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Dallas Cowboys: Should there be a coaching change at offensive line?

By Terence Watson

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys takes the field against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys takes the field against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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 The Dallas Cowboys offensive line has not been the same this season. Is it time to move on from offensive line coach Paul Alexander?

When the Dallas Cowboys lost former offensive line coach Frank Pollack this offseason to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cowboys brought in Paul Alexander to replace him. After spending the past 23 seasons with the Bengals as their O-Line coach, the legendary Alexander was never quite able to get the most out of his lineman in Cincinnati. Now, with the Cowboys, he looks to be having similar results.

The play of the offensive line has suffered without center Travis Frederick but that doesn’t account for the poor technique shown from tackles Tyron Smith and La’el Collins. Neither player has looked the same this season. Both appear to be giving up more pressures then they have in the past.

According to Pro Football Focus, Collins has allowed a team-leading 20 pressures, 16 hurries, and seven penalties (two declined) so far this season. While Smith has racked up 12 pressures, 10 hurries, and four penalties through seven games.

Alexander hasn’t seemed to be able to fix whatever has been wrong with Smith or Collins’ techniques. And if he is unable fix the problems over the bye, it may be time to find someone new. Dallas does have Marc Colombo as their assistant offensive line coach.

A former offensive lineman himself for Dallas from 2005-2010, Colombo is well respected in the locker room and might be able to fix the recent rash of problems. He’s also been with all of these players much longer than Alexander,  so he may have a better feel for solving these issues.

Colombo was also with Pollack last season and can bring back some of the practices that helped this offensive line become one of the most dominant units in the league.

dark. Next. Dallas Cowboys 2018 midseason grades by position

When the Dallas Cowboys come back from their bye week, Paul Alexander should have had enough time to figure out how to fix his unit’s problems. If he hasn’t after the upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans, then the Cowboys may need to hand the keys over to someone like Colombo.

How much do you blame Paul Alexander for the Dallas Cowboys offensive line issues? Let me know in the comment section below.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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