The Dallas Cowboys are shaking up their offensive line, and Tyler Guyton is leading the charge. Saturday’s practice in Las Vegas saw the rookie guard line up at right tackle, a spot he has never played in a game. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer ran this calculated test to identify the best five players for the team.
A New Look on the Line
Coach Schottenheimer was clear about his plans before camp even started, noting that the team would move linemen around to figure out different things. Blogging The Boys reported that Guyton was the first to experience this literal change, working at right tackle instead of his traditional left side. While he took snaps with the second team, the implications are huge for the final roster. The staff is asking a simple question: can Guyton protect the quarterback’s blind side from the right?
19 plays.
The numbers from the second day of practice show just how serious the coaching staff is about evaluating everyone. A review of 19 documented plays with Dak Prescott found that the core offensive line was in for every single snap. Guyton, Smith, Booker, and Steele all played all 19 snaps, proving they are the main contenders to start. This heavy workload gives the coaches a massive amount of data to work with before the season begins.
There is a world where Tyler Guyton plays right tackle and Tyler Smith plays left, which would be a major win for the franchise. Blogging The Boys suggested that this could be preparation for an emergency, but smart fans know better than to dismiss it as just that. Training camp is the one time the team can take risks without worrying about losing a game. If Guyton can handle the speed rushers from the right side, the Cowboys have a much deeper and more flexible line.
The presence of three players named Tyler on the line makes this rotation even more interesting to watch. Smith and Booker have already garnered headlines for their moves, but Guyton’s shift might be the most significant of the bunch. The team needs to find the best combination to protect Dak Prescott, and moving a rookie guard to tackle is a bold step. It shows the coaching staff is not afraid to try something new to get the job done.
The Cowboys will keep testing these combinations as camp moves forward in Oxnard and Las Vegas. The fact that Guyton saw time at right tackle means the team is looking at every possible scenario for the final 53-man roster. Fans should pay close attention to who lines up where on the second team, as those spots often turn into starting jobs later. The depth chart is fluid right now, and Guyton’s performance will dictate his future role.
