IRISH IN THE PROS
BY ANDREW OWENS
I
f it seems strange for Irish fans to flip
on the television and see someone
other than Zack Martin playing at left
tackle each Saturday, think of what an
adjustment it must be for Martin to line
up at right guard each Sunday for the
Dallas Cowboys.
Martin, the organization's first-round
pick (No. 16 overall) in last May's NFL
Draft, has immediately jumped into the
starting lineup for the Cowboys. Talent
evaluators consider Martin's arm length
to be shorter than the ideal measure-
ment for a tackle, so his first NFL op-
portunity is coming at guard.
Martin, always diplomatic in his deal-
ings with the media, stated at the NFL
Combine in February both his willing-
ness to play any position while also ex-
pressing the confidence he has in him-
self at tackle.
Now with the Cowboys, an organiza-
tion increasingly grateful it drafted Mar-
tin rather than former Texas A&M quar-
terback Johnny Manziel, Notre Dame's
all-time consecutive starts leader (52)
has been a key part of an offense that
ranked second in the NFL in rushing
yards per game (160.0) en route to a 4-1
start.
Zack Martin Adjusts To New
Surroundings, Position
After starting at left tackle for four years with the Irish, Martin has settled in at right guard for a strong
Dallas Cowboys offensive line.
PHOTO BY JAMES D. SMITH/DALLAS COWBOYS FOOTBALL CLUB
