The first day of camp saw a new face among the familiar with the 1st string OL. Here’s why a few were out of place and what the outlook is.
There’s always interesting tid bits in the season opening press conference for the Dallas Cowboys; fans had gone the entire offseason asking questions and finally got some answers. Two of the biggest position battles for the team this season will be along the offensive line. The Cowboys have done an incredible job of building up depth and versatility yet two starting spots are up for grabs. Connor Williams, Connor McGovern, Joe Looney and rookie Tyler Biadasz will compete for the openings at center and LG.
On the first day of training camp practice, McCarthy proved true to his word as the players trotted out onto the field. The most veteran of the options worked with the first team on Friday.
The veteran Looney filled in admirably two years ago when he stepped in for Travis Frederick as the starting center and he appears to be getting the first shot at the job. McCarthy mentioned Looney has been working with the first team on Wednesday, saying he wanted to get the starting five working together as quickly as possible.
“I just think philosophically I’ve preferred to have your first five practice as much as possible together. I think that’s the first component to finding rhythm and consistency in your offensive unit as far as pertaining to a fast start to the season. So, yes, definitely you’d like to get that locked down. But Connor Williams at left guard, he’s still coming off the injury, so, we’ll work him in as camp goes forward. So, he’s totally not going to be a full go out of the gate. Joe Looney has been taking his snaps there with the first unit right now. So, once again, individuals that can play multiple positions is a priority, especially along the offensive line, so, we will work all the different combinations. So, the goal will be to get to a five as soon as we can. But we’ll let the process of training camp answer that question.”
McCarthy clarified his statement, “I said Joe Looney is taking the snaps at center.”
Looney, one of the funniest guys on the squad, takes everything in stride with his usual good-natured ways.
There is nothing to suggest someone can’t wrestle the starting position away from Looney, but without the benefit of a full offseason of workouts, Looney’s a safe bet, for now. Biadasz is going to have to earn his reps and McGovern is essentially a first-year player as well after missing last season with a pectoral injury.
Biadasz could be in a position to challenge, especially considering he’s returning to health after an injury riddled final season at Wisconsin. The rookie was considered one of the best centers in the NCAA before shoulder and hip injuries affected his play. Don’t count out a fully healed Biadasz from winning the job. The question is at what stage he earns the opportunity and if that’s in camp or the regular season.
McCarthy also mentioned how third-year man Williams is being worked in after rehabbing from the ACL injury he suffered late in 2019 and like Looney he was with the first team on Friday as well.
Williams staying ahead of McGovern despite not being fully healthy following his late-season ACL tear shows the team believes he might still be the man for the starting LG gig. It’s a big year for the 2018 second-round selection, who will be challenged to keep his role on the first-string. If he can’t secure a starting job, he’ll likely be in competition to back up every position on the offensive line.
A player who he’d be competing with, free agent signing Cam Erving, was out on Friday.
With Erving and last year’s fourth tackle Brandon Knight sidelined, 2019 UDFA Wyatt Miller took many of the first-team snaps. That’s interesting because he was ahead of Mitch Hyatt, a 2019 UDFA who was an All-American at Clemson.
Back inside, it would be foolish to downplay McGovern’s chances to win either spot in the starting lineup as well. He missed all of his rookie season, but the 2019 third-rounder has experience at center and guard, though it appears as though LG is where he’ll get his first look. McCarthy mentioned McGovern in his response to those taking snaps at left guard.
“Connor Williams, McGovern, all of those guys.”
The Cowboys have the depth to try numerous combinations at center and left guard before the season arrives. Having four capable players for two open spots is a problem most teams would love to have. Whoever doesn’t win a starting job will make a super-sub for the offensive line.
However, the inability to have OTAs or mini-camps this offseason may limit the how long the Cowboys can experiment and rotate their options in training camp. It’s possible that whoever begins the season as the starters may not end the year in the same role.
You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi
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