Dallas Cowboys: 3 reasons La’el Collins at left tackle makes perfect sense

La’el Collins’ return to the field really couldn’t have happened at a better time for the Cowboys. One week after coming back from a five-game suspension, the Dallas Cowboys tackle found himself possibly replacing future Hall of Famer Tyron Smith.

Smith, Dallas’ starting LT, suffered what was reported as a high ankle sprain in last week’s action in Minnesota. And the man who first replaced him at the time, Ty Nsekhe, underwhelmed in relief. But instead of seamlessly inserting Collins, the Dallas Cowboys brain-trust responded by inserting RT Terence Steele in his place instead. A move they would soon regret…

Given La’el Collins’ history and athletic ability, he’s the perfect replacement for Tyron Smith as the Dallas Cowboys LT.

Despite objections by anyone and everyone who has ever watched film of Terence Steele this season, the move was made, and Steele went on to start at LT Sunday against the Broncos on Sunday.

All Steele did was put up one of the worst performances of the year by an NFL offensive lineman. Allowing 11 pressures, 9 hurries, and 2 sacks on the day, Steele was an abomination in relief of Tyron Smith.

Here at a time when a large portion of fans have been actively lobbying for Collins to play left guard, I’m here to tell you he’s actually the perfect solution at left tackle.

Here are three big reasons why he should be LT:

Reason No. 1: It makes things temporarily stable

The Dallas Cowboys cited “continuity” as a reason why they didn’t immediately replace Terence Steele with La’el Collins at RT against Minnesota.

Many have speculated there was more to it, and the reason Steele kept his job was more personal than simply seeking continuity. Some have suggested it was a reward to Steele for being one of their hardest working and most liked players. And also a dose of punishment to Collins who just got himself suspended in the dumbest way possible.

Collins at LT means they can keep everyone else at the same position they played all year.

Heck, it may just be as simple as the desire to ease Collins back into action by giving him a light workload in his first game back and then a familiar spot at RT in Game 2. .

Regardless, continuity over the season does hold some value on the O-line and if Dallas can find a way to replace Tyron Smith without rocking the boat, they should have certainly pursued it. It’s clear veteran swing tackle Ty Nsekhe wasn’t the answer, he was pretty poor in relief last week, giving up a sack and three hurries.

But by plugging Collins in at LT for a few weeks they can keep everyone else at their primary positions they played all year. And when Smith does come back they can reassess the whole Collins v. Steele situation on the right.