Dallas Cowboys Rumors: Three Offensive Starters Being Replaced For Game Against New York Giants
Three consecutive losses after a 2-0 start have the Dallas Cowboys looking to make a lot of changes, and it’s not due to injury. Rumors are swirling that three offensive starters will end up being switched out for three players who weren’t even with the team at the end of last year. It appears that after the bye week, Matt Cassel will be in at quarterback, Christine Michael at running back, and La’El Collins on the offensive line.
ESPN is reporting that with Tony Romo still out due to a broken left clavicle, Matt Cassel will be starting at quarterback for the Cowboys after the bye week. Brandon Weeden went 0-3 during his time filling in for Romo, and the Cowboys realize it is time for a change.
Cassel has only been with the team since Week 2 after being acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. Last week, he was promoted as the backup quarterback over Kellen Moore after spending time as the inactive third quarterback. He’s now familiar with the playbook, and the Cowboys feel that is good enough to have him as their starter.
After being thrashed by the New England Patriots this past weekend, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted that change was coming.
“We have to play better on offense, and that usually includes better quarterback play.”
Now, it appears as if the Cowboys aren’t just making changes at quarterback, but in numerous other locations on offense as well. After Lance Dunbar suffered a season-ending injury, many thought Christine Michael would move into the third running back spot, but he’s moving up to starter.
Joseph Randle has been the starting running back for the season so far, and Darren McFadden was seen as the second back. Now, Ed Werder of ESPN is reporting that Michael is actually going to be moving all the way up the depth chart.
#Cowboys using bye to consider 2 more starting lineup changes: Christine Michael for Joseph Randle at RB, La’El Collins for Ron Leary at LG
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) October 14, 2015
Michael was acquired in an early season trade with the Seattle Seahawks and was inactive for the first three games. In last week’s 30-6 loss to the New England Patriots, Michael had one rushing attempt for six yards. Against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, he rushed one time for minus-1 yard. During his two seasons in Seattle, Michael had 254 yards on 52 carries.
As if those two changes weren’t enough, the Dallas Cowboys are looking to move rookie left guard La’El Collins ahead of Ronald Leary and into the starting lineup, according to CBS Sports. It seemed as if it was only a matter of time until Collins moved into the starting lineup, and Leary is the odd man out.
Cowboys not just switching up the QB depth chart. Look for rookie La’El Collins to start at LG moving forward as well out of the bye
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) October 14, 2015
During the preseason, Collins played very well but couldn’t break into the starting lineup. There are some longtime veterans and All-Pro players on the offensive line, so it was Leary who ended up being the replaceable one when it was time for Collins to move up.
All of the injuries forced the Cowboys to make changes on the field, and now it’s been three weeks with next to nothing positive happening. Now, it’s time for more changes to be made in the hope of some kind of offensive boost until Dez Bryant and Tony Romo return.
The Dallas Cowboys are hoping that the bye week and multiple changes to the offensive starters will get them off the losing streak. Matt Cassel, Christine Michael, and La’El Collins will have the spotlight put on them for the game against the New York Giants, and it’s time to make it count.
[Images via Getty Images – Brett Carlsen/Otto Greule Jr./Stacy Revere]
