Ron Leary Not Afraid Of Competition Entering Third Year At Left Guard

[burmafrd]

Broaddus and Spags seem to suggest Collins isn't so plug and play ready.

and they are right so often......... oh wait.......

 

[Stash]

Would not surprise me, I think he will be a good player but stepping in and taking over is not as easy as Martin made it look. Leary is pretty much a seasoned vet and has the experience to counter everything the Dline player throws at him. Free as much flack as he may take from fans is still a vet player as well and has been through the battles of the NFL. I'm not saying Collins will not win a job I just do not think it is a given starting day 1

I think that this is a perfectly fair and reasonable approach. In my opinion, I think Collins likely looked pretty shaky at right tackle in those early practices. All reports I've read about Collins at that spot have said the same. When watching him play, his lack of experience at that position is apparent.

I expect that the Cowboys will have him focusing on the left guard role going forward, and not overloading a rookie with trying to learn too much to where they're thinking and not playing. And I think that if he becomes comfortable there (which according to his comments he already is), his talents will shine.

 

[xwalker]

I wonder about the pick. He's RFA, right? We would obviously tender him high (2nd round level) as the original pick level tender is useless here. Are you saying someone might come in and tell us a 2nd is too much but we'll give you a 4 (or something like that)?

I don't know what pick the Cowboys would take. My point is that they are not going to just let him go to save the 2.2M tender amount. Somebody might sign him and give up the 2nd, or the Cowboys might consider taking something like a 3rd. It's most likely that be just stays with the Cowboys for 2016.

 

[Fletch]

Leary's going to win it, and Collins will get the year to acclimate and take it over next season. He'll be the primary injury replacement at 2-3 positions for us in the meantime.
This is one of those things where you let the vet get his payday because it's so obviously in the best interest of locker room harmony and the way things run. Unless Collins just completely blows his doors off, which he's unlikely to be able to do.

Now, if RL were to go down for an injury or something, all bets may be off, but all things being equal, I don't think you gain enough on the field to upgrade that spot with a rookie to justify possibly disturbing the wah of your OL veterans.

Hopefully we can sneak Collins onto the practice squad.

If Collins is better, even slightly, Garrett will probably play him regardless. Jason has always said the best players will play regardless of status. Leary might just have to be a professional about it. He'll still get paid in the end. That's IF he loses his starting job.

 

[xwalker]

Hopefully we can sneak Collins onto the practice squad.

If Collins is better, even slightly, Garrett will probably play him regardless. Jason has always said the best players will play regardless of status. Leary might just have to be a professional about it. He'll still get paid in the end. That's IF he loses his starting job.

It is unlikely that Collins will be straight up better before ever playing a real NFL game. Sometimes coaches have to put in a young player because of their potential to be better with some number of starts.

 

[conner01]

Broaddus and Spags seem to suggest Collins isn't so plug and play ready.

Although this could be true, there is no way they know anything about his play till they put pads on and start working
The online will work itself out in camp when players can actually compete
Not in OTA when they are in shorts walking through plays
By the time they come home from CA we and the staff will have the ability to judge who should start where

 

[DenCWBY]

Leary is underrated by many posters on this board. He is not the weak link on the line ,Free is. I hope that Collins can beat Free out rather than Leary. I don't think Collins is on the same level as Leary right now. I sure don't think Collins could have handled JJ Watt the way Leary did. Not many guards in the league can do that.

This for sure. I like Leary's mean streak (which this line still needs). I actually hope he wins his tackle spot since he's been fighting for it from day one. I recall where he was compared to Bernadeax by some in the past which was obscene. He's fought through knee injuries and earned a spot and I love his tenacity.
Now that said, if we can get an effective player in a trade using Leary, Collins can effectively fill the LG position and we're left with some reasonable depth, then so be it.

 

[Noryb]

Would not surprise me, I think he will be a good player but stepping in and taking over is not as easy as Martin made it look. Leary is pretty much a seasoned vet and has the experience to counter everything the Dline player throws at him. Free as much flack as he may take from fans is still a vet player as well and has been through the battles of the NFL. I'm not saying Collins will not win a job I just do not think it is a given starting day 1

People need to realize that Martin was older than the average rookie. In fact, he is older than Tyron Smith.

Let that sink in.

 

[Doomsday101]

People need to realize that Martin was older than the average rookie. In fact, he is older than Tyron Smith.

Let that sink in.

true but even at that this is the NFL college days are gone and the men they will be facing are the best of the best. Some guys will be able to come in day 1 and start some guys even with very good talent will struggle. I see the Dallas OL is a prefect situation in which they don't have to put Collins in day 1, our OL is very good. If Collins comes in and shows he is ready to take over great if not then it hurts nothing to give him a little time as he continues to learn.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Was Leary not invited or did he just not attend the dinner/recruiting party for Collins at Jerry's house when Collins came in for a visit?

 

[Chuck 54]

Unless Collins stands out big time over Leary and meshes well right away, I don't see the rookie unseating Leary. It's not like we have a rookie hoping to unseat a garbage time starter. Leary has been very good at his position and is still improving.

I like Collins as the better fit as a backup G/T, but also as the Run game's TE. He fits that role ideally, and we used Parnell more than most realize at TE in short yardage and goal line formations.

However, at this point, it's all about production on the field in training camp and preseason. Collins could end up starting at LG or RT, and neither would be a shock. Free's new contract doesn't make him the starter; being the better, more reliable player is the only thing that holds his position; same with Leary. That's what competition is all about.

 

[RS12]

Was Leary not invited or did he just not attend the dinner/recruiting party for Collins at Jerry's house when Collins came in for a visit?

I believe the player list I read read was Romo, Witten, Tyron, Fred and Martin.

 

[xwalker]

and they are right so often......... oh wait.......

Broaddus was once introduced to Dick LeBeau. The person making the introduction said to Broaddus "Do you know Dick LeBeau?" Broaddus responded "I don't know..."

 

[Fletch]

It is unlikely that Collins will be straight up better before ever playing a real NFL game. Sometimes coaches have to put in a young player because of their potential to be better with some number of starts.

As Big Worm told Smokey before driving off, "We'll see."

 

[burmafrd]

People need to realize that Martin was older than the average rookie. In fact, he is older than Tyron Smith.

Let that sink in.

Martin holds the record at ND for most games started in a career. Add to that his perfectionist streak and you get someone that will usually exceed expectations. You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of linemen who have ever made ALL PRO as a rookie. And you will have some fingers left over.

 

[Bullflop]

In his own words, Collins recently said straight out that right now, he's more comfortable playing at LG than at RT. That doesn't necessarily mean he can't or won't eventually be equally adept at both of those spots. It only makes sense that he'll likely be competing at the spot where he's most comfortable at this juncture. In time and with additional experience, that might change. In any event, the team will benefit greatly by Collins' being available. Whether he's a starter or a backup in 2015, we are undeniably blessed to have him. As far as his competition with Leary, I can only say may the best man win.

 

[Noryb]

Martin holds the record at ND for most games started in a career. Add to that his perfectionist streak and you get someone that will usually exceed expectations. You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of linemen who have ever made ALL PRO as a rookie. And you will have some fingers left over.

Exactly, I do not believe that Collins will come remotely close to duplicating Martin's rookie success. I don't see him beating out Leary this year either, especially at the beginning of the season. Leary is still an ascending player, we have not seen his best yet.

 

[xwalker]

As Big Worm told Smokey before driving off, "We'll see."

I had to look that up.

Movie: Friday, 1995
Actors: Ice Cube and Chris Tucker

 

[xwalker]

In his own words, Collins recently said straight out that right now, he's more comfortable playing at LG than at RT. That doesn't necessarily mean he can't or won't eventually be equally adept at both of those spots. It only makes sense that he'll likely be competing at the spot where he's most comfortable at this juncture. In time and with additional experience, that might change. In any event, the team will benefit greatly by Collins' being available. Whether he's a starter or a backup in 2015, we are undeniably blessed to have him. As far as his competition with Leary, I can only say may the best man win.

I would be a big surprise if he was not more comfortable on the Left because he played LG and LT in college but didn't play on the Right.

 

[Fletch]

I had to look that up.

Movie: Friday, 1995
Actors: Ice Cube and Chris Tucker

Well done. I was hoping someone would respond to that. You gotta believe there's a few in here (Frozen 700) that watched "Friday". The sequels sucked, but the original, as usual, was funny. I could quote that movie. Kudos for at least looking it up.