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 Blocking with the best of them Cowboys offensive line still among the league's top units
Posted: Monday August 30, 1999 10:23 PM
As I was watching the Dallas Cowboys come out for pregame warmups in Oakland, one NFL executive said to me, "Come on, let's go look at what a real NFL offensive line is supposed to look like." No truer words could be spoken. This unit was the key to the Cowboys' division title last season and will be even more important this year. The size and athleticism of Dallas' guards and tackles is impressive. These guys can move people off the line and pull, and as pass blockers they're just as good. The Cowboys only gave up 19 sacks last year, best in the NFL, and they look better this year. The offseason addition of unrestricted free agent center Mark Stepnoski, although a midget by today's standards at 6-2, 265 pounds, makes this group exceptional. Troy Aikman is only 33 years old, a mere youngster compared to Dan Marino, Randall Cunningham, Vinny Testaverde and Steve Young -- and with this line, his age won't be showing. But all is not perfect with the Cowboys' offense. The tight end position hasn't been productive since Jay Novacek retired. David LaFleur only caught 20 balls last year and either seventh-round pick Mike Lucky or Haywood Clay need to emerge because Dallas' wide receivers aren't scaring too many people. Michael Irvin caught only one TD pass last year and without a fast receiver opposite him, he doesn't have the same punch he once did. Ernie Mills is a nice receiver but no deep threat. James McKnight is already out for the year so Dallas is counting on speedy Raghib Ismail to soften the coverages. On defense, Dallas is building a nice group of young linemen. First-round pick Ebenezer Ekuban shows the ability to get off blocks and chase down QBs. And fourth-round pick Peppi Zellner has some savvy for defensive line play. But no one can replace Leon Lett and with five of the first six games against NFC East opponents, the kids better be ready. Talking about getting ready, CB Kevin Mathis has big shoes to fill while Deion Sanders is out indefinitely. But third-round pick Dat Nguyen looks like a keeper. He's calling the second defense from his linebacker position, shows a great desire to hit and should be a very productive special teams player early. Because of the loss of Lett and Sanders, I wasn't that high on the Cowboys, but seeing them up close has upgraded my opinion. Dallas will hang around the top of the division all year long. Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years in the NFL as a coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/SI.
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