Cowboys Get an Answer When They Call Out Allen’s Number

The message on Larry Allen’s answering machine, in the voice of girlfriend Janelle Trimboli, said it all.

“Hi, Larry and Janelle aren’t here right now. We got picked by the Cowboys! Whooo! We’re going to go party! Whooo!” The Dallas Cowboys made Allen, a 6-2, 315-pound tackle, the 46th overall pick Sunday. He becomes the first Sonoma State player drafted in the 16-year history of that Division II program. To be taken by the defending Super Bowl champions made it even more unbelievable to him.

“I have never met Emmitt Smith . . . or Jerry Jones . . . or Barry Switzer,” Allen said late Sunday during a party at his coach’s house. “This is like a dream.”

Allen continued to deny reports that he has a shoulder problem and needs surgery. The Cowboys agree with Allen, and hope he can begin work immediately.

“The reason people think I have a bad shoulder is because I couldn’t fit into the MRI machine at the combine,” he said, referring to a diagnostic testing machine. “I just had doctors look at it, and it’s only a contusion.”