I consider Zack Martin one of the greatest players in Cowboys history. He should be in the Hall of Fame someday. But he's clearly hurting and not himself. Is it time to sit him out a game or two and let him get healthy? Obviously, he doesn't want to sit, and the team will only be worse without him, but I hate seeing this great player struggle, especially when they're losing anyway. – Steven Morris/Louisville, KY
Mickey: That sounds like a very compassionate thought on your part, and Zack is battling through that shoulder injury, because it's not like him to miss the padded practice on Thursday that he did this past week. But you must factor in who would be taking his place, and at this time the guy would be T.J. Bass, a second-year guard who came into the NFL as a rookie free agent last year with just three starts under his belt as an injury replacement. Also, must consider increasing the lack of experience on the offensive line if Martin isn't out there, and with youngsters starting at left tackle and center, and now then at right guard might be creating a worse problem. Now if he's injured to the point he can't play, then that is another story.
Tommy: Obviously if Zack Martin is hurt enough to the point where it would be detrimental for him physically to be playing, then you absolutely sit him. If this is just your normal mid-season banged up though, then he's the best option you have at right guard even though time is starting to catch up to him. You're absolutely right that it's not fun seeing great players struggle, but all great players have and will struggle throughout their career. This is just, unfortunately, seeming like the time in Martin's career where you start to see those signs build up.
