According to Bryan Broaddus, Chaz Green got some work at left guard during the portion open to the media this week. In his Scout’s Notebook feature on DallasCowboys.com, Broaddus gave you the breakdown from Wednesday’s OTA practice of several positions, including notes from right tackle and left guard.
It begs the question; does Chaz Green have a legitimate shot to start at left guard?
From all indications it seems that La’el Collins is running away with the right tackle position at this point in the offseason. There are still a lot of padded practices to go, but his athleticism, skill, and physicality would make for a tremendous partnership with right guard Zack Martin.
While Collins was immediately talked up as a potential star at left guard after his signing, we shouldn’t forget that Collins was going to be a top half of the first round draft choice as a tackle. Only because the Dallas Cowboys had incumbent veteran starter, Doug Free at right tackle, was Collins even moved to guard.
Had the Cowboys had a need at tackle, there’s a good chance that Collins would have been a day one starter on the right side. The athleticism and power potential on the right side of the Dallas offensive line sounds absolutely unfair.
But, back to Green.
His rookie and second year in the NFL were marred by injuries. Despite that, he played really well for Dallas in the stretch of games that Tyron Smith missed in 2016. While it’s near impossible to replace the production that Smith provides at the games’ most important position, Green held his own.
When Tyron Smith missed weeks three and four of the regular season in 2016, the Dallas Cowboys exploded offensively.
The Dallas Cowboys averaged 437.5 total yards, including 190+ rushing yards on the ground, in both games.
Yes, they were against 2016 NFL cupcakes in the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, but Green helped paved the way in those two games for the offense to really get rolling.
Against the Bears, Dak Prescott wasn’t sacked and against the 49ers, he was only sacked twice.
For Green, that’s pretty strong work after missing all of 2015.
This is not to say that Green is going to be as good as Ronald Leary was or as good as La’el Collins could be at left guard. Green will have to prove that he is the best option at left guard and will have to stay healthy while doing it.
Potentially, though, the combination of Green at left guard and Collins at right tackle could see the offensive line improve from 2016 to 2017.
I think Green played well at tackle for Smith so clearly he has skills and athleticism. I love Collins at RT and with Green at Guard (assuming he transitions well and stats healthy) I think that combination could be formidable!
i THINK ITS GOING TO BE AWESOME…GREEN LEFT AND COLLINS RIGHT…YES SIRRR