Blogging The Boys
The situation at tackle is getting interesting.
Cowboys show new rotation at tackle
According to Dallas Morning News’ Joseph Hoyt, Thomas is taking second-team snaps at right tackle—where Terence Steele currently starts. That’s in addition to him competing for the starting job to protect Dak Prescott’s blindside.
Now, that by itself isn’t a big deal on the surface. If Thomas is going to be the backup tackle, he will likely be asked to play on both sides of the line. Not to mention, this is only minicamp after all. Offensive line battles get real until training camp comes around.
But there are a few things to take away from the development.
For starters, it can be looked at as confirmation that Guyton is the favorite to start Week 1. Thomas is getting a swing tackle workload, not the other way around. It looks like it’s Guyton’s job to lose.
Another contender steps in the ring?
The report also brings a new name into the mix: fourth-round rookie Drew Shelton.
The product out of Penn State took second-team snaps behind Guyton while Thomas took right side snaps. Now, we’re talking about a longshot candidate to start here. Shelton dropped to Day 3 of the NFL Draft largely because of strength concerns, which he must work on before the regular season. But he has the agility and tools to be an NFL starter.
Hoyt’s report is the first public sign of Shelton getting second-team snaps. And while he wasn’t announced as part of the battle to start at left tackle, it’s not like the bar has been set very high by Guyton and Thomas in the past (there’s a reason why there’s no clear-cut starter).
Consider Shelton a sleeper to watch when training camp kicks off.
More intriguing developments from Cowboys minicamp.
Quinnen Williams active in the backfield
In 11-on-11 periods, it’s difficult for both the offensive and defensive lines to truly be able to go up against one another as there aren’t any pads on, or as Brian Schottenheimer likes to say, isn’t “real football.”
While that notion has to be taken into account during this portion of the offseason, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams made his presence felt on Wednesday. He blew up a screen play to Jaydon Blue in the back field, and two plays later got pressure on Dak Prescott on an outside throw to KaVontae Turpin that turned out incomplete. – Tommy Yarrish
Locke and Key
Things are moving quickly for the Cowboys’ defense, especially the secondary, as Christian Parker moves forward with installs. It’s evident safety P.J. Locke has a ton...
