Training camp has finally arrived for the Dallas Cowboys. After six months of sadness without football, frustration with offseason decisions and hoping the organization is right about their strategy, reality is about to set in for fans everywhere. Dallas made the decision to rid themselves of some really good players, no matter the reason, and they don’t look as good on paper as the team that won the NFC East and went to the playoffs last season.
However, the ultimate goal is not to win the division. Cowboys fans have been there and seen that in the last 26 seasons. The objective is to make a deep postseason run that ends holding the Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl champions. That journey begins in training camp and here’s what’s new as the team places one foot in front of the other.
The offensive line
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
The Cowboys decided to have a small rebuild on the offensive line after a season where the unit faltered late and played a role in the playoff loss.
Out is right tackle La’el Collins, whom the Cowboys could no longer trust. Collins followed a rough 2020 season, where he showed up out of shape and then saw a car accident end his year before it began, with a worse 2021. The suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, was made worse when Collins tried to bribe the drug test collector. That may have been one of the last straws with Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys.
Also out is left guard Connor Williams, who became a magnet for penalties and never lived up to his status as a second-round pick.
In is rookie Tyler Smith, who has impressed the team with his work ethic. The Cowboys surprised some by making Smith the 24th overall selection, but they see Smith as the immediate starter at LG, while possibly grooming to be left tackle Tyron Smith’s eventual heir.
Smith doesn’t need to be a Pro Bowler player right away, he just needs to be an upgrade over Williams.
Third-year veteran Terence Steele will take over at right tackle. Steele has improved each season and the hope is he continues his ascension.
Replacing two starters on the offensive line is dicey, but the Cowboys felt it was a needed to help the offense get better.
Wide receiver
(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Wide receiver Amari Cooper was traded to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick, which means CeeDee Lamb is now the unquestioned leader in the receiver room. Lamb’s had two…
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