NFL training camp: Best battle to watch for each team
By John Buhler
Dallas Cowboys: Jonathan Cooper vs. Chaz Green
*Editor’s note Chaz Green went down in training camp on Sunday with a shoulder injury and is week to week.
It’s been an interesting offseason for the Dallas Cowboys to say the least. While off-field turmoil has been distracting, let it be known once again where the strength of this football team lies along the offensive line. With potentially three future Pro Football Hall of Famers in center Travis Frederick, right guard Zack Martin and left tackle Tyron Smith, there is still plenty to get excited about up front in Dallas.
However, there are two major changes to the front five with the Cowboys. Right tackle Doug Free has opted to retire. Taking over for him will be La’el Collins, who should thrive in that role as the versatile offensive lineman that he is. That being said, left guard Ronald Leary leaving for the Denver Broncos in free agency doesn’t help at all. Entering camp, the two guys competing for that left guard spot are Jonathan Cooper and Chaz Green.
Cooper was a former No. 7 overall pick out of North Carolina by the Arizona Cardinals. After two years of mostly falling over and sliding on the turf, Cooper was traded to the New England Patriots in a deal for pass rusher Chandler Jones. Cooper didn’t play for New England in 2016 and spent last season with the Cleveland Browns. Frankly if he can’t stick on this Cowboys offensive line, that might be it for his NFL career.
For that reason, Green might actually be the favorite to get the starting nod over Cooper at left guard. Green was a rookie out of Florida last year and played in four games for the 2016 Cowboys. He knows what offensive line coach Frank Pollack expects out of him. Cooper had the higher upside as a pro prospect, but Green might end up having the better NFL career.