Machota: Jerry Jones We have enough moving parts, no need to move La’el Collins to T

[skidadl]

I don't think it has anything to do with Collins feet. I think there are two reason's why the Cowboys have left Collins at guard. I think the first is that he is a rookie and they want him to be able to master one position as opposed to confusing him with a bunch of different positions. I agree with this point of view. I don't want to overwhelm Collins. I think the second part of that is the Cowboys have for some reason taken a liking to Weems. They seem to think that he is a legit player and knowing that they just signed Free to an extension they basically look at Free as set at the RT position.

This is the part I take issue with. Weems has looked god awful on the field. Not as bad as Wentzel but that isn't saying much. Free has been hurt and potentially could be the weakest starter on our offensive line. I think the position to have Collins concentrate on is RT. I wouldn't confuse him by bouncing him around. I'd put him at RT and let him learn. It's going to take time. Collins played LT in college and we all know there is a transition period for these guys swapping from one side to the other. It took Smith some time to transition to the LT spot as well. You have to be patient with it because it can pay off in the long run. When I look at Collins in the long run I think RT is best for him. RT's are just more valuable then guards and he has enough athleticism and strength to dominate at either position.

I would love to have Collins at G. I get all giddy thinking about having an interior that just blows people up.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

It has been said that he doesn't have the footwork to perform there now.

I don't really care about the now with Collins. To me it is more about down the road. Bernie is a fine backup at guard for now. If Collins sits the entire year backing up Leary, then who cares what Collins has the footwork for now. I'd rather start working on his footwork so that he can be ready a year from now. A year from now I'd rather him starting at RT with Leary at LG.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't think it has anything to do with Collins feet.

Simple question: Why not?

Anyway, I do agree a factor could be that they don't think we need a RT. First, I don't believe Free is really hurt -- I think the team is just being extra cautious with him, like most of the other "injured" players. And second, you could be right that they believe too much in Weems. This is one of my concerns about this team, that the front office thinks after a year of everything going right that they have this football stuff all figured out and every move they make going forward is going to work out. That's very possible.

 

[skidadl]

I don't really care about the now with Collins. To me it is more about down the road. Bernie is a fine backup at guard for now. If Collins sits the entire year backing up Leary, then who cares what Collins has the footwork for now. I'd rather start working on his footwork so that he can be ready a year from now. A year from now I'd rather him starting at RT with Leary at LG.

Why can't we have him work on his footwork while he plays G? Because it seems like he can help us now at G if needed. Maybe the thought is that he's not helping us at T in the immediate right now, so why not have him ready to help us where he can if needed?

I'm hoping and praying that they think he is going to push Leary to the side. I hope that is their super secret ninja plan.

 

[Angrymesscan]

I believe Collins can be a better T than Weems, but I also believe Collins can be a Zack Martin type G, so I agree with going for the long view and making sure Collins is that type of G by not having him be a T now, even though it might be better for the team right now.
It's kinda like drafting for need vs. BPA...

 

[Jiggyfly]

Simple question: Why not?

Anyway, I do agree a factor could be that they don't think we need a RT. First, I don't believe Free is really hurt -- I think the team is just being extra cautious with him, like most of the other "injured" players. And second, you could be right that they believe too much in Weems. This is one of my concerns about this team, that the front office thinks after a year of everything going right that they have this football stuff all figured out and every move they make going forward is going to work out. That's very possible.

Or maybe the have enough time and film with Weems to think he can fix his technique issues and thats what training camp is for.

Free had some of the same problems and they got him right.

Now this next game will be huge for Weems if he does not get better I can see some things changing.

 

[skidadl]

Or maybe the have enough time and film with Weems to think he can fix his technique issues and thats what training camp is for.

Free had some of the same problems and they got him right.

Now this next game will be huge for Weems if he does not get better I can see some things changing.

That is what pre-season is for. Maybe they hold out hope with him and then give up. Then Collins ends up at T?

 

[peplaw06]

My simple non-football coach opinion is that the staff want Collins to focus on one spot in camp, not get overwhelmed... and partly to give him a shot at starting. I think we all recognized when he was drafted that Collins had a shot to push Leary out of the lineup. Hasn't played out that way, but I suspect that once TC is over, and Collins is officially named a backup, that they can slowly work him into other positions. I mean if he's not starting, then it would make sense to have your best backup OL be able to work into G or T in case of injury.

The injuries may have somewhat diverted Joe Fan's opinion on whether that's a good idea. We see Free sitting out and say, they're really going to go with Weems there if Free is really injured? Why not gain some position flex with Collins? It make sense logically, but at the same time, I think it would be smart of the staff to not change directions so quickly with Collins if my theory is correct... Have a plan and stick with it until you're forced to do something else.

If Free does miss time in the regular season, and Leary wins the LG job, then you can work with Collins at T during the weeks. I suspect Collins can at least give us something there, even if he doesn't have a full camp of reps there. If Weems can't do shit, Collins could probably be at least a serviceable replacement. He wasn't a consensus top 10 talent because he was seen as a G.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Simple question: Why not?

Well if we are going to put our faith in so called experts there were a shit ton of teams willing to take the guy in the first round of the draft with the hopes that he could play RT. That's why. Plus I don't believe you can be an elite LT in the SEC like he was and not have good enough feet to play RT.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Why can't we have him work on his footwork while he plays G?

As you know as a coach the footwork at LG is drastically different then the footwork at RT.

 

[skidadl]

Well if we are going to put our faith in so called experts their were a shit ton of teams willing to take the guy in the first round of the draft with the hopes that he could play RT. That's why. Plus I don't believe you can be an elite LT in the SEC like he was and not have good enough feet to play RT.

Just playing well in an elite conference is not enough to say he'd be fine, What was he asked to do in college vs. the NFL?

 

[skidadl]

As you know as a coach the footwork at LG is drastically different then the footwork at RT.

I agree but if he ends up a backup he has time to develop both. Not just positionally but also pure physical training. He needs a bunch of that I'm sure.

 

[Rev]

I understand both sides and their concerns. I probably lean more to having Collins work both positions because both Free and Leary have injury concerns for me. Maybe they are giving Weems every opportunity to win the job so Collins can stay at guard. That would probably be best as If I had to bet it will be Collins starting at guard next year as Leary leaves.

 

[Carp]

Was there a big movement to have Martin split time at RT and G after he was drafted last year?

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Just playing well in an elite conference is not enough to say he'd be fine, What was he asked to do in college vs. the NFL?

It's not just playing in an elite conference. It's about being the best of the best in an elite conference.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Was there a big movement to have Martin split time at RT and G after he was drafted last year?

Yeah I don't like swapping a rookie around. It's why Byron Jones needs to be put at safety or corner and just stay there.

 

[Angrymesscan]

Well if we are going to put our faith in so called experts their were a shit ton of teams willing to take the guy in the first round of the draft with the hopes that he could play RT. That's why. Plus I don't believe you can be an elite LT in the SEC like he was and not have good enough feet to play RT.

Grammar Nazi...

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Grammar Nazi...

Damn

 

[Angrymesscan]

Didn't Tyron play RT in college and we drafted him to be the LT, yet his first year we kept him on the right side.
I'm no coach, but I guess the footwork is completely different from the right to left side, and it seems to me this staff doesn't like guys switching sides their rookie years.

 

[L.T. Fan]

I don't assume that my opinions are correct, but should that really stop me from giving that opinion on an internet message board?

Not at all. People have opinions all the time that are different but everyone can't be right. That was they take away for me. Opinions are just that.....opinions. When they are opposite to other opinions some one may be wrong. That's just the simple matter of fact. Sometime maybe all opinions are incorrect.