Legendary Allen didn't fit Cowboys' line anymore
By Connor Byrne
03/24/06
In an obvious cost-cutting move, the Dallas Cowboys released 12-year veteran offensive guard Larry Allen earlier this week. The move saved the Cowboys' $3 million against the cap for next season.
In his illustrious career, Allen has started in 170 of 176 career games and has been selected to 10 Pro Bowls. Despite his terrific credentials, the newest member of the San Francisco 49ers offensive line just didn't fit what the Cowboys' line was becoming.
Since the offseason began, the Dallas Cowboys have brought in right tackle Jason Fabini from the New York Jets, and offensive tackle/guard Kyle Kosier from the Detroit Lions.
In his four-year career with the 49ers and Lions, Kosier has started only 40 games, but that didn't deter the Cowboys from signing him to a five-year deal worth $15 million. In 11 starts last season, the 28-year-old Kosier looked promising at left guard and because of that, was brought in to replace the 34-year-old Allen. Although Kosier has the age advantage over Allen, I'm not sure that he's really an upgrade at this point. Even though Allen's career is fading and he tends to play a little overweight, it doesn't mean that he doesn't have a good deal of football left in the tank. Obviously, Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones felt that it was time to cut ties with one of his favorite players in Cowboys history. It couldn't have been an easy decision for Jones, and I think he could end up regretting it next season if Kosier doesn't live up to the hype bestowed upon him of late.
In the Cowboys' second signing on the offensive line this offseason, they brought in former Jets offensive tackle Jason Fabini. This move didn't come as a surprise at all since the 31-year-old Fabini played great football under Bill Parcells when he was the coach of the Jets during the mid to late '90s. In his eight years in New York, the 6-7, 305 pound Fabini started in all 114 games that he appeared in, and was generally regarded as one of the league's steadier forces on the offensive line.
Now, Fabini will step in at right tackle and replace former starter Rob Pettiti. This is a great move for the Cowboys since Fabini is a far better option than the young Pettiti, and he can ease the pain that comes with the Cowboys losing Allen, a tremendous veteran presence. Much like Allen, Fabini has seen and experienced many things in this league, so he'll be a great mentor for guys like Pettiti, Andre Gurode and Al Johnson.
At this point, there's no question that Fabini is an improvement on Pettiti at right tackle for the Cowboys, but whether or not Kosier can adequately replace Allen will be what a lot of Dallas' offensive success hinges on next season. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe needs all the time in the pocket that he can get, so for his sake, the Cowboys better hope the Kosier signing works out.
The Cowboys' projected line for 2006 includes what should be a fully-recovered Flozell Adams at left tackle, Kosier at left guard, Johnson or Gurode at center, Marco Rivera at right guard and Fabini at right tackle. Other than a particular amount of uncertainty with Kosier, there's a decent level of concern at the center position in Dallas. Johnson and Gurode will compete for the job, and if one of them could really play well and solidify the position, the Cowboys' line next season should be well above-average. If not, the Cowboys' line might stay closer to average than exceptional.
As long as the Cowboys' line plays well, it will make Bledsoe happy, which will make uber-me-first receiver Terrell Owens happy because he'll be getting more passes thrown to him with better precision and accuracy. Any way you slice it, the onus is on Dallas' offensive line to produce the kind of success that the team is hoping for next season.
As for Allen, he'll be missed by the Dallas Cowboys organization and fans next season, as he's been a legendary force on the offensive line, which will surely make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he retires in a few years. Allen will be remembered as the last holdover on the Cowboys' roster from their Super Bowl XXIX victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers back in the 1995-1996 season.
03/24/06
In an obvious cost-cutting move, the Dallas Cowboys released 12-year veteran offensive guard Larry Allen earlier this week. The move saved the Cowboys' $3 million against the cap for next season.
In his illustrious career, Allen has started in 170 of 176 career games and has been selected to 10 Pro Bowls. Despite his terrific credentials, the newest member of the San Francisco 49ers offensive line just didn't fit what the Cowboys' line was becoming.
Since the offseason began, the Dallas Cowboys have brought in right tackle Jason Fabini from the New York Jets, and offensive tackle/guard Kyle Kosier from the Detroit Lions.
In his four-year career with the 49ers and Lions, Kosier has started only 40 games, but that didn't deter the Cowboys from signing him to a five-year deal worth $15 million. In 11 starts last season, the 28-year-old Kosier looked promising at left guard and because of that, was brought in to replace the 34-year-old Allen. Although Kosier has the age advantage over Allen, I'm not sure that he's really an upgrade at this point. Even though Allen's career is fading and he tends to play a little overweight, it doesn't mean that he doesn't have a good deal of football left in the tank. Obviously, Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones felt that it was time to cut ties with one of his favorite players in Cowboys history. It couldn't have been an easy decision for Jones, and I think he could end up regretting it next season if Kosier doesn't live up to the hype bestowed upon him of late.
In the Cowboys' second signing on the offensive line this offseason, they brought in former Jets offensive tackle Jason Fabini. This move didn't come as a surprise at all since the 31-year-old Fabini played great football under Bill Parcells when he was the coach of the Jets during the mid to late '90s. In his eight years in New York, the 6-7, 305 pound Fabini started in all 114 games that he appeared in, and was generally regarded as one of the league's steadier forces on the offensive line.
Now, Fabini will step in at right tackle and replace former starter Rob Pettiti. This is a great move for the Cowboys since Fabini is a far better option than the young Pettiti, and he can ease the pain that comes with the Cowboys losing Allen, a tremendous veteran presence. Much like Allen, Fabini has seen and experienced many things in this league, so he'll be a great mentor for guys like Pettiti, Andre Gurode and Al Johnson.
At this point, there's no question that Fabini is an improvement on Pettiti at right tackle for the Cowboys, but whether or not Kosier can adequately replace Allen will be what a lot of Dallas' offensive success hinges on next season. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe needs all the time in the pocket that he can get, so for his sake, the Cowboys better hope the Kosier signing works out.
The Cowboys' projected line for 2006 includes what should be a fully-recovered Flozell Adams at left tackle, Kosier at left guard, Johnson or Gurode at center, Marco Rivera at right guard and Fabini at right tackle. Other than a particular amount of uncertainty with Kosier, there's a decent level of concern at the center position in Dallas. Johnson and Gurode will compete for the job, and if one of them could really play well and solidify the position, the Cowboys' line next season should be well above-average. If not, the Cowboys' line might stay closer to average than exceptional.
As long as the Cowboys' line plays well, it will make Bledsoe happy, which will make uber-me-first receiver Terrell Owens happy because he'll be getting more passes thrown to him with better precision and accuracy. Any way you slice it, the onus is on Dallas' offensive line to produce the kind of success that the team is hoping for next season.
As for Allen, he'll be missed by the Dallas Cowboys organization and fans next season, as he's been a legendary force on the offensive line, which will surely make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he retires in a few years. Allen will be remembered as the last holdover on the Cowboys' roster from their Super Bowl XXIX victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers back in the 1995-1996 season.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:30 PM
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