Thus far the 2018 offseason has brought a plethora of change to the Dallas Cowboys coaching staff, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Now it is being reported the Cowboys have hired a brand new offensive line coach, former Cincinnati Bengals' Offensive Line Coach Paul Alexander.
Source tells @sportingnews that Paul Alexander hired as new @dallascowboys offensive line coach
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 15, 2018
Alexander coached with the Bengals for over 20 years, and replaces the same man in Dallas who replaces him in Cincinnati, Frank Pollack. Alexander has also been the Bengals assistant head coach since 2003.
The Cowboys recently lost an assistant head coach when Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia left for Jon Gruden's Oakland Raiders.
Per usual, the hire has been met with mixed reactions from Cowboys Nation.
Since 2003, CIN has had only one season where they finished top-10 in Yards per attempt on the ground…
They've been bottom-5 in the league 5 times in that span…
That's the OL Coach DAL just hired.
— Joey Ickes (@JoeyIckes) January 15, 2018
The hiring of an offensive line coach who's rushing attack finished bottom five in the league in rushing yards per attempt five times since 2003 doesn't look too great on paper. He will also teach with different techniques and styles than previous Cowboys OL coaches, which could potentially set back the offensive line early in the season.
Plus, respected Bengals' writer Joe Goodberry did not exactly love the hire for the Cowboys.
Pretty bad https://t.co/fysjZqCQ6l
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) January 15, 2018
Regardless, this is still a very talented offensive line and one which should lead an effective ground attack based on their talent alone. 2017 proved further that coaching matters a lot in the NFL however, and the wrong hire could set back even the most talented of units.
We will just have to wait and see how this 2018 season ends up playing out.
