Training camp couldn’t get here fast enough for the Cowboys. After facing an offseason of criticism, anger and general disgust from the fanbase, only the annual hype-fest known as Cowboy Camp can get fan sentiments moving in a positive direction.
Training camp typically brings hope to even the most hopeless of teams. For the Cowboys it’s a tool that’s often used to turn the page on the offseason while building marketability and positivity for the franchise. The circus-like atmosphere resembles that of a pep rally. Naysayers need not attend.
But this year, not even training camp can save the Cowboys from the well justified negativity they’re facing. Coming out an offseason that was disappointing even by local standards, the Cowboys threaten to slow-play the development of their top rookie draft pick, opting for a plateaued veteran with little upside instead.
According to Cowboys insider Bobby Belt, the Cowboys are likely starting Chuma Edoga, not Tyler Guyton, at left tackle when camp opens up.
“I think it is almost a certainty that Chuma Edoga is at left tackle for the first practice,” said Belt via The Love of the Star podcast. “I think it’s likely he’s at left tackle for the first game. And I think it’s possible he’s at left tackle the entire season.”
The idea of the Cowboys developing their top rookie in the background was not well received. If Dallas intended to take a delayed approach with their rookie’s development, why didn’t they re-sign Tyron Smith for one more season back in March? Smith only signed a two-year, $6,500,000 deal after all.
Fans know what they have in Edoga. The journeyman has struggled in pass protection since joining the NFL and has largely been relegated to backup duty at all three of his stops. The idea of wasting valuable practice snaps on a veteran with little upside has been enraging fans across Cowboys Nation.
Chuma Edoga playing at LT would be an absolute disaster and make the letting go of Tyron Smith look even more ridiculous; Tyler Guyton needs to progress QUICKLY and be the starting LT by Week 1, if not something has gone terribly wrong! #DallasCowboys https://t.co/N8msgkMc9z
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) July 21, 2024
With CBA limitations in place, live snaps are valuable for everyone, especially a rookie like Guyton. Cohesion across the offensive line takes time. Wasting the already limited number of snaps on someone who’s not considered the solution is nothing short of irresponsible.
It would be organizational stupidity to not let Guyton play through his mistakes from TC Practice #1 onward of his rookie campaign. We have seen what Chuma Edoga has to offer at LT, people’s exhibits a (last year’s Cardinals Game), and people’s b (last year’s Dolphins Game). https://t.co/VtAG1O2ti6
— Rohit Puri (@RohPuri) July 21, 2024
Growing pains are a given, but the lumps have to come eventually so the Cowboys might as well throw their rookie into the fire. If he looks like a disaster throughout training camp, then, and only then, should the Cowboys look to their veteran. Veteran backup tackles are supposed to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. Edoga doesn’t need the practice reps Guyton does.
Even if the Cowboys are just going through the motions in camp in order to give the appearance Guyton earns his spot in the starting lineup, the logic is flawed. He needs reps and he needs them next to the people he’s hopefully going to play with.
It’s one thing after another with the Cowboys this offseason and training camp may not be able to suture the situation. Hopefully the reports are wrong or hopefully the Cowboys reconsider the Guyton strategy, because slow playing his development on Day 1 isn’t the answer.
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