The Case For OL

[Hostile]

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. When was this once proud franchise a dynasty? When we had an OL that was opening holes for our running game and protecting our QB.

2011...5 rushing TDs
2010...10 rushing TDs
2009...14 rushing TDs
2008...12 rushing TDs

41 TDs over a 4 year span.

Contrast that to Emmitt Smith alone over the 4 year span of our Dynasty years.

1992...18 rushing TDs
1993...9 rushing TDs
1994...21 rushing TDs
1995...25 rushing TDs

73 rushing TDs over a 4 year span and this doesn't even allow for the rest of the team.

Fix the OL, open holes for Murray and protect Tony Romo. This team cannot be beat.

[Risen Star]

All true. But I have to ask....

Is this like your FA thread where if we don't address it, you'll still love the decision?

[SilverStarCowboy]

Originally Posted by Hostile

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. When was this once proud franchise a dynasty? When we had an OL that was opening holes for our running game and protecting our QB.

2011...5 rushing TDs
2010...10 rushing TDs
2009...14 rushing TDs
2008...12 rushing TDs

There are many other circumstances effecting the NFL rushing stats besides Garretts' inability in the RedZone.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

All true. But I have to ask....

Is this like your FA thread where if we don't address it, you'll still love the decision?

What?

[Macnalty]

Originally Posted by SilverStarCowboy

There are many other circumstances effecting the NFL rushing stats besides Garretts' inability in the RedZone.

I agree and most of it involves no push up front in the middle of the OLine. We are so close on the O to getting it right. Wish there was a better alternative than Jones and Konz for Center, I think both are similar in talent to our FA pickups only they play center.

[Woods]

This could end up being a wierd draft.

By that I mean, I could see us drafting DeCastro, Konz, or Zeitler very early.

On the other hand, I could also see us going defense early and often and not drafting for the OL until Day 3.

I agree that DeCastro would be the safe pick in Round 1, assuming he's available. But from reading the tea leaves, I get the distinct feeling the organization prefers to go defense early, at least in Round 1.

In Round 2, we could even go TE or RB, and I wouldn't be shocked anymore.

I still would love to see us either draft an OC outright, or draft a guy like DeCastro and move one of the other guys to OC (like the pick up from Carolina, for example, who has some experience there) or try to also get Blake in the 4th along with DeCastro in Round 1.

I'm personally not as keen on drafting Konz in the teens. Would prefer to draft DeCastro instead.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Woods

This could end up being a wierd draft.

By that I mean, I could see us drafting DeCastro, Konz, or Zeitler very early.

On the other hand, I could also see us going defense early and often and not drafting for the OL until Day 3.

I agree that DeCastro would be the safe pick in Round 1, assuming he's available. But from reading the tea leaves, I get the distinct feeling the organization prefers to go defense early, at least in Round 1.

In Round 2, we could even go TE or RB, and I wouldn't be shocked anymore.

I still would love to see us either draft an OC outright, or draft a guy like DeCastro and move one of the other guys to OC (like the pick up from Carolina, for example, who has some experience there) or try to also get Blake in the 4th.

Make no mistake about it, we are going to go Defense heavy in this Draft. I know that is going to happen. I just don't think it is the right way to go.

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by Hostile

What?

You told us all before FA started that this FA period had to be about an aggressive overhaul of the OL. It was priority #1. All other issues paled in comparison. Which I thought couldn't have been more right.

Then about 5 days later you told us how excited you were about the direction of the team after signing Brandon Carr to 10 million a year and sifting through the couch cushions for Nate Livings and MacKenzie Bernadeau.

All I'm asking now with this draft plan is if they ignore your pleas again, will that fact actually reflect in your perception of the results?

Or were Livings and Bernadeau what you had in mind when this all started?

[visionary]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

All true. But I have to ask....

Is this like your FA thread where if we don't address it, you'll still love the decision?

ouch
that will leave a mark

[Woods]

Originally Posted by Macnalty

I agree and most of it involves no push up front in the middle of the OLine. We are so close on the O to getting it right. Wish there was a better alternative than Jones and Konz for Center, I think both are similar in talent to our FA pickups only they play center.

I guess if the season were to start today, Costa would be penciled in as the starter, with Killer pushing. Nagy could figure into the mix as well, I suppose.

For me, OC is concerning, and I think we could even find a competent starter at that position Day 2 or early Day 3.

[theogt]

The case for defense:

In 2011, we had a good offense. In 2011, we had a bad defense.

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by visionary

ouch
that will leave a mark

Hey, I'm not looking to give him any grief I'm just seriously asking if he'll be consistent this time. If OL is the way to go in this draft and the Cowboys don't go that way, let's not read how excited you are with this draft class.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

You told us all before FA started that this FA period had to be about an aggressive overhaul of the OL. It was priority #1. All other issues paled in comparison. Which I thought couldn't have been more right.

Then about 5 days later you told us how excited you were about the direction of the team after signing Brandon Carr to 10 million a year and sifting through the couch cushions for Nate Livings and MacKenzie Bernadeau.

All I'm asking now with this draft plan is if they ignore your pleas again, will that fact actually reflect in your perception of the results?

Or were Livings and Bernadeau what you had in mind when this all started?

I believe my posts would reflect the fact that I still believe that. I've pimped DeCastro and Konz as being what we need to be in the Super Bowl and win it. I doubt you can find a thread where I've liked any Defensive player at 14.

I also don't believe you can find a single post where I am excited about either Livings or Bernadeau. I expressed excitement over the Free Agency Haul. I certainly do not deny that.

I figured we'd stick with Fiammetta. I actually like Vickers better. The only FB in the NFL I like better is probably Vonta Leach. I am this forums biggest FB shill. Last year my pet cat was Henry Hynoski. We drafted Shaun Chapas, and Hynoski went UDFA to the Giants. Chapas looks like a PS guy. Hynoski looks like a pro. I like Vickers even more than I liked Hynoski. It makes me happy. I won't apologize for being excited about a FB I truly think is a difference maker.

I thought Dan Connors was a lock to the Eagles. He is from Pennsylvania and I read one time that he was an Eagles fan. They have LB needs. I didn't think we had a prayer of landing him. I'll take him over Bradie James or Keith Brooking this year any time. I feel like with him and Carter working with Lee we have the makings of a solid ILB corps. I'd like to add someone in the Draft and I think my mocks have all reflected this.

I didn't think we had a realistic shot at Kyle Orton. If you look back I was talking about Jason Campbell as our best hope at backup QB. I wanted us to take Orton with a waiver claim last year when Denver let him go. We did, but so did the Chiefs and we lost out. I am shocked he agreed to come here as Tony's backup when he possibly could have started for several other teams including Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, or Cleveland for example. Hell, he could have started for the Chiefs again. I won't apologize for being excited that we landed what I think is the best backup we possibly could have.

I know you're not into paying CBs high dollars. I am not on that same train. I really don't care what we pay someone as long as we remain under the cap and improve the team. I do believe Carr will be an improvement over Newman. I didn't dislike Newman, but his time had come and gone. His cost was prohibitive and the results weren't there. I believe Carr's press coverage abilities will allow us to improve defensively. I have nothing against doing that in the D-Backfield. It doesn't bother me. It clearly does bother you. I've never come after you for how you feel about that. Clearly if someone does not agree with you 100% you feel you have to come after them in some other way such as this. That's cool, just don't put thoughts into my head and words in my mouth.

I am excited about the team in 2012. I won't deny it. I think Woicik having a full off season is to our advantage in a huge way. I heard from one guy recently that when he went by VR he was impressed with how many of our guys are there hitting the training hard. It excites me. Football has a way of doing that to me. If you can't be excited unless you get every toy on your list, I can't help you.

I wanted Nicks pretty bad. I liked Grubbs too. I am hopeful the scouting department sees things in Livings and Bernadeau that I am unaware of, but that has never stopped me from wanting DeCastro above all other players in the Draft and I have never moved from my belief that OL has to be our #1 priority. You cannot show me where I have said, "Hey, we're done on OL, let's fix DBs and DL." You can't do it because I have never thought it.

Oh, and not to be too flip about it, but I'd have been excited about Free Agency if the only thing we had done so far was to get rid of a 2nd Kicker. In case you didn't know it, I hate Kickers.

That last part was strictly for fun. Just making that clear.

Yes, I am excited. I am sorry that you aren't. I can't help you there. You have to do that yourself.

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by Woods

I guess if the season were to start today, Costa would be penciled in as the starter, with Killer pushing. Nagy could figure into the mix as well, I suppose.

For me, OC is concerning, and I think we could even find a competent starter at that position Day 2 or early Day 3.

Costa, Kowalski and Nagy. If that doesn't give you a panic attack I question your sanity.

[Hostile]

Originally Posted by visionary

ouch
that will leave a mark

On whom? Not on me.