The Dallas Cowboys decided to go out with the new and in the with old after eight weeks. The team fired new offensive line coach Paul Alexander while promoting Marc Colombo, who has been on the coaching staff since 2015, and hiring Hudson Houck as an offensive assistant, who was the team's offensive line coach from 1993-2001 and 2008-2011.

Because of the recent coaching change, we thought it would be a good idea to go back and evaluate the game play of each starting offensive lineman so far this season, detailing what each has and hasn't done well through the first seven games of 2018.

Without further ado, let's get to it:

Tyron Smith, LT

What he did well

Here are some of #DallasCowboys LT Tyron Smith's best blocks of the season pic.twitter.com/ZgmyW8ryXG — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 1, 2018

It's important to emphasize that even though it seems as if Smith is having a down year, he still effectively executes his assignment most of the time.

Smith was at his best when he's aggressive through the first seven games. When utilizing his jump set to attack defenders in pass protection, Smith was able to erase nearly every pass rusher in front of him. Even when beat by defenders and forced into bad initial positions, Smith has a unique ability to recover and make impact plays.

Smith has also executed some unfathomable reach blocks on zone runs this season. There are only a few offensive tackles with the athleticism and requisite technique to reach a quick three-technique defensive tackle on zone runs, and Smith is one of them. Furthermore, Smith has been adept at displacing defenders on down and angle blocks, where he uses his massive frame and powerful hands to move defenders out of their gaps.

On top of that, Smith has vise-grips for hands. Typically, once he latches onto a defender, it's over, as defenders are rarely able to disengage.

What he didn't do well

Here are some of #DallasCowboys LT Tyron Smith's worst blocks of the season pic.twitter.com/R5t9ZQvq4n — Jim Jeff (@CowboysGifs) November 2, 2018

In pass protection, Smith typically got into trouble when he wasn't gaining enough depth in his pass sets with his second and third steps. This is why Smith has had a touch of trouble against speed rushers at times this season. Because speed rushers wrap around the edge at a quick pace, it's vitally important for Smith to get enough depth with each step in his pass set.

In the run game, Smith has done well when a defender engages him

with two hands. But he has run into trouble when defenders use single-arm techniques, as Smith has struggled to gain inside control and latch onto defenders. Smith has been inconsistent targeting defenders in space, leading to a couple of missed blocks in space over the first half of the season.

The biggest area where Smith has struggled so far this season is in communication with Connor Williams. When defenses have attacked them with stunts, they have struggled to pass off the defenders fluidly, leading to a few too many pressures. Smith has had some problems with being late out of his stance on the road, allowing defenders to get an early advantage on him.

The last area where Smith has had issues is with penalties, as he is responsible for four flags this season (second-most on the team).

Grade: B-

Connor Williams, LG

What he did well

Here are some of #DallasCowboys LG Connor Williams' best blocks through 2018. pic.twitter.com/YhdmnCM1G9 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 1, 2018

Williams has been at his best when he's climbing to the second level and blocking in space, where his athleticism and balance shine. Williams isn't the most powerful blocker, but he does have a mean streak, as he is constantly looking to finish and drive defenders into the turf. He understands how to use his body to wall off defenders to create running lanes for the running backs.

He has shown an improved anchor against power rushers when he initiates contract with his inside hands.

The best part of Williams' skill set so far this season has been his deep repertoire of hand techniques that he uses to stymie defenders. Williams has been able to keep defenders off-balance by giving them different looks throughout the game. Williams has the ability to strike and latch onto defenders with either hand, demonstrating the technical nuance to execute a variety of different techniques.

Williams also does a nice job of looking for work when unblocked, meaning he does well to help Joe Looney or Tyron Smith in pass protection when he's not responsible for a particular rusher.

What he didn't do well

Here are some of #DallasCowboys LG Connor Williams' worst blocks of the 2018 season pic.twitter.com/oQxtrtY6xx — Jim Jeff (@CowboysGifs) November 2, 2018

Williams has a bad tendency to lunge at defenders when he attempts to strike or latch onto them. This makes it impossible for Williams to recover if a defender counters well, as he is typically left stumbling forward. The Texas product also tends to get too wide with his base, making it difficult for him to anchor or react to swift lateral movement.

Williams' lack of play strength rears its ugly head when he doesn't initiate contact with inside hand positioning. He just doesn't have the strength to latch and control a defender when he doesn't have the

placement, giving him a small window of error. Williams also tends to flair his elbow wide when he can't win inside hand positioning, which eliminates any chance for Williams to create the amount of torque necessary to hold position against a power rusher.

Williams has struggled with penalties in his rookie year, being called for three flags this season (

on the team).

Grade: C-

Joe Looney, C

What he did well

Here are some of #DallasCowboys C Joe Looney's best blocks in 2018. pic.twitter.com/lASSeTuf8c — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 1, 2018

Looney has performed as well as one could expect while filling in for Travis Frederick. Looney isn't the type of player who will make impact blocks or generate giant holes in the running game, but he is an assignment-sound player who takes care of his individual job well.

Despite his squatty frame, Looney has been surprisingly adept at making blocks in space, showing his ability to pull across the formation and lead block for Ezekiel Elliott down the field.

In pass protection, Looney has been great at helping Zack Martin and Connor Williams when left unblocked. Looney was able to mask one of his teammates getting beat on multiple occasions because he was quick to help when unblocked.

When he doesn't get proper hand placement on initial contact, Looney does an excellent job of re-leveraging his hands to gain the advantage over the defender. Because he lacks the play strength to displace defenders, Looney does well when using his body to shield defenders from making a play on the ball carrier.

In the run game, Looney has done an excellent job of exploding out of his stance to reach defensive tackles quickly on zone runs. He takes good angles on his blocks and is usually in a good position to sustain his blocks after the initial strike.

Looney has also not yet been called for an accepted penalty this season.

What he didn't do well

Here are some of #DallasCowboys C Joe Looney's worst blocks of the season. pic.twitter.com/spHgcKJhat — Jim Jeff (@CowboysGifs) November 2, 2018

It's probably unfair to put all of the blame on Looney for the offensive line's communication issues up front, but, as the center, it's his job to make sure the line is on the same page. Looney has to do better to shore up the communication issues that have plagued the offensive line, especially on the road.

In the running game, Looney has struggled to create movement off the line of scrimmage when matched up one-on-one at the point-of-attack. Looney doesn't possess the power in his hands to knock defenders back on contact, and he lacks the lower body strength to drive defenders out of their gap. This can be a problem for Dallas in the inside running game, as defensive tackles can hold their spot and clog Ezekiel Elliott's running lanes between the A-gaps.

In pass protection, Looney has struggled most when defensive tackles have quickly attacked his snap hand. Looney doesn't have quick enough feet to recover when his hands are defeated, so he's left to lunge in an attempt to run the defender past the quarterback, which can ruin the depth of the pocket and allow the defender to generate pressure on Dak Prescott.

When Looney tends to get in trouble in pass protection, it's when his hands get wide on his initial strike, giving the defender the inside position and making it difficult for Looney to re-leverage his hands if need be.

Looney can also be a bit sporadic with his snap placement when Prescott is in

, which can throw off the timing of a given play.

Grade: C+

Zack Martin, RG

What he did well

Here are some of #DallasCowboys RG Zack Martin's best blocks of the 2018 season. pic.twitter.com/4MOnYg1cgp — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 1, 2018

Martin has been the Cowboys' best offensive lineman through seven games. He was the most consistent with his technique, and he routinely carries out his assignments with no problems.

Martin has mastered the art of hand-fighting with defensive linemen, as he uses a bevy of different hand-fighting techniques to stop defenders in their tracks. Martin routinely makes the first contact and fights hard to gain proper hand placement. Defenders are rarely able to get inside his frame and work bull rushes because of Martin's sly hand technique and clean footwork. Furthermore, Martin has mastered the ability to re-leverage his hands after his initial strike.

Even when a defender is able to beat his hands and take an early advantage, Martin uses quick feet to recover while maintaining balance. Martin's quick feet aid him when attempting to mirror the lateral movements of quick defensive tackles.

Martin is one of the few guards who can thrive in tight quarters and in space, as his raw strength and clean technique allow him to win in small spaces while his athleticism and mental processing ability enable him to stymie quick and shifty defenders.

What he didn't do well

Here are some of #DallasCowboys RG Zack Martin's worst blocks of the season. pic.twitter.com/B6D63SiwJM — Jim Jeff (@CowboysGifs) November 2, 2018

There are not many weaknesses to Martin's game, but he does have a propensity to drop his eye and lunge at defenders on contact. It's not as pronounced of a lunge as La'el Collins', but it can get him in trouble against some of the better defensive linemen in the NFL.

It's easy to tell that it has taken Martin some time to get used to playing with Looney, as he has been a bit slow to climb to the second level when working combination blocks with Dallas' new center.

On top of that, Martin's footspeed and fluidity of movement have been slightly hampered by a few lower body injuries he suffered during training camp and the regular season.

Grade: B+

La'el Collins, RT

What he did well

Here are some of #DallasCowboys RT La'el Collins' best blocks of the 2018 season. pic.twitter.com/uFxdRLNJcq — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 1, 2018

Much like Smith, once Collins latches onto a defender, it's over, as Collins' incredible grip strength allows him to maintain control in pass protection and steer defenders in the running game. On top of his grip strength, Collins' play strength overall is top notch, which is why Collins is able to displace defenders with regularity when he's balanced at the point of attack.

In the run game, Collins has been adept on down and angle blocks where he is able to use his raw power to pin defenders inside. When Collins lands with his hands and maintains his balance, he's phenomenal at driving defenders out of their gap and creating open running lanes.

When Collins has been able to make contact while under control at the second level, he has bullied linebackers and defensive backs at the point of attack, running the smaller defenders off the screen on occasion.

In pass protection, Collins does well to explode out of his stance, allowing him to be in a good initial position to make his block. This allows Collins to block speedier rushers even though he doesn't have the best foot speed around the edge. When he doesn't secede inside hands on first contact, Collins has shown a nice ability to anchor and stymie power rushers.

What he didn't do well

Here are some of #DallasCowboys RT La'el Collins' worst blocks of the season. pic.twitter.com/VWBoZhUcTw — Jim Jeff (@CowboysGifs) November 2, 2018

Collins' biggest issue on the edge has been his tendency to lunge into his blocks, which makes it difficult to recover once a defender counters his strike. His tendency to lunge creates balance issues, causing him to fall off blocks when he's not able to latch onto a defender's pads cleanly. Collins' balance issues have caused him to be on the ground way too often this season.

Collins lacks fluidity in his movements, which often leads to sloppy and inconsistent footwork and hand placement. This is also why Collins has been inconsistent when blocking in space, as he has struggled to come to balance at the point-of-attack, making it easy for shiftier defenders to avoid his block.

Moreover, Collins' hands can get too wide on contact, leading to him falling off blocks, struggling to anchor against power and being called for holding penalties. Speaking of penalties, Collins has been called for the most penalties on the team with seven (five accepted).

The biggest overarching issue Collins is facing right now is his lack of consistency. Collins often has lapses in judgment where he makes simple technical mistakes that lead to miss blocks and blown up plays. Collins needs to be more mindful of his movement patterns and technique on a snap-to-snap basis.

Grade: C-

John Owning writes about NFL player evaluation for SportsDayDFW.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnOwning.