Sport DFW
FanSided

Dallas Cowboys: There’s a Welcomed Sight in OTAs This Week

By Daniel Ruppert

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 26: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammate Travis Frederick #72 after Elliott scored on a touchdown run against the Detroit Lions during the first half at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 26: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with teammate Travis Frederick #72 after Elliott scored on a touchdown run against the Detroit Lions during the first half at AT&T Stadium on December 26, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With OTAs starting this week the Dallas Cowboys welcomed back their best offensive lineman – a welcomed sight for the team and fans to see #72 on the field.

Last season there was some concern that Travis Frederick would not be able to play not only in 2018, but possibly ever again. After being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, the future of the Dallas Cowboys best offensive lineman was in question. His immune system was not well, and no one could say if he would ever be the same again.

During the season, we discovered that Frederick was recovering, and quickly. Some people thought he could return for the playoffs, but most people knew that was a slim chance. Fast forward to 2019 and OTAs, and Travis is back with the starting group. A welcome sight, not just for the offense, but also for the entire team.

Frederick is a leader, maybe not the vocal, rile up the team leader, but lead by example and is the captain on the offensive line. Players respect him and he backs up everything with his play on the field. He is a leader any way you look at it.

On this field Frederick sets the tone for the offensive line. He makes the adjustments for blocking and helps Dak Prescott see the defense and make calls at the line. His football IQ is off the chart and he understands the offense better on a higher level. His experience also helps him see what defenses are doing, and this helps Prescott.

More from Dallas Cowboys

As a blocker, we could argue that Frederick is the best on the line and maybe best in the league. The Cowboys have historically been a run first team, and it all starts with Frederick. Don’t get me wrong, Joe Looney did incredible last year, but Frederick is just so good. With Kellen Moore installing some new wrinkles (we hope), having Frederick on the line can only help.

It is a welcome sight to have Travis back in the starting lineup. The offensive line is looking like its dominant self again. If the Cowboys have any aspirations of making the Super Bowl it all starts in the trenches, and on offense that begins with Travis Frederick.

According to Football Outsiders, the Cowboys were the fourth best run blocking and fifteenth pass blocking unit in 2017, in 2018 however, they dropped to eighth best run blocking and twenty-eighth best pass blocking unit. That is a huge drop and Travis was a huge reason for that. Him returning and some solidifying of the guard position should greatly improve the unit.

Next. Why the Dallas Cowboys offense can be better WITHOUT Ezekiel Elliott. dark

If Travis has indeed returned to full strength the Cowboys should be a threat for a Super Bowl out of the NFC. His return is not only a welcome sight for the Cowboys, but for fans as well. Now, let’s go Cowboys!

  • Published on 05/23/2019 at 11:00 AM
  • Last updated at 05/23/2019 at 08:19 AM
Home/Dallas Cowboys