Brian Schottenheimer puts Dallas Cowboys starter on blast and it sounds like he needs to fight for his job
The Dallas Cowboys offensive line saw a notable shake up on Tuesday’s practice against the New Orleans Saints, and it set the stage for a significant message from head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
The Dallas Cowboys’ competition at left tackle was short-lived. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tyler Guyton needed to fend back Nate Thomas at the position early in the offseason. But one padded practice into training camp, he indicated Thomas needed to do more to compete with Guyton.
Now, Thomas is seemingly back in the running, albeit not at the same position. Instead, the Cowboys may be lighting a fire at right tackle following Schottenheimer’s comments about starter Terence Steele.
Schottenheimer calls out Cowboys RT
To be fair, Schottenheimer did not say the Cowboys were holding an open competition at right tackle. In fact, starter Terence Steele didn’t even play in the preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
However, he was called out by Schottenheimer after the Cowboys’ second joint practice of the year. In the same practice, Thomas notably took snaps at right tackle after spending most of camp at left tackle (and playing there in the preseason opener).
Asked about the shake up of the backup offensive line, Schottenheimer brought up Steele’s struggles.
“These guys have to be able to swing, and so we want to give Nate (Thomas) a chance to work over at right tackle,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “(Steele) has got to play a little bit more consistent. He has had a couple days where he’s been a little bit dropping his pads and getting edged a little bit. He needs to be better.”
Steele, who took a pay cut earlier in the year, notably struggled against the Los Angeles Rams defensive front last week. Members of the Cowboys and Rams beat alike pointed him out as Dallas’ weak link on the offensive line. The Athletic’s Nate Atkins reported Rams edge rusher Byron Young “had a field day” against Steele.
Now, Steele is hearing criticism from his own head coach. Is it a motivation tactic to get him ready for the regular season? Or does Thomas have a chance to steal away the right tackle job when it’s all said and done?
Either way, Schottenheimer is putting him on blast ahead of the final stretch of the preseason.
