Larry Allen's career looms large even among greatest Cowboys

Across the annals of a franchise with so much storied history, there are bound to be debates.

Among the literal dozens of Dallas Cowboys enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, who was the best? Do you prefer Roger Staubach or Troy Aikman? Michael Irvin or Drew Pearson? Tony Dorsett or Emmitt Smith? A current generational tackle like Tyron Smith, or a past one in Rayfield Wright? 

So many greats have worn the iconic star that you could start an argument about almost any position — except for perhaps one.

Among guards, among interior linemen, Larry Allen stands alone. It's not up for debate that Allen was the greatest guard in franchise history — he's perhaps the greatest guard the NFL has ever seen.

Allen, who died Sunday at the tragically young age of 52, proved that time and time again.

"During my career, I didn't talk that much. I didn't have to, I used my helmet," he said during his 2013 Hall of Fame induction speech.

Consider that an understatement. Across a 14-year career, Allen was an 11-time Pro Bowler and earned seven All-Pro designations. 

He helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl XXX in his second season, and then grew to become the face of dominant line play for another decade afterward. He is one of just 29 people to be named to two different NFL All-Decade teams.

Legendary NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden put it succinctly with one famous quote:

"If somebody said to God, ‘What should all the guards look like?' Then he would send Larry Allen down."

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There's irony there because it's not as if Allen was purely a guard. As a rookie, he rotated between guard and right tackle. He was starting on the right side on Thanksgiving