Dallas Cowboys: Once again, the offensive line will dominate

The Dallas Cowboys offensive line is considered the best by most football experts, and it will continue to dominate after signing La’el Collins to a contract extension.

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best, if not THE best, offensive line(s) in the NFL. Loaded already with perennial Pro Bowlers in left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick, and right guard Zack Martin, the Cowboys made its offensive line even more stronger when it signed right tackle La’el Collins to a two-year extension.

The two year contract is worth $15.4 million, and Collins will receive a $4 million signing bonus for his services. The talented offensive lineman is expected to play as the team’s starting right tackle this upcoming season, replacing Doug Free, who retired this past offseason.

Signing Collins to a contract extension not only says the Cowboys are heavily invested in its offensive line, but proves that this massive and talented unit will continue to dominate in the NFL for at least three more seasons.

To Cowboys Nation, this is an awesome thing. To the rest of the NFL, especially those NFC East foes, it’s a terrible thing to say the least. The Collins signing means the Cowboys have potentially four Pro Bowlers, maybe five if Chaz Green can earn a starting spot a guard and manage to stay healthy in the process.

If Green can stay healthy and play at a high level (which he’s capable of doing), the Cowboys offensive line will open holes wide enough for an Army tank to run through. That’s a scary element to opposing teams with Ezekiel Elliott running the rock. Along with Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris, the running game will be impossible to stop.

Although the Cowboys haven’t found that elusive “war daddy” on the defensive side of the ball, its definitely found the “Big Daddies” when it comes to its offensive line. Those “Big Daddies” have been the most dominant offensive linemen in the league for the last few seasons.

This offensive line can dominate opposing defenses throughout the game with long 13-14 play drives that sucks the life out of those defenses.

It has helped produce two NFL rushing champions, allowed three running backs to rush for over 1,000 yards, and helped two of those runners become Pro Bowlers.

Only the Oakland Raiders offensive line can compete with Dallas’ massive offensive line, but I’ll take the “Big Daddies” any day because of its pure talent and success.

In reality, Dallas’ offensive line is its true identity, its foundation, its anchor, its saving grace. Without this unit, Dallas would be like every other team in the NFL.

The Alpha and Omega

It starts and ends with the offensive line. This offensive line can dominate opposing defenses throughout the game with long 13-14 play drives that sucks the life out of those defenses. Regardless of how good a defensive line may be, long drives naturally wear down players.

In addition to opening up massive holes for running backs, long drives take time off of the clock. That is one of the reasons Dallas was so successful last season — because it led the NFL in TOP (time of possession). This allowed Dallas to play with a lead most of the time.

Another benefit of having a dominant offensive line is that the defense gets plenty of rest. Dallas’ defense lacked a legit pass rusher and the secondary didn’t create a lot of turnovers. But playing with fresh legs throughout the game helped Dallas defense make up for its deficiencies, ending the season ranked fifth in the league in points allowed.

Imagine if that poor ole defense had to play about 80-90 snaps game instead of 65? Dallas would’ve had another top-10 selection in this year’s draft.

Having a dominant offensive line equates to success because an offense can do so many things because of it: create a dominant running game, play action pass, control the clock, and the ability to protect the quarterback.

Investing heavily into the offensive line is the smartest thing Dallas could’ve ever done. A blast from its past when it won three Super Bowls in a four year span.

I was asked by a Cowboys fan if I’d rather have dominant offensive line or an elite defensive line. I told the fan I’d rather have a dominant offensive line any day because of all of the benefits I mentioned earlier.