Dallas Cowboys: La’el Collins will put O-Line over the top

Everyone should realize with the Dallas Cowboys signing offensive tackle/guard La’el Collins to a three-year guaranteed deal on Thursday that it is like they had three first-round draft choices this season.

The Cowboys drafted cornerback Byron Jones with their 27th overall pick in Round 1 last Thursday, then they had defensive end Randy Gregory, a first -round talent, fall to them in Round 2. Now with the rookie free agent signing of Collins, who was a Top 10 first-round talent there is no doubt the Cowboys have amassed a nice group of rookies this month.

This signing of Collins might just push the Cowboys over the top on offense by having him possibly on the right side and All-Pro Tyron Smith on the left side at tackle. It is safe to assume that Tony Romo will be protected very well, plus think of how great the rushing game can be again, no matter who is at running back.

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Dare I say the Cowboys are trying to revert the pass-happy NFL back into a rushing league once again, or are they just a team that puts the emphasis on having a top-notch offensive line surrounded by great “skill players?”

This is starting to sound like the recipe of the 1990s Cowboys team, which built one of the best offensive lines to ever play in the league, earning the nickname “The Great Wall.”

Is this current group the reincarnation of “The Great Wall? It could be a possibility.

In the ‘70s the Cowboys had different versions of the Doomsday Defense I and II … maybe this is that same scenario of thinking with the new and even more improved 2015 Cowboys offensive line becoming “The Great Wall, Part II.”

Currently the Cowboys offensive line consists of Zack Martin (guard), Travis Frederick (center), Smith (tackle) and most likely Collins (tackle/guard). There is also Doug Free, who is a versatile member of the offensive line who could be the right tackle as well, and the Cowboys drafted Chaz Green from Florida in the third round last weekend.

There is also the chance with Free being the right tackle this year, Collins moving to guard his rookie season. Either way for the Cowboys, with an offensive line with that type of talent, it might not matter who runs the football or where a couple player line up.

Having an o-line as strong as this one has the potential of being, it will help out the defense as they work to become a well-oiled machine this season. The defense has had a lot of turnover, so if the o-line of the Cowboys can control the line of scrimmage, the offense of the Cowboys can keep the opposing offense of the field with great clock control, allowing the defense more rest in games. It is a win-win situation for both sides of the ball.

Dan Hanzus of NFL.com quoted Collins from his press conference Thursday:

"“I guarantee you this. I’m going to give this organization everything that I have and more,” Collins said. “This is going to be the best offensive line in NFL history. Mark my words.”"

Who would have thought the Cowboys, with the likes of Dez Bryant at wide receiver, Jason Witten at tight end and even Romo as the quarterback (three Pro Bowl-caliber players) might have to take the back seat and let the offensive line do what they do, and even possibly become the stars of the already powerful offense.

Yes, I realize the Cowboys did lose the leading rusher in the NFL in DeMarco Murray last season and the 1,800-plus yards he took with him, but who is to say the offensive line wasn’t a big part of that achievement?

Nothing against Murray, but I’m leaning towards the latter in that the o-line of the Cowboys was the reason he had his best season to date in a contract year, and he won’t equal that number of rushing yards in a season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

As for Collins, what is he exactly bringing to the Cowboys this season?

Before the draft, Collins’ profile on NFL.com had him graded as a 6.19, with the following combine numbers:

• 5.12 40-yard dash

• 21 reps of 225 pounds bench press

• 4.63 20-yard shuffle

Being 6-4, 305 pounds, those are good numbers to have for a lineman, and being a second team All-American with LSU this past collegiate season, he proved he was worthy of the first-round grade, but off-the-field issues left him undrafted. After it was said he had done no wrongdoing in a murder investigation, the Cowboys made the correct move by signing Collins.

As for the aforementioned draft profile, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com said this before the draft about Collins:

"“Collins plays with a mean streak that is evident in every game, and could come in and start right away in a power-running game as a guard.”"

Dallas currently has Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, and Ryan Williams on the roster at running back, along with undrafted free agent running back Synjyn Days (Georgia Tech). Though the star power isn’t there as it has been in the past, this group looks to be the backs that will benefit from the improved o-line.

With an offensive line that already blocked for over 2,000 yards of rushing last year, and what seems to be an improved unit over that one … it is tough to say they can be better than last year. But with Collins added to the mix, it would be tough to bet against the Cowboys and this offensive line in 2015.

Next: Dallas Cowboys: Khiry Robinson an option?

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