Dallas Cowboys

Everything’s bigger in Texas, especially when it comes to the Cowboys. So there’s at least a little bit of hype surrounding the Dallas line, which is hailed by some as the league’s best. Oh, make no mistake; they’re more than solid. Dallas allowed 25 sacks—half their total from just two years ago—and their running backs topped four yards per carry for the second straight season. It’s clearly a talented group, anchored by veteran left tackle Flozell Adams, who became very rich in the offseason. The Motel was one of three Cowboy blockers to make the Pro Bowl—a group that includes Leonard Davis, a bust as a first-round tackle in Arizona but a road grader as a guard in Dallas, and center Andre Gurode. Mark Columbo has come all the way back from a knee injury that knocked him out of football completely in 2002, and despite entering his third year as the starting left guard Kyle Kosier is generally regarded as the unit’s weak link. This group’s strength lies in its run blocking, especially the interior; and in a flip-flop of convention, Adams on the left side is considered a better run blocker than pass protector while Columbo on the right side is the opposite.

The numbers, however, dispute at least some of the above-held beliefs. According to the adjusted line yardage numbers crunched by the Football Outsiders, Dallas ranked 27th in the league running between the guards averaging 3.79 ALY per carry; meanwhile, the Cowboys ranked 31st (a paltry 2.70 ALY per carry) heading around left end but put up ALY per carry numbers of 4.95 (2nd) off right tackle and 5.15 (1st) around the right side. Statistical oddities or cause for concern? There are also those who are more willing to attribute the decline in sacks to the mobility of Tony Romo—which is true, primarily because Romo’s predecessors were Drew Bledsoe and Vinny Testaverde. Bottom line, the Cowboys’ line got the job done in just about every aspect of the game last season no matter how you want to look at the numbers. And with all five starters back—four of them in their third straight season together—the status should remain quo in front of Romo and a ground game that will pound more frequently with Marion Barber and use rookie Felix Jones as a change of pace.

In fact, this unit reminds me a great deal of the Bears’ line from three or four years ago, a veteran group with experience playing together. But here’s a key difference that those holding Cowboys in keeper leagues will appreciate: Dallas has a backup plan. Adams is in his 11th year in Dallas and as he slows with age he may wind up sliding down the line to right tackle—perhaps as soon as 2009, as Columbo is in the final year of his deal. The Cowboys have Pat McQuistan, Doug Free, and James Marten warming in the bullpen and under the tutelage of ace O-line coach Hudson Houck they could be developed to replace one or both of the Dallas tackles in the next few seasons. Marten and McQuistan could also be in the mix at left guard with a strong showing in training camp, while Cory Procter capably backs up Gurode at center. None of the reserves are household names, but should the Cowboys need to ask one of them to step in for a game or two it wouldn’t be the end of the world. There are other quibbles with the Dallas line—more than their share of penalties, specifically on the left side; Gurode’s struggles with shotgun snaps—but nothing to keep a fantasy owner from banking on continued success from the Cowboy “skill position” players. 

RUN BLOCKING: B+
PASS BLOCKING: B+
OVERALL GRADE: B+

You must be a Huddle Member to continue reading this article or feature.

Already a Member?  Log In Below: Username: Password: Remember me? Forgot your password?

Become a Huddle Member today. Join Now! Want to know more? Member Benefits (In other words, why join?)