The Cowboys, who averaged 3.8 yards per carry on first down last year, mustered just 2.7 yards per carry in the first half of this game. They averaged just 2.3 yards per carry on first down in the second half. The line has been awful this year. To be frank, they are a liability to the offense and the team.
The Cowboys’ offensive line situation is always a hot topic, and this year it’s even hotter—especially after the team made a big move at the trade deadline to acquire Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick. But, will Travis’ presence at the line help the Cowboys finally become a dominant offense? Or, will the new offensive line still be a weak spot on the team that continues to struggle against the pass?
After the Cowboys took it upon themselves to ignore the offensive line for much of the offseason, the unit’s lack of depth has been a talking point for the team and its fans throughout the early offseason. Now that the OTAs are in full swing, Jerry Jones and Co. might finally be starting to address the situation, but the Cowboys’ focus on the offensive line has not changed.. Read more about cowboys linebackers 2021 and let us know what you think.
It wasn’t that long ago that the Dallas Cowboys had the best offensive line in the NFL. While unstoppable guard Zach Martin is on track to earn at least a few more All-Pro selections, it’s incredibly difficult to predict what the future holds for some of his closest teammates. And with Dak Prescott returning from a serious ankle injury, that uncertainty doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in the Cowboys’ ability to protect their best quarterback.As shaky as the situation may seem at first, Dallas could have a budding star ready to break through. But even if the Cowboys have a long-term building block at the key position, they have to worry about their offense. With so many players looking to return after disappointing seasons, the question is whether Mike McCarthy’s team will live up to expectations in 2021.
Injury problems have led to serious concerns about Dallas’ ability to protect Dak Prescott
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Just two years ago, the Cowboys’ offensive line consisted of Tyrone Smith and La’el Collins at guard, Martin and Connor Williams at guard and Travis Frederick at center. With three solid Pro Bowlers, this unit seemed poised to dominate the defensive lines for the foreseeable future.
However, that plan was interrupted shortly after the 2019 season ended when Frederick unexpectedly resigned due to long-term health issues. The loss of the five-time Pro Bowler was a blow to the offensive line, which counted on him to identify blitzers, run clean snaps and make tough blocks. So instead of having one of the best centers in the league in Prescott’s heyday, the Cowboys had to hit the reset button at one of the most important positions on the field.
To make matters worse, Dallas suffered some serious injuries on their offensive line last season. After four consecutive 13-game campaigns, Smith has not played since Week 2 due to a neck injury that required surgery. Meanwhile, Collins missed the entire season with persistent hip pain. Needless to say, the drop was significant from Smith (seven-time Pro Bowler) and Collins (who signed a $50 million contract in 2019).
With both starting quarterbacks out, the Cowboys have allowed 44 sacks in 2020. Only six teams have conceded more goals. So Dallas clearly needs to improve quickly to move to the top of the NFC East. Plus, after signing Prescott to a $160 million contract, Jerry Jones should do everything he can to keep his highest paid player out of danger.
The future looks much better for the Cowboys’ shaky offensive line
Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Byadash points to a defender before kicking the ball out of bounds during the game against the Washington football team. | Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Cowboys stole a center from the Pro Bowl and selected him with the second-to-last pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Tyler Byadash has waited much longer to be named, but he has a chance to follow in Frederick’s footsteps. In fact, many of his struggling teammates are full of praise for the incredible progress the fourth-round 2020 pick has made.
It’s grown quickly, Smith said at a news conference on the 8th. June. Even in his first year, he arrived with a mature attitude. Very energetic, and we love it. Looks like the guy’s been playing for four years.
After winning the Rimington Trophy (the best center award in the country) and being named the best center in the U.S. in his senior year at Wisconsin, Biadash played in 12 games as a freshman. Although he only has four starts under his belt, his lack of experience doesn’t seem to be a barrier for the 6-foot-3, 318-pound lineman.
He learned everything he needed to know because he was the center of the offensive line – he made the decisions, Collins explained in a recent press conference. He speaks with more confidence. It puts the questions you want to ask the centrist against other things, adjustments and so on.
Cowboys fans should be even more excited about the future of the offensive line because of the apt comparison between Collins and Biadash.
He reminds me a lot of Trav [Frederick], he said. There’s a lot of Travis in him. It’s nice to see him because we all know how great Travis was.
Tyler Byadash is not the only alleged starter with questions to answer
Dallas Cowboys offense:
QB: Prescott Duck
RB: Zeke Elliott, Tony Pollard
WR: Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CD Lamb
TE: Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz
OL : Tyrone Smith, Connor Williams, Tyler Biadash, Zack Martin, La’el Collins.
Points.
– Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) March 9, 2021
Byadash has a long way to go before he can stand beside Frederick. But if the promising second-year pro continues to do and say the right things in the crowd and at the line of scrimmage, the Cowboys should consider the center spot filled.
But what about the rest of the attack?
Martin and Williams are manning the guard positions. Amari Cooper has no problem getting to the 1,000-yard mark. And Michael Gallup and C.D. Lamb seem like great prospects who could hit the 1,000-yard mark.
However, there are questions about several of the other alleged perpetrators of the attack.
Will Prescott advance to the next level despite a serious injury? Does Ezekiel Elliott deserve to be considered an elite defender? Can Smith and Collins stay healthy?
Only time will be able to answer these questions. And depending on what happens, Byadash may have to say goodbye to some of his teammates after the 2021 season.
COMPARED TO: Patriots’ run has officially affected Bill Belichick’s biggest game of the offseasonThere’s no doubt about it, the Cowboys’ offensive line can be a bit of a mess at times. This season, the unit has struggled for a variety of reasons, most notably with the injury bug. Injuries to Tyron Smith (suffered in the preseason) and Doug Free (suffered in the playoffs) have left the Cowboys with little time to adjust before the regular season starts. At the moment, all eyes are on the Cowboys’ protection scheme and whether or not it will be up to the task of protecting Tony Romo’s blindside.. Read more about dallas cowboys breaking news and let us know what you think.
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