News: Cowboys La’el Collins says move to tackle “brought something out of me I didn’t know I had”

CCBoy

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Cowboys La’el Collins says move to tackle “brought something out of me I didn’t know I had”

La’el Collins has worked exclusively at tackle this offseason and he’s confident as ever that he’s going to excel.

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2017/7/20/15992992/dallas-cowboys-lael-collins-says-move-to-tackle-brought-something-out-of-me-i-didnt-know-i-had


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While most folks at the National Fantasy Football Convention were fans focused on various interactive events, your BTB guys like RJ Ochoa and myself were more interested in talking to current Cowboys. One player that was eager for training camp to begin was the new starting right tackle, La’el Collins. He was asked how the move to tackle was going after predominately playing left guard has been:

“It’s going good, man. I just enjoy being out there on that end, I enjoy being out in space. It’s what I like to do.”

Collins certainly has the athleticism to transfer to tackle, the position that he played all through out his years at LSU. What has stood out to most Cowboys’ fans when Collins started at left guard was his ability to block on the second-level. Next-Gen stats showed impressivemovement from the big guy against the Packers in 2015. Not only did he dismiss Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on a block but he topped out at a speed of 18.25 miles-per-hour as Darren McFadden streaked down the sidelines. He was also featured by the NFL for his pancake blocks, like this one against the Seahawks, where he bulldozed two All-Pro’s in Bobby Wagner and Earl Thomas...
 
RoboQB

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I don't think anyone questioned whether Collins would shine at RT.
The question mark is at LG. Do you "see" Jonathan Cooper pulling and getting
to the next level like you see Collins do in that video? That is the question.

I don't see Cooper as being athletic like Collins or being a mauler like Leary.
My bet is that our play calling in the run game will be adjusted.
Perhaps we should run right side more often anyway.
Hopefully, Cooper will hold his own until we find a 2nd or 3rd round gem.
 

NoLuv4Jerry

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I chuckle when I reflect on how the organization or people on this board INSISTED he was NOT a RT! Not saying many of us on this board know more than the coaches...but there is a lot of us who know a LOT about this game...and at times feel our intelligence is being insulted. Especially when we are being told Doug Free is doing a more than adequate job! If you felt he was the best we got....ok. But let's not make it more than it was. I wish Doug well in retirement. For a fourth round pick he acquitted himself quite nicely. But I am looking for a much improved performance at RT this year.
 
Stash

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RoboQB said:
I don't think anyone questioned whether Collins would shine at RT.
The question mark is at LG. Do you "see" Jonathan Cooper pulling and getting
to the next level like you see Collins do in that video? That is the question.
Click to expand...

If you've never watched Cooper's film from college at North Carolina, you really should. He moved as well as any offensive lineman that I've ever watched. His movement skills jumped off the tape. Now, injuries have been a factor for him, and he may not ever be that same player again, but if he's 80% of his college self, he's still above average in terms of mobility in my opinion.

I don't see Cooper as being athletic like Collins or being a mauler like Leary.
My bet is that our play calling in the run game will be adjusted.
Perhaps we should run right side more often anyway.
Hopefully, Cooper will hold his own until we find a 2nd or 3rd round gem.
Click to expand...

I think he might be able to bring more flexibility to the run game if his movement skills are anything close to what they once were.
 
Dwight

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It's about dang time he plays right tackle. And to think certain fans did not want him to play the position.

If the organization would had resigned Roland Leary to guard this oline would have really demolished dlines across the league.

However, I hope Cooper plays well this season.
 
CF74

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sideon said:
Well he was pretty damn good at LG his rookie year.

Playing between 2 of the best at their positions should help him, all he had in CLE was Joe Thomas.
Click to expand...


True but had Leary played guard and Free got benched in place of Collins, we probably win more games...
 
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