Bill Parcells' challenge to the Dallas press that they should not speculate on his secret option at right tackle didn't stop anybody from doing so. Nor did it stop them from being right; The Dallas Morning News quotes unnamed team sources that left guard Larry Allen spent time during last week's minicamp working at right tackle.
The adjustment means that Allen's career -- should he play right tackle -- has come full circle. Allen became a starter in 1994 filling in for RT Erik Williams, who severely damaged a knee in a mid-season car accident. Allen made his reputation by playing gamely that January on a badly sprained ankle in the Championship Game loss to the 49ers. Allen moved to right guard the next season and began a long run of Pro Bowl appearances. He has played both guard and both tackle positions in his eleven year career.
Allen's move is made more possible by the development of second-year guard Stephen Peterman. Peterman is fully recovered from the serious knee injury he suffered on a extra point play in last season's pre-season finale. Peterman worked extensively with the starters last week and impressed the coaching staff.
If none of the Kurt Vollers, Torrin Tucker, Ben Noll, Rob Pettiti group emerges, Dallas could field this offensive line in San Diego opening day:
Peterman's addition to the starting lineup would add some lustre to the '04 draft, which has only Julius Jones to promote so far.