuries. Parcells even publicly questioned Allen’s desire and commitment to the team. His willingness to play while injured spoke volumes to me.

In this era of multimillion dollar contracts, you see a number of players who will sit out Sundays with seemingly minor discomforts. Pre-game and game analysts openly criticize such decisions. In part, I would agree with many of those questionable situations. I do believe that if a player can play, he should. Not playing when you are able is selfish.

On the other side, I know that many reported injuries are more serious in nature. In those cases, a player would be foolish and, again, selfish to play. He could end up shortening his career, and he could hinder the team’s effort to win on Sunday.

A year ago, I questioned Allen’s decision to play hurt. I still have visions of him limping off the field. I can see the medical staff asking Allen questions while he was grimacing with pain.

In 1988, I had a similar season. Early in the season, I suffered a torn groin muscle. Victor Scott was my backup, but he was already out with an injury. I played the rest of the season basically on one leg. Of course, I didn’t play well, but I felt an obligation to the team. Just like Allen’s situation, my performance was questioned at the end of the season. Those questions hurt. I will admit that it’s a little bit of ego, but it’s more about pride and commitment that inspires players to play hurt. Coaches must know this even if the public doesn’t.

I’m proud and little bit surprised that Allen has played so well this year. The great thing about his recovery is that Allen is a good guy. Physically, Allen is intimidating. Personality-wise, he is a soft, gentle husband and father. In an interview, Allen once told me of the special relationship he had with the grandmother who raised him. As he put it, “She was my heart.”

Allen credits his grandmother for keeping him out of trouble in the gang-infested streets of Compton, Calif. I didn’t expect such sentiments from this giant of a man. Unfortunately, Allen’s grandmother died during training camp his rookie season. He was so devastated that he was ready to walk away from football for good.

Eleven years later, we all can see what a shame that would have been. Allen has had a Hall of Fame career. He is arguably the Cowboys’ all-time best offensive lineman. This season has solidified his greatness.

Allen also told me how he approaches every season and every game. He explained that even after the two Super Bowls, the All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections, he still must “respect football” the same way he did as a rookie.

“There is always someone trying to replace you. And each week there’s a guy on the other side of the line trying to beat you," he said. "So I have to be a little afraid so that I will continue to work hard.”

I never questioned his work ethic, not even last year.

This week against an outstanding Raven defense I expect the same thing from Allen that I have grown to appreciate. He will give his all, injured or not. I hope his teammates are watching him as closely as I do. Larry Allen has a lot of physical ability, but he has a much bigger heart.

YOUR TURN

Q: The Cowboys' young defensive backs were overmatched Monday. Can they overcome the shellacking they received?

Darby, Atlanta

DOWNS: Darby, I don't think they will overcome their performance on Monday night for at least two reasons.

First, the secondary has had to shuffle players. Imagine coordinating a group of individuals who must be in step with one another, but each week there is a new member in the group. Players must learn each others' strengths and weaknesses. It often takes weeks, if not seasons, to achieve this.

Secondly, the secondary can't be feeling real confident right now. Mentally, the players will press to make plays, which could result in more mistakes. The secondary may look better this week against the Ravens because Baltimore's quarterback and receivers are not skilled. Overall, though, we can expect much of the same.

• • •
Q: Are the Cowboys' defensive backs playing physically enough against their opponents?

DOWNS: No. There were a number of plays throughout the season when they lacked a physical presence. Other than Roy Williams, the secondary seems undersized and not aggressive.

As a defensive back or any defensive player, you must have a "I will do whatever it takes to stop them from scoring" atttude. That's not to say that everyone will be a Ronnie Lott-type of player. But the Cowboys' secondary seems to be almost polite in its effort to keep the opposition out of the end zone.

LINK

[Maikeru-sama]

One player I have watched throughout the season is tackle Larry Allen. There should be no shuffling here. In his 11th year as a Cowboy, I would vote for Allen as the Cowboys’ MVP. Tight end Jason Witten would be a distant second.

And so the legend of Lawrence Allen continues....

JFYI, when Allen was 13 years old and growing up in Compton, he was once stabbed multiple times in the head and kneck by his 11 year old neighbor.

I will tell my kids and grandkids about this guy, arguably, the best player in Cowboys history....

- Mike G.

[MichaelWinicki]

Larry Allen being MVP of this sorry lot is truly like being the tallest dwarf in the circus...

[Maikeru-sama]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

Larry Allen being MVP of this sorry lot is truly like being the tallest dwarf in the circus...

Doesn't matter....

The man could have easily just laid down and called it a season. Nice to know he is still playing with pride and not giving up. I dont know if he is MVP of the team, I have a hard time not giving it to Witten, but I respect Downs' opinion.

- Mike G.

[VirusX]

One player I have watched throughout the season is tackle Larry Allen. There should be no shuffling here. In his 11th year as a Cowboy, I would vote for Allen as the Cowboys’ MVP. Tight end Jason Witten would be a distant second.

Larry Allen is a guard =)

[Maikeru-sama]

[quote=VirusX][quote=mickgreen58]
One player I have watched throughout the season is tackle Larry Allen. There should be no shuffling here. In his 11th year as a Cowboy, I would vote for Allen as the Cowboys’ MVP. Tight end Jason Witten would be a distant second.

Larry Allen is a guard =)

Yep he is a guard, but he did start his career playing Tackle, but that was years ago .

- Mike G.

[diehard2294]

LA has played well, but no way he is the MVP over Witten, especially Witten being a distant 2nd

[AdamJT13]

Originally Posted by mickgreen58

Q: Are the Cowboys' defensive backs playing physically enough against their opponents?

DOWNS: No.

Not that it would change the answer to the question, but I saw something kind of interesting/funny when I was reviewing the game tape from Monday's game. On the play when McNabb scrambled around for 14 seconds before throwing that 60-yard pass that Freddie Mitchell caught over Nate Jones, Terrell Owens lined up in the slot on the right. Newman lined up across from him. Owens then went in motion to the left slot, and Newman followed (showing that it's man-to-man coverage). And when Owens came off the line of scrimmage, Newman chucked him so hard that Owens fell over. It never got a mention because of what happened on the rest of the play, but it was strange to see the 6-3, 230-pound Owens getting knocked right over by Newman (who blanketed him the rest of the play, too, which is why McNabb had to keep scrambling).

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by mickgreen58

And so the legend of Lawrence Allen continues....

JFYI, when Allen was 13 years old and growing up in Compton, he was once stabbed multiple times in the head and kneck by his 11 year old neighbor.

I will tell my kids and grandkids about this guy, arguably, the best player in Cowboys history....

- Mike G.

In my opinion Mick he is the best player ever to play here. Every other player who has come through this team that can be argued as the all time best at a position has some serious talent in the argument with them.

Larry Allen has only John Hannah as a comparison and most NFL types agree LA is the best ever at OG. If he had played his entire career at OG Hannah would barely be an afterthought. Hannah could have never been an All Pro at another position.

That's saying something because I truly admire John Hannah. I think his one on one battle swith Randy White may have been some of the best football I've ever seen. I wish we had played NE more often in those years.

I think LA at his best could have dominated any DE or DT in NFL History. He may not be what he once was but who is?

The man is great.

[Jimz31]

Originally Posted by AdamJT13

Not that it would change the answer to the question, but I saw something kind of interesting/funny when I was reviewing the game tape from Monday's game. On the play when McNabb scrambled around for 14 seconds before throwing that 60-yard pass that Freddie Mitchell caught over Nate Jones, Terrell Owens lined up in the slot on the right. Newman lined up across from him. Owens then went in motion to the left slot, and Newman followed (showing that it's man-to-man coverage). And when Owens came off the line of scrimmage, Newman chucked him so hard that Owens fell over. It never got a mention because of what happened on the rest of the play, but it was strange to see the 6-3, 230-pound Owens getting knocked right over by Newman (who blanketed him the rest of the play, too, which is why McNabb had to keep scrambling).

Interesting.....you would think that MNF would have had a camera on TO and they should have shown what was happening to the receivers on that play.

If they did, I definately missed it.

But 14 seconds.....no way a DB can cover someone for that long.....let alone 7 seconds.

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

The Cowboys most valuable player so far this season, is CLEARLY Vinny Testaverde.

Hands down!

[Jimz31]

Originally Posted by DANTHEMAN

The Cowboys most valuable player so far this season, is CLEARLY Vinny Testaverde.

Hands down!

No, Dangit......It's McBriar!

[Chocolate Lab]

Originally Posted by Jimz31

Interesting.....you would think that MNF would have had a camera on TO and they should have shown what was happening to the receivers on that play.

If they did, I definately missed it.

But 14 seconds.....no way a DB can cover someone for that long.....let alone 7 seconds.

Since that play will probably be shown all year, you may get to see it again... It's evident in the camera angle from the endzone (or that overhead camera they use) behind McNabb. Owens comes from the left side slot and goes across the middle, and Newman sort of punches him with both hands in his chest/side hard enough that it knocked him down.

Adam, if you see this, did you catch that at some point they started playing Newman man-on-man on Owens all over the field, at least part of the time? Earlier I'd thought it was after Owens' second TD, but now I think it was later than that, more the mid/late 2nd quarter. Actually, I think it wasn't long before that 14 second McNabb scramble. I could be wrong, but that's what I thought I noticed during the game.

[Nors]

Witten
Allen


Why is not Roy, Glover, Dat, Tnew in this discussion? That says it ALL

[AdamJT13]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Lab

Adam, if you see this, did you catch that at some point they started playing Newman man-on-man on Owens all over the field, at least part of the time? Earlier I'd thought it was after Owens' second TD, but now I think it was later than that, more the mid/late 2nd quarter. Actually, I think it wasn't long before that 14 second McNabb scramble. I could be wrong, but that's what I thought I noticed during the game.

We didn't do that. I went through all of the Eagles' pass plays to see where Owens was on each play and who Newman was covering on each play.

Newman covered Owens on 12 pass plays. One was a 6-yard hitch to Owens, but it was wiped out by a penalty on the Eagles. Another pass to Owens was incomplete. On the other 10 times Newman was covering Owens, there was an incompletion to Pinkston, a 12-yard scramble by McNabb (who was looking for Owens but had to run instead), an incompletion to L.J. Smith, a 12-yard pass to Chad Lewis, a 59-yard pass to Pinkston, a 60-yard pass to Mitchell (when Newman chucked Owens to the ground coming off the line of scrimmage and McNabb scrambled around for 14 seconds), another incompletion to L.J. Smith, a 6-yard pass to Westbrook, an incompletion to Chad Lewis (when McNabb was looking for Owens deep but had to dump off to the tight end) and an incompletion to Mitchell.

On the Eagles' pass plays, Owens lined up 11 times to the right (Newman's side), 11 times to the left (Lance Frazier's or Jacques Reeves' side) and 10 times in the slot. Out of the 10 times Owens lined up in the slot, Newman covered him once (he switched men with nickel back Nate Jones -- that was the play when Newman chucked Owens to the ground and McNabb scrambled around for 14 seconds before throwing to Mitchell). Of the other nine times Owens was in the slot, he was covered twice by Nate Jones, twice by Roy Williams, four times by Tony Dixon and once by Dexter Coakley/Lynn Scott.

Owens' six catches went for 59 yards (TD) against Nate Jones from the right slot, 8 yards against Frazier from wide left, 17 yards against Frazier from wide left, 27 yards against Roy Williams (TD) in zone coverage from wide left, 16 yards (TD) against Dixon in zone coverage from the right slot and 7 yards against Frazier from wide left. The two incompletions to Owens came when he was being covered in the right flat by Newman and deep left by Frazier. (Owens also had a 6-yard catch on a quick hitch against Newman, but that was wiped out by a penalty.)

The Eagles had only three other completions to wide receivers -- 13 yards to Greg Lewis against Newman (while Owens was being covered by Tony Dixon), 59 yards to Pinkston against Jacques Reeves (while Newman was covering Owens) and 60 yards to Mitchell against Nate Jones (while Newman was covering Owens).