Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman provides blunt assessment of play
For just under a decade, the strength of the Dallas Cowboys was considered the offensive line. Whether Tony Romo or Dak Prescott was under center, the blocking, in both the passing game and the run game, was never seen as a weakness.
In the Wild Card round loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, the offensive line as a whole struggled for Dallas. Between presnap penalties, only averaging 3.67 yards per carry, or seeing Prescott getting sacked six times — it was a rough day upfront for the Cowboys.
Starting right tackle La’el Collins was asked if their play was up to standards against the 49ers. He was clearly disappointed and preaches that they have to improve heading into next season.
“I wouldn’t say so,” Collins said. “I think we have a lot of work to do. Definitely didn’t reach the potential (in) that room, the ability we have.”
Right guard Zack Martin, who was a first-team All-Pro this season, had a similar sentiment. Martin did give his teammates some credit for responding to early pressure but doubled down on needing to improve.
“It’s no secret,” Martin said. “We need to get better. We got smacked in the mouth early (yesterday), and credit to our guys for coming back and fighting through and making it a game. We need to get better.”
Both Collins and Martin are expected to be back for Dallas next season. Martin is a surefire bet to stay at right guard although there may be some questions regarding Collins’ position going forward. A move to the inside to replace Connor Williams could be on the table.
Dallas Cowboys coordinators interveiwing for head coaching jobs
One of the hardest parts of losing in the playoffs for an NFL team is that the same team will never be on the field at the same time again. There is turnover every single year both on the roster and in the coaching staff.
For the Cowboys, defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore are both candidates to take over a team as a head coach. On Tuesday, they are scheduled to interview for the Denver Broncos job according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.
Quinn, 51, just finished his first season as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Prior to his time in Dallas, Quinn served as the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach from 2015-2020 – compiling a 43-42 overall record with one NFC championship.
Moore, 33, has been the offensive coordinator in Dallas since 2019 after spending the 2018 season as the team’s quarterbacks coach. A former quarterback, Moore played for the Cowboys from 2015-17 after being with the Detroit Lions from 2012-14.