Why the Success of the 2014 Dallas Cowboys Starts up Front

The Dallas Cowboys will host their first playoff game since 2009 after finishing the season with an impressive 12-4 record. Most early season predictions had the Cowboys as one of the worst NFL teams going into this year.  The biggest asset to the team can be attributed to the offensive line. The group is lead by USC alumni Tyron Smith who has yet to allow a sack on the season. The teams left tackle was also successful in shutting out J.J. Watt in the week 5 matchup with Houston. Dallas also has two other pro bowlers on the line, Zack Martin and Travis Frederick. Martin was the team’s first round pick in April’s draft out of Notre Dame, while Frederick is the anchoring center accounting for the teams 2013 first round selection. The biggest accomplishment this group can take credit for is the emergence of Demarco Murray. Murray the star running back broke the teams single season rushing record with over 1,800 rushing yards. This record was by no means an easy task as the all time leading rusher Emmitt Smith was the previous holder.

Much of the credit has to be given to the infamous Jerry Jones. The Owner, General Manager, and President of America’s Team was responsible for building the magnificent offensive line. Jones was critized this past off season when Dallas passed on over rated hype machine Johnny Manziel for rookie pro bowler Zack Martin. Lebron James was one of those critics.

Shane Battier was with LeBron in the training room last night when the Cowboys passed on Johnny Manziel. Battier: "Oh, it was ugly."

— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) May 9, 2014

Maybe Lebron should leave the GM duties to someone that actually knows what their doing but that’s a discussion for another day. Dallas is legit title contenders and Tony Romo has a real shot at being the NFL MVP in large part to this offensive line. The Cowboys will host the Detroit Lions in the first round of the playoffs.