Cowboys: Are Collins and Green the problem on the offensive line?

The Dallas Cowboys shook up their offensive line this season moving La’el Collins and Chaz Green into starting roles. Was that a mistake?

The Dallas Cowboys made some pretty bold moves this offseason. One of the biggest was jettisoning 2/5ths of their offensive line. It’s possible part of it was inevitable while the other was unavoidable. Right tackle Doug Free retired. And left guard Ron Leary left in free agency.

With significant financial commitments made to three linemen already (or in Zack Martin’s case, the commitment is immanent), Dallas couldn’t afford to keep the entire band together. Lucky for Dallas they had two pedigreed players waiting in the wings.

La’el Collins and Chaz Green

La’el Collins, a third-year lineman from LSU, got the early nod at right tackle. The former college tackle had been a guard with the Cowboys his first two seasons, but many scouts who once considered him a first round talent also saw him as an NFL right tackle.

At guard, the Cowboys had to get creative. With no true standout guard on the roster, the Cowboys decided to just give the job to their fifth-best lineman. That man happened to be oft-injured former third round pick, Chaz Green. Green had to make the move inside, but his athletic ability makes him a natural fit in the Cowboys zone/trap blocking scheme.

Two weeks into the season and Cowboys Nation isn’t feeling too well about the shakeup. No longer the offensive juggernaut as they were a season ago, the offensive line is falling under scrutiny this season. Everyone expected tough sledding against the New York Giants run defense, but no one saw the Denver Broncos shutting down Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas running game.

And it’s that last performance that have many of the Cowboys’ faithful calling foul and the whole shake-up as a giant mistake that could have been avoided. Whether that’s ponying up the cash for Ron, or sweet-talking Doug into a final tour, this disaster was seen as avoidable to many.

But what if this transition isn’t a disaster. What if the moves made are actually GOOD for the Dallas Cowboys.

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How bad/good is this offensive line?

It’s time to step off the ledge because this new offensive line isn’t as bad as many people have been proclaiming them to be. Don’t get me wrong, the line isn’t playing great, but the disappointing play has been a group effort, not just two guys.

Technically speaking, the weak links along the line have been Collins and Green.  But that’s to be expected since the other three are all perennial All-Pros. Watching the film you can see everybody but Zack Martin has had a tough start to the season. Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith aren’t playing poorly, they just aren’t playing near the level we’ve grown accustomed to.

The tight end group may actually be the most to blame. Despite Jason Witten’s tremendous start to the season as a pass-catcher, he’s crumbled as a run-blocker. His 12 personnel counterpart, James Hanna, has been no better. Hanna, considered the best blocker of the tight end group, has been extremely disappointing. He’s had trouble sustaining blocks on the move and sealing the backside – two vital parts of a tight end’s job requirement.

Stay Long-Sighted

The key is to stay long-sighted. Doug Free was regressing as a player and Ronald Leary was too expensive to keep. The Cowboys invetsed in youth and development when they turned to Chaz Green and La’el Collins.

Both new linemen possess untapped potential that could make the Dallas Cowboys offensive line even better than before. Furthermore, both players are signed to affordable contracts allowing the team to bulk up and invest in other areas – like re-sign DeMarcus Lawrence to a big extension this winter.

Next: Why you don't regret letting Brandon Carr leave

Was transitioning to La’el Collins and Chaze Green a mistake this season? Are they the problem? No. It’s what had to be done and will pay dividends in the not-so-distant future. These two additions aren’t dragging the team down like some would have you believe.