(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
Nate Newton spoke positively on Asim Richards on the "Hangin' with the Boys" show during the season last year. Newy Scruggs on the "Media Mash" podcast also mentioned a competition between him and Tyler Guyton for the left tackle spot. With new coaches in the building, do you think Richards will get a fair look? Or do you think Tyler Guyton will get preference still as a first-round pick from only a season ago? – Adam Smith/Little Rock, AR
Nick: Do I think there will be a real competition here? No, not really. That's the one position that isn't easy to have fair competition because on one hand, you're looking for the best player but also looking for chemistry between the group. So rotating players in and out all the time isn't something that makes a lot of sense. It's a balance that is usually done more this summer than at training camp.
That being said, I did see Brock Hoffman and Cooper Beebe rotate some snaps before they finally went to Beebe full-time. But in this case, the Cowboys really want Tyler Guyton to be the guy here. He's going to get every chance to win the job and keep it. That doesn't mean Asim Richards won't get some looks. Asim has a shot to be the swing tackle because of his versatility. Not saying it's over for Richards to be a starter but I don't see him getting equal reps with Guyton.
Tommy: Brian Schottenheimer has said repeatedly that the Cowboys are going to play their best five on the offensive line. Is Tyler Guyton one of their five best offensive linemen after last season? Right now, I would say no, but he's got an entire OTA, minicamp and training camp period to work through before the season kicks off, so both he and Asim Richards can prove that they are the guy to start at left tackle. Richards has the benefit of experience, but Guyton has the higher ceiling and with this coaching staff, I think they'll put extra emphasis on making sure that he's ready to go and can be the left tackle of the future for Dallas. Does that mean Richards is completely out of the running? Absolutely not, but he'll have to really show this coaching staff something in my opinion if he wants to get the starting job.
Mailbag
Here's your chance to ask a question for the staff writers. Submit your entry now!
