INDIANAPOLIS — Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen politely pushed back at a label given to him Wednesday at the NFL combine. He was asked about his playing style and its old-school, throwback nature.
Allen made it known he didn’t want his playing style to be limited to one label.
“I like to say I can do it all,” Allen said in front of a large group of reporters. “It’s in my job description to hit people. How throwback I am? I can be a little bit of both, I guess.”
But maybe the Dallas Cowboys don’t need him to be. Maybe an old-school middle linebacker is exactly what they need.
Cowboys
Linebacker is one of the biggest needs for a Cowboys defense that enters the offseason with plenty. It was a group that struggled early and often last season, helping — or hurting in this case — the Cowboys set a franchise record for most points allowed in a season. Starter Kenneth Murray isn’t likely to return, while Logan Wilson, acquired at the trade deadline from the Cincinnati Bengals, was released last week.
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The Cowboys might be on the hunt for a specific type of linebacker as well. The Cowboys are likely looking for a linebacker to partner with DeMarvion Overshown in the starting lineup. Overshown, with his speed and knack for explosive plays, projects more as a weak-side linebacker.
That partner, in theory, could have some throwback qualities as a true middle linebacker. And even if he doesn’t like the label, Allen does fit the bill.
“I think — I don’t think, I know — that’s the quarterback of the defense,” said Allen, a captain for the Bulldogs and a consensus All-American this past season. “There’s a lot of pride that goes into that, especially being an inside linebacker at the University of Georgia.”
The Cowboys, to their credit, haven’t been limited in their linebacker search. Ten of their 45 allotted formal meetings at the combine were reportedly with linebackers. That included Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, LSU’s Harold Perkins and Texas A&M’s Scooby Williams.
Allen and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles were the headliners, though.
Both are expected to be first-round picks. Styles might be gone by the time the Cowboys pick at No. 12. And for good reason. Styles was credited with just two missed tackles all last season, according to Pro Football Focus. On Wednesday, he welcomed comparisons to two of the better linebackers in recent memory: Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly and 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, who’s also likely Canton-bound one day.
“He was so smart that people forgot he was such a great athlete, and that’s kind of what I want for myself,” Styles said about Kuechly. “I think I’m a great athlete, but I want my football intelligence to stick out more than my athleticism.”
The Cowboys will also likely scour the free agent market for a potential inside linebacker to pair with Overshown. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and co-owner Stephen Jones have insisted recently they’re willing to spend to help fix a defense that allowed the most points on average in the NFL last year. Stephen Jones indicated earlier this week that they’re excited about new defensive coordinator Christian Parker and his staff, but they also understand they need to give their first-time defensive coordinator improved personnel. Parker has been on staff with two free agent linebackers: Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton and Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean.
If the Cowboys don’t sign a veteran linebacker in free agency, then it would indicate a willingness to select one high in the draft.
Allen would make sense. Consider a part of his NFL.com scouting report as a testament:
“‘Green dot’ linebacker and team captain more capable of rowing the boat than making big splashes,” the report said.
“Allen is a dependable starting Mike ‘backer who raises the floor of a defense.”
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That’s something he takes pride in. Allen was asked on Wednesday what he would consider his superpower.
“I think I have the superpower to make guys around me better, on and off the field,” said Allen, who added he models his game after Roquan Smith. “I think playing with guys and me playing in the middle that elevates guys around me.”
If the Cowboys selected him in April, that would be the hope.
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