Is Zack Martin one of best guards in NFL history? Travis Frederick thinks so
The Dallas Cowboys have established themselves as having one of the best offensive lines in recent years.
That label isn’t going away anytime soon.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Cowboys are sending the same three offensive linemen to the Pro Bowl. Center Travis Frederick, right guard Zack Martin and left tackle Tyron Smith continue to be staples at the NFL’s all-star game.
“It’s a goal every year and a great honor to represent the Cowboys,” Martin said on Wednesday. “You have to earn it every year and that’s something we talk about in everything we do, and we were able to go out there and earn it again this year.”
Martin has earned a berth every year of his professional career. He is in the midst of another stellar season as he’s allowed just one sack and has not been flagged for a penalty.
Martin is regarded as arguably the top guard in the game, and Frederick took it a step further saying he might already have earned his place among the all-time greats at the position.
“Zack Martin is arguably the best guard in football and probably one of the best that’s played the game,” Frederick said.
Frederick also had complimentary things to say about Smith. Smith has missed two games this season with a groin injury and is questionable for Sunday’s game vs. Seattle with a right knee injury, and has been penalized a career-high five times for holding.
But he remains one of the top tackles in the game.
“Tyron Smith goes out on a weekly basis and dominates his opponents even when dealing with injury and you can’t tell on Sunday,” Frederick said. “That’s really impressive.”
As for himself, Frederick was a little more self critical. But the highest-paid center in the game has not given up a sack and has been flagged just twice.
“My performance this year probably hasn’t been to my standard,” Frederick said. “I’ve done some good things, improved in some areas. Early on in the year, I struggled in a couple of areas, but I’ve improved throughout the year.
Everyone within the locker room felt it was a well-deserved honor once again for the O-line. After all, the Cowboys rank third in the league in rushing with 136.6 yards a game even though top running back Ezekiel Elliott was suspended six games.
“They should make it every year,” quarterback Dak Prescott said. “If they stay on that pace, I’m sure they will.”
This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Is Zack Martin one of best guards in NFL history? Travis Frederick thinks so."