The Dallas Cowboys have themselves a new/old employee at practice today here inside The Star, and he's wearing a new/old number.
The player? Offensive lineman La'el Collins, signed off the couch on Thursday to add some much-needed depth for a Dallas playoff run.
"We're trying to make sure we're locked and loaded for the playoffs,'' coach Mike McCarthy said. "If you look at the addition of players who have played in games ... really important.''
Of course, along with La'el coming to work and showing up at practice here inside The Star, he needs a uniform. When La'el was with the Cowboys to start his career, he wore No. 71. And he wore that number when he moved to the Bengals as well.
But presently, another backup O-lineman, vet Chuma Edoga, is assigned No. 71. And he apparently likes it. So Collins opted to settle into No. 72.
Is that a problem? It is suggested here that the assignment might "cause a conundrum in some Cowboys' fans hearts for a couple of reasons.'' ... and this is where we get a bit lost ...
What's the problem? One media outlet suggests Cowboys Nation might be troubled here because No. 72 "was once the number of the legendary Ed 'Too Tall' Jones ... and was once the number of future Hall-of-Famer Travis Frederick.''
That is a mouthful. We think highly of Frederick, the five-time Pro Bowler. ... but we're not sure he'd locked into Canton. We also think highly of "Too Tall.'' ... but we're not sure where anybody might get the idea that No. 72 is "hallowed territory'' considering that over the years, lesser lights such as Stephen Bowen, Rob Callaway, Louis Cheek, Trysten Hill, Dwayne Missouri and Stephen Peterman have worn the number.
So no, we don't think Cowboys Nation is too broken up about this, as we're willing to bet that all Cowboys fans really hope here is that La'el Collins can somehow be a part of a Super Bowl push.
More must-reads: