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Jerry Jones had La’el Collins and the Cowboys over for dinner

By Nathaniel Reeves

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Jerry Jones really wanted to make sure La’el Collins signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

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Every team in the NFL wanted to sign undrafted LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins after his name was cleared in a police investigation earlier this week. Collins is a first-round talent by just about anyone’s projection and would come at a very cheap price due to his undrafted status.

Apparently Jerry Jones was willing to go one step further than anyone else. Jones hosted Collins, the Dallas Cowboys offensive line, head coach Jason Garrett, Tony Romo and Jason Witten over for dinner at his mansion, according to Clarence Hill of the Dallas Star-Telegram. 

The dinner did make a difference, as Collins signed with the Cowboys on Thursday morning. With the addition, Dallas hauled in the almost-unbelievable draft class of Collins, Byron Jones and Randy Gregory despite not picking until 27th overall.

Collins had plenty of reasons to sign with Dallas other than the opportunity to eat dinner at a billionaire’s mansion. He will get a chance to start right away on a fantastic Cowboys’ offensive line and have a chance at making a difference on a Super Bowl contender.

The logical place for Collins to start, at least for now, would be left guard in place of Ronald Leary. Backup tackle Jeremy Parnell departed for the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, so Collins’ addition will help make up the lost depth as well.

If he indeed starts at left guard, Collins will join All-Pro Tyron Smith, fantastic young interior lineman Travis Frederick and Zack Martin, and solid veteran Doug Free. The Cowboys improved what was already the best offensive line in the NFL, making it one of the best units in recent memory.

With the kind of time Romo will have to throw to Dez Bryant and Witten, the Cowboys’ offense is going to be very good. The running back position won’t be as strong with DeMarco Murray in Philadelphia, but Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle should still put up big numbers behind that line.

The defense will still be the question, but the Cowboys were already a Super Bowl contender and added three first-round talents in the draft. Dallas should be right up there with the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers as NFC favorites behind the strength of its offensive line.

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