Cowboys' preseason just got a whole lot more fun with latest position battle update from head coach

The Dallas Cowboys' training camp and preseason has been fun to monitor closely due to one particular reason: The team's top rookies are battling for legitimately large roles.

Tyler Guyton is shaping up to be the starting left tackle as his battle with Chuma Edoga is essentially over. Marshawn Kneeland could be looking at essentially a starting role with Sam Williams done for the year. And now, Cooper Beebe is climbing the ladder and getting some work with the starting offense, per head coach Mike McCarthy, who added "He's earned this opportunity."

Now granted, this doesn't mean the battle with Brock Hoffman is over and in fact, the rookie is still trailing the latter but the update from McCarthy only makes the Cowboys' preseason a whole lot more fun.

Beebe had a strong showing in the preseason opener, impressing coaches with his play both at guard and center. When reviewing the All-22, Beebe's play strength and power is in unique display and it surely got the coaches thinking. His transition to center has taken some time as he's learning to snap the football and transition to a blocking stance, something he didn't have to do at college where he played tackle and guard.

Beebe being given a chance to work with the first-team offense is big for him as it means the door is open to steal the job away from Hoffman, who has been very solid himself but lacks the kind of power that makes the third-round rookie's upside higher.

For fans, the reality is Beebe's style will be more attractive. Who doesn't like a center that brings a level of nastiness to his blocking ? The rookie takes pride in this specific aspect of his game, claiming he likes to "dirt" defenders into the ground.

With another joint practice with the L.A. Rams scheduled for Wednesday, Beebe will get a chance to make sure the first-team reps he's getting in practice this week translate to a starting opportunity on Saturday night, when the Cowboys visit the Las Vegas Raiders for preseason game No. 2.

Related: Cowboys' Markquese Bell is giving coaches a problem everyone in the NFL wants to have