“America’s Team” is experiencing some significant changes upfront, both involving the high-profile offensive linemen everyone knows and the lesser-known players stepping up.
In the latter category? Call it naivety or confidence, but Dallas Cowboys left tackle Asim Richards remains optimistic about the 2024 season.
With the Cowboys sitting at a disappointing 3-6, plagued by poor form and a slew of injuries, especially to Dak Prescott, there’s little to excite Cowboy Nation.
However, with eight games remaining and not yet mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, there’s still a slim hope that Dallas can turn things around, despite looking like one of the league’s worst teams over the past month.
Second-year left tackle Richards believes that one game can shift the entire season’s outlook.
“Taking a loss is always going to be a learning opportunity,” Richards said. “We always say just one game can change the trajectory of our season, so just taking one game at a time.”
“Change” is indeed the theme here. It includes decisions about former starting left tackle Tyler Guyton, the first-round rookie, and how to reintegrate swing tackle Chuma Edoga, who is getting healthy enough to play.
Then there’s the question of rising star Tyler Smith’s optimal position and how to address the struggles of right tackle Terence Steele.
The headliner, of course, is the offensive lineman everyone knows: Zack Martin.
CowboysCountry.com has extensively covered the team’s “Blow It Up” strategy, which includes a potential Martin retirement after this season.
Martin has previously hinted at this possibility, stating, “I think (retirement) is definitely in the realm of possibilities,” while also emphasizing his focus on the present.
When asked again on Thursday, the future Hall of Famer politely responded, “I’m just taking it one week at a time, my guy.”
As the Cowboys edge closer to an “Organic Tanking” approach, Martin might eventually be asked to sit out, a move that would signal a shift toward the future and open up opportunities for players like Richards.
The young tackle is riding high after making his first NFL start in Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles, filling in for the injured Guyton.
Both head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer commended Richards for his performance, as he earned a respectable pass-blocking grade from PFF (73.1), second only to Tyler Smith.
Richards was simply grateful for the opportunity.
“Really just getting an opportunity to go out there and actually play in a regular-season game, especially against the Eagles, (my) hometown team,” Richards said.
With his solid performance, Richards has given the coaching staff something to ponder regarding the left tackle position.
The competition is wide open for who will protect Cooper Rush’s blindside against the Houston Texans on Monday night.
Richards aims to build on his promising start against the Eagles and help the Cowboys end their four-game losing streak, while Martin takes it one day at a time on his way to what could be his final season.
