RECAP: Mickey Spagnola with D&M on The Ticket...

[trickblue]

Mickey:
After watching yesterday, I said to myself I was not going to jump off of the ledge in regards to the OL, but it was pitiful to say the least. No matter who was rushing in the one on one drill they got through. It was a little better in the team drills, but not much.
Fabini doesn't look like a guy that started 114 games in the league. Now it is early, but he doesn't move well. Whoever lined up against him in the one on one drill whiffed right past him. Rivera still looks stiff. Kosier, well nothing jumped out. McQuistan looked like a 7th rounder. Flo looked rusty. Parcells did predict this and the defense looked really fired up.
It looks like they have something going on defense. Ware looks great. He had a tackle for a loss, and woulda had a sack on the next play. Not sure if it is just the OL or just that no one is capable of stopping him.
If you could have a star for camp on the first two days, it would be Kevin Burnett. He really looks like a second round pick. The first real contract drill they had on the goal line, Burnett went airborn and just destroyed the RB in mid air. The second play he made a tackle for a loss.
I'm not going to jump ship on th OL just yet... let's give it a week or two and see what happens.

[dargonking999]

To me this is what you expect from the line, its the first week of camp, the Defense is fired up, and the old has some new faces, and needs time just to get backinto the flow of things. Time is all we need to give them

[DCBoysfan]

The defense always improve faster than the offense. I'm not going to panic as far as the Oline is concern, it is going to take some time for these guys to jell. They dont need to be all-stars they just need to be consistent.

[dmq]

OL needs to gel. Lets hope they do. Defense looks like they are ready to break out in a big way!

[burmafrd]

GIve it a couple of weeks before you start crying to momma. These older vets take a while to loosen up and get into the flow. AND it has been mentioned by some who should know that it takes a while for an O line to gel.

[CowboyManDan]

I know it's real early, but man, you can't win with Bledsoe without a very good offensive line. I expected Parcells to have the OL fixed as one of his first priorities since he came to Dallas. I'm worried we're going to be forced to see Romo or Henson this season for some games. Well, at the least, that would let us know what we have in them I guess.

If Lincoln Kennedy is contacting Dallas, it's no secret our OL is in question.

[CrazyCowboy]

Wow.....no OL is going to suck!

Guess what our #1 pick will be next year?

[burmafrd]

Impatience is never a good thing. Especially ONLY TWO DAYS INTO CAMP.
Get a grip people and try and use some common sense.

[stasheroo]

Isn't the defense usually way ahead of the offense at the start of training camp?

It always seems that way to me.....

:hammock:

[austintodallas]

Our defense could be top 5 this year. I wouldn't expect our OL to look good against them very much.

In the end the OL will reap the benefits of practicing against them on a daily basis.

[trickblue]

Our defense could be top 5 this year. I wouldn't expect our OL to look good against them very much.

In the end the OL will reap the benefits of practicing against them on a daily basis.

and that is what I am clinging to this season...

[baj1dallas]

I agree that Parcells said this would happen. The OL will need at least another week.

And I don't expect them to go after any veteran unless there is an injury. They want to get younger not older.

[boysfanindc]

I can understand them needing time to gel as a unit, but it sounds like everyone of them is getting beat in 1 on 1 drills.

Not jumping off the ledge, but a little concerned.

[AbeBeta]

The defense always improve faster than the offense. I'm not going to panic as far as the Oline is concern, it is going to take some time for these guys to jell.

That sort of reasonable attitude is going to get you thrown off this board.

[burmafrd]

one on one means very little as regards an O line that has 5 people needing to work TOGETHER.

[MichaelWinicki]

It's just going to take time for the o0line ot get into shape. I wouldn't get too excited yet.

[AbeBeta]

one on one means very little as regards an O line that has 5 people needing to work TOGETHER.

Perhaps this will never happen again, but I agree totally.

[dmq]

I think Kosier was brought in more to help out in our running game. He is more of a guy we are gonna sweep with. However, I hope he can do something in Pass coverage.

[TheHustler]

Lets hope that OL will Gel...

[Chocolate Lab]

What happened to the idea that as long as Flo made a full recovery, we'd be fine? That we weren't that bad on the OL last year before he got hurt?

If that idea has any validity -- and I think it does -- it should still be true. We know this O-line isn't going to be a great one, but it can be solid.

Personally, I think our D is going to beat up on a LOT of offensive lines this year, even good ones. We've now assembled quite a few talented players over there.

[stasheroo]

What happened to the idea that as long as Flo made a full recovery, we'd be fine? That we weren't that bad on the OL last year before he got hurt?

If that idea has any validity -- and I think it does -- it should still be true. We know this O-line isn't going to be a great one, but it can be solid.

Personally, I think our D is going to beat up on a LOT of offensive lines this year, even good ones. We've now assembled quite a few talented players over there.

:hammer:

[boysfanindc]

one on one means very little as regards an O line that has 5 people needing to work TOGETHER.

Oline needs to jell to be able to handle non 1 on 1 situations, if no can handle 1 on 1 situations it causes a concern.

[InmanRoshi]

I would certainly hope that our DL is beating our OL in 1 on 1 drills, considering all we've invested on the defensive front in draft picks and free agency. Plus, offensive line is a unit that requires cohesion and time.

I still think if this OL has problems it will be on the edges, and I think any supposed interest in Meadows and Kennedy prove that. We're not pulling guards out of retirment. The fact of the matter is that the interior OL was not a huge problem last year. Not dominators by any means, but the edge protection was the huge liability. I believe KC Joyner and Yakuza have documented that.

[TX_Yid]

So if our OL suddenly gels and the defense can't get through, do when then pannick that our defense sucks and we won't be able to get to the quarterback?

Or what if the OL catches up to the defense and it's 50-50, do we then just have average on both sides of the line????

TO lights it up... our CB's are past it, too slow...aaaaarrrrghhhhhhhhhhhh

[Chief]

I'll go against the grain here.

I think we're whistling through the graveyard. I have had very little hope for this offensive line and nothing has changed.

Jerry and Parcells should have done more than just add a past-his-prime, stiff OT, and a journeyman OG.

This team has so much going for it, that it's a shame that this rag-tag bunch could hold it back.

[burmafrd]

Actually there are discrepancies as regards the data on the O line. Some of it indicates there were indeed problems in the interior, especially with LA. And Rivera was not playing well either. Hopefully our guards will be solid this year. Center is the other concern- I want better then just ok. I really am not worried about the tackles this year baring injury- we will be fine there.

[burmafrd]

the doom and gloom crew will always be with us. Better to just ignore them. I put them in the same category as the all is right with the world bunch.

[WilmingtonHeel]

TX Vid that about sums it up good post! As already said here too early to tell now. Flo just practiced for the 1st time.

[ZeroClub]

I'll go against the grain here.

I think we're whistling through the graveyard. I have had very little hope for this offensive line and nothing has changed.

Jerry and Parcells should have done more than just add a past-his-prime, stiff OT, and a journeyman OG.

This team has so much going for it, that it's a shame that this rag-tag bunch could hold it back.

The OL certainly stunk last year. Even before Flozell got hurt, the run blocking was weak. Significant improvement is needed. Time will tell.

[burmafrd]

frankly I think a lot of the run problems were due to LA not being able to move and Rivera being crippled. Add to that a weak Petitti and then Tucker and I think that we will be fine this year as regards run blocking.

[iceberg]

Wow.....no OL is going to suck!

Guess what our #1 pick will be next year?

but but but...

sorry crazycowboy - NOT picking on you cause i agree we need to address the OL in the draft. we should have done it THIS year. people just say 'who can we draft that will help???"

well, we've got 33 year olds coming out of retirement who can help. not a good sign of our current players. and if we picked someone they'd have a year out of the way next year and we'd know more of what we can and should do here.

i've been saying for over a year we're ignoring *this* side of the trenches and it's gonna hurt. i hope i'm wrong, but we'll see.

[InmanRoshi]

Actually there are discrepancies as regards the data on the O line. Some of it indicates there were indeed problems in the interior, especially with LA. And Rivera was not playing well either. Hopefully our guards will be solid this year. Center is the other concern- I want better then just ok. I really am not worried about the tackles this year baring injury- we will be fine there.


From the ‘Boys Blog — Many Cowboys fans view the 2005 offensive line as a failure. Did it perform poorly across the board or was it a case of three guys bailing but two huge holes letting water in?

K.C. Joyner — It was a case of the tackles being awful and the inside blockers being very good. Torrin Tucker had a terrible blocking percentage and Rob Petitti’s was one of the worst in the NFL. All the inside blockers (guards and centers) had 80%+ success rates. A 90% success rate is excellent and anything in the 80s is good.

[burmafrd]

For a stop gap year or two a 30 something O lineman is fine. GIves us time to draft and develope young guys. We drafted TWO developmental guys this year- probably will do the same next year. The sky is falling doom and gloom may make good threads but are not necessarily accurate.

[burmafrd]

I really do not think thost stat extractions really tell the whole story. LA had all sorts of trouble moving last year ( and before) and yet supposedly he was grading at 80%? I seriously question that.

[Alexander]

I really do not think thost stat extractions really tell the whole story. LA had all sorts of trouble moving last year ( and before) and yet supposedly he was grading at 80%? I seriously question that.

I think that's a fair grade actually.

It is just when he was bad, he was really bad. Most of the time he was at least adequate, but he made terrible blocks in key situations, especially when we pulled him as a lead when we needed short yardage and he missed his man. It depends on which 2 of the 10 opportunities you made a bad block. You can still grade out quite high.

[adbutcher]

It's just going to take time for the o0line ot get into shape. I wouldn't get too excited yet.
Agreed. There are a lot of moving pieces right now, when they become one we will be alright.

[ringmaster]

the doom and gloom crew will always be with us. Better to just ignore them. I put them in the same category as the all is right with the world bunch. I agree this time every year the D, is ahead at every TC, in the NFL.

I bet you this same doom and gloom crowd said the exact same things about the 90s O-line about them being too big to handle speed rushers like the late Reggie White, Bruce Smith, John Randle, Greg Lloyd, just to name a few.

I know also that back then at the start of training camp that same 90s O-line were getting beat in TC, and most of these fans, were in unison with the "know it all" media saying Johnson, and Jones were insane installing an O-line with 300+ lb o-lineman the weren't going to stop most blitzing defenses and we know how that turned out.

I'm not comparing this o-line to that of the 90s, they're far from that.

But like you say I will take most of these reports, with a grain of salt this time of year.

Some these same fans were ready to write off Henry, last year too after some reports suggested he look to stiff, and was getting beat by WRs, mostly in camp had it not been for an injury last year Henry, would probably been in the Pro Bowl.

But it will be a wait and see with the o-line for me.:star:

[EMMITTnROY]

how come everyone is only talking about the O-Line in regards to this write-up?

Personally, I am getting really excited about the fact that Kevin Burnett may end up being the guy that we are hoping he will be.. what a LB corps we could have if he turns into a player! Ware, Ayodele, James, Carpenter, Burnett, Singleton, Boiman.. and then (I'm guessing) Parham.. we may be so good that Fowler and Shanle don't make the team! you kidding me?

friends, our defense is looking very very good... if Watkins can learn quickly and live up to the hype he is already getting, we are gonna be very very scary.. D-Line, LBs, and Secondary.. no weaknesses and lots of depth.. I mean, when guys like Ellis, Singleton, Burnett, Hatcher, Glenn, Coleman, and Davis are BACKUPS?! a couple of years ago, all those players would have been definite starters for us.. this roster has improved leaps and bounds..

[ravidubey]

I know it's real early, but man, you can't win with Bledsoe without a very good offensive line.

This notion that Bledsoe is different than other QB's is bogus, almost meaningless talk.

In both Buffalo and New England both the OL and the receivers did not fit the offensive style the teams were playing. Tom Brady would make fast decisions, and that's part of the reason Belichek stuck with him once Bledsoe returned, but Bledsoe more than held his own when he ultimately did play again.

Brady's play helped the coaches change the offense to utilize faster-hitting plays to lessen the strain on the OL, and Bledsoe adapted to this philosophy as well as Brady. Brady just didn't have a 100 million dollar contract on the books. Bledsoe was traded for a 1st round pick after all.

In Buffalo, the offensive line was terrible. It had Rob Johnson getting sacked and Doug Flutie running for his life. Bledsoe came in and got defenses to back off the OL and he did it by throwing the ball to multiple targets under pressure. Then the Bills management got cute and took away two of Bledsoe's targets. Name any QB who could have succeeded under those circumstances.

If you don't have guys that can block for five and seven steps, then change the offense to utilize three step passes and shotgun formations. This is simple. Norv Turner did it in Dallas in 1991 when the OL was considered one of the worst in football. We all know how that OL's confidence grew with success.

But did Mike Mularkey make changes? No! Mr. Gimmick instead threw his starting QB under a bus, laying all problems at his feet.

In Dallas last year Bledsoe had a very high passer rating when facing the blitz, where he usually failed was when he had no time to throw because of jail breaks along the OL. If that happens to any QB looking long, they'll go down.

This is why getting at least one of Witten and Fasano set up as short targets instead of hanging back in to block is so important, it gives Drew somewhere to go when protection fails.

[ravidubey]

how come everyone is only talking about the O-Line in regards to this write-up?


I'm also loving Watkins' and Burnett's camp success thus far. But the OL will determine how far we can go as a team more than any other position. We need to not only be able to hold our ground we have to be able to push forward on the interior of the oL. That's why Gurode's success thus far has me happy. Rivera's lack of push and Fabini's about-to-get-cut status upset me greatly.

[America's Team]

I know it's real early, but man, you can't win with Bledsoe without a very good offensive line. I expected Parcells to have the OL fixed as one of his first priorities since he came to Dallas. I'm worried we're going to be forced to see Romo or Henson this season for some games. Well, at the least, that would let us know what we have in them I guess.

If Lincoln Kennedy is contacting Dallas, it's no secret our OL is in question.
we didnt contact lincoln he contacted us