Cowboys and Eagles Do Better On O-Line than Commanders

I ask myself why the Bums from Dallas are always winning division titles and I can only dredge up one answer: They always have a good O-Line.

The Dallas Cowboys got Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe in the NFL Draft. Guyton is a Tackle. Beebe is a guard. Beebe is slightly better than Guyton. Beebe will be plowing through the Commanders this fall.

The Philadelphia Eagles also did well on O-Linemen in the draft. That's why we're still behind the Cowboys and Eagles.

Intriguingly, the Commanders did not see Tackle as a priority or a hole as is evidenced by the fact they waited until the third round to select a purported Tackle in multi-tasking Tackle/Guard Brandon Coleman whom they "think" can play Left Tackle.

Third rounders are reputed to be starter-grade players. So Coleman is probably a starter. Is he a left tackle suited to protect the blind side of a mobile QB and all the advanced physics involved in that project?

I don't know. Are the coaches good enough to get Coleman ready? I don't know. I hear Left Tackles should be able to move like Tight Ends. Coleman seems to have that ability. Maybe he can play tight end. Add that to his cross-training.

Perhaps Coleman's experience in an Air Raid System at TCU played a big part in Washington's selection. The Air Raid does have blocking duties peculiar to it you don't see elsewhere. In that sense, Coleman could school the vets on THEIR responsibilities. Air Raid Theologians no doubt love the pick.

Good qualifications for Assistant Offensive Line Coach/Air Raid Tutor, but is Coleman ready for NFL warfare? I don't know. And I need to know. Because I'd rather be at least a little "certain" about the Left Tackle on a team with Jayden Daniels at QB. There is a lot to protect and a lot to lose.

If two-tight end sets are the base offense then there will be two players on the left and not one and routine chipping and double teaming will be taking place. That would help a multi-tasker at Left Tackle. 

I don't like multi-tasking. I think it waters down a player's focus. You're settling for journeyman status instead of Master Craftsman. Arguably, it collapses his ascension. It lowers his ceiling. It tells him he's not good enough. He's just a plug-in. A robot functionary demoted to the status of proving the Coach's ability to make do with less.

It is like saying, "Jayden you're a great QB but we need you to have some position flex and play wide receiver."

That said, zone blocking and the Air Raid Offense were inventions designed to make do with less. Again it is coach centrism. The players are bums. It is the coaches who are the talent.

Is it simplification in a Lombardi sense or is it condescension in a eugenics sense? I hope it is the first and not the second.

I don't want to bust Adam Peters's chops too much. There are several months until opening day. Something could happen. They could trade Jonathan Allen for a Left Tackle given they have Johnny Newton in the fold. 

It could be argued it isn't Peters's fault they don't have a Left Tackle. Would that it worked that way! It became his fault the date of hire. He's still on the clock.

And really, can you start Jayden Day One, with a straight face, without a stable Left Tackle spot? I'm hoping he starts Day One but I am way too nervous about them starting someone "they think" can play the spot at Left Tackle.

They need to start someone they KNOW can play Left Tackle.

That's why this was a High C Draft. And it is why the Eagles and Cowboys are way ahead of us.