(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
Excluding all the previous candidates for starting right guard (knowing already that Tyler Booker will be the starter), what veteran on this team should be sweating the most about the new competition and depth brought in during the offseason? – Adan Smith/Little Rock, AR
Patrik: You'd have to define hot seat. If you're referring simply to who could lose their starting job if a younger/newer player shined bright in training camp, versus who could be released (it's far too early for that discussion), then I can throw a name out there.
I'll start at running back where nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, is figured out at the start of camp. Two veterans were added but so were two rookie draft picks. JaVonte Williams feels as if he could take the lead, but that could go out the window if Sanders, Blue or Mafah fly out of the gates; and/or if Deuce Vaughn impresses. Some might view Terence Steele as in danger, but I don't, because he's the best right tackle on the team and my gut tells me he's going to surprise people as he gels with Tyler Booker and new offensive line coach Conor Riley. So, yeah, for me? It's staring you in the face from inside the RBs room.
Nick: this is always a tough question to answer, especially in our position because we see these guys every day. The last thing you want is to name someone who could be out of a job and end up crossing pass with them in the hallway or the team charter for the next three or four years. So I think I'll refrain from actually picking just one guy, but if you're looking at a position that seems to be heavy – literally – it's gotta be the offensive line. Because when you look at the projected backups, a lot of these guys already have plenty of starts under their belt.
I really don't know how many teams in the NFL have six backup lineman who have started a game. As it stands out right now, the Cowboys would love to see a starting lineup of Guyton, Smith, Beebe, Booker and Steele. That means, they've got six guys - Rob Jones, Hakeem Adeniji, Saahdiq Charles, Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass and Asim Richards who have all started at least one game. I would have to think one or two of those guys might have a tough time making the team, especially if they want to keep other youngsters such as Nate Thomas and Ajani Cornelius. So watch out for these veteran backup linemen.
Mailbag
Here's your chance to ask a question for the staff writers. Submit your entry now!
