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Whose line is it anyway, Cowboys or Eagles?
Todd Archer
http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4743189/mailbag-darren-mcfadden-as-kick-returner
IRVING, Texas – When he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, La'el Collins made a boisterous claim.
“This is going to be the best offensive line in NFL history,” Collins said. “Mark my words.”
Let’s just say Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jason Peters disagrees. In fact, he says in this Philadelphia Inquirer column that the Eagles line is better, putting the Cowboys’ hype on the old "America’s Team" adage.
"They're the Cowboys," Peters said. "Everything they do is pumped up. It's America's Team. Everything they do is overemphasized. When Shady [LeSean McCoy] was the leading rusher, they weren't saying we were the best offensive line. Don't get me wrong, they're a good, solid offensive line. But guy for guy, they can't touch us."
Well, NFL Nation Eagles reporter Phil Sheridan and I were wondering if we could determine which line is better and we offered up some brief scouting reports with ESPN Insider Field Yates making his picks for the better players, position by position:
Tyron Smith: He has been named to the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and is considered one of the best tackles in football. He is athletically gifted, doing things with his 320-pound frame a lot of linemen that big can’t do. His best asset, however, is his strong hands. Once he locks a hand on a defender, the battle is over. Oh, there’s this, too: Smith doesn’t turn 25 until December.
Eagles' Jason Peters: Chip Kelly uses the phrase “Hall of Famer” to describe his left tackle. Peters entered the NFL as an undrafted tight end in Buffalo. He moved to tackle, where his size, quickness and agility enabled him to succeed The seven-time Pro Bowl lineman has outstanding balance, according to line coach Jeff Stoutland, which means Peters is able to hold his own against both power-rushers and speed-rushers. Peters plays with a mean streak, especially in the running game.
Yates’ take: Smith, at just 24 years old but with four years of NFL experience and a cap-friendly contract through the 2023 season, is the preeminent offensive line building block in the NFL. He has the rare combination of leg matched with foot quickness and power to overwhelm any type of opposing rusher. Peters isn’t far behind among left tackles, but Smith gets the nod.
LEFT GUARD
Cowboys' Ronald Leary: He has started in 31 of the last 32 regular-season games at left guard and fared well, but he will be pushed by Collins in training camp. Collins was viewed as a first-round talent but fell out of the draft because of unexpected circumstances. Leary possesses solid power, but also good enough feet to get to the second level and is a stout pass protector. But he can get off-balance. Collins has the ability but as of now, it’s all unproven.
Eagles' Allen Barbre: Kelly and Stoutland are very confident in Barbre, but there’s precious little to go on for the rest of us. His best play as an Eagle came at left tackle in 2014, when Peters had to leave a game in Green Bay. Last year Barbre was tagged to replace right tackle Lane Johnson during Johnson’s four-game suspension for PED use. But Barbre left the first game with a high ankle sprain that required surgery. He missed the rest of the season. He is more comfortable on the left side than the right.
Yates’ take: This is the one spot where neither team has a star currently, though that could change if Collins eventually develops at left guard for Dallas. Leary gets the edge over the journeyman Barbre. There’s not a lot of flash to Leary’s game, but he’s a pile-mover in the middle.
CENTER
Cowboys Travis Frederick: He has been a Day 1 starter after some people mocked his selection with the 31st overall pick in 2013. The Cowboys have received the last laugh. His smarts help him identify the defensive fronts without any issue and keep him out of trouble on the field when he goes against more athletic players. He can anchor as well, but moves well in short spaces too.
Eagles' Jason Kelce: Right before he aggravated a sports hernia last year, Kelce was running downfield, lead-blocking for wide receiver Jeremy Maclin 30 yards past the line of scrimmage. He is both athletic and very smart, two pretty good qualities for the leader of the offensive line. Kelce isn’t the biggest center around (he’s 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds), but he is strong and can quickly get to the second level to keep linebackers off of Eagles running backs.
Yates’ take: Frederick has proven not to be a reach as a first-round pick (as many tabbed him in 2013) but rather a steal at the back end. That being said, Kelce plays better in space than almost any lineman in the league, ably working to the second level in the Eagles’ uptempo attack.
Zack Martin: He became the Cowboys’ first All-Pro pick as a rookie since 1969 with his play last year. He can play with power, but he has athleticism and technique to handle any kind of interior defender. He can also get to the second level in the run game. His tackle background helps his pass-protection skills. He showed toughness last year playing through a high ankle sprain. He is a cornerstone piece to the line.
Eagles' Matt Tobin: This is the biggest question mark going into the season. Tobin made the Eagles’ roster as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Last year, when Evan Mathis injured his knee, Tobin started five games at left guard. He was solid with Peters playing alongside him. When Mathis returned, Tobin moved to right guard to replace the injured Todd Herremans. He lasted just two games playing alongside right tackle Lane Johnson before being benched in favor of Andrew Gardner.
Yates’ take: No need to overthink this one, as Martin established himself as a top player in the league at guard. The fact that he could eventually play tackle, if needed, makes him all the more valuable. He’s a technician, but a bulldozer, too. That’s hard to find.
RIGHT TACKLE
Cowboys' Doug Free: He missed five regular-season and two playoff games with ankle and foot injuries and will not take the field again until training camp because of foot surgery. Still, the Cowboys re-signed him to a three-year deal before free agency began. He remains a solid athlete but relies more on technique than strength to get by. After two-year downturn, he played much better in 2013 and 2014.
Eagles' Lane Johnson: The fourth player taken in the 2013 draft, Johnson has developed into a solid right tackle who could eventually move to left tackle when Peters retires. Johnson moved from quarterback to defensive end to tackle during his college days. His agility and his tenacity helped him bounce back from a PED suspension last season to play very well over the final 12 games. Johnson played the last eight without Herremans, allowing him to grow as a player without relying on the veteran for guidance.
Yates’ take: Johnson not only serves as a potential heir apparent to Peters for Philly down the line, but a darn good right tackle, too. His athletic skills are well documented, as he has the ability to functionally apply his length, foot mobility and natural power, too.
Todd Archer
http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4743189/mailbag-darren-mcfadden-as-kick-returner
IRVING, Texas – When he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, La'el Collins made a boisterous claim.
“This is going to be the best offensive line in NFL history,” Collins said. “Mark my words.”
Let’s just say Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jason Peters disagrees. In fact, he says in this Philadelphia Inquirer column that the Eagles line is better, putting the Cowboys’ hype on the old "America’s Team" adage.
"They're the Cowboys," Peters said. "Everything they do is pumped up. It's America's Team. Everything they do is overemphasized. When Shady [LeSean McCoy] was the leading rusher, they weren't saying we were the best offensive line. Don't get me wrong, they're a good, solid offensive line. But guy for guy, they can't touch us."
Well, NFL Nation Eagles reporter Phil Sheridan and I were wondering if we could determine which line is better and we offered up some brief scouting reports with ESPN Insider Field Yates making his picks for the better players, position by position:
Tyron Smith: He has been named to the Pro Bowl the last two seasons and is considered one of the best tackles in football. He is athletically gifted, doing things with his 320-pound frame a lot of linemen that big can’t do. His best asset, however, is his strong hands. Once he locks a hand on a defender, the battle is over. Oh, there’s this, too: Smith doesn’t turn 25 until December.
Eagles' Jason Peters: Chip Kelly uses the phrase “Hall of Famer” to describe his left tackle. Peters entered the NFL as an undrafted tight end in Buffalo. He moved to tackle, where his size, quickness and agility enabled him to succeed The seven-time Pro Bowl lineman has outstanding balance, according to line coach Jeff Stoutland, which means Peters is able to hold his own against both power-rushers and speed-rushers. Peters plays with a mean streak, especially in the running game.
Yates’ take: Smith, at just 24 years old but with four years of NFL experience and a cap-friendly contract through the 2023 season, is the preeminent offensive line building block in the NFL. He has the rare combination of leg matched with foot quickness and power to overwhelm any type of opposing rusher. Peters isn’t far behind among left tackles, but Smith gets the nod.
LEFT GUARD
Cowboys' Ronald Leary: He has started in 31 of the last 32 regular-season games at left guard and fared well, but he will be pushed by Collins in training camp. Collins was viewed as a first-round talent but fell out of the draft because of unexpected circumstances. Leary possesses solid power, but also good enough feet to get to the second level and is a stout pass protector. But he can get off-balance. Collins has the ability but as of now, it’s all unproven.
Eagles' Allen Barbre: Kelly and Stoutland are very confident in Barbre, but there’s precious little to go on for the rest of us. His best play as an Eagle came at left tackle in 2014, when Peters had to leave a game in Green Bay. Last year Barbre was tagged to replace right tackle Lane Johnson during Johnson’s four-game suspension for PED use. But Barbre left the first game with a high ankle sprain that required surgery. He missed the rest of the season. He is more comfortable on the left side than the right.
Yates’ take: This is the one spot where neither team has a star currently, though that could change if Collins eventually develops at left guard for Dallas. Leary gets the edge over the journeyman Barbre. There’s not a lot of flash to Leary’s game, but he’s a pile-mover in the middle.
CENTER
Cowboys Travis Frederick: He has been a Day 1 starter after some people mocked his selection with the 31st overall pick in 2013. The Cowboys have received the last laugh. His smarts help him identify the defensive fronts without any issue and keep him out of trouble on the field when he goes against more athletic players. He can anchor as well, but moves well in short spaces too.
Eagles' Jason Kelce: Right before he aggravated a sports hernia last year, Kelce was running downfield, lead-blocking for wide receiver Jeremy Maclin 30 yards past the line of scrimmage. He is both athletic and very smart, two pretty good qualities for the leader of the offensive line. Kelce isn’t the biggest center around (he’s 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds), but he is strong and can quickly get to the second level to keep linebackers off of Eagles running backs.
Yates’ take: Frederick has proven not to be a reach as a first-round pick (as many tabbed him in 2013) but rather a steal at the back end. That being said, Kelce plays better in space than almost any lineman in the league, ably working to the second level in the Eagles’ uptempo attack.
Zack Martin: He became the Cowboys’ first All-Pro pick as a rookie since 1969 with his play last year. He can play with power, but he has athleticism and technique to handle any kind of interior defender. He can also get to the second level in the run game. His tackle background helps his pass-protection skills. He showed toughness last year playing through a high ankle sprain. He is a cornerstone piece to the line.
Eagles' Matt Tobin: This is the biggest question mark going into the season. Tobin made the Eagles’ roster as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Last year, when Evan Mathis injured his knee, Tobin started five games at left guard. He was solid with Peters playing alongside him. When Mathis returned, Tobin moved to right guard to replace the injured Todd Herremans. He lasted just two games playing alongside right tackle Lane Johnson before being benched in favor of Andrew Gardner.
Yates’ take: No need to overthink this one, as Martin established himself as a top player in the league at guard. The fact that he could eventually play tackle, if needed, makes him all the more valuable. He’s a technician, but a bulldozer, too. That’s hard to find.
RIGHT TACKLE
Cowboys' Doug Free: He missed five regular-season and two playoff games with ankle and foot injuries and will not take the field again until training camp because of foot surgery. Still, the Cowboys re-signed him to a three-year deal before free agency began. He remains a solid athlete but relies more on technique than strength to get by. After two-year downturn, he played much better in 2013 and 2014.
Eagles' Lane Johnson: The fourth player taken in the 2013 draft, Johnson has developed into a solid right tackle who could eventually move to left tackle when Peters retires. Johnson moved from quarterback to defensive end to tackle during his college days. His agility and his tenacity helped him bounce back from a PED suspension last season to play very well over the final 12 games. Johnson played the last eight without Herremans, allowing him to grow as a player without relying on the veteran for guidance.
Yates’ take: Johnson not only serves as a potential heir apparent to Peters for Philly down the line, but a darn good right tackle, too. His athletic skills are well documented, as he has the ability to functionally apply his length, foot mobility and natural power, too.
