In Larry We Trust

Various shocking statements:

- Water is wet
- Ice is cold
- Larry Allen is at odds with his coach

I’m not sure which is less surprising, really. As Allen, who will turn 34 in November and is locked up through 2007, continues to get the headlines in Oxnard year after year, despite the fact that it is much about nothing.

Yes, he failed his training camp fitness test. Yawn. He quit like he always does, and some people assumed that this might be the end of the road for Allen. They don’t pay very close attention, as he doesn’t care about fitness tests, nor does he show any signs of leaving big dollars on the table.

The fact is that Allen has been getting by on reputation for quite sometime. Somehow, the “national experts” still generally regard LA as a premier Offensive Lineman when in reality, he is serviceable, and uninspired more often than not. The guy will go down as perhaps the single most dominant Offensive Lineman of the era, but it won’t be for what he has accomplished since the turn of the millennium.

On the other hand, he is still arguably the best player on the OL right now, and the most valuable resource in training camp. Why? Because he stabilizes the entire line, and honestly, with Right Tackle such a mess, I suggest before it is said and done, the Cowboys would be wise to consider a line that looks like this: Adams – Peterman – Johnson – Rivera – Allen.

Parcells said it yesterday in his tedious press briefing; the idea is to get the best 5 OL players on the field at the same time. Well, if that is the case, then I think your above formation is the best way to roll. On the other hand, if Allen is less mobile than Bledsoe at this advanced age, then he cannot be an option at RT where he will face off against the likes of Michael Strahan, Renaldo Wynn, and Jevon Kearse in the NFC East. That sounds daunting, but how would you like that group against Kurt Vollers or Torin Tucker?

Tucker demonstrated last season that the pass rusher off the right side is too much for him to handle, to a point where you would be required to offer TE help anyway. Vollers is a fine utility tackle who can back up on either side, but as a starter, he plays like a backup. I think Allen may be your best chance, and that is why Parcells calling him out early is fine with me. He needs to know that his performance is required for this thing to work at all. Earn that big check big fella, or Bledsoe is going to be in street clothes before Week 4.

Clearly, an offense that depends on Larry Allen to play his best football in years is an offense built like a house of cards. But as far as I am concerned, that sure appears to be the plan. Believe it or not, it beats the alternative. In Larry we trust.



Links:

Fraley demands Raffy tells us more …

Tell us more, Rafael Palmeiro.

Tell us more, for the sake of your sterling reputation and Hall of Fame chances.

Tell us more, to avoid going from one of the good guys in the game to being lumped among the biggest hypocrites in sports.

Revo, who was within 2 feet of me when he found out yesterday, Searches for answers about Raffy, too …

Modano close to gone …

Free-agent center Mike Modano said several teams offered him four-year deals on the first day of free agency Monday.

"We had some teams putting the hard-core press on us to get it done now," Modano said.

Modano said he expects to make a decision soon, possibly today, but that he would probably bring any offer back to the Stars.

"I would like to give them the chance to match any offer, so we'll have to wait and see if they will," Modano said.

The Stars need to get serious about this RIGHT FREAKING NOW…

FC Dallas takes to its new turf …

Top 10 moments in Chatting history …

The late Johnny Oates had a more painful mound memory during a game at The Ballpark in Arlington. Oates, the Rangers' manager, stood on the mound with catcher Ivan Rodriguez, waiting for a relief pitcher to arrive, when Pudge suddenly reached over and tapped Oates in the groin.

"Cup check," Rodriguez told his startled manager, who recoiled in pain.

Oates later told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "I've learned from my experiences: You never know what to expect when you go to the mound."

We have received many requests for the Jamal Charles interview. As opposed to me sending it to everyone, get it here , and no, I do not endorse the video that goes with it…

Dylan blogs about Raffy …

Texas Tornado Draft Update …