Hinsdale Central's Jack Allen continuing trend of centers with Chicago ties

MOBILE, Ala. - Maybe there's something about the city of Chicago and the center position in the NFL.

It could go back to seven-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl center Jay Hilgenberg. Or six-time Pro Bowler Olin Kreutz. Roberto Garza held down the spot for 10 years and was revered for his play in the trenches.

Last year, the Bears drafted a center, Hroniss Grasu, with their third-round pick, and another center taken, Tennessee's Andy Gallik, went to high school at Brother Rice. Chargers center Chris Watt played at Glenbard West,

This year, two of the top centers have strong Chicago ties - DeKalb's Graham Glasgow and Hinsdale's Jack Allen.

Allen was a first-team All-American as a senior and left East Lansing having appeared in 48 games with 47 starts, the second-most by a Spartans offensive lineman in school history. He's playing the pivot this week in Mobile for the North team, which also includes MSU teammates Aaron Burbridge (wide receiver) and Lawrence Thomas (defensive end).

"It's been busy. A lot busier than I anticipated," Allen said at media night following the first day of practices. "It's been fun meeting new guys and seeing old faces."

Allen is learning from a Cowboys coaching staff that oversees one of the NFL's best O-lines, getting a taste of what NFL teams look for in the trenches.

"There's a thousand ways to do one way of blocking or technique, so it's nice to see something different," he said.

The defensive line may be the strongest unit at the Senior Bowl. Allen has seen Notre Dame's Sheldon Day and Ohio State's Adolphus Washington in practice, and in Saturday's game he could have reps against Louisville's Sheldon Rankins and Alabama's Jarran Reed. The high level of competition is helping Allen work on improving his technique.

"My second-level blocking is what I'm trying to improve right now," he said. "I've got to set back a little more on pass protection, too. A lot of these guys are pretty quick off the ball, so I need to get some more space between us."

Allen, who was an all-state center at Hinsdale Central, said he has watched a lot of tape of Kreutz.

"I think we're very similar in size," said Allen, who checks in at 6 feet, 1½ inches and 297 pounds. "He played for a long time. He was a tough football player."

Projected as a mid-round selection, Allen can continue the strong tradition of centers from (or in) Chicago, and he did get the chance to talk to his hometown team, the Bears.

"It's kind of weird to think about (interviewing with them and), growing up watching them," he said, "but it's a job, now, too."

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