49ers Land Perennial Pro Bowl Guard Back
Friday, March 24, 2006
By: Chrissy Mauck
A relatively quiet second week of free agency comes to an emphatic finale for the 49ers with the acquisition of former Dallas Cowboys high-profile guard Larry Allen.
Long recognized as the NFL’s premier offensive lineman with 10 Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro selections on his resume, Allen’s services were immediately sought by several NFL teams when his release by the Cowboys was announced on Wednesday.
The 49ers secured the former Sonoma State standout early on Friday morning.
“He’s a future Hall of Fame guard and we are very fortunate to have him here with us,” said Vice President of Player Personnel Scot McCloughan. “One of our objectives is to be able to run the football and he’s a power guard who gives us a chance to do that. It helps us control the line of scrimmage, and with several young players on our line, we believe he can help them to develop both on an off the field.”
Originally a second-round draft pick in 1994, Allen spent the last 12 seasons in Dallas including two seasons spent under the 49ers current offensive line coach George Warhop, who coached for the Cowboys in 2003 and 2004.
"I’m glad to be back with George,” said Allen. “He gives you all the information you need and he’s a great coach.”
Allen owns a career-best bench press of 705 pounds and a squat lift of 900 pounds, and is considered to be the strongest man ever to play professional football. His dedication to the weight room began his rookie year after an encounter with the late Reggie White.
“I played against Reggie my rookie year and he just threw me aside and ever since then I’ve been at the weights,” said Allen.
Perhaps the best indication of Allen’s ability is that Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith gained 11,463 of his 17,162 career yards with Dallas after Allen joined the team.
“Everyone who plays against Larry Allen week in and week out throughout the course of an NFL season has his work cut out for him and knows it,” said head coach Mike Nolan. “It would only be a fool who tells you different. I would say without question he’s one of the greatest offensive lineman ever. He’s one of the best.”
Allen obviously brings strength, talent, and experience with him to San Francisco, but the 13-year veteran also plans to bring a level of nastiness.
“We need to get everyone tough,” said Allen. “I love being nasty out there. You’ve got to make the other guy quit.”
Allen moved into the starting lineup at right tackle as a rookie. He was the right guard from 1995-97 before playing at left tackle in '97 and '98. He was a stalwart at left guard from 1999 through 2005, except for a short stint at right tackle in 2002.
Nolan said Allen will start at left guard alongside last year’s top free agent signing in tackle Jonas Jennings.
“One of the things that was real important as soon as the season ended was to add a veteran player who would not only give us good performance but also someone who would give us leadership, someone who had some pelts on this wall that this young unit could look to for some direction in what their job was to move the offense,” said Nolan. “I’m very confident that Larry gives us that.”
Last year’s starting left guard Justin Smiley will be moved to the right side and will compete with both David Baas and Eric Heitmann. Nolan expects Jeremy Newberry to be in the mix at center, but indicated that both Baas and Heitmann will see work at center as well.
With Jennings set to resume his starting spot at left tackle, Adam Snyder will move to the right side to compete with Kwame Harris for the starting position.
