Rookie Zach Martin and Rookie Larry Allen

[TwoCentPlain]

No sacrilege intended. I don't remember much about the early year(s) of Larry Allen. I don't recall him starting as a rookie early or getting playing time until an injury on the line or something. Memory isn't too clear on his early days as a Cowboy. Zach Martin sure looks dominant out there. Anyone remember Larry Allen's first year or two? I wonder how Martin compares. Would it be fair to say Martin is more polished and refined in technique than Allen but not as strong in their rookie years.

I'm interested in rookie and second year comparisons of Martin and Allen. Yes, Allen was the most dominant OL ever. We all know that.

 

[perrykemp]

I love Martin because Martin has no real weaknesses, however, Allen was something altogether different. He punished DL, he terrified DL, he destroyed their will to continue, he crushed his enemies to see them driven before him and to hear the lamentations of their women.

 

[Avery]

 

[Fletch]

Martin is the next best thing to LA. LA was freakishly strong. No one compares to date, but Martin is our next best lineman since Allen.

 

[joseephuss]

Allen didn't start early because the offensive line was already full of good players. They had already won 2 Superbowls and helped Emmitt win 3 rushing titles before Larry Allen joined the team. I thought Dallas was a game or two away from replacing Mark Tuinei with Allen before the Erik Williams injury. Tuinei's play had started to decay.

 

[The Quest for Six]

I remember that play as if it was yesterday and still can't believe how that size of a man ran down a linebacker from a dead stop

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Martin is the next best thing to LA. LA was freakishly strong. No one compares to date, but Martin is our next best lineman since Allen.

You spelled Smith wrong.

 

[JDSmith]

Larry Allen had to play right tackle to begin with when Erik Williams was injured in his car accident. So he was filling in for a guy who I thought was probably the best OL in football. Big E was an absolute animal before the accident. But Larry Allen came in and actually played really well until Reggie White abused him a bit in one game - like literally used one arm and threw Larry Allen aside. But Reggie was probably just excited that he didn't have to face Williams, since Williams routinely shut him down and beat him up (and maybe made him cry).

But Larry Allen was a beast, even in the beginning. Not as much as Martin is right now IMO, but LA was playing tackle at first and really started to dominate once he moved to guard and guys couldn't find space. Then he really perfected his chest punch and defenders started to actually fear playing him. There is an article around somewhere that talks about how some defenders would get 'hurt' the week before a Cowboys game to avoid playing against LA.

 

[WV Cowboy]

Did I miss something? We are comparing Martin with Larry Allen?

 

[Avery]

I used to love hearing Madden call our games as he would gush over Allen all game. I can't recall the game, but remember him taking a LB and flipping him in the air and Madden blubbering for a full minute about it.

 

[Bungarian]

Defensive players would fake injuries to not play Allen.

 

[joseephuss]

Larry Allen had to play right tackle to begin with when Erik Williams was injured in his car accident. So he was filling in for a guy who I thought was probably the best OL in football. Big E was an absolute animal before the accident. But Larry Allen came in and actually played really well until Reggie White abused him a bit in one game - like literally used one arm and threw Larry Allen aside. But Reggie was probably just excited that he didn't have to face Williams, since Williams routinely shut him down and beat him up (and maybe made him cry).

But Larry Allen was a beast, even in the beginning. Not as much as Martin is right now IMO, but LA was playing tackle at first and really started to dominate once he moved to guard and guys couldn't find space. Then he really perfected his chest punch and defenders started to actually fear playing him. There is an article around somewhere that talks about how some defenders would get 'hurt' the week before a Cowboys game to avoid playing against LA.

Reggie White abused Larry Allen on one single play in that Thanksgiving game. It was a very memorable play, but over the complete game Larry Allen easily got the better of White. There is a reason Dallas was able to put up over 400 yards and 40 points that game with Jason Garrett as the QB. Allen controlled White for the vast majority of that game.

 

[Galian Beast]

Making the pro bowl as a rookie would certainly suggest the potential to be a future Hall of Famer. This isn't like a running back making the pro bowl as a rookie.

The sky's the limit for this kid. Draft a quality right tackle next year and this offensive line will be set for a decade.

 

[cowboys2233]

Glad someone showed this - first thing I thought of when this question was posed. This video in definitely strong support for the Larry Allen side, which I happen to be on. He was the strongest, fastest lineman on the planet.

Oh, and he could dunk a basketball with both hands...in case you were wondering..

 

[rags747]

Reggie White abused Larry Allen on one single play in that Thanksgiving game. It was a very memorable play, but over the complete game Larry Allen easily got the better of White. There is a reason Dallas was able to put up over 400 yards and 40 points that game with Jason Garrett as the QB. Allen controlled White for the vast majority of that game.

If I remember correctly White used his usual forearm hump move that just literally picked Allen up off of his feet and disposed of him quickly.

 

[Screw The Hall]

One of the most impressive things about Martin for me has been how he has responded to this injury. His skill level has been on display since day one. Now we can see the grit and tenacity of an absolute warrior? This guy is going to be special.

 

[perrykemp]

One of the most impressive things about Martin for me has been how he has responded to this injury. His skill level has been on display since day one. Now you add the grit and tenacity of an absolute warrior? This guy is going to be special.

Ok, it's stretch, however, since it seems popular to be comparing current Cowboys to HOFers I'll go ahead and put this out there -- young Martin reminds me a bit of Bruce Matthews.

 

[rags747]

Larry Allen had to play right tackle to begin with when Erik Williams was injured in his car accident. So he was filling in for a guy who I thought was probably the best OL in football. Big E was an absolute animal before the accident. But Larry Allen came in and actually played really well until Reggie White abused him a bit in one game - like literally used one arm and threw Larry Allen aside. But Reggie was probably just excited that he didn't have to face Williams, since Williams routinely shut him down and beat him up (and maybe made him cry).

But Larry Allen was a beast, even in the beginning. Not as much as Martin is right now IMO, but LA was playing tackle at first and really started to dominate once he moved to guard and guys couldn't find space. Then he really perfected his chest punch and defenders started to actually fear playing him. There is an article around somewhere that talks about how some defenders would get 'hurt' the week before a Cowboys game to avoid playing against LA.

Big E in my mind is the best Offensive lineman that I have ever witnessed play for any team. He was just such an imposing figure, tall and huge. Mean sucker once he put that helmet on and his arms always taped up like casts. Madden used to RAVE about him and his battles with Reggie. Thats one thing we are missing from todays announcers, they jus tdont focus enough on some of these battles. Big E was definitely going to the HOF if he did not screw up that knee.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I love Martin because Martin has no real weaknesses, however, Allen was something altogether different. He punished DL, he terrified DL, he destroyed their will to continue, he crushed his enemies to see them driven before him and to hear the lamentations of their women.

Good. Good.

 

[Screw The Hall]

Ok, it's stretch, however, since it seems popular to be comparing current Cowboys to HOFers I'll go ahead and put this out there -- young Martin reminds me a bit of Bruce Matthews.

Both impeccable technicians and Mathews was crazy versatile apparently a strength of Martin's also. Of course Martin has a lot to prove for a long time to measure up to Mathews ... but I can see it.