Rookie Zach Martin and Rookie Larry Allen

[jobberone]

People didn't want to play LA who just annihilated them. People didn't want to play Erik Williams either because he beat the crap out of them. I don't know how Erik now would do since they put in the Erik rule which is no head slapping. Not as dominant but still tough to the bone. Martin is a very good run blocker and has become a good pass blocker. He doesn't have the feet of a LA or even Free/Smith. Martin compares better to Nate who might have been a tad quicker.

I hope to see this crew play together another few years and see what they become.

 

[mahoneybill]

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

Ranks up there with Randy White chasing down an Eagles ball carrier from a long distance back.

 

[mrmojo]

This is probably the best description about where the two stand in similar points in their careers.

Martin's early success is in large part to sound fundamentals and technique. He's a strong smart player. Allen had strong fundamentals, but not as polished as Martin at the same point. Allen was an absolute physical freak, it's just so hard to fathom how a man that big and strong could also be as quick and nimble as he was.

Here's a highlight vid with his 700+ ib bench press, the rundown and highlight from NFL's Top 100 players. My favorite part is when John Randle, who was a huge trash talker, says you didn't taunt Larry, you were nice to Larry, you didn't want to make Larry mad.





Here's a Cowboy drive all behind Allen, with Madden doing the commentary. Good stuff....

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000221061/Larry-Allen-dominates-Colts-in-1999

That was a dominant drive against the Colts, but they still lost that game, how did that happen? That is how that season went in a capsule.

 

[BourbonBalz]

I could have sworn Larry Allen had to come into the SF NFC Champ and really struggled. I was pretty young so maybe confused.

He had a severely sprained ankle in that game.

 

[Plankton]

Ranks up there with Randy White chasing down an Eagles ball carrier from a long distance back.

It was a WR - Scott Fitzkee

 

[Alexander]

I wonder who would win in a street brawl between Randy White and Larry Allen. I would buy tickets to see that. Both very bad men.

All in all, it is great to see a physical OL in Dallas again, but this version is not like the Great Wall yet.

The 1990s group would be an intimidating bunch, with Williams, Allen and even Gogan who would scratch, claw, club, trip, gouge, do whatever to win not only the physical battle, but the psychological one.

This group seems a little less on the nasty side.

I personally would not mind seeing a little more of that, but in today's game, a lot of what they did would get them a Dominic Raiola/Richie Incognito type label, so I do not know how beneficial it would be since the game is so diluted and sissified.

 

[xwalker]

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.

LA started 10 games as a rookie. He basically moved into the starting lineup after Erik Williams had the car wreck.

LA was a physical freak, but he came from very small college.

Zack Martin is not a physical freak but is a master of technique and played 52 games of big-time college football. I said before the draft that he was the most NFL ready player in the draft. I didn't know that he would be this good, but it was obvious that he would be ready immediately.

Basically they are 2 completely different players in different OL schemes. LA was physically dominant but didn't really play with a lot of technique because he did need it. He played in a power man-blocking scheme. Martin is a master of technique with excellent quickness. He plays in a zone blocking scheme to requires both technique and quickness more than just brute strength.

 

[CCBoy]

Just for the record, X, I noticed some good punch in blocks from Parnell.

 

[romothesavior]

This line is already awesome now, imagine how good it will be in 2-3 years as the young guys continue to develop.

 

[mahoneybill]

It was a WR - Scott Fitzkee

Thanks. I just remember being impressed how he chased him down.

 

[T-RO]

Saw all that, understood all that, ... like I said, Martin -vs- Allen?

Caffeine might help with your condition. Or something stronger.

Martin is all-pro rookie...Allen--for all his greatness-- wasn't. Time for you to get out more.

 

[Plankton]

Larry Allen really didn't play guard his rookie year at all. He started one game for Mark Tuinei against the Cardinals (home game), and then replaced Erik Williams at RT after the car accident. Allen played pretty well his rookie season, but he sprained his ankle against the Packers in the divisional round playoff game, and was severely limited in the Championship Game against the 49ers. Tim Harris abused him in that game, and hit Aikman quite a bit throughout the game. They replaced him late in the game with Ron Stone, but truthfully, Allen shouldn't have been on the field that day at all.

Allen was the quintessential man power scheme blocker. Martin has a bit more versatility in that he can excel in a zone scheme as well as a man scheme, but Allen was far more dominant in a man scheme than Martin is at anything. Martin is a better technician, but Allen was a superior athlete, far stronger and a much better drive blocker.

I'm glad that we can say that both of them are Cowboys.

 

[Plankton]

LA started 10 games as a rookie. He basically moved into the starting lineup after Erik Williams had the car wreck.

LA was a physical freak, but he came from very small college.

Zack Martin is not a physical freak but is a master of technique and played 52 games of big-time college football. I said before the draft that he was the most NFL ready player in the draft. I didn't know that he would be this good, but it was obvious that he would be ready immediately.

Basically they are 2 completely different players in different OL schemes. LA was physically dominant but didn't really play with a lot of technique because he did need it. He played in a power man-blocking scheme. Martin is a master of technique with excellent quickness. He plays in a zone blocking scheme to requires both technique and quickness more than just brute strength.

To be fair, you said that Zack Martin was overrated, and that Xavier Su'a-Filo and David Yankey were prospects with higher upside that the Cowboys should consider selecting instead.

Still think he was overrated?

 

[WV Cowboy]

Caffeine might help with your condition. Or something stronger.

Martin is all-pro rookie...Allen--for all his greatness-- wasn't. Time for you to get out more.

If I read it right, the OP asked for others input and opinion, ... I gave mine.

But thanks so much for looking out for me, and my condition.

Lighten up and have a cup of coffee. LOL