Cowboys linemen discuss fierce competition at left guard

The Dallas Cowboys have one major question looming over the 2023 offensive line after the offseason. After the departure of Connor McGovern, who started 15 games at left guard in 2022, Dallas is now working out several players to find his replacement.

Matt Farniok, one of those options and a good backup for center Tyler Biadasz, told reporters this week that he embraces the competition for the job.

“A battle is always going to make everyone better,” Farniok said, via DallasCowboys.com. “You gotta embrace it and love it. Every chance you get to go up against a challenge, you have a chance to respond. It’s a great opportunity.”

Farniok tore his hamstring last October but was able to work his way back into the mix by the playoffs. The former seventh-rounder out of Nebraska has a clear mindset for the 2023 season.

“Just continue to do my job better than I did it yesterday,” Farniok said. “Learn from any mistake I make and don’t repeat it and just continue to be a better football player than I was.”

During last week’s open media portion of OTA practice, 2021 fourth-rounder Josh Ball was getting first-team reps at left guard. Ball isn’t getting ahead of himself but told reporters the opportunity to start would “be great.”

“Whatever the coaches decide is the right thing, that’s what’s gonna happen,” Ball said. “If that opportunity arises, that’d be great, but whatever I can do to help the team.”

Edoga: ‘We’ll have a great five’

New Cowboys lineman Chuma Edoga is fresh off of one season with the Atlanta Falcons. He’s capable of playing tackle and guard for the Cowboys, opening up even more options for the oft-injured position group.

“I’m just ready to play wherever the coaches put me,” Edoga said. “Whether that’s guard or tackle. Right now, it’s early in the process so I’m just accepting my role and playing wherever I need to play.”

Edoga, a former standout at USC, praised his new teammates for how they’ve welcomed him into the fold.

“They have a real close-knit room, I’m the only new guy,” Edoga said. “They did a good job accepting me and bringing me along. Whoever is up there playing, we’ll have a great five.”

McCarthy: ‘I like the versatility that we have’

The injuries will pop up throughout the season, so even when the Cowboys settle on the starting five, Mike McCarthy is fully expecting the need for versatility among the starters and backups.

“I like the versatility that we have,” McCarthy said on Thursday at OTAs. “We all want to lineup and play five guys for 20 games, but you do have to recognize that 17 games, it’s a bit of a stretch. Position flex is critical. You guys know all the combinations, you’ll see us working those.”