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Dallas Cowboys offensive line not the NFL’s best in 2015

By Matthew Conner

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The Dallas Cowboys offensive line is not playing up to the reputation it earned in 2014 as the NFL’s best unit.

It’s time to consider the possibility that one of the most staunchly held beliefs heading into the 2015 NFL season is not true. After eleven games, one can safely say that the Dallas Cowboys offensive line is not the best unit in the NFL, much less in the history of the game as some over zealous Cowboys fans had suggested.

I am not suggesting that the team’s front five is awful or needs to be rebuilt but a group that has twice in one season allowed its franchise quarterback Tony Romo to suffer a broken clavicle is not worthy of being labeled the best.

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The Cowboys offensive line has allowed 24 sacks on the season, which ranks them 15th in the NFL in that category, the epitome of average. Furthermore, the Dallas line has allowed 49 quarterback hits on the season ranking 25th of 32 teams.

And while some of these poor pass protection statistics can be attributed to missing Romo and his ability to avoid sacks with magical escapes, had the line been better at protecting Romo, he would not have been injured to begin with.

But pass protection is not the unit’s only disappointing area. The offensive line that was lauded for its run blocking last season has not reproduced the same level of domination in 2015.

After leading the NFL in rushing yards last season, Dallas has fallen to 7th this year. This decline might seem reasonable given that last year’s All-Pro running back DeMarco Murray is now playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.

But the organization did not make a major move to acquire a running back because of its belief in the ability of the Cowboys’ offensive line’s ability to create running room for any competent running back. Unfortunately, that has not been the case in 2015.

Granted, without Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant for most of the season, teams keyed on stopping the Cowboys running game. But regardless, the fact is that Dallas running backs are averaging only 4.2 yards per carry behind the 2015 offensive line (12th best in the NFL).

Last season, Dallas running backs ranked third in the league with a 4.6 yards per carry average. And it seemed the no matter how many defenders the opposition dedicated to stopping the Dallas run, the offensive line was able to open lanes and wear down opposing defenses.

The Dallas offensive line has four of the same starters in 2015 as it did in 2014 but those returning players are not playing at the same high level. Consider the play of Pro-Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith.

The man considered by many to be the best tackle in the league has struggled numerous times throughout the season including giving up a sack and being called for holding twice against a Miami Dolphins team missing its top pass rusher Cameron Wake. Smith gave up only 20 sacks in his first four NFL seasons but had allowed five heading into the game against the Carolina Panthers.

Yet Smith is not the Cowboys’ biggest concern at tackle.

Left tackle Doug Free has played poorly for much of the season. The weak link in the Cowboys’ offensive line has an inexcusable 8 false start and one holding penalty this season to lead the team with 9 total penalties.

Smith is tied for third on the team in penalties with starting right guard Zack Martin. Each player has been flagged seven times on the year but has had two penalties declined.

It seems like the Cowboys’ offensive line is missing the influence of 2014 offensive line coach Bill Callahan, one of the most highly regarded o-line coaches in the league. Callahan left Dallas in the offseason to join the rival Washington Redskins in the same capacity due in part to his perceived lack of respect from the Cowboys organization.

And while the excuses for the decline of the 2015 Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line are numerous, the fact is that the unit is not performing up to the reputation it earned in 2014.

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But reputations are as worthless as yesterday’s memories. All that matters in the NFL is what one does in the present and presently the Dallas offensive play has been mediocre and it has been a large contributor to the disastrous 2015 Dallas Cowboys’ season.

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