Dallas Cowboys: Underwhelming Offensive Line Play Won't Affect Dak Prescott
The Dallas Cowboys are getting ready to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday for their season opener. Similar to how they started last year. Only this time, these teams seem much more evenly matched. Especially in regards to the offensive line. The Bucc's will feature three new starters on the interior of their offensive […]
The Dallas Cowboys are getting ready to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday for their season opener. Similar to how they started last year. Only this time, these teams seem much more evenly matched.
Especially in regards to the offensive line. The Bucc's will feature three new starters on the interior of their offensive line, a handful due to injuries from starters including Pro Bowl C Ryan Jensen.
On the other side, the Cowboys will return only two full-time starters as well in Zack Martin and Tyler Biadasz. RT Terence Steele and LG Connor McGovern were both in and out of the lineup with mixed results across the entirety of the season.
Following the loss of franchise left tackle Tyron Smith, possibly for the year, we will see the Cowboys feature their rookie first-round pick Tyler Smith in place.
From left to right:
Tyler Smith, Connor McGovern, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, Terence Steele.This is the Dallas Cowboys starting offensive line. Even with Jason Peters waiting in the wing.
However, head coach Mike McCarthy doesn't expect Peters to be ready for a few weeks, after speaking on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, TX on Friday.
Obviously, this offensive line looks underwhelming on paper.
Tyler Smith hasn't practiced tackle since OTA's in May. McGovern has shown to be a much more viable right guard than left. It's uncertain how much Biadasz and Steele have progressed after an up and down preseason. At least Zack Martin is still Zack Martin.
Despite this, statistics show this shouldn't have an affect on QB Dak Prescott.
Dak continues to be one of the game's elite QB's when facing against the blitz. This has been known. In fact, just last year against this same Tampa Bay defense, Dak was pressured 37% of the time, being pressured on 9/22 drop back attempts (40%).
He still finished the game 42/58 (72.4%) for 403 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, with a 101.4 passer rating.
In fact, the Dallas Cowboys will have four games where they faced a top-10 defense in pass-rush win rate. Ironically, they will also face seven games against bottom-10 defenses in pass-rush win rate.
While the offensive line and how they hold up will be a constant story all year long, it shouldn't have as much of an effect on the QB. Time and time again, Dak has shown the ability to adapt to blitz and still make throws down the field.
Unless this offensive line plays better than it's expected, he will have to continue to do wo.
Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
