Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line not getting enough credit

Cowboys’ owner and general manager Jerry Jones is usually subject to a lot of criticism, and sometimes it is down right justified. However, Jones has crafted an offensive line that has helped the ‘Boys start the season with their best record since 2007.

After years of mediocre offensive lines, Jones committed to improving the unit and we are all witnessing his vision come to fruition. Jones’ master plan began in 2011 when the Cowboys selected left tackle Tyron Smith to protect Tony Romo’s blind side. Romo was coming off of a season ending injury. Two years after drafting Smith, Dallas spent its first round pick in 2013 on center Travis Frederick, and in the subsequent year the Cowboys drafted the versatile Zack Martin. Those picks were not the flashiest picks ever made by Jerry Jones, but all three players are paying big dividends for Big D.

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At the beginning of this year, many people, including myself (yes, I admit I was dead wrong), thought the Cowboys would be lifeless and would fail to compete in the NFC. Well, now the Cowboys sit at 5-1, tied for first place in the NFC East. While running back DeMarco Murray is a big reason for the Cowboys’ success, the offensive line is the main catalyst.

The unit made up of Tyron Smith, Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and Doug Free has helped propel Murray to 785 rushing yards in six games. Murray could very well break the single season rushing record. In fact, ESPN pointed out that if Murray was his own team, he would be the fourth best rushing team. It is not just Murray either, as backup running back Joseph Randle has 113 yards on just 16 carries.

Against the Seattle Seahawks, who at the time had the league’s best run defense, the Cowboys imposed their will up front and flat-out bullied the Seahawks. Dallas’ offensive line opened up holes that looked like the parting of the Red Sea, and the Seahawks were manhandled for the first time in recent memory.

Obviously the run game will find success with a running back as gifted as Murray, but the offensive line has made it a lot simpler for Murray.

The offensive line has also directly impacted Tony Romo as well. Although Romo has been sacked a fair amount of times, there is not as much pressure on Romo’s shoulders. Romo no longer has to do everything for the Cowboys. The offense is the most balanced in the NFL. Even if Murray gets injured, which is not unlikely, I believe the Cowboys will have enough faith in the offensive line to continue being a run-oriented team. By running the ball more often, the Cowboys are controlling the clock which helps their defense get rest. The defense has looked better, and the offense’s stability is only helping.

The Cowboys have a true identity on offense, and it has made them incredibly lethal.

The best thing about the offensive line is how young they are. Tyron Smith is signed a long-term deal with Dallas, and Frederick and Martin are both under 25 years old. Although Jerry Jones may not always be right, he hit the jackpot with this offensive line.