DALLAS --Of the 30 pre-draft visitors to Valley Ranch in early April, guard Ronald Leary may have been the only player wearing a suit. He looked ready for a meeting on Wall Street, not just an interview with Cowboys coaches and executives.
"I pretty much know that this is a business. This is my job; this is my livelihood," Leary said. "This is what I have to do to make money and take care of my family. I'm willing to approach it like that."
Leary knew he had to answer questions about a knee condition that could affect his long-term career. He's getting an opportunity now as a rookie free agent with the Cowboys, and he should be in line for more practice reps this offseason now that projected starter Mackenzy Bernadeau will miss 2-3 months following hip surgery.
"It's a sad thing that he got hurt," Leary said. "It is an opportunity, but I don't really pay too much attention to that because there's a lot of great offensive linemen here. I'm just trying to make my name here and hopefully I'll get a chance to play early."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the team had a third-round grade on Leary, and they quickly signed him after those medical concerns likely caused him to go undrafted.
Until Bernadeau gets back, Leary should get all the work he can handle, joining a guard mix that includes 2011 draft picks David Arkin and Bill Nagy.
