It’s no secret the Dallas Cowboys offensive line has struggled mightily this season. Season-ending injuries to Tyron Smith and La’el Collins, combined with multiple undrafted rookies getting significant playing time, has caused turmoil amongst the unit and forced whoever is under center to run for their lives on a weekly basis.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said on 105.3 The Fan on Monday that despite the struggles of Terence Steele at right tackle that moving All-Pro guard Zack Martin outside would disrupt “continuity” on the offensive line.
Head coach Mike McCarthy echoed those thoughts during his press conference on Monday.
“I think it’s fantasy football nonsense unless you have 10 veteran offensive linemen on your football team that you can interchange like that,” McCarthy said. “When you’re dealing with young players, different combinations, you don’t have an offseason, you don’t have OTAs, you don’t have a real training camp — to think you’re just going to pop people in and out of positions — I definitely don’t think that’s the right way to go. I’ve talked repeatedly about our offensive line, the importance for these guys to play together day-in and day-out. You’re always working different combinations.
“There are combinations that we work every week that Zack could potentially go outside. But you only have so many reps that you’re able to accomplish in a day. And let’s face it, the offensive lines that play the best line up and play the same position next to each other over and over and over again. So I think that’s the most important variable in having a successful offensive line.”
Martin showed his versatility when he slid outside and played right tackle after Steele left the Cowboys 38-31 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 with an injury. Regardless if he’s moved again or not, the Cowboys need to figure out a combination on their offensive line to prevent any more casualties at the quarterback position.
[listicle id=657248][lawrence-newsletter]