Our GM Evaluates Livings/Bernadeau

[superpunk]

“I’m looking forward to them having the full offseason, hopefully, without having to be compromised by injury, and then of course, full training camp,” Jones said at the Senior Bowl. “As the season went along and they got clear of some of the injury aspects to them, they played at a level that met my expectations. They did.”

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com...#storylink=cpy

[Risen Star]

Please. Have mercy on me. I can't take much more.

[superpunk]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

Please. Have mercy on me. I can't take much more.

What corners will be available at 18?

[bark]

Originally Posted by superpunk

What corners will be available at 18?

the man said he couldn't take much more...

[Idgit]

We had bigger problems at OT and C.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Idgit

We had bigger problems at OT and C.

Wonder why this is being ignored?

[Doomsay]

Originally Posted by Idgit

We had bigger problems at OT and C.

I think that the point of the OP is that we have bigger problems at GM.

[RS12]

Originally Posted by Idgit

We had bigger problems at OT and C.

How bout 80% of the line needs to be upgraded and they have big problems in general. Cant stop thinking about that Alabama O Line.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by Idgit

We had bigger problems at OT and C.

I agree.

Free: The worst of the 5 primary starters.

Cook: Decent pass blocker but the worst run blocker of the 5.

Bernadeau: Inconsistent at both pass and run blocking.

Livings: Good anchor but gets beat by quickness on occasion.

Smith: The best of the 5 at both run and pass blocking and he just turned 22.

Parnell: The 2nd best OL on the roster.

Most difficult (need) position to fill: Center. You just can't get a good one in FA.

[Bluestang]

Originally Posted by Idgit

We had bigger problems at OT and C.

Originally Posted by Hostile

Wonder why this is being ignored?

It probably has to do with the fact that the OL relies heavily on the C to do multiple things correctly on every play.

1. Centers have to be able to recognize the defensive front and relay the line calls to the other members in order for everyone to execute the correct blocks. Without getting too technical here one running play is diagrammed multiple ways in a playbook under different defensive fronts. For example a simple sprint run to the right side, will have about about 6-8 eight different variations of blocking when faced with various 4-3 or 3-4 fronts. And just to add to that mess, take into account if the front changes and an audible is called...

2. Not only do centers have to be smart guys, but they need to have some ability/talent as well. While some like to bag on Costa, he's the closest thing we have on the roster right now that is capable of doing the job. While I wouldn't hedge my bets on him to be the next coming of Stepnoski I certainly would tender him as a 2nd or 3rd rounder and let him win the starting job against Bernadeau or a drafted rookie. If the Cowboys decide to go FA then they better get the best damn center available and he'd better be the first guy they talk too.

[gimmesix]

Originally Posted by Idgit

We had bigger problems at OT and C.

Actually, I believe Ryan Cook graded out higher at his position than either guard, but that's not saying a lot.

To me, the line did show marked improvement, which should have been expected since we entered the offseason with two new guards and the tackles switching sides then lost the expected starting center.

However, as with every position on this team, Dallas needs to be looking for more. Bernadeau and Costa need to be seen as stopgaps while the team looks for actually stars at those spots. Right tackle needs to be fixed, which to me would be giving Parnell a chance WITH quality competition facing him. Cook is a fine backup/fill-in, but this team needs at least three new linemen to add to the mix, and at least one of them needs to be a clear upgrade at C, RG or RT.

Obviously, we'd all like All-Pro-caliber guys at those spots, but incremental progress is probably the best we can hope for.

[JackWagon]

Originally Posted by superpunk

What corners will be available at 18?

RB?
TE/WR?


ROFL

[Woods]

On a serious note, are there any stats showing how our OGs performed the last half (or even month) of the season versus their peers? Did they materially improve versus the first half of the season performance (versus their peer rankings)?

[theogt]

Originally Posted by Woods

On a serious note, are there any stats showing how our OGs performed the last half (or even month) of the season versus their peers? Did they materially improve versus the first half of the season performance (versus their peer rankings)?

Well, according to PFF, Livings and Bernadeau combined gave up 12 sacks in the first 10 games and 1 sack in the last 6 games. I mean, that's certainly improvement for what it's worth and may be part of what Jerry was referencing.*

I think, just from watching the games, there was a clear improvement to the line as a whole, but it was improvement from complete and total crap to slightly less worse than complete and total crap.


* OL sack statistics should be taken with a huge grain of salt given the difficulty of accurately assigning responsibility.

[the_h0wey]

Originally Posted by theogt

Well, according to PFF, Livings and Bernadeau combined gave up 12 sacks in the first 10 games and 1 sack in the last 6 games. I mean, that's certainly improvement for what it's worth.*


* OL sack statistics should be taken with a huge grain of salt given the difficulty of accurately assigning responsibility.

Sir, please keep your facts and logical thinking to yourself.