From prankster to leader: Joe Looney steps up

A bombshell was dropped yesterday as news broke that All-Pro Center Travis Frederick would miss an indefinite amount of time due to being diagnosed with Guillain-Bare Syndrome. It is a rare auto-immune disease that forces the body to attack its own nerves.  Frederick said that it was a positive sign that they caught it early but there is still no timetable for a full recovery as of yet.

While the Cowboys and their fans pray for Frederick to just get better and make a full-recovery from such a terrible disease, the team has to move on and begin searching for his replacement. The team might look at waiver cuts, trades or even free agency, there is one capable player on the roster that could take over.

Joe Looney.

Cowboys fans know backup center Joe Looney more for his humor and out of shape body than his football skills. Looney, a free-agent pickup in 2016, played multiple positions along the interior of the offensive line. He played tight-end as well when Geoff Swain was injured and contributed during short-yardage situations. He loves to be a goofball and play pranks on his teammates, just like the time he impersonated running back Zeke Elliott.

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Now the humor has to turn into leadership as the team needs him to step in during one of the most delicate situations this team has faced in awhile.  The big question is can he play well enough?

So far in camp, Looney has been one of the major bright spots and has surprised a lot of the media and scouts watching him.  This season he showed up in the best shape he’s ever been in since he became a Cowboy and he started to do much better in camp. His play through two preseason games has garnered him praise and he is frequently mentioned in the same sentences as the starting five at times.

Looney knows he has some big shoes to fill and praises the man he’s stepping in for.

“You don’t replace a guy like Travis Frederick,” Looney Said per 105.3 The Fan’s Mike Fisher. “He’s a wonderful football player, but more, he’s a wonderful guy.  I’m just trying to come out here and work as hard as he did and keep this thing rolling.”

With two preseason games left, it is unclear if Looney will play much since he is now the starter for the season opener. One this is for sure that Looney looks the part so far and is ready to hold down the fort while his teammate fights a more important battle.