Gantt: Cowboys not trading O-Line depth

[shoop]

Jerry Jones says Cowboys aren’t interested in trading OL depth

Posted by Darin Gantt on May 8, 2015, 8:36 AM EDT

The Cowboys had one of the better offensive lines in the NFL last year, and added to it with yesterday’s signing of La’El Collins.

But owner Jerry Jones said as deep as they are, they have no plans to move the surplus.

“No,” Jones said, via Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “We’re going to have some great competition. I’m so excited. . . .

“We’ve got a chance to really have our depth there. And if we should have done well there, we’ve really got a chance to put together something very special relative to an offensive line.”

The Cowboys also drafted Florida tackle Chaz Green in the third round and spent a seventh on Virginia Tech tackle Laurence Gibson.

For starters, we know they’re going to stick with Tyron Smith at left tackle, Travis Frederick at center, and Zack Martin at right guard.

Collins is most likely the short-term replacement for left guard Ron Leary, and possibly the long-term replacement for right tackle Doug Free.

For the time being, it’s moot, since Free had ankle surgery this offseason and won’t be ready until training camp. But he signed a three-year extension this offseason, so he’s not going anywhere for the time being.

That leaves Leary’s spot. He’ll be a restricted free agent after this season, at which point the Cowboys might revisit the idea of getting something for the former undrafted rookie, who has grown into a steady player.

 

[Texas Ace]

Good.

I didn't want to trade anybody away anyway.

Keep that great depth and let it foster some good competition.

 

[Deuce]

Yes, I'm happy about it.

But I can't help but get the same douche chills I got when Jerry refused to trade Mike Jenkins cause he loved our DB depth.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I think it's a mistake. Leary is a free agent after this season. There is no way he will want to come back as a backup. He's a very good starter and will get paid like it. The only reason not to trade him is if we would get more as a compensatory pick once he signs elsewhere.but if we could move him for a 3rd or 4th rounder or higher, I would.

especially since we have green, who presumably before we signed Collins, we were going to trust as our swing back up.if we truly felt that he was capable of doing that, then nothing should have changed regarding that just because we signed an upgrade at a starter spot.

 

[Genghis Khan]

But I can't help but get the same douche chills I got when Jerry refused to trade Mike Jenkins cause he loved our DB depth.

I feel like good teams, smart teams, get extra draft picks for their surplus players.

 

[ravidubey]

I feel like good teams, smart teams, get extra draft picks for their surplus players.

Dallas' OL is not deep enough for this. La'el Collins may beat Doug Free out at RT making Free our swing tackle. Fantastic.

We know nothing about Chaz Green yet except he looks really athletic and oh BTW gets hurt alot.

IMO you trade only when young, starting talent is sitting on your bench being wasted. Cowboys OL isn't there yet.

 

[boozeman]

Dallas' OL is not deep enough for this. La'el Collins may beat Doug Free out at RT making Free our swing tackle. Fantastic.

We know nothing about Chaz Green yet except he looks really athletic and oh BTW gets hurt alot.

IMO you trade only when young, starting talent is sitting on your bench being wasted. Cowboys OL isn't there yet.

If Laurence Wilson is decent, Green becomes even less relevant and has more value.

And rarely does a team go two deep at guard. If Bernadeau is more versatile, then you shop Leary who has more value.

I get why you could, I just wouldn't because I am paranoid.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

If Laurence Wilson is decent, Green becomes even less relevant and has more value.

And rarely does a team go two deep at guard. If Bernadeau is more versatile, then you shop Leary who has more value.

I get why you could, I just wouldn't because I am paranoid.

Shopping Leary makes sense. He is more talented then most teams starting guards. He is young. He has been very healthy and durable so far in his NFL career. And most importantly he is on the last year of a deal which means he probably won't be back in 2016. So get something for him now.

Of course it depends on what you can get. I don't sacrifice the depth for say a 6th round pick. If a team is willing to give up a fourth I'd do it. If a team is willing to give up a talented young player in return I'd do it.

 

[townsend]

I feel like good teams, smart teams, get extra draft picks for their surplus players.

Won't we get a compensatory pick when Leary leaves for big money from Washington or whoever?

 

[boozeman]

Shopping Leary makes sense. He is more talented then most teams starting guards. He is young. He has been very healthy and durable so far in his NFL career. And most importantly he is on the last year of a deal which means he probably won't be back in 2016. So get something for him now.

Of course it depends on what you can get. I don't sacrifice the depth for say a 6th round pick. If a team is willing to give up a fourth I'd do it. If a team is willing to give up a talented young player in return I'd do it.

Yeah, this accumulating 7th rounders is a waste of time, so yeah...unless it is a good deal from a team desperate for a starter, yes.

That wouldn't happen right now.

That would happen at the final cuts when a team is freaking out after losing a starter in the preseason or something.

There is no reason to trade anyone just this second because the depth is burning a hole in your pocket.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Won't we get a compensatory pick when Leary leaves for big money from Washington or whoever?

Will he get big money though after sitting on the bench for a year? That's my real concern. I mean teams seem to have short memories. If the guy doesn't play a down next year will he get a big contract? I don't think his value will ever be higher then it is now.

 

[boozeman]

Won't we get a compensatory pick when Leary leaves for big money from Washington or whoever?

No, he was undrafted. No comp picks for him.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

No, he was undrafted. No comp picks for him.

Sure we will. Just like we will get a compensatory pick for Parnell.

 

[boozeman]

Sure we will. Just like we will get a compensatory pick for Parnell.

Ah eff it, you were right. Thinking about how you don't get shit in restricted FA.

 

[Cotton]

If Laurence Wilson is decent, Green becomes even less relevant and has more value.

And rarely does a team go two deep at guard. If Bernadeau is more versatile, then you shop Leary who has more value.

I get why you could, I just wouldn't because I am paranoid.

This is where I'm at on this. I'm too scared of injuries to shop anyone. Especially the 3rd best guard on the roster.

 

[Landry]

This is where I'm at on this. I'm too scared of injuries to shop anyone. Especially the 3rd best guard on the roster.

I agree we didn't even get to training camp yet.

 

[p1_]

I think it's a mistake. Leary is a free agent after this season. There is no way he will want to come back as a backup. He's a very good starter and will get paid like it. The only reason not to trade him is if we would get more as a compensatory pick once he signs elsewhere.but if we could move him for a 3rd or 4th rounder or higher, I would.

Don't think this hasn't occurred to management.