FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys right guard Zack Martin is a nine-time All-Pro widely regarded as a future Pro Football Hall of Famer. He also rated as his team’s worst offensive player during Sunday’s 47-9 blowout loss to the Detroit Lions, according to the grading service Pro Football Focus.
PFF gave Martin a grade of 28.3 (out of a 100) overall for his performance in the game, 16 points lower than any other starter on offense. And the service gave the 33-year-old Martin, who missed a practice last week with a back injury, a zero grade in pass blocking.
Coach Mike McCarthy faced a question about Martin’s play during Monday’s press conference and did not go into specifics.
“I didn’t have my best game,” McCarthy said. “None of us played well. I don’t think there was a winning grade on our analytics.”
The Cowboys’ 38-point loss was its most lopsided defeat at home in Jerry Jones’ 35-year tenure as owner, and in the time since the final whistle, fans and analysts have spread blame around. Martin and the offensive line are not immune. As he uses the bye week to study the many concerning factors to emerge from Sunday’s drubbing, McCarthy said he’ll spend time on the blockers up front.
Against the Lions, the Cowboys started a different offensive line for the first time all season. The Cowboys activated rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton but kept him on the bench. Tyler Smith, an All-Pro at left guard last season, moved over from guard to tackle to replace Guyton and T.J. Bass stepped in at Smith’s spot.
McCarthy said the shuffling could’ve played a part in Dallas’ struggles to run the ball Sunday, when the team gained 53 yards on 17 carries. On the year, the Cowboys rank last in the NFL in rushing yards per game and per attempt.
“Tyler Guyton goes down, so you make two moves for one player,” McCarthy said. “Sometimes that has a bigger effect than you think it would. I think that’s part of it.”
McCarthy hopes to solidify the left side of the line but did not commit to a particular starting configuration moving forward.
“You got to see where Tyler is — Guyton — as far as his health, also TJ, and give Tyler Smith some clarity,” the fifth-year coach said.
Smith and Bass, at left tackle and left guard, had the two best grades on the Cowboys’ offensive line Sunday. The other three lineman — Martin, rookie center Cooper Beebe and right tackle Terrence Steele — all started in the same positions for the sixth straight game to begin the season but failed to help the offense find a rhythm.
The Cowboys didn’t score a touchdown Sunday despite driving into the red zone three times. They committed five turnovers, Dak Prescott went down for four sacks and the team’s running backs combined for 14 yards on eight carries in the first half.
McCarthy said settling on a starting offensive line and generating consistency is one of the most important tasks for a coach.
“Those five guys playing together, particularly practicing together every day, is huge,” McCarthy said. “It’s all about those five lineman getting out there every single day getting those reps, and when that doesn’t happen, it can be bumpy. And that’s what we’re going through.”
Dallas has 13 games to address the situation before taking the field against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 27.
