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Going back over the years, the Cowboys have been blessed with several Hall of Fame offensive linemen. If you had to create an offensive line out of the best linemen in team history, who would be your starters? Any backups? Please don't leave out the 1970s.–*Jeff Neistein/Woodland Hills, CA*
Nick: Well, I'm just going to say this right now - I've got Nate Newton, Erik Williams, Travis Frederick, John Niland and Flozell Adams .... all on the second team. And that's a really great O-line right there but that's how good the starters are - in my opinion of course.
Wow, great question and not an easy one. But to me, the best collection of O-linemen in Cowboys history starts with Larry Allen, arguably the best guard to ever play in the NFL. He's on the team and that's a no-brainer. I'll put him at left guard and Zack Martin will be at right guard. Easy so far.
At tackle, I'll go with the Hall of Famer and future Hall of Famer. I'll put Rayfield Wright and Tyron Smith out there. I think either could play left or right - which is why they were so good.
At center, tough call but I'll take Mark Stepnoski. So smart, so sound in his technique. Honestly, that's exactly how you could describe Travis Frederick as well. It was a toss-up but I think I'd rather have two from the 2010s, two from 1990s and one of the 70s.
Still leaves out greats like Pat Donovan, Blaine Nye, Andre Gurode and who knows... Tyler Smith is probably on his way, too.
- 1st Team:
- OTs - Tyron Smith, Rayfield Wright
- G - Larry Allen, Zack Martin
- C - Mark Stepnoski
- 2nd Team:
- OTs - Erik Williams, Flozell Adams
- G - Nate Newton, John Niland
- C - Travis Frederick
Mickey: Boy, sure wanting to make me think, since you are right, this franchise has been blessed with an abundance of talented offensive linemen over the 66-year history. OK, let's give this a shot. At the tackle positions, the starters I'd say are no brainers, Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright and Hall of Famer-to-be Tyron Smith. As for the backups, how can I go wrong with Erik Williams and Flozell Adams, although that forces me to leave out Ralph Neeley and Pat Donovan.
OK, at guard, now this is a tough one. Larry Allen of course and can't see how we could leave out as a starter Hall of Famer-to-be Zack Martin. But doing so relegates six-time Pro Bowlers Nate Newton and John Niland to backups, which sounds mighty blasphemous. And as for the center, wow, you realize the top-notch centers this franchise has had. OK, going with Travis Frederick, but again that relegates Mark Stepnoski and Andre Gurode to backups and totally ignores 14-year starter Tom Rafferty (1976-89). See what you think.
- 1st Team:
- OTs - Tyron Smith, Rayfield Wright
- G - Larry Allen, Zack Martin
- C - Travis Frederick
- 2nd Team:
- OTs - Erik Williams, Flozell Adams
- G - Nate Newton, John Niland
- C - Mark Stepnoski, Andre Gurode
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