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Friday, December 5, 1997

Larry Allen ready to tackle challenge of changing positions

By Clarence E Hill Jr.

Knight-Ridder Newspapers

IRVING, Texas -- Though the Cowboys (6-7) are in the playoff hunt, they also have started to plan for the future.

All-Pro right guard Larry Allen is preparing to make the long-expected move to left tackle. Allen has been practicing at the position all week and is expected to start in place of George Hegamin in Monday's game against the Carolina Panthers.

Hegamin, who started the past six games in place of the injured Mark Tuinei, is battling with veteran John Flannery for the start at right guard.

Cowboys coach Barry Switzer said Allen's move could be permanent.

"That's the position he is going to play next year ... might as well put him there," Switzer said.

Cowboys offensive line coach Hudson Houck said moving Allen to tackle "is what you would like to do. Left tackle is one of the hardest spots to play in the league. We want to work him out there and see how it goes. Now is the time to do it."

Allen, who will be a free agent after the season and is expected to be one of the league's top prospects, says he doesn't mind the position change.

"All I need is some work at tackle, I'll be all right," said Allen, who said little about the prospect of re-signing with the Cowboys.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who has begun preliminary talks with the four-year veteran, has said re-signing Allen is a top priority.

Houck, who said the Cowboys didn't want to disrupt anything up until this point, said a number of factors -- namely Tuinei's uncertain status -- played in the decision to make the move now.

Tuinei, a 15-year veteran, was expected to return to practice this week after undergoing arthroscopic surgery Nov. 7 on his left knee. Now there is a question of whether Tuinei will come back at all. As a result, Houck said now is the time to start looking at options for next season, including positioning Allen at tackle and Hegamin or Flannery at guard.

Houck said there is no question that Hegamin's future with the Cowboys will be on the line in the next three games. Flannery's past knee problems may preclude the Cowboys from considering him as a long-term answer, and he is also in the final year of his contract. He said he also believes the last three games will be key to his future.

"I am in a contract year," Flannery said. "If I don't perform, I'll be sitting at home next year. If I get I chance, I will make the most of it." INJURY UPDATE

Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (swollen thumb) and running back Emmitt Smith (bruised shoulder) did not practice Wednesday. Switzer, however, expects both to be ready for Monday's matchup against the Panthers.

Switzer said he thinks Aikman might return to practice today. Smith, however, isn't sure when he'll practice. He said his shoulder is improving and that he hopes to practice sometime this week. Both participated only in conditioning drills yesterday.

PLAYERS OF WEEK, AGAIN

When Oilers safety Marcus Robertson won the AFC defensive player of the week honor yesterday for his play in the Oilers' 27-14 victory against the Cowboys, becoming the fifth player so honored after an outstanding performance against Dallas this season.

Robertson scored a touchdown on a 42-yard fumble return and set up another with an interception. San Francisco defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield, Eagles defensive tackle Rhett Hall and Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams won defensive honors and Redskins punter Matt Turk was picked the special teams player of the week after victories against the Cowboys.

PANTHERS' COLLINS IS PROBABLE

Carolina Panthers quarterback Kerry Collins is listed as probable for Monday's game after sustaining a concussion in Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Saints. Collins was hit by New Orleans defensive tackle La'Roi Glover in the first quarter, and backup quarterback Steve Beuerlein finished the game.

"I still don't feel like I'm back to my old self. I'm a little out of it, not quite as sharp as I usually am," Collins said. "I think it's slowly coming back, but it's been a weird experience."

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(c) 1997, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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