I've been reading a lot lately about how Bill and the Cowboys plan to part ways with Larry Allen. Their hoping to get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him(which everyone seriously doubts they can get). We already have a very questionable offensive line and now you want to make it even more questionable by parting ways with Larry Allen? There was some rucus about how Larry didn't attend the off-season training program or something(which is optional). There has been some articles written by the media in which Larry's agent responded that he doesn't see how Larry and the Cowboys can be together after what has been written in the media(since when did the media make or break decisions?). Larry Allen, while showing up heavy and out of shape for pre-season camp last season, recovered nicely and did a good job...especially in the 2nd half of the season. I seriously don't understand this move. We have other areas we are deficient on the offensive line and at the cornerback position. Now, you want to go remove what was a solid offensive lineman? I see this as a major setback to our offensive line. I think the Cowboys have had some problems this off-season. They let a lot of free agents we could have used get away. All of the good cornerbacks and a lot of the lineman free agents went elsewhere. We also lost some one or two veteran linemen. So, I guess the Cowboys are hoping for a good draft. Our offensive line appears to be severely disrupted and everyone knows this is required to protect the qb and run the ball. I sure hope Bill knows what the hell it is he's doing cause it seems to me we have been set back from last season. I dunno...just had to get this off my chest.
Apparently he's not old enough to quit playing. I was kind of hoping he would retire a Cowboy. But, he appears to be actively shopping around taking physicals with other teams in preparation of a move away from the Cowboys. He's like a brick wall most of the time when he's playing and healthy. He's usually the guy you wanting leading the block and clearing the path for a running play. He's responsible for a lot of Emmitt Smith's rushing yards if you ask me. I say...even if he is old...he is going to be very difficult to replace with someone of equal caliber. So, why make the move? Cause a veteran doesn't want to attend the off-season training program? I guess Bill believes in work ethic and maybe frowns upon Larry's decision not to attend in conjunction with how Larry showed up last pre-season camp. I guess he had enough. I just hope he's not making a huge mistake.
He spoke with the Raiders two days ago about a possible trade. Is there an available player Al Davis hasn't tried to sign this offseason? Also - Raiders and Redskins could reportedly already have a deal in place to swap picks should Robert Gallery be available at #2. Raiders would receive the Skins #5 and Chris Samuels.
I just saw this on ESPN and I couldn't believe it...Aparently he and BP don't get along...The boys' need a good line to have time to throw and run...
I agree, Dan-Boy's signing spree this offseason along with Lavar whining over his contract hasn't given them enough room to give Samuels the money he wants. I guess he feels he can replace Samuels with Gallery so he'll worry about the money later.
Larry Allen was a great player. The best guard of his generagtion and possibly the greatest guard ever. Now he is a (large) shadow of his former self. No longer is he a leader but he is a quitter who has to ask to come out of the games (several imes last year) because he wasn't in shape. Now maybe Larry can get himself back into shape but last year he was average at best (the Pro Bowl was on shere reputation). If he can good for him but he is not worth his current contract.
Sadly this is the way most OL are recognized. It's hard to measure them since they don't have official stats.
To Bill Parcells (and prolly the rest of the NFL) it means you better be there or you better have a real good excuse.
I'll take an average Larry Allen over a lot of offensive linemen on most days...as long as he's not completely out of shape and/or hurt in some way. I think a replacement is going to have a hard time filling his shoes. Larry had some good games last season...most notably in the second half of the season. Oh...screw it all to hell. Bill's a big boy. Bill will do what Bill wants. I agree that they probably labeled the workout program voluntary but, in actuality, it means mandatory. Given that Larry was the only no-show...I guess it was his way of asking to be traded or released. I know they had their spats last season but I thought it was mainly only one way with Bill spouting off to Larry about his fitness and weight issues. I'm now beginning to believe it was much deeper than just that...as if Larry has his own problems with Bill. I would argue that Larry got off easy under previous coaches' regimens. But, not under Bill's. I still think it is a setback to an already questionable offensive line. If we digress to an offensive line which can't protect the qb and running back, then we're back to being a mediocre team with aspirations. I guess we see how it all plays out with the draft and acquisitions. I have to think Bill has a plan. I guess I'm also partially mad at Larry for creating this situation. It kind of tarnishes his reputation in Big D. But, Cowboys have a way of doing that now...don't they? LOL.
The Cowboys are still sitting on lots of capspace. I believe they anticipate a lot of very good players being cut for cap reasons on June 1 and they can swoop in and sign a lot of what they need. While they are lacking for a prototype left tackle they do still have Flozell Adams and a host of versitile players that have gained a lot of playing experience ( Gurode, Lehr, Walters Dinapoli, Tucker and Vollers) and they have a premier draft pick from 2003 that was injured all last season in Al Johnson. I lament the passing of Larry Allen but the dude makes way to much money to be a malcontent ( he says he's working down at the Y with his wife). Parcels cannot keep a player that doesn't buy in to the system even if he is a future hall of famer. If a team gave you a 13 million dollar signing bonus and you were scheduled to make 8.5 million this year do you think maybe you out to show up for the off season team workouts? Would you feel a little bad about missing 15 games over the last two seasons so maybe you ought to try getting in shape?
From what John McClain said about this situation a few weeks back, Larry Allen really became a cancer last season, and is no where near the player he was.
I read an article about this about a week ago. I think it said that basically he wasn't there because the Cowboys didn't want him to be there. (can't remember if the writer was assuming that or actually knew) Maybe they already have decided to part with him, and the last thing they want is him screwing up a muscle or ligament during a voluntary workout with possible trades around the corner. It kind of makes sense since they haven't been too active in free agency. They may be trying to prepare for the hit of trading or cutting LA. I read him and Bill had some problems, not quite seeing eye to eye. I wish everything could work out, but it may not, and that does make things pretty difficult. I can only hope that if they do trade him, they can get something good out of it.
