Where is Arkin?

[BAT]

Originally Posted by Alexander

It has spread across "generations" of coaching staffs.

I realize the real brains behind the operation (Ciskowski) gets credit for Larry Allen, but you cannot deny we have not drafted a quality offensive lineman since.
That indicates our scouts do not know how to evaluate the talent. Or our "information gatherer" does not. Or our GM does not.

Or perhaps the organization does not appreciate the importance of the position and believes it can be "coached up".

Or if necessary, bought in free agency which is an even bigger gamble.

Something is clearly and horribly wrong. Most people who can think rationally have seen this as an issue for the last three to four seasons. There was going to be a reckoning. And now here it is.

We seem to be hitting jackpot on the ILB position.

We need to find someone capable of doing the same on the offensive line.

It's true that the Cowboys absolutely suck at drafting OL, but that is a bit of an exaggeration. Cowboys drafted Flozell and Gurode, who both went to multiple pro bowls. Granted 3 guys in the last 16 years is horrible, but everyone is "high" on T-Smith and Free played well for a "second or two" (see, exaggeration) until falling flat on his face (no exaggeration) in Callahan's system.

[Kangaroo]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

We used two picks on Claiborne.

That is not giving up two picks he said we gave up two picks. Make up your mind yes we used two picks on a CB we did not give up two picks to get him.

Their is a difference.

We gave away two picks for Joey & Roy

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by Kangaroo

That is not giving up two picks he said we gave up two picks. Make up your mind yes we used two picks on a CB we did not give up two picks to get him.

Their is a difference.

We gave away two picks for Joey & Roy

You're arguing semantics because you really don't have much. Give up, used.....the bottom line is the Cowboys invested their 1st and 2nd round draft picks on another cornerback. Another instance of emphasizing that position over the very neglected trenches.

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by BAT

It's true that the Cowboys absolutely suck at drafting OL, but that is a bit of an exaggeration. Cowboys drafted Flozell and Gurode, who both went to multiple pro bowls. Granted 3 guys in the last 16 years is horrible, but everyone is "high" on T-Smith and Free played well for a "second or two" (see, exaggeration) until falling flat on his face (no exaggeration) in Callahan's system.

You have to draw a line in today's NFL.

Good or even great players are in scarce supply.

If you want to look at true success, you look at constants.

If you look at the constants and ignore the outliers, pure statistical intellect points you to the fact we cannot evaluate offensive linemen.

We have a low success ratio of picking them out. And even when the law of averages dictates we do, we annoint them.

That is what is happening with Free. We did it with Adams, signing him beyond his useful shelf life because we were frightened of the unknown.

That is the big problem. The "unknown".

In other words, our ability to identify talent.

It is not just at offensive tackle.

That is up and down this roster.

[Kangaroo]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

You're arguing semantics because you really don't have much. Give up, used.....the bottom line is the Cowboys invested their 1st and 2nd round draft picks on another cornerback. Another instance of emphasizing that position over the very neglected trenches.

No I argued what he said I freely admitted we used two picks on a CB and I was fine with it in the draft. We where not drafting the Guard from Stanford either if we did not move up we would have drafted the same guy the Rams drafted in brockers.

I think the team dropped the ball not trading the disaster that is Jenkins this year when they had a chance.

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by Kangaroo

No I argued what he said I freely admitted we used two picks on a CB and I was fine with it in the draft. We where not drafting the Guard from Stanford either if we did not move up we would have drafted the same guy the Rams drafted in brockers.

I think the team dropped the ball not trading the disaster that is Jenkins this year when they had a chance.

What he said was true. We did give up two draft picks for him. You took it to mean the trade, where we gave up one pick.

Claiborne cost the 14th and 45th overall choices. That's what we gave up to select him.

[Zordon]

Originally Posted by Kangaroo

No I argued what he said I freely admitted we used two picks on a CB and I was fine with it in the draft. We where not drafting the Guard from Stanford either if we did not move up we would have drafted the same guy the Rams drafted in brockers.

I think the team dropped the ball not trading the disaster that is Jenkins this year when they had a chance.

we liked zeitler who is having a very good year in cincy.

[junk]

Originally Posted by Alexander

We seem to be hitting jackpot on the ILB position.

We need to find someone capable of doing the same on the offensive line.

It is a changing league. Teams used to be able to mine guards later in the draft. Not too often any more.

Teams that want to run the ball are investing high picks on the OL. Seattle and SF for example.

[Howardlittleton64]

Originally Posted by Verdict

Our line is decimated by injuries and we aren't getting great play from the replacements, yet Arkin is not playing. I'm not saying he should play .... but I am wondering why we are using up a roster spot on a guy who isn't good enough to even get spot duty on a team with a weak line, no depth AND is decimated by injuries.

Does he have SOOO much potential that next year he will compete for a starting position? If not why keep him? Are we going to redshirt him next year too?

He sucks. We keep him because our front office has no idea what they are doing.

[arglebargle]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

It is. It's about Arkin and, by extension, the OL.

It's all about the axe-grinding....

[AbeBeta]

Originally Posted by junk

It is a changing league. Teams used to be able to mine guards later in the draft. Not too often any more.

Teams that want to run the ball are investing high picks on the OL. Seattle and SF for example.

I big part of that is that teams used to be able to sit on guys for 4-5 years. With RFA starting now at three years service, it is a different situation.

But also, here is a guy who we brought in at G and had to move to C in an emergency. He's never played C, so you might reasonably cut him slack for sucking at that position. Also, he's not had enough time at G (b/c you moved him to center) to get settled. Sorta seems reasonable to hang on to him when you consider that.

Oh no! there I go advocating for context in evaluation!

[junk]

Originally Posted by AbeBeta

I big part of that is that teams used to be able to sit on guys for 4-5 years. With RFA starting now at three years service, it is a different situation.

But also, here is a guy who we brought in at G and had to move to C in an emergency. He's never played C, so you might reasonably cut him slack for sucking at that position. Also, he's not had enough time at G (b/c you moved him to center) to get settled. Sorta seems reasonable to hang on to him when you consider that.

Oh no! there I go advocating for context in evaluation!

I'm not even sure what you are trying to say. Are you defending the approach to the OL this year?

This team stinks at evaluating OL and rarely invests premium draft resources in that position. Look at their draft history for any proof you need.

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by Zordon

we liked zeitler who is having a very good year in cincy.

We "like" a lot of offensive linemen.

The problem is usually we take shots at a Robert Brewster believing we can get fortunate.