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Persistance pays off Allen wants to cap comeback from injury with a ring
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- When Oakland Raiders cornerback Eric Allen blew out his knee two seasons ago, it looked to be the sad end to a great career. The odds were stacked against him. Allen was 33. And he played a position that is unforgiving to players who lose a step. "It came down to if I wanted to play or not. That was the question," Allen said. "It wasn't a matter whether anyone else believed in me." Allen wanted to play. After a year getting back into his groove, Allen's been stellar this season, with seven interceptions -- including a team-record three for touchdowns. He is the only NFL player to run back three interceptions for scores in two seasons. He also did it in 1993 when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. He has had an interception in five of the last six games as the Raiders (13-4) head into Sunday's AFC title game against the Baltimore Ravens (14-4). "We've got a great veteran player here in Eric Allen, a guy that's backed it up for a decade. A guy that's been outstanding for us down the stretch," Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said. Now in his 13th pro season, Allen is the oldest Raiders player at age 35. Starting opposite Charles Woodson in the backfield, he is unquestionably the leader of Oakland's defense. This year, his teammates honored him with the first annual Eric Turner award for the Raiders' most outstanding defensive player. The award was created in the memory of the Oakland free safety who died in the offseason of stomach cancer. Allen has been to six Pro Bowls in his career, the bulk of which he spent with the Eagles. But he's never been to a Super Bowl. "Every summer, you are optimistic about being in this situation," he said. "You always want to see yourself at the end of the year being the only team standing. That's what it's really all about. "Every other season that I've been involved in at the end has been a disappointment because I haven't been there." He came to the Raiders through a trade with New Orleans before the 1998 season. Against Seattle that year, Allen tore his anterior cruciate ligament. He started the rather painful rehabilitation process, even though his future was uncertain. "There were a couple of instances in rehab when they are tugging on your knee and pulling, it's a difficult period," he said. "But maybe five or six months into it, I thought maybe I'd be able to come back." His children played an important role in his decision. "I have two little boys who wouldn't let me quit, Austin and Hunter," he said. Allen didn't quit and he hasn't lost a step. Even if he had, it wouldn't matter. He's not that kind of cornerback, he said. "I never really based my playing on speed alone," he said. "I'm more of a studier. And if you are in the right place at the right time, it doesn't really matter how fast you run."
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