Why Collins replaces Leary

[Thatkidbob]

I think replacing Leary with Collins makes good sense.

Leary isn't exactly a weak link as it stands, but his knee is a question mark going forward. Moving him to the bench gives us a starter quality backup guard, and likely extends his career, so it works out well for all involved.

 

[gimmesix]

Leary has been very good at times, but doesn't get much credit except from the defenders that face him. Cough, cough JJ Watt

Oh, certainly. I'm not knocking Leary. I believe he's a very good player and absolutely love his mauling run blocking. That he or Free can be considered the weakest link on this line if a problem a lot of other teams would like to have.

 

[Brooksey]

There are a few reasons why I believe Leary will be the one replaced in the starting lineup by Collins, if Free is healthy.

First is the fact that Leary is only under contract for this season (although Dallas could retain his rights as a restricted free agent next season). Dallas takes a cap hit if it cuts or trades Free, but not if it cuts or trades Leary. ... Of course, I don't believe Dallas would cut either at this point.

Second is what Collins brings to the line. His power seems to be similar to Leary's, but his movement skills are superior. That allows him to get out to the second level, pull and trap better than Leary, which should further improve the running game. (Not to say Leary isn't a great point-of-attack run blocker or doesn't do OK on the second level.)

More important might be what he can do on the interior as a pass blocker. Leary's primary deficiency as a player is that he doesn't have great quickness. If he's in position, he's not going to get pushed around, but DTs can beat him with quick moves, stunts or counters. It doesn't help that Travis Frederick's weakest area also is lateral quickness. Collins can protect against that weakness, which helps Frederick play up to his strengths with players with superior movement skills on either side of him. The combination would form a formidable wall in the middle and Tony Romo should be able to only have to worry about pressure from the outside.

Collins obviously also would upgrade the RT spot because his strength and movement skills are superior to Free's, but forming an interior pocket that is almost impenetrable might be of more value. The day will come when Free needs to be replaced, but we might just decide that the interior formed by Collins, Frederick and Martin is better left undisturbed ... especially if Green can prove to be an adequate long-term replacement at RT.

Leary's weakness is the bullrush or inside moves, he's not the best anchor but he's not bad either. He's excellent and really excels at pulling and trapping. Leary is a young and hungry guy, and not the weak link IMO. Doug Free is "The Leader" by age only, and our biggest weakness because of his age. Free played better last season but i've seen the guy get abused in the past, don't trust him all that much, especially with the injuries. I'd prefer to see L Collins play Right tackle and Chaz Green be the swing in the future. Chaz may also be able to kick inside to LG in the future and Gibson may be the swing, i'm not sure. I can tell you this I just don't see anyone unseating Leary in camp, not going to happen.

If the 5 best guys are playing, the line stays the same until Collins takes over at RT, IMO.

 

[TrailBlazer]

I just don't see Leary as the weakest link to be replaced. I play the best 5. Collins takes over RT next year either way.

Whoever the odd man out is, he will see the field quite a bit. They will line him up as a TE in short yardage situations and in a jumbo package.

 

[yimyammer]

Collins will start because his better then either Free or Leary now which position is interesting.
Leary is pretty good at his position and isnt RT a hard position to fill?

Thats what I was thinking, wouldn't it be better for the team if he beat out Free, Leary continued to improve and stay healthy and end up with a fantastic line all under 25 years old?

 

[BrassCowboy]

Collins is replacing Leary day 1, book it.

 

[burmafrd]

I think the boys are looking real hard at Leary and Free for upgrade- both are good now and can do a decent job but both are limited- Free due to age and injuries and Leary due to basic physical limits and the ticking time bomb that is his knee. Green will be interesting to watch as they have two needs there= a swing tackle and eventual if not immediate replacement of Free. Word is that Free is not progressing as fast as had been hoped from his latest surgery so that might have been another reason Jerruh really worked to get Collins.

 

[jrumann59]

To all that think Leary's knee is getting worse every year it is not. http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.co...his-left-knee-but-happy-to-be-in-dallas-.html

It is not a the catastrophic ticking time bomb some think, not doing any in depth research i think it was the condition tony tolbert suffered from but the link above should explain his knee better.

 

[btcutter]

Collins was a free agent. Blue chippers don't sign to ride the bench. With money being the same wherever he signed and essentially a non-factor, I think it's highly unlikely he would sign anywhere to not start. He will be in the starting lineup Week 1. Where? I think Free's ability to rebound from surgery will determine that.

Leary won't be going anywhere and we will likely retain him as restricted FA if nothing other than great backup for another year. After that it really depends if Free still plays at a high level or not and if Collin is truly a RT or LG.
great problem to have with cheap young linemen lined up for several years!!

 

[Galian Beast]

I just don't see Leary as the weakest link to be replaced. I play the best 5. Collins takes over RT next year either way.

Whoever the odd man out is, he will see the field quite a bit. They will line him up as a TE in short yardage situations and in a jumbo package.

I see Leary as potentially having more of a future here than Free. That's a huge reason why I think he should start at Tackle. I think Tackle is also a harder position to fill than LG. If the Cowboys think he could dominate at guard and would only be okay at Tackle, maybe play him at guard, but if it is close, I'm thinking tackle is best for the team.

 

[Galian Beast]

Leary won't be going anywhere and we will likely retain him as restricted FA if nothing other than great backup for another year. After that it really depends if Free still plays at a high level or not and if Collin is truly a RT or LG.
great problem to have with cheap young linemen lined up for several years!!

He's in his RFA year this year. He will be an UFA next year.