CANTON, Ohio – Eric Allen was thisclose to retiring after the 1997 season, his 10th in the NFL.
Three frustrating years in New Orleans had soured Allen on the game. And while he already had a sterling resume with six Pro Bowl nods, a first-team All-Pro selection as well as being named second-team All-Pro two other times, having a bust in Canton was far from a sure thing for the playmaking cornerback whose career began as a second-round pick of the Eagles.
Yeah, Allen was restless. Maybe the 49ers would bite. Otherwise…
A voice as familiar as it was soothing reached out to Allen.
Willie Shaw, Allen's position coach at Arizona State, was taking over as the Raiders defensive coordinator and the recruitment was on.
"Hey," Shaw said, "why don't you come and take a trip to Oakland?"
Allen laughed.
"I was with the Saints last year, and we beat you guys," Allen replied, before leveling a shot across the bow.
"I want to finish my last couple years [playing] in meaningful football games."
Shaw was non-plussed.
"Just come out and meet everybody," he said.
Good thing Allen heeded his old mentor's advice. For everyone involved.
Allen's four years with the Raiders to close out his career were not only full of meaningful games that helped resurrect the franchise, his stint in Silver and Black also put Allen on a clear trajectory for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where he will be enshrined on Saturday and become the 31st Gold Jacket recognized by the Raiders.
"It was the combination of the Raiders emerging as a playoff contender," Allen told me this week, "coinciding with my impact as a playmaker."
Fifteen interceptions with three pick-sixes and a scoop-and-score in 58 games for the Raiders, plus another INT in the postseason while appearing in an AFC title game as well as being the catalyst for one of the most infamous plays in NFL history, and all in his mid-30s?
Yeah, Allen played a major role in the Raiders' turn-of-the-century renaissance.
And signing the grizzled-yet-youthful vet in 1998 played out exactly how the Raiders envisioned…albeit, after a few growing pains.
"We only had nine players in our offseason program," former Raiders coach Jon Gruden, who was in the first year of his first stint with the team at the time, told me. "So it wasn't like morale was at an all-time high. We were last in total defense the year before. We were last against the run. We were last against the pass. I don't know if that had ever been done before.
"We needed young talent and we needed a veteran presence who had done it."
Enter Allen, the sage vet who would play opposite the brash rookie and reigning Heisman Trophy winner taken with the fourth overall pick, Charles Woodson.
"You know," Gruden said, "signing Allen and drafting Woodson, we thought that would at least get the Raiders looking like we were on our way back."
Like Dave Grayson and Kent McCloughan, like Soul Patrol members Willie Brown and Skip Thomas, like Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes.
Allen, Gruden said, provided a template for Woodson on how to handle life in the NFL.
"When your best players are your hardest workers, that's all you can ask for," Gruden said. "Just a great professional. To add a guy like that, that got us going.
"He had a contagious knack for making plays. He had all those interceptions, all those pick-sixes. If you don't want to throw it at Charles Woodson, throw it at Eric Allen. Fine with me. And vice-versa."
Yeah, it might have taken Woodson, who played just as hard off the field as he did on it in those early days, "a few minutes," Gruden joked, to pick up what Allen was putting down.
"I was able to sit down and talk to Wood about off days and preparation," Allen laughed, "even though he didn't listen to me early on."
But the lessons stuck.
"It was a chance for me, as a young man, a rookie, to look at somebody that did it right," Woodson told me. "He was a star, somebody who had played in some great defenses. He was a professional who went about it the right way.
"The way he practiced was a positive influence on me. It was great to be around a professional."
And not just in the secondary.
"The thing with EA, it wasn't just about football with him," Woodson said. "You could talk to him about anything. He knew something about everything. That's why I called him 'The Oracle.'
"It was like, 'Damn, EA, how'd you know that?'"
Woodson was howling now.
"I was able to watch greatness as a young man," he said.
And now, the mentor joins the apprentice in the hallowed halls of Canton.
And yet, if his rookie year with the Eagles ended with one of the most bizarre games in NFL history, the Fog Bowl at Chicago's Soldier Field, his final season said, "Hold my beer," and offered up the Tuck Rule Game in New England.
And in a strange twist, the end result of Allen's last-ever game - a career that ended with 54 INTs and eight pick-sixes - came courtesy of a takeaway he diagnosed but never registered.
Because it was Allen's acumen that led to Woodson blitzing and blasting Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to knock the ball loose for Greg Biekert to jump on and close out a playoff win for the Raiders…
Then the Tuck Rule was pulled out and history changed.
Twenty three-plus years later, it's still hard for Gruden and Woodson to talk about that snowy night without their voices rising - "It went out with a thud for Eric Allen…and all those guys," Gruden said – and Allen can only shake his head.
Remember, it was Allen who hid behind Brady as he spoke with Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis on the sideline and heard the play being called - three receivers to one side with a single receiver on the other, and with all four running slant patterns, Brady would pass to the lone guy.
Trips Right 68 Slant D Slant.
And with Allen covering the single receiver, he'd play off him and jump the route to pick the ball off to seal the game. Just another cerebral ballhawk moment for a cerebral ballhawk who eschewed the notion of switching to safety late in his career and played all 14 seasons on the outside.
But with a Raiders defensive end standing up and dropping back into coverage to block Brady's passing lane to the receiver running at Allen, a pumping Brady brought the ball back, yes, tucking it, just as Woodson arrived.
"Man, if I had just got there half a second sooner or half a second later," Woodson said, his voice trailing off. "Imagine that."
Or, imagine if Allen had not visited the Raiders.
So, how exactly did that initial meeting go for Allen, who grew up in San Diego a fan of Raiders Hall of Famers Marcus Allen, Cliff Branch and Fred Biletnikoff?
For one, it was the legendary Willie Brown who picked Allen up at the airport.
For another, Allen was greeted by a short, young, energetic and talkative red-faced guy who was chattering on about their respective times in Philadelphia.
A catch-up with Shaw ensued before Allen went upstairs to meet with Al Davis, and because Allen did not really think the Raiders were in his future, he spoke his mind to the iconoclast owner.
"Hey, Mr. Davis, why didn't you draft me?" Allen asked.
"Oh, you played a little bit of safety in your last year [at Arizona State] because guys got hurt," Davis replied. "Yeah, I didn't like that. I didn't like that so I went with Terry McDaniel."
Allen's reply?
"Oh, you made a mistake," Allen said.
After some more good-natured back-and forth, Davis told Allen to go and meet the new coach.
To Allen's surprise, it was the short, young, energetic and talkative red-faced guy he met when he first entered the facility. Gruden was just 34 years old, Allen was just two years younger.
Allen was sure he was still going to go across the Bay to visit the 49ers and told Gruden as much but they also spoke of a specific teammate he liked with the Saints - safety Anthony Newman.
A few days later, Newman called Allen to tell him he was signing with the Raiders and Allen should, too.
"This is the way to get you to come to Oakland," Gruden told Allen, "sign one of your best buddies."
Allen laughed at the memory.
"I was just ecstatic because they broke it all down to me. 'We're going to draft Charles Woodson. This is the kind of defense we're going to run. It's going to fit right with what you do. It would be a great spot for you to be a leader for all these young guys.'
"Those last three-and-a-half years were fantastic. I couldn't have asked for anything more than, of course, winning the Super Bowl. But being in those meaningful games, those great playoff games, the AFC championship game against the Ravens, all those things … it meant a lot to finish my career with the Raiders."
Enough to get to Canton.
Take a look at some of the top photos from defensive back Eric Allen's Hall of Fame career as a Raider.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
Eric Allen joined the Raiders after seven years with the Eagles and three with the Saints. Over four seasons with the Silver and Black, he appeared in 58 games with 56 starts in the Silver and Black and picked off 15 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns.
