News: Incredibly, Cowboys Could Have NFL's Second-Youngest O-Line In 2016

[CCBoy]

Incredibly, Cowboys Could Have NFL's Second-Youngest O-Line In 2016

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...ould-have-nfls-second-youngest-o-line-in-2016



The Cowboys O-line has combined for seven Pro Bowl appearances and two nominations for the All Pro team. It features three former first-round picks in Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Zack Martin, as well as an undrafted free agent in La'el Collins who was widely held to be a first-round talent. Add veteran nine-year veteran Doug Free, and you have what many are calling one of the best O-lines in the league.

And when the Cowboys kick off the 2016 season on September 11 against the New York Giants, only one member of the Cowboys O-line will be 26 years or older:


Tyron Smith (25) - La'el Collins (23) - Travis Frederick (25) - Zack Martin (25) - Doug Free (32)

For the Cowboys, the lineup above with an average age of 26.6 may be the most likely but not the only possible scenario. There's also the possibility that Chaz Green (24) might beat out Doug Free for a starting spot, or may eventually replace him as a starter over the course of the season...

 

[BAT]

Would love to see the best 5 starting on OL. Leary is so nasty he needs to be on the field, would boost trade value as well.

Leary and Lael destroying people at guard, Fredbeard orchestrating at center and Tyron and Zack at tackle clearing the edges. Free is not the future but expecting the overdrafted and inexperienced Chaz Green to push Free next season is just wishful thinking. Zack moving to RT on the other hand is another thing entirely.

Free as the swing tackle is best case scenario. Would also sign Amini Silatolu to push Joe Looney as backup guard/center. Silatolu is versatile nasty blocker coming off injury and a proven starter who could be had for cheap. Also still only 27. Best starting 5 AND great depth.

 

[Doc50]

Would love to see the best 5 starting on OL. Leary is so nasty he needs to be on the field, would boost trade value as well.

Leary and Lael destroying people at guard, Fredbeard orchestrating at center and Tyron and Zack at tackle clearing the edges. Free is not the future but expecting the overdrafted and inexperienced Chaz Green to push Free next season is just wishful thinking. Zack moving to RT on the other hand is another thing entirely.

Free as the swing tackle is best case scenario. Would also sign Amini Silatolu to push Joe Looney as backup guard/center. Silatolu is versatile nasty blocker coming off injury and a proven starter who could be had for cheap. Also still only 27. Best starting 5 AND great depth.

OK, well, count me in for wishful thinking.

The staff thinks Green may be their most improved player from last year, and Free is another year older. The others on the OL still look to him as their leader, so Free is fairly high on intangibles. But Green is gonna be much more athletic, and I'd bet he starts sooner rather than later.

I would also prefer keeping Martin at his best natural position. This group needs to play as a unit, and any disappointment we may have occasionally had last year came from changes in assignments. The solidarity they have developed in zone blocking should return in front of Zeke, and we should expect missed assignments to be scarce, with focus on keeping the QB untouched. That will be Green's biggest challenge -- showing that he can be reliably disciplined.

If he's mistake free, he can beat out Free.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Would love to see the best 5 starting on OL. Leary is so nasty he needs to be on the field, would boost trade value as well.

Leary and Lael destroying people at guard, Fredbeard orchestrating at center and Tyron and Zack at tackle clearing the edges. Free is not the future but expecting the overdrafted and inexperienced Chaz Green to push Free next season is just wishful thinking. Zack moving to RT on the other hand is another thing entirely.

Free as the swing tackle is best case scenario. Would also sign Amini Silatolu to push Joe Looney as backup guard/center. Silatolu is versatile nasty blocker coming off injury and a proven starter who could be had for cheap. Also still only 27. Best starting 5 AND great depth.

You don't move an All Pro in Zack.

Having a clean pocket is underrated especially for a guy as adept as Romo at avoiding the outside rush. Romo has always said it's pressure up the middle that gives him (and most qbs) the most trouble.

I'm intrigued by Chaz and we need to continue looking outside of him and Free at a potential replacement if Chaz is better suited as a swing tackle. But in no way am I moving Collins and Martin.

 

[dallasdave]

Would love to see the best 5 starting on OL. Leary is so nasty he needs to be on the field, would boost trade value as well.

Leary and Lael destroying people at guard, Fredbeard orchestrating at center and Tyron and Zack at tackle clearing the edges. Free is not the future but expecting the overdrafted and inexperienced Chaz Green to push Free next season is just wishful thinking. Zack moving to RT on the other hand is another thing entirely.

Free as the swing tackle is best case scenario. Would also sign Amini Silatolu to push Joe Looney as backup guard/center. Silatolu is versatile nasty blocker coming off injury and a proven starter who could be had for cheap. Also still only 27. Best starting 5 AND great depth.

OL gets better this year !!! Guys are still learning !!!

 

[BAT]

You don't move an All Pro in Zack.

Having a clean pocket is underrated especially for a guy as adept as Romo at avoiding the outside rush. Romo has always said it's pressure up the middle that gives him (and most qbs) the most trouble.

I'm intrigued by Chaz and we need to continue looking outside of him and Free at a potential replacement if Chaz is better suited as a swing tackle. But in no way am I moving Collins and Martin.

Normally I would agree but Leary is one of the best 5, neither Free or Green are better than Leary. Now if Zack can't beat out either Free or Green fairly at RT then I whole heartedly agree. I have my money on Zack, he may not be an All Pro at RT, or he very well could be, don't know unless we try.

LA was an All Pro at 3 positions. Zack is talented enough to be at least a pro bowler at 2.

 

[Bluefin]

Tyron Smith (25) - La'el Collins (23) - Travis Frederick (25) - Zack Martin (25) - Doug Free (32)

For the Cowboys, the lineup above with an average age of 26.6 may be the most likely but not the only possible scenario. There's also the possibility that Chaz Green (24) might beat out Doug Free for a starting spot, or may eventually replace him as a starter over the course of the season...

I hope Chaz Green has made strides since last season and avoids injuries, but it's tough to expect a completely unproven second year player to unseat a veteran like Doug Free.

I want to see real competition and I hope Green looks so good that the change happens, but going from a few practices last last year to the starting RT this summer is an enormous leap.

Normally I would agree but Leary is one of the best 5, neither Free or Green are better than Leary.

Barring injury, Leary isn't projected to be active for games this season.

He's a good guard who lacks the versatility to also play center, which is why Joe Looney was signed to replace Mackenzy Bernadeau.

The other problems regarding Leary are his being under contract for only this season and having a knee condition that could become degenerative at any time.

Now if Zack can't beat out either Free or Green fairly at RT then I whole heartedly agree. I have my money on Zack, he may not be an All Pro at RT, or he very well could be, don't know unless we try.

Zack Martin has never practiced at RT since joining the Dallas Cowboys.

There have been blurbs citing Martin taking minimal snaps at center to be prepared in case of an emergency, but not RT. I'm sure he can play RT if needed, but it just doesn't look like it's in the team's plans. Dallas has a veteran in Free on the right side and hopefully a youngster nipping at his heels in Green.

And Martin rules as a RG, so why move him?

La'el Collins did get a little work at RT early last year before settling in at LG, but Green was sidelined with an injury at that time. I have no doubt Collins
can play RT if needed, but I expect him to remain at LG.

 

[BAT]

I hope Chaz Green has made strides since last season and avoids injuries, but it's tough to expect a completely unproven second year player to unseat a veteran like Doug Free.

I want to see real competition and I hope Green looks so good that the change happens, but going from a few practices last last year to the starting RT this summer is an enormous leap.



Barring injury, Leary isn't projected to be active for games this season.

He's a good guard who lacks the versatility to also play center, which is why Joe Looney was signed to replace Mackenzy Bernadeau.

The other problems regarding Leary are his being under contract for only this season and having a knee condition that could become degenerative at any time.



Zack Martin has never practiced at RT since joining the Dallas Cowboys.

There have been blurbs citing Martin taking minimal snaps at center to be prepared in case of an emergency, but not RT. I'm sure he can play RT if needed, but it just doesn't look like it's in the team's plans. Dallas has a veteran in Free on the right side and hopefully a youngster nipping at his heels in Green.

And Martin rules as a RG, so why move him?

La'el Collins did get a little work at RT early last year before settling in at LG, but Green was sidelined with an injury at that time. I have no doubt Collins
can play RT if needed, but I expect him to remain at LG.

Not saying I expect it to happen, its something I am hoping for to happen. We just won't know unless we try. And Leary needs to be on the field somewhere, he's too good and too nasty to be on the bench - can't say that with either Free or Green.

 

[Bluefin]

Not saying I expect it to happen, its something I am hoping for to happen. We just won't know unless we try. And Leary needs to be on the field somewhere, he's too good and too nasty to be on the bench - can't say that with either Free or Green.

Understood.

It's a given Ronald Leary wants to be starting, and it's a good thing to have such a player being projected as OL depth in Dallas.

It should also help keep a fire lit under La'el Collins, if such a thing is needed.

We will also have to watch if any team will offer enough to trade for Leary this summer should they lose a guard.

And I don't know if Jake Brendel will show enough to push for a spot this year, that's another story to watch as the OL unfolds.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Normally I would agree but Leary is one of the best 5, neither Free or Green are better than Leary. Now if Zack can't beat out either Free or Green fairly at RT then I whole heartedly agree. I have my money on Zack, he may not be an All Pro at RT, or he very well could be, don't know unless we try.

LA was an All Pro at 3 positions. Zack is talented enough to be at least a pro bowler at 2.

I think you're overrating Leary. He was great for us especially as an undrafted free agent. But he has no position flex a degenerative knee and had some real struggles against the pass that are of the physical limitation variety.

Moving Martin opens up two positions to potential inferior play rather than just RT.

And frankly Free was pretty good last year even if we do have to shade him some help.

 

[BAT]

I think you're overrating Leary. He was great for us especially as an undrafted free agent. But he has no position flex a degenerative knee and had some real struggles against the pass that are of the physical limitation variety.

Moving Martin opens up two positions to potential inferior play rather than just RT.

And frankly Free was pretty good last year even if we do have to shade him some help.

If anything people are forgetting who the weak link was when Cowboys OL were dominating in 2014, it wasn't Ron Leary. It was Doug Free. Ron Leary was just as instrumental in the rushing success of the Cowboys in 2014 as the 3 pro bowlers. If anything is overrated, its the degenerative knee issue. Leary hasn't had any trouble with that knee at all and it really is a moot point until it gives out.

Just like ANY player can have a career ending injury at any time. Leary has nice value as a back up as he is a proven starter and still young and in his prime. However his value can be even better if he is allowed a chance to compete for a starting position. Just want the best 5 to play. If Leary is beaten out fairly then I have no problem with that either.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

If anything people are forgetting who the weak link was when Cowboys OL were dominating in 2014, it wasn't Ron Leary. It was Doug Free. Ron Leary was just as instrumental in the rushing success of the Cowboys in 2014 as the 3 pro bowlers. If anything is overrated, its the degenerative knee issue. Leary hasn't had any trouble with that knee at all and it really is a moot point until it gives out.

Just like ANY player can have a career ending injury at any time. Leary has nice value as a back up as he is a proven starter and still young and in his prime. However his value can be even better if he is allowed a chance to compete for a starting position. Just want the best 5 to play. If Leary is beaten out fairly then I have no problem with that either.

Leary was beaten out last year. Collins had growing pains but was clearly the better option at guard.

And with Leary having no position flex... Time to move on after this year. His lack of flex means he can't even be active on game days.

And again free played well in 2015.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Would love to see the best 5 starting on OL. Leary is so nasty he needs to be on the field, would boost trade value as well.

Leary and Lael destroying people at guard, Fredbeard orchestrating at center and Tyron and Zack at tackle clearing the edges. Free is not the future but expecting the overdrafted and inexperienced Chaz Green to push Free next season is just wishful thinking. Zack moving to RT on the other hand is another thing entirely.

Free as the swing tackle is best case scenario. Would also sign Amini Silatolu to push Joe Looney as backup guard/center. Silatolu is versatile nasty blocker coming off injury and a proven starter who could be had for cheap. Also still only 27. Best starting 5 AND great depth.

I think expecting Martin to move from a position he's a all pro at is probably even more wishful thinking then Chaz Green pushing the inconsistent yet reliable Dout Free to the bench.

 

[CrownCowboy]

This group is the strength of the team.

Our running game will be our bread and butter and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Young, great O line + a young and dynamic RB = a great future.

 

[BAT]

I think expecting Martin to move from a position he's a all pro at is probably even more wishful thinking then Chaz Green pushing the inconsistent yet reliable Dout Free to the bench.

I don't expect Martin to move to RT, simply proposing it to get our 5 best run blockers in starting line up. And I disagree that Green is more polished than Martin, even at RT.

Free would make a great swing OT. And would rather have Amini Silatolu as back up OG/C than Brendel or Looney. Neither guy is as talented as Silatolu or as nasty.

 

[mattjames2010]

Would love to see the best 5 starting on OL. Leary is so nasty he needs to be on the field, would boost trade value as well.

Leary and Lael destroying people at guard, Fredbeard orchestrating at center and Tyron and Zack at tackle clearing the edges. Free is not the future but expecting the overdrafted and inexperienced Chaz Green to push Free next season is just wishful thinking. Zack moving to RT on the other hand is another thing entirely.

Free as the swing tackle is best case scenario. Would also sign Amini Silatolu to push Joe Looney as backup guard/center. Silatolu is versatile nasty blocker coming off injury and a proven starter who could be had for cheap. Also still only 27. Best starting 5 AND great depth.

Here we go

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'm just glad we have a strong OL now that can start to dictate games to defenses. Impose their will type of stuff with EE. Get back to 2014 football where we win games in the 4th quarter.

 

[reddyuta]

Hope Green gets a real shot at the RT position rather than Garretts lame leadership shtick,we need to play the best possible 5 on the Line.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Hope Green gets a real shot at the RT position rather than Garretts lame leadership shtick,we need to play the best possible 5 on the Line.

If the team really wanted to move on from Free, they have several ways to do so. The question is do they really want to?

You've got Green on the bench. Not out of the question to expect a 2nd year 3rd round pick to start at RT.

You've got an above average starting OG in Leary on the bench.

Both starting OGs have the skill set to play RT if needed.

Charles Brown is on the bench who I'm sure they feel can be the gameday swing OT.