One of the key storylines of the Dallas Cowboys was the offensive line, but on Tuesday, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer was sure to put that to rest.
The left tackle position was always Tyler Guyton's to lose, and that's the way it's going to stay, according to Schotty. There were going to be some drills where Tyler Smith, the All-Pro left guard, would line up at left tackle, but that was mostly for the reps. Cooper Beebe, the Cowboys' usual center, was going to play guard at times, too.
Additionally, Schottenheimer didn't rule out Nate Thomas in terms of competing for the blind side tackle spot.
"Obviously, we have the right to adjust some things, and so we're going to keep (Guyton) at starting left tackle right now. We talked to Nate and said Nate needs to show us a little bit more consistent play to push for that. And so, I know we told you guys about the rotation, so Tyler will stay at left tackle. Excited to see how Nate handles that challenge."
Tyler Guyton sticking around at left tackle but Nate Thomas still has life
It's not completely over yet, but if we're talking about full-time regular-season reps, it looks like Guyton hangs on to that role.
Thomas played all 17 games last season, and even started in four of them. He would be one of the first guys up to the plate if Guyton were injured, and while Thomas did a fine job, the task of taking on a full-time role as an NFL left tackle is a lot to handle. Guyton's tall frame makes him naturally likable as a left tackle, but his technique and mobility have always been a question mark.
No one is saying Thomas can't do it, but Guyton was brought in to fill that role, and Thomas works fine as a rotational piece anyway. When we bring up Guyton's few injury woes to start his career, Thomas has been the perfect backup, and that's all he's going to see for now until he shows Schotty a little more.
If you've ever seen the opening to "The Blind Side," you've heard that the left tackle of an NFL franchise is arguably the second-most important position on the team. With Prescott now approaching his mid-30s, it's as important as ever to be sure he makes it one piece.
Guyton has been one of the more questionable pieces on Prescott's self-proclaimed "greatest offense there is," especially when we look back at his poor pass-blocking grade in Pro Football Focus. But if he can get right and protect Prescott, he's going to help this team a lot.
It's a huge update we needed to hear, and it's one step closer to figuring out the Cowboys' 53-man roster.
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