Jason Peters Changes Dynamic Of Cowboys Offensive Line
Injuries hurt the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line before the season started forcing rookies and second-year players to step. One veteran was brought in to help and Jason Peters immediately made an impact from his first snap.
Everyone knows Jason Peters’ storied NFL career and the impact he has made on multiple offensive lines. Starting in Buffalo for the Bills from 2004 until 2009 where he landed two Pro Bowls and two Second Team All-Pro honors. Things grew from there when he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles where he would play most of his career there. He recorded two First-Team All-Pro honors, seven Pro Bowls, and a Super Bowl title with the Eagles from 2009 until 2020.
He played left tackle at both places until last season when he joined the Chicago Bears and showed his versatility playing tackle and guard there. Despite being at age 39 last year, he still managed to start 15 of the 17 games for the Bears and performed well. The work he showed landed him a spot on the Cowboys roster to help with depth with the team dealing with injuries to Tyron Smith and Connor McGovern.
Jason Peters Immediately Helping The ‘Boys
The original plan for Dallas was to have Jason Peters fill in at left tackle, but Tyler Smith’s stellar performance through two weeks made that plan change course. Left guard Matt Farniok was one of the weak points to the offensive line through two games. After continuing to struggle in the 23-16 win over the New York Giants, the team put Jason Peters in, and from the first play, he made an impact.
Tony Pollard popped off a 46-yard run that was a designed run to the left side of the offensive line. Leading the way with their blocks were Tyler Smith and Jason Peters. That play changed the tone of the game and made fans realize that there were no more questions about Peters and if he could still play.
After a strong showing in his debut in a Cowboys uniform, the coaching staff has to consider Peters to be the starter at left guard for the upcoming game against the Washington Commanders. His performance got the attention of head coach Mike McCarthy as well as owner and general manager Jerry Jones. Jones called his performance “one of the highlights for me” in the game. McCarthy had strong words for the veteran offensive lineman as well.
“Really happy for Jason. I mean, heck, we don’t have to talk about the kind of player he is. We all recognize that.”
Should Jason Peters Start At Left Guard?
Despite some struggles with Farniok, the coaching staff has still been high on him as he had to move from center to guard, which is never an easy transition. A keynote to make though is that Farniok is in his second year in the NFL while Jason Peters has been playing in the league for 18 years. Experience plays a factor in that because Peters is so experienced at most positions on the offensive line, which gives him an advantage.
Washington has a strong defensive line despite Chase Young not being available due to injury. Dallas’ offensive line has been great so far this season as the Cowboys are tied for fourth in sacks allowed with just five. Thinking about putting a veteran like Peters in at left guard could be a good move to handle the strong tackles that Washington has.
The chemistry between Tyler Smith and Jason Peters was already on display Monday night as fans saw the two sitting with each other and talking. That type of presence not only improves the Cowboys but helps Smith in his development as the future left tackle of the team. McGovern is still out for possibly a couple of more weeks. Why not have the future hall of fame player fill his spot and update an already improved offensive line?