NOW that Titletown, U.S.A., doesn't have the title to brag about, is it time for the Dallas Cowboys to again stake their claim to the title of America's Team? Allen confident Cowboys
will return to gloryYou bet. You have the word of Larry Allen, the three-time All-Pro guard for the Cowboys, whose glory days have fallen on hard times. The Green Bay Packers even tried to usurp Dallas' claim as America's Team.
"We've gotta come back. We're America's Team," said Allen, who is representing the NFC in Sunday's Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium.
Allen will be leading the Cowboys' comeback next season at a new position -- one closely followed by local fans for the last 12 years. Allen is expected to move to left tackle on the Cowboys' offensive line, replacing Hawaii's Mark Tuinei.
Tuinei, who is recovering from knee surgery, had been a fixture at that important position for the Cowboys since the days of Tom Landry. The left tackle is quarterback Troy Aikman's personal bodyguard, his blind-side protector.
"It looks like a lot of work, but I'm going to get it done," said Allen, whose claim to fame has been his standout play at right guard for the Cowboys.
The biggest adjustment in making the switch?
"The guards play against stronger guys. The left tackle plays against the quick guys. So I just got to be patient. Not try to kill the other guy every time," Allen said with a laugh.
"I'm still going to be aggressive, but I'm going to be a little more patient."
ALLEN has never missed a game for the Cowboys, playing in 71 in a row, including the playoffs. He has started 64 straight games in progressing faster than anyone could have expected after coming from Division II Sonoma State as a second-round pick in 1994.
"I always thought I had the mental toughness, I had the strength, I had speed," Allen said. "I just didn't have the technique. Fortunately enough, I have a great coach (Hudson Houck). He coached a lot of the greats -- Jackie Slater, Anthony Munoz, Don Mosebar. He got with me, stayed with me and got me right."
So right that Dallas owner Jerry Jones calls Allen, "the cornerstone of the Cowboys' offensive line."
Earlier this month, Jones put his money where his mouth is by signing Allen to a six-year contract and making him the highest paid offensive lineman in the National Football League. No figures were given, but Allen's salary is reportedly $4 million a year.
"Now I can take care of my family. That's all I'm doing," Allen said after yesterday's NFC workout at the Ihilani Resort.
Even if Allen starts at left tackle, it doesn't necessarily mean Tuinei's remarkable 15-year career with the Cowboys will come to an end.
TUINEI hopes to return, even if it's in a backup role. He has said that playing a franchise-record 16th year is his No. 1 priority, even if it means taking a pay cut against the salary cap.
Allen hopes Tuinei will return.
"He's a great guy," Allen said. "He taught me a lot. He'd stay after practice some days when I was a rookie to help me out. I'd like to thank him for that."
Allen had to play four games at left tackle during his rookie season in 1994 when Tuinei suffered back spasms. He played that position again when Tuinei was sidelined at the end of this season.
As for the Cowboys returning to dominance, believe it, says Allen, who says he's in his "off-season mode" at 330 pounds.
"We had a few problems, but we're going to straighten them out," he said. "And whoever comes in (as coach), I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing."
Judging by his success, Allen has been doing it up right.