Dallas Cowboys: The Battle for the Starting Center (Predicting the Winner)

Dallas Cowboys Center Assessment : Run Blocking

Winner: Connor McGovern 

All three center candidates have shown the ability to successfully run block in all types of schemes which made it difficult to choose a winner. Coach McCarthy stressed how he wanted the offense to be based on what helped quarterback Dak Prescott. All-Pro right guard Zack Martin was quoted on Wednesday saying the team will run a lot of the same plays from last season, but just change up the terminology.

Because of this, we can expect the same variety of zone and power runs from last year. All three offensive linemen have the athleticism necessary to move when zone blocking showcasing the ability to move laterally and to the second level in order to block linebackers. However, all three linemen are not equal in ability.

The best “zone run blocker” of the three is rookie Tyler Biadasz. Wisconsin ran the football a lot, mixing in power and zone runs. In zone runs, Biadasz was quite effective at taking on his blocker on, even with an injured shoulder (that led to some inconsistent hand placement). Biadasz also doesn’t struggle to move to the second level. He is able to move on time and is consistent at moving linebackers.

The best power blocker of the group is Connor McGovern. His long arms combined with his top-heavy stature allow him to win at the point of attack without having to reset his legs. That type of strength, length, and all-around athletic ability is something neither Biadasz or Looney have.

The Cowboys mix in power runs, but more often than not, they are a zone running team. While McGovern might not be the best zone blocker, he is only marginally behind Biadasz. (This had everything to do with a lack of zone blocking reps at Penn State) Conversely, there is a bigger gap between McGovern and Biadasz when power blocking, hence why McGovern takes the crown.

Dallas Cowboys Center Assessment: Pass Blocking

Winner: Connor McGovern

This one was fairly easy to declare. While Tyler Biadasz and Joe Looney are better and have more familiarity than McGovern at zone pass blocking, they cannot deal with the power of bull rushes as well as McGovern. As his time in Happy Valley progressed, McGovern would easily swallow bull rushers from defenders rendering them useless in their attempts to chase down Trace McSorley.

The thing is, centers aren’t asked to block one on one often. In fact, last training camp Travis Frederick wasn’t a fan of the one-on-one drills were for centers because only about two percent of the snaps result in the center blocking man-on-man.

That is part of the reason why it is more effective for a center to be an excellent communicator. Having to pass off assignments when defensive lines run all types of rushes is tricky, hence it is important for the center to facilitate the movement of the offensive line and double team when absolutely necessary.

However, since we are ranking individual traits without much context, McGovern takes the cake.

Dallas Cowboys Center Assessment: Communication

Winner: Tyler Biadasz

It doesn’t take too long to remember all the offensive line woes in the 2018 season when Travis Frederick had to sit out the year with Guillian-Barre Syndrome. In came Joe Looney and the line looked… a bit chaotic.

While McGovern has played the center position, it has been a while since he has done so and he only started for 13 games in a heavy power blocking scheme. While McGovern individually might be the best blocker, he doesn’t have that much experience pointing out assignments and dealing with stunts and other rushers.

Here comes Biadasz. At one point, the Badger was seen as a potential first-round pick and for good reason. He is good at blitz pickup and passing assignments off with his linemen. Even though he looked much better when surrounded by NFL level talent, the fact that he comfortably did it proves he can do it at the next level.

So with the three traits established, who should be the lead to become the starting center for the Cowboys?