For the second time in four seasons, the Cowboys will open up the NFL Preseason game in Canton, OH. Dallas has been selected to be a participant in this year's Hall of Fame Game, against the Miami Dolphins. Normally, teams are chosen based on the class being inducted and this year is no different. Super Guard Larry Allen will have his bust enshrined as will coaching legend Bill Parcells.
Allen spent the first 12 of his 14 seasons with the Cowboys and was a part of the squad to win Super Bowl XXX. He was an 11 time Pro Bowler, 7 time All Pro and was a member of the NFL's Team of the Decade for both the '90s and the '00s.
Allen was selected to the Cowboys Ring Of Honor on November 6th, 2011 along with Drew Pearson and Charles Haley. Haley was not selected for the Hall of Fame this last go around.
Bill Parcells has won two Super Bowls as head coach, and performed several ressurection efforts of other franchises, including changing the Dallas Cowboys from three consecutive 5-11 seasons to making the playoffs in two of four seasons. He is widely credited for building the team that Wade Phillips took over and continued success with.
Important for the Cowboys is the fact that Dallas will get to start training camp a week earlier than most of the league. Teams are allowed to start training camp 15 days prior to their first game. Last year Dallas was at a decided disadvantage. They played the first Monday game of the preseason, meaning they started later than everyone except their opponents. That was confounded by the fact that they were chosen for the regular season kickoff game against the World Champion Giants. That game was of course on the road, so the team lost a few days for travel and that was even made worse by the league scheduling the game for Wednesday to accomodate the DNC.
In 2010, Cowboys fans flooded the Pro Football Hall of Fame for Emmitt Smith's induction. Dallas won the inaugural game over the Cincinnati Bengals, 16-7. It was their first victory in four tries in the contest.
If you're interested in heading out for either the ceremony or the game, check out the Hall of Fames Official Website, here. They have tickets available and information for the fan experience.