Some things are said because the person really means it. Other things are said in order to elicit a response. When Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer said, “Tyler (Guyton) and Thomas right now are competing to start at left tackle,” it probably fell under the latter category.
Guyton and Thomas may come from the same draft class, but their paths couldn’t be more different. Guyton, a first round pick out of powerhouse Oklahoma, came with pedigree. The enormous tackle stands 6-foot-7, 322 pounds, and oozes athleticism. Meanwhile Thomas, a seventh-round pick from Louisiana, came to the Cowboys as a bubble player. His 6-foot-4, 331-pound frame hinted a move to the interior may even be in order. Yet two years into the experiment, both players are theoretically fighting for the same job.
Based on draft status, ceiling and expectations, the starting left tackle job is most likely Guyton’s to lose. Unlike Thomas, Guyton possesses all the traits of a franchise left tackle and it’s in the Cowboys’ best interest to see this thing through with him.
The hope is by calling it an open competition Schottenheimer and company can light a fire under Guyton’s nether region. Guyton’s issues haven’t been limited by ability but rather dedication and availability. It’s why suggestions that a simple move to right tackle isn’t a viable solution for the young prospect.
To quote Will McCay during the offseason: “Traits are nothing if you don’t know what to do with them.” Perhaps the appearance of a competition will help motivate Guyton to live up the expectations of his traits.
This isn’t to say Thomas has no chance at all. The coaching staff seems to truly love Thomas for his work ethic and coachability. One should remember, right tackle Terence Steele essentially made a career out of this character trait. Steele has never been a good pass protector, one could argue not even an average one, but he won the job over higher potential players because he put in the work and he never seems to get hurt. Attitude and dependability go a long way.
The idea of a scenario where Thomas and Steele are bookend protectors for Dak Prescott is enough to send shivers up anyone’s spine, which is why the Cowboys are really hoping Guyton rises to the occasion. Whether it’s a real competition or not doesn’t matter, the only thing that matters is Guyton believes it, because bad things happen if he can’t take a big step in development here in Year 3.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Motivating force: Cowboys LT spot might be competition in name only
Reporting by Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Reid D Hanson, Cowboys Wire | USA TODAY Network
