Cowboys O-line can be heard: Connor McGovern starts at left-back vs Chiefs, Connor Williams is informed

When Dallas Cowboys take this field against Chief of Kansas City on Sunday afternoon, all eyes will be on Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes. However, what lies ahead may raise some eyebrows, with the Cowboys looking to make a change in their attack they will hopefully give them a better chance of winning. won at Arrowhead Stadium. Connor Williams, the team’s resident initiator in the left guard, will be replaced by Connor McGovern, a talented former third-round player who has been quietly improving in the background; and in a game that will likely see the return of the All-Pro fruit that solves the Tyron Smith problem.

The left-back swap is a significant development for the Cowboys, and especially for Williams, who is playing in the final year of his rookie contract and heading into the 2021 season with hopes of a boost. his values ​​in Dallas. Instead, Williams was forced to take part in a pre-season test in the center, which failed completely before being moved to left-back – having played mostly well so far.

However, his Achilles heel has been the punishment that frequently kills drives and/or sends the Cowboys into a near-lose offense of important games (e.g. in Week 6 vs. New England Patriots). Williams has been flagged 10 penalties for a total of 110 yards so far, the league’s highest number in both categories, eight of which were call holdings. In contrast, his 10 flags are more than twice as large as the mind Tyler Biadasz (4) who in seconds NFL season and four more Terence Steele (6), who is also a sophomore and despite being pushed into the starting role in the correct tackle position for five games suspended La’el Collins.

In other words, whether all the penalties are realistic or not (spoiler: some aren’t), Williams has placed himself at head coach Mike McCarthy’s wretched care, and now he’s going to have to bench for that. McCarthy has noted that both McGovern and Williams will be up against the Chiefs, but in neither capacity – presumably having received some full-back jobs that belonged to McGovern previously – stop naming the starters of the Week. 11.

The second mystery was solved by owner Jerry Jones, who soon hit 105.3FM the Fan, named McGovern starter.

“Yes, [McGovern has] Jones said. “He has certainly impressed his teammates and coach. This is a great opportunity for him. And he really will, I think, the way he plays – I think that says it all.

“I don’t know when I can remember anyone as an attacking striker that caught my eye. He’s doing it with athletic ability. All of that is just fascinating when you think about it. it when he exits to his normal attack position.

“I think he’s going to do well. He’s earned it.”

A year ago, McGovern found himself starting in the right guard position due to an O-line wound that caused a rash. Zack Martin out to the right, and the then rookie played well enough to make a name for himself in McCarthy’s inaugural season in Dallas. After doing well on the right guard, the Cowboys began testing him weeks ago on the left guard, sending a message to Williams in the process. They obviously don’t feel Williams gets the message, at least not in the area of ​​penalty avoidance, and so they will now agree with McGovern – in his 10th NFL start but only is the second of the 2021 season.

If he performs well, it could be the swan song for Williams in Dallas, unless he’s okay with being demoted (permanently?), a move that would significantly impact any potential contract negotiations in the upcoming season.