Thursday OTAs were open to the media, and as I followed along, I found a few things interesting.
The first was Tony Pollard and his involvement after having surgery on his lower leg four months ago.
Another was a hint at what the Cowboys starting offensive line could look like come September. Now we all know this won’t be the starting five, but when the first game rolls around, let’s hope the best the team has is out there for Dallas.
Zack Martin didn’t participate in OTAs on Thursday, and with Terence Steele still recovering from injury, the first hints of who we may see out there was dropped by Jon Machota on Twitter.
Tyler Smith was at left tackle, Matt Farniok at left guard, Tyler Biasasz at center, Josh Ball at right guard, and Tyron Smith at right tackle.
Farniok and Ball only got first-team reps at guard because Martin and Steele were out.
Steele is still trying to make his way back from a torn ACL and MCL he suffered during the Week 14 game against the Houston Texans on December 11, 2022,
Again, this will be a partial starting five because Martin will be there, etc.
A note on Twitter from Michael Gehiken said that if a healthy Tyron Smith does not start at right tackle, Matt Waletzko as his backup would surprise him.
I hate predicting who will play where on this line because they have a handful of different options.
If Tyron Smith starts at right tackle and can stay on the field and his body holds up. If not, maybe Chuma Edoga or Farniok jump into left guard, and you move Steele back outside.
I honestly have no idea; spitballing ideas that the Cowboys could do.
I would not be a fan of Steele trying to play a spot on the offensive line he has never played. All while returning from injury.
Stephen Jones said last week that the top five linemen are just that.
“Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biasasz, Terence Steele, Zack Martin. Really it felt like if you’re gonna get your best 5 who have played in this league, those are our best 5. We’ll see what happens from there,” Jones said.
If everyone is good to go on opening night, I would have Tyron Smith play left tackle, Tyler Smith at left guard, Biadasz at center, Martin at right guard, and Steele at right tackle.
I don’t see why they are trying to switch things up or try anything new. If they follow what Jones said last week, that should be the starting unit.
Let’s get through the summer months and closer to September and see if we can avoid any types of injuries or other things before we get too much into this.
The Cowboys added a bit of depth through signings and the draft, so let’s hope they have a few plans in place if something happens to the best five they’ve got.
Again, this is the first week of many, we will see how this unfolds down the road.