Ranking the greatest players in Dallas Cowboys history
By Randy Gurzi
8. player. 123. Pick Analysis. OL. 1994-2005. LarryAllen. Scouting Report
Larry Allen was an absolute monster. The 46th overall pick in 1994 out of Sonoma State, Allen quickly became a star in the Big D. He started 10 games as a rookie at right tackle and while there are no stats that can show how good an offensive lineman really was, all you had to do with Allen was turn on the tape.
No. 73 was always pushing opponents but he wasn’t just a massive bully — he could also turn on the jets. During his rookie season, he showed off his speed when he chased down New Orleans linebacker Darion Conner on an interception.
DK Metcalf's rundown of Budda Baker last night was one of the greatest hustle plays of all-time, right up there with 325-lb Larry Allen's catch-and-release of Saints LB Darion Conner on MNF in 1994. Interestingly, Al Michaels was on the call both times. pic.twitter.com/LIcxch9Gaz
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) October 26, 2020
There’s not much that’s more enjoyable than watching a big man show out like that, and Allen did this throughout his 12 seasons in Dallas.
He was also wildly versatile. Known as a guard for much of his career, he spent two full seasons playing tackle including 1998 when he made the Pro Bowl as a starting left tackle. Allen stayed dominant into his late 30s, although he finished his career by playing for the San Francisco 49ers in 2006 and 2007. He even made another Pro Bowl for the Niners in his first season with them.
Like many others on this list, Allen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, earning the distinction in 2013.