News: Cowboys Position Battles (Training Camp 2015): Swing Tackle

[CCBoy]

Cowboys Position Battles (Training Camp 2015): Swing Tackle
By Dave Halprin
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...ition-battles-training-camp-2015-swing-tackle



We're down to number five in our training camp battles countdown, spawned from this list at the mothership. Today's topic deals with depth, specifically the swing tackle position. Last year we got an indication of just how important this position is when Jeremy Parnell had to step in for right tackle Doug Free and play some of the second half of the season. The fact the Cowboys continued on and did well in the playoffs attests to the need for quality depth along the line.

First we'll hear from the mothership:

5. Swing Tackle - If the season started today, Darrion Weems would have this job locked up. He performed admirably in Doug Free's absence during OTAs - not to mention, third-round draft pick Chaz Green just underwent hip surgery. The Cowboys are hopeful Green will be ready to participate in some portion of training camp, though. And there's also the possibility that La'el Collins could spend some time at tackle in training camp.

With Jeremy Parnell leaving in free agency, the Cowboys realized they needed to add competition for the primary backup tackle. They used the draft and their own roster, instead of venturing out into free agency...

 

[Teague31]

Weems has it locked up
I expect green to either redshirt or be inactive every week

We likely will only take 8 OL to each game. The starters plus Weems, Mack and Collins

 

[AsthmaField]

Oh, @xwalker ...

 

[Bullflop]

Recently, Weems has been praised by none other than Bryan Broaddus as a competent and somewhat more athletic version of Jermey Parnell.

 

[xwalker]

Oh, @xwalker ...

Yes, people think the OL was upgraded, but it could actually take a step back in the near term with Free hobbled and no clear cut backup OT.

 

[xwalker]

Weems has it locked up
I expect green to either redshirt or be inactive every week

We likely will only take 8 OL to each game. The starters plus Weems, Mack and Collins

They normally only have 7 OL active. One backup OT and one interior backup.

I still expect Collins to get some reps at OT in the preseason.

 

[AbeBeta]

Weems has it locked up
I expect green to either redshirt or be inactive every week

We likely will only take 8 OL to each game. The starters plus Weems, Mack and Collins

Don't know about that. I'd expect that we are going to see if Leary can take snaps at C with maybe Martin working the line calls

 

[AbeBeta]

They normally only have 7 OL active. One backup OT and one interior backup.

I still expect Collins to get some reps at OT in the preseason.

I'd think so as well. But we may see a shift in approach regarding back ups. If 'El is a back up, he's got RT and G. So maybe we call Free the backup LT and move guys

 

[xwalker]

I'd think so as well. But we may see a shift in approach regarding back ups. If 'El is a back up, he's got RT and G. So maybe we call Free the backup LT and move guys

I don't see Collins as both a backup Guard and backup RT. As a rookie, he needs to train primarily at one or the other, IMO. Collins might actually be more comfortable at LT due to always playing on the left side in college, but I agree that if the backup OT is limited to RT, then Free would move to LT.

The game day backup Center is always the key to the lineup. If Collins was the starting LG, then they would have to decide between either Bernadeau being active or Leary being active. I think Martin might be able to serve as the game day backup Center if they wanted to keep a Guard-only type player active over Bernadeau.

 

[dogunwo]

Recently, Weems has been praised by none other than Bryan Broaddus as a competent and somewhat more athletic version of Jermey Parnell.

The best thing that happened to Parnells career was Weems getting hurt. IIRC, He was expected to beat out Parnell last training camp; now Parnell has a fat new contract.

 

[AsthmaField]

Yes, people think the OL was upgraded, but it could actually take a step back in the near term with Free hobbled and no clear cut backup OT.

I do see where it might take a small step back, but I certainly can see where the OL could take a step forward from last year and be improved as a unit. It depends on Free's (and really everyone's) health as well as how good Weems is as a swing tackle. Collins really is a very good prospect and he could upgrade either the RT or the LG spot.

What makes Collins so good is his power and his aggressive nature. He's just plain mean, frankly. None of that really shows up until the pads come on for real. I think once camp kicks off, he is going to make a real push for playing time and IMO could be an upgrade over Leary almost right away. That doesn't mean that he will... but it isn't a stretch to think that he will.

If Free stays healthy and Collins beats out Leary at LG, then by mid season I think the 2015 OL will be better than the 2014 unit was.

JMO, of course.

 

[AbeBeta]

I don't see Collins as both a backup Guard and backup RT. As a rookie, he needs to train primarily at one or the other, IMO. Collins might actually be more comfortable at LT due to always playing on the left side in college, but I agree that if the backup OT is limited to RT, then Free would move to LT.

The game day backup Center is always the key to the lineup. If Collins was the starting LG, then they would have to decide between either Bernadeau being active or Leary being active. I think Martin might be able to serve as the game day backup Center if they wanted to keep a Guard-only type player active over Bernadeau.

Most of these scenarios follow a different model than in the past. We'd rarely see situations where the in game fix didn't match what we'd do if someone had to miss a game. So that sort of approach may be something the coaches prefer - but I don't see anyway to carry that out with any combo of 7 guys unless Leary learns to snap.

I expect La'El to win the G spot if he's close to Leary as he's got so much upside. Seems Leary is in sweats under that scenario but he's the go to if someone misses a game

 

[xwalker]

The best thing that happened to Parnells career was Weems getting hurt. IIRC, He was expected to beat out Parnell last training camp; now Parnell has a fat new contract.

That is a false narrative. Broaddus claimed that both Weems and Parnell sucked early in TC before he 1st preseason game. When the 1st preseason game was aired and we the fans could see for ourselves, Weems was out injured and Parnell was terrific.

If you review Strum's breakdown off all of the sacks from the season including the playoff games, he blamed Parnell for 1/2 sack total. He started 5 regular season games and 2 playoff games.

I'm hopeful that Weems is great this year, but he has not been in a game since the 2013 preseason 2 years ago. He has never proven anything. In contrast, in 2012 the OL coach Callahan wanted to bench Free and start Parnell. Garrett didn't want to do it. The compromise was rotating them by series for the final 4 games that season and Parnell played as well as Free.

 

[xwalker]

Most of these scenarios follow a different model than in the past. We'd rarely see situations where the in game fix didn't match what we'd do if someone had to miss a game. So that sort of approach may be something the coaches prefer - but I don't see anyway to carry that out with any combo of 7 guys unless Leary learns to snap.

I expect La'El to win the G spot if he's close to Leary as he's got so much upside. Seems Leary is in sweats under that scenario but he's the go to if someone misses a game

I got the idea because Martin practice at Center in TC last year, but I don't think Leary has ever practiced there. I'm certain that Martin will practice some at a 2nd position which would either be Center or OT.

If Collins was the starting LG and Fred was injured, then the game day options would be:

LT Tyron
LG Collins
Center Bernadeau
RG Martin
RT Free

LT Tyron
LG Collins
Center Martin
RG Leary
RT Free


I really anticipate Leary winning the LG job and Collins being a backup to start the season. In that scenario, I thought they would really want to find a way to keep Collins active. He could be getting some experience just blocking Field Goals and Extra Points as the backup interior player. They could even give him snaps at Guard when they were way up on the scoreboard or do what some teams do with backup OLinemen and give him a series per half.

 

[AbeBeta]

I got the idea because Martin practice at Center in TC last year, but I don't think Leary has ever practiced there. I'm certain that Martin will practice some at a 2nd position which would either be Center or OT.

If Collins was the starting LG and Fred was injured, then the game day options would be:

LT Tyron
LG Collins
Center Bernadeau
RG Martin
RT Free

LT Tyron
LG Collins
Center Martin
RG Leary
RT Free


I really anticipate Leary winning the LG job and Collins being a backup to start the season. In that scenario, I thought they would really want to find a way to keep Collins active. He could be getting some experience just blocking Field Goals and Extra Points as the backup interior player. They could even give him snaps at Guard when they were way up on the scoreboard or do what some teams do with backup OLinemen and give him a series per half.

Doubt very much our 8th ol gets active so he can work ST units. Hard to justify sitting an LB or other core ST player to do that.

 

[dallasdave]

Collins will be starter at some point during the season.

 

[xwalker]

Doubt very much our 8th ol gets active so he can work ST units. Hard to justify sitting an LB or other core ST player to do that.

No, in that scenario he would be one of 7 active OL.

 

[AbeBeta]

No, in that scenario he would be one of 7 active OL.

So we'd be 100% against what we've done in the past?

Dude, this is where you lose the plot so often. If you want to look at what coaching staffs will do, look to what they have done.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I want the best 2 men out of Leary, Collins and Free. I really like Leary and I think he earned his job, but we had to take advantage of the opportunity to get a guy like Collins. Free is the veteran and has a somewhat expensive salary so I don't see him being challenged for his job. To be honest, I don't think Free should be any safer than Leary is. If Leary can lose his job to a rookie, so can Free. Where will play Collins will give a clear view of our future direction with the OL. Do we move on from Leary at LG and hope Green can supplant Free in a year or two? Or do we keep Leary until his knee goes and have Collins challenge for RT immediately?

 

[chris1995]

I want the best 2 men out of Leary, Collins and Free. I really like Leary and I think he earned his job, but we had to take advantage of the opportunity to get a guy like Collins. Free is the veteran and has a somewhat expensive salary so I don't see him being challenged for his job. To be honest, I don't think Free should be any safer than Leary is. If Leary can lose his job to a rookie, so can Free. Where will play Collins will give a clear view of our future direction with the OL. Do we move on from Leary at LG and hope Green can supplant Free in a year or two? Or do we keep Leary until his knee goes and have Collins challenge for RT immediately?

If Collins beats out Free or Leary he earned the job. Free could end up the swing tackle.