Offensive line is key component in winning for the Dallas Cowboys
The key to any successful offence starts with the big guys upfront. Without them, it’s nearly impossible to gain yards on the ground, and your quarterback will spend more time running for his life rather than moving the chains by completing passes.
So don’t look at play-calling, lack of execution or solid defence from opposing teams to explain the Cowboys’ pre-season struggle.
Their offensive line is hurting and has paralyzed Dallas’ offence. Cowboys right tackle Marc Colombo and left guard Kyle Kosier have been sidelined because of knee injuries suffered during training camp, and were both unable to get many reps with the team since the beginning of August.
Colombo and Kosier haven’t even been practicing and are trying to rest their injuries to be as healthy as possible for their opener against the Washington Redskins on Sunday.
Colombo’s injury has taken longer to heal than expected and his timetable is unknown. He was supposed to have been back a week ago based on the initial diagnosis from team doctors, but he is behind schedule, as he recovers from arthroscopic surgery he underwent on August 16 to remove five loose particles from his right knee.
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips shined some light on the issue saying “if he [Colombo] doesn't practice this week, I would say he probably wouldn't play."
Colombo is likely to miss the first game of the regular season. Phillips hopes that Colombo will be able to practice sometime next week and play in the home opener against the Chicago Bears on September 19.
As for Kosier, the left guard is also expected to miss the season opener with a sprained MCL in his right knee suffered August 18. He is expected to return to action in week three of the regular season.
Kosier has had trouble staying healthy and on the field. He missed 13 games in 2008 due to a broken right foot.
Veterans Montrae Holland and Alex Barron will start at left guard and right tackle respectively, and Phillips expressed confidence in his two backups, and that the game plan will be the same as if Colombo and Kosier were starting.
"I think the strength of the guys that are in there, Barron and Holland, are comparable to what we have so you don't have to change too much," the coach said. "Colombo pulled and did some things like that; well, Barron can do that. Montrae is a guard similar to what Kosier does. It's not a big change as far as the plays you run. And both can pass protect."
When the Cowboys’ offensive line wasn’t healthy in 2008, Dallas failed to make the post-season. But when healthy, their O-line are big, mean and well coached. The end result, the Cowboys’ running backs have gapping wholes to run through and their quarterback, Tony Romo has the time to look down field without feeling too much pressure. This is a recipe for success. In the past, this veteran group dominated, and we expected them to win the battle in the trenches and clear the way for their offensive players to run free in the open field and score a lot of touchdowns.
This year in the pre-season, we have not seen that potent offence and the Cowboys, with all their offensive talent and Pro Bowl players, have struggled to move the ball, collect first downs and more importantly score touchdowns in the red zone.
At the beginning of training camp, Romo promised that his offence were going to be special in the 2010 season. Time will tell if that promise holds. On a positive note, the Cowboys are enthused that rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant will play in the season opener.
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