Larry Allen vs. Rayfield and HOF/Ring of Honor?

[TwoCentPlain]

I didn't get to see Rayfield Wright play. How does LA compare to Rayfield? Anyone think Larry Allen will get into the Hall of Fame? Cowboys Ring of Honor? It sure would be nice if he would get into both. I think he gets into both the HOF and the Cowboys Ring of Honor. Are there any Cowboys in the Hall of Fame but not in the Cowboys Ring of Fame?

1975: Bob Lilly • 1976: Don Meredith • 1976: Don Perkins • 1977: Chuck Howley • 1981: Mel Renfro • 1983: Roger Staubach • 1989: Lee Roy Jordan • 1993: Tom Landry • 1994: Tony Dorsett • 1994: Randy White • 2001: Bob Hayes • 2003: Tex Schramm • 2004: Cliff Harris • 2004: Rayfield Wright • 2005: Troy Aikman • 2005: Emmitt Smith • 2005: Michael Irvin

 

[BourbonBalz]

Larry Allen is a can't miss for the Hall. There is absolutely zero doubt.

 

[Hostile]

In my opinion Larry Allen is the best OG ever to play the game. Even better than the great John Hannah from the Patriots.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I agree. He's so much more powerful than Hannah was.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Had he not been involved in a serious car accident (stupidity on his part I might add), we would have another offensive lineman in the Hall. Of course I'm talking about Erik Williams. Nasty, nasty, nasty. He dominated Reggie White on occasions. Williams would've been one of the all time great tackles barring the injuires. He was still pretty damn great as it is.

 

[CowboyJeff]

Comparing Rayfield Wright with Larry Allen is comparing apples to oranges. Not only did they play different positions on the offensive line, they played in different eras. Allen was named to 11 Pro Bowls, Wright named to 6 straight. Rayfield used his athleticism and size, while Larry used his bulk and brute strength. Both players were named to their respective All Decade Teams. Larry is definitely a shoe-in for the Hall Of Fame. On paper his stats surpass that of Rayfield. Rayfield is still my favorite though!!!

Larry Allen Wikipedia

Rayfield Wright Wikipedia

 

[CrazyCowboy]

In my opinion Larry Allen is the best OG ever to play the game. Even better than the great John Hannah from the Patriots.

That is a close one.......but, LA is a Cowboy so he get my vote also Hos

 

[THUMPER]

I rank Larry Allen with John Hannah, Anthony Munoz, and Jim Parker as the best OLs to ever play the game. Center would be a toss up between Mike Webster, Jeff Van Note, and Jim Otto. Pick one and I would be happy with him.

How's that for an all-time O-Line?

LT-Munoz, LG-Hannah, C-Webster, RG-Allen, RT-Parker

As someone else said, if Erik Williams wouldn't have gotten hurt in that car crash he could have been the greatest RT of all-time and replaced Parker on my line.

As for Hannah vs Allen, Hannah could do some things that Allen couldn't and vice versa. Hannah was very strong and could dominate his opponent but he was also an excellent technician and would routinely block 2-3 guys on a play as he would move from one level to another. He was very quick and excelled at pulling and blocking in space throughout his career. His vision and ability to read made him the best in his time. A pulling Guard is like a RB when it comes to needing good vision and balance but instead of avoiding contact, he uses it to take guys out. Hannah was the best I ever saw at this.

Allen lost a lot of his mobility later in his career but early on he amazed the world running down a defender who had picked off a pass. No one in NFL history was a strong as Allen IMO. His strength is amazing and the power he displays is without equal. Watching DTs try to avoid him was funny at times, especially later in games when they just didn't want to take that shot to the chest anymore. You would see them stunting a lot, trying not to face him. Allen could get sloppy at times though and tended to rely too much on his strength and not enough on proper footwork and technique. But in his prime he was the best ever.

Munoz is simply the best OT to ever play the game and is without equal IMO. Even Big-E in his prime wasn't as good as Munoz was, he was stronger but nowhere near as good technically.

 

[sago1]

LA was one of the greatest OL to ever play the game. We forget that he played at RG in 94 where he soon became a pro bowler. Late in 97 he was moved to LT to protect Aikman's left side but even at that position was named to the pro bowl. By 98/99 he was moved to LG (Flozel Adams replaced LA at LT) where he continued to be a pro bowler.

Within 3 years after LA retires from SF, Jerry will name him to the ROH & 2 years later he should be a first ballot HOFer. Within last month or so, I read somewhere he was thinking of retiring. Since he hasn't made any official announcement this close to TC, unless injury effects his play I assume he'll hold off until after 07 season.

 

[Yeagermeister]

LA is a lock for the HOF and the Ring

 

[THUMPER]

LA is a lock for the HOF and the Ring

It will be the shortest enshrinement speech in history: "Umm, thank you."

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

It will be the shortest enshrinement speech in history: "Umm, thank you."

:laugh2: Yes he was never much for words.

Maybe we can just invite Jose Cortez in and have Larry Grab him by the face.

Bad thing is I doubt some players would show up for the speech as they would get a sudden case of Allenitis.

 

[Yeagermeister]

It will be the shortest enshrinement speech in history: "Umm, thank you."

It will be interesting to hear his speech. :laugh2:

 

[YosemiteSam]

In my opinion Larry Allen is the best OG ever to play the game. Even better than the great John Hannah from the Patriots.

Yes, but the real question is will he make the Ring Of Honor considering the way he played during the last few season with the Cowboys.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yes, but the real question is will he make the Ring Of Honor considering the way he played during the last few season with the Cowboys.

I have no doubt he will make the ROH one day.

 

[Stautner]

Allen truly is at or very nearly at the pinnacle of O-linemen in history - his place in the HOF and ROH is ensured.

Rayfield Wright was a great O-lineman as well, but short of Allen without a doubt.

Had he not been involved in a serious car accident (stupidity on his part I might add), we would have another offensive lineman in the Hall. Of course I'm talking about Erik Williams. Nasty, nasty, nasty. He dominated Reggie White on occasions. Williams would've been one of the all time great tackles barring the injuires. He was still pretty damn great as it is.

You also have to remember Williams' affinity for prostitutes, drugs, drinking etc ........ as you may recall this kind of behavior is what led to the car crash. His career may never have reached the level it could have even without the crash.

 

[sago1]

Wonder who will make his HOF introduction speedh. Jerry? Troy? Michael? Emmitt? Maybe Norv cause of his OC duties with SF for LA's first year there?

 

[Yeagermeister]

Wonder who will make his HOF introduction speedh. Jerry? Troy? Michael? Emmitt? Maybe Norv cause of his OC duties with SF for LA's first year there?

Jose Cortez

 

[CowboyJeff]

It will be the shortest enshrinement speech in history: "Umm, thank you."

Two of the worst interviews I ever did back in 1994 were Larry Allen and Leon Lett. Neither guy said anything and both were sweating bullets. Larry should go to the Nate Newton school of communication.

 

[Tra_Col99]

Wonder who will make his HOF introduction speedh. Jerry? Troy? Michael? Emmitt? Maybe Norv cause of his OC duties with SF for LA's first year there?

John Madden. He'll talk about his sweat circle on his pants.