News: DMN: Bob Sturm's morning after: Cowboys rookies put on a show; what to make of RBs

[dallasdave]

Sturm says everything that needs to be said about the left guard battle:

"– I think the most impressive player that I saw last night in live-action is the rookie lineman from LSU, La’El Collins. He played with that edge that we saw all year for the Tigers, and jumped off the screen at times as a dominant and physical guard who will quickly leap to the top of the Cowboys offensive line picture with the other 1st round picks. I thought Collins was the best offensive lineman in the 2015 draft, but because of one of the most hard-to-comprehend stories in draft history, he fell all the way out of the draft on the day before the selections were to come down. The Cowboys were able to sign him as an undrafted free agent and basically add him as a “bonus” signing. But, that doesn’t mean he still wasn’t the best lineman in the draft.

Honestly, the league must think this is unfair for the best offensive line to add the best prospect at that position. Regardless, he put on a show last night for his NFL debut with several moments that were just dominant. He will certainly have things to clean up and other things to learn about what is expected of him, but I have no doubt that he is already one of the 5 best linemen the Cowboys have and ready to over-take the admirable Ron Leary at LG. I think Leary is a great story and a solid starter, but he just can’t offer you some of those moments to rewind and marvel like Collins can.

In fact, if you go back and look at the first series for Leary against the very talented #94 Corey Liuget (who was just paid handsomely by the Chargers to continue to dominate on the inside), you will see Leary struggle to stand his ground like he did against the Lions and the Packers last postseason. Leary just doesn’t have the anchor that is elite. Big #71 has it. And if Collins isn’t the starter against the Giants, it is nothing more than the Cowboys just wanting to bring him along slowly.

He is good enough to start right now and not ever look back. He was elite in college and I expect it won’t be long before he is that in the NFL. His block on that TD was very impressive as he pushed the DT over to his tackle before cleaning out a LB who was untouched and in the hole. What a savvy veteran move to knock two guys out of the way on a run where Gus Johnson ended up in the end zone. Collins is going to be special, and he already is pretty good."

Collins is a mauler. Mini camps and OTA's without pads got everyone sleeping a little on his game. What makes him a monster out there can only show up in live action.

Collins will be our 4th pro-bowl OL.

 

[AsthmaField]

I think Leay is traded at the end of summer.

I hope not. I really like Leary and I like to have the dept on the OL.

 

[CCBoy]

Drooling over thoughts of Collins has me making trips to the fridge to grab some Rocky Road.

 

[TwoDeep3]

This statement is going to be misconstrued, but then I'm not shy about stating what I think.

Dallas needs to use whatever tricks and ammo they have this next off-season to find a back up for Romo who will be the heir apparent. And stop this poor boy BS with guys who are better suited selling life insurance.

There is a youthful core here, and one day, and that day is coming boys and girls, Romo will no longer be greatness. My biggest fear is a severe injury to Tony and this team founders for several years as Steph-Jer tries to reproduce the Romo era by finding a guy who no one else believed in. And during that time the youth here is squandered as we see a string of Chad-Quicy Hutchincarters being touted as the next great thing. Only to find they couldn't hit the ground with a pass if they dropped the ball.

I believe in Romo. But I also know Father Time doesn't give a rat's butt about Romo's legacy. Neither does Sister Career-ender.

 

[Redball Express]

I hope not. I really like Leary and I like to have the dept on the OL.

I admire Garrett with how he tries to work with players and keep them motivated and willing to be a part of a whole concept of team.

Leary was obviously being told in the off season he would have the chance to start and he would get his chance to move to a better deal after 2015.

That was before Collins appeared.

After what I saw of him last night..

He's a starter and probably is a Pro Bowler if he plays.

He was a man among boys last night.

I realize he was against 2nd and 3rd string players and he was an overmatch.

But it was clear what he brings to the position.

Leary is solid..but not star material.

If Dallas truly thinks they are championship material..

Collins starts from Day One..Game One..

And if I was any RB in the league..I would pay the Cowboys to come play behind this line.

This has all been so unseen 2 years ago.

Let's hope Jerrah leaves the roof open all year so God can get his popcorn ready.

 

[WillieBeamen]

Do you guys think he can be as good as Zack was last year or close to it?

 

[Aven8]

Agree with Nate.

I'm not even worried about Collins technical abilities. I just feel like Leary is way better.

Doug Free on the other hand....

The problem at RT is Collins hasn't even practiced one rep there. So he's not going to fill in. We should be more worried about the swing tackle IMO.

My bet is, knock on the biggest peice of wood, if one of the tackles goes down Martin goes to Tackle and Collins takes his guard spot IMO. That would be your best 5 out there still at that point. Hope we never get to see that!

 

[waving monkey]

Whose got a RB to spare thats as good at his position as Leary is at G.
Plus I Iike the assurance of an elite guard on the bench.

 

[Wezsh0T]

The problem at RT is Collins hasn't even practiced one rep there. So he's not going to fill in. We should be more worried about the swing tackle IMO.

My bet is, knock on the biggest peice of wood, if one of the tackles goes down Martin goes to Tackle and Collins takes his guard spot IMO. That would be your best 5 out there still at that point. Hope we never get to see that!

Yah...that probably does happen in that situation. That would be a pretty sick OL I think.

 

[AsthmaField]

The problem at RT is Collins hasn't even practiced one rep there. So he's not going to fill in. We should be more worried about the swing tackle IMO.

My bet is, knock on the biggest peice of wood, if one of the tackles goes down Martin goes to Tackle and Collins takes his guard spot IMO. That would be your best 5 out there still at that point. Hope we never get to see that!

I really don't think Dallas is going to move Martin out of his RG spot. I would be shocked if they did so.

He is an all-pro RG and they don't want to mess with that. He makes quite a tandem with his best friend, Frederick.

The better chance would be moving Collins to RT in a pinch, IMO. Instead of having to have Collins get used to a new spot and Martin have to get used to a new spot... they simply leave Smith, Leary, Frederick, and Martin where they are and get the talented rookie up to speed at RT.

Just my opinion.

 

[AbeBeta]

Drooling over thoughts of Collins has me making trips to the fridge to grab some Rocky Road.

Love Sturm's points on Collins. He is a special player. If it is close, you gotta start him.

 

[manster4ever]

I hope not. I really like Leary and I like to have the dept on the OL.

DING DING DING...right on man. Do NOT trade Leary!!! It will affect depth and chemistry. Horrible idea actually. IF we need to trade for a RB, it will be a draft pick not this guy.

 

[manster4ever]

I really don't think Dallas is going to move Martin out of his RG spot. I would be shocked if they did so.

He is an all-pro RG and they don't want to mess with that. He makes quite a tandem with his best friend, Frederick.

The better chance would be moving Collins to RT in a pinch, IMO. Instead of having to have Collins get used to a new spot and Martin have to get used to a new spot... they simply leave Smith, Leary, Frederick, and Martin where they are and get the talented rookie up to speed at RT.

Just my opinion.

Also agree with you here. I really hope they start grooming Collins as the RT. He is fully capable and it would give our Oline tremendous flexibility. They already know he can play guard and play it well. Tackle is an issue with Free's age and injury issues plus the rookie Green's injury.

 

[Alexander]

Love Sturm's points on Collins. He is a special player. If it is close, you gotta start him.

If not start him, find out what he can do. He's not getting any work at the tackle spots, which I find utterly insane. I happen to think he's probably going to be a guard eventually, but how they can come to that conclusion without working him in live action I have no idea.

Imagine if he were able to master both guard and tackle? Then the best five OL could be on the field at the same time.

 

[AbeBeta]

If not start him, find out what he can do. He's not getting any work at the tackle spots, which I find utterly insane. I happen to think he's probably going to be a guard eventually, but how they can come to that conclusion without working him in live action I have no idea.

Imagine if he were able to master both guard and tackle? Then the best five OL could be on the field at the same time.

He was a very good LT in college. He may not project there but not looking at RT is odd

 

[DCBoysfan]

Collins just looks so strong. He may not start week one, but I think he might take over as the starter by no later than midseason.

I think so too, if he continues to flash it's gonna be hard to keep him off the field.

 

[Vinnie2u]

I think so too, if he continues to flash it's gonna be hard to keep him off the field.

The guys a athlete.. I hope Garrett finds a way of using him as a TE or something. Since Leary looks to be starting..

 

[ringmaster]

I hope not. I really like Leary and I like to have the dept on the OL.

I like the depth to **, and as for Sturm's take on Leary's performance against Luiget a few nights ago let's just chalk it up as a bad night for him because if they were to battle five times there is no way Luiget would dominate every time because the one trait Leary has is strength and it's just Sturm being biased and as for Collins he will in time be the starter at LG and based on what I've seen how he rag dolled the poor DE he's going to be a nasty one great home run hit by the Cowboys signing Collins to an already good o-line and it's really unfair to the rest of the league but in a good way lol.

 

[Iago33]

I like the depth to **, and as for Sturm's take on Leary's performance against Luiget a few nights ago let's just chalk it up as a bad night for him because if they were to battle five times there is no way Luiget would dominate every time because the one trait Leary has is strength and it's just Sturm being biased and as for Collins he will in time be the starter at LG and based on what I've seen how he rag dolled the poor DE he's going to be a nasty one great home run hit by the Cowboys signing Collins to an already good o-line and it's really unfair to the rest of the league but in a good way lol.

No offense, but punctuation is a helpful friend to have.

 

[ringmaster]

No offense, but punctuation is a helpful friend to have.

Thank you very much Professor Lago.