Dallas

Leary No-Shows at OTAs After Requesting Trade

You just knew the Cowboys’ offseason was too quiet.

Just when we were dreaming of Ezekiel Elliott running behind the best, deepest offensive line in the NFL, there arises a potential hiccup. According to ESPN, backup offensive lineman Ron Leary has been a no-show at this week’s OTAs and is requesting a trade.

Leary signed his restricted free-agent tender worth $2.5 before the draft, but only in hopes of forcing a trade. He will only be fined if he misses mandatory minicamp next month, as OTAs are technically voluntary.

Signed as a free agent in 2012, Leary was a fixture at left guard for all of 2013 and 2014, and was part of the line that opened holes for NFL rushing champ DeMarco Murray. He began last season as the starter as well but lost his job to rookie La’el Collins in Week 5.

The Cowboys have lost Mackenzy Bernadeau and Jermey Parnell to the Jaguars via free agency the last two seasons, and Leary – in theory – should be the swing lineman.

But the Cowboys signed free agent Joe Looney, who has experience at center that Leary doesn’t. If Looney pans out, Leary would likely be inactive on game days. Making his “holdout” a minor inconvenience. Still, let’s consider the harmony at Valley Ranch officially disrupted.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.

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