OLine Future Options

[MichaelWinicki]

Originally Posted by Eddie

Are you willing to bet another full season that Parnell is the answer at RT?

They may very well have to due to lack of cap space needed to fill BOTH the RG and the RT positions.

There are no guarantees out there. The Cowboys are competing again 31 other teams for available talent.

That being said I think a RG will be brought in via FA, an OT will be drafted somewhere between rounds 2 and 4.

[Risen Star]

Originally Posted by xwalker

I think you overlooked some parts of the post.

Must have a backup Center that is pushing to start. Cook cannot run block. A draft pick would be preferred

OC Phil Costa - Need to draft a backup OC in the top 3 rounds.

The backup and future starter at Center is the most difficult position to find. There are multiple options in the Draft and Free Agency at OG and backup OT, but Near-Zero Centers in FA and only about 3 really good options in the draft.

Yeah, I got that. I'd rather shift Bernadeau inside and let him fill in at C for right now than go into next season with Phil Costa starting.

I'd honestly release Costa. He wouldn't be on the roster for camp next year.

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by Eddie

Are you willing to bet another full season that Parnell is the answer at RT?

Yes, I'm convinced that Parnell is better than Free right now and will continue to get better with experience.

My concern is the 3rd OT. Weems is the only candidate on the roster. It would be great to get Dallas Thomas in the draft. He could be a starter at OG and a quality backup at OT.

Originally Posted by Outlaw Heroes

Unless the Pats tag him, I'd make a strong push for Vollmer.

Vollmer has back problems. He only started 5 games in 2011 due to back problems. It appears that he is continuing to have back problems.

12/21/12 - OT Sebastian Vollmer (back/knee) remains limited with the injuries, especially the back, that have noticeably bothered him in recent game action.

12/13/12 - T Sebastian Vollmer continues to be listed as limited in practice because of the back and knee injuries that have bothered him in the last few games.

12/07/12 - T Sebastian Vollmer (back/knee) was limited in practice on Thursday. The right tackle returned to action last Sunday in Miami after missing a week of action, but also struggled for most of the game and played like a guy dealing with a back injury.

12/02/12 - OT Sebastian Vollmer returned to his starting right tackle spot against Miami, after missing the Thanksgiving night trip to New York with a back injury.

11/30/12 - T Sebastian Vollmer returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday after missing practice a day earlier and sitting out the Thanksgiving game in New York with back and knee injuries.

[burmafrd]

Originally Posted by xwalker

Yes, I'm convinced that Parnell is better than Free right now and will continue to get better with experience.

My concern is the 3rd OT. Weems is the only candidate on the roster. It would be great to get Dallas Thomas in the draft. He could be a starter at OG and a quality backup at OT.



Vollmer has back problems. He only started 5 games in 2011 due to back problems. It appears that he is continuing to have back problems.

12/21/12 - OT Sebastian Vollmer (back/knee) remains limited with the injuries, especially the back, that have noticeably bothered him in recent game action.

12/13/12 - T Sebastian Vollmer continues to be listed as limited in practice because of the back and knee injuries that have bothered him in the last few games.

[View Full Quote]12/07/12 - T Sebastian Vollmer (back/knee) was limited in practice on Thursday. The right tackle returned to action last Sunday in Miami after missing a week of action, but also struggled for most of the game and played like a guy dealing with a back injury.

12/02/12 - OT Sebastian Vollmer returned to his starting right tackle spot against Miami, after missing the Thanksgiving night trip to New York with a back injury.

11/30/12 - T Sebastian Vollmer returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday after missing practice a day earlier and sitting out the Thanksgiving game in New York with back and knee injuries.

NEVER spend money on a Lineman with back problems

[TwentyOne]

Originally Posted by xwalker

I’m going to list some different OL combos to start the 2013 season.

In all scenarios, the following conditions apply:
1. Bernadeau must be replaced as the starting RG.
2. Must have an experienced RG next to Parnell.
3. Must have a backup Center that is pushing to start. Cook cannot run block. A draft pick would be preferred; although Kevin Kowalski might be an option and Bernadeau might be better at OC than at OG.
4. Must have at least 1 backup OG that is pushing to start at some point. Draft picks would be preferred. Leary might be an option. Kowalski and David Arkin are in the mix, I guess.
5. Must find a legit backup OT. Darrion Weems is the only candidate currently on the roster. They could use a draft pick here also. Maybe a dual purpose OT/OG type.

Option 1: Most ready on day 1, but limited upside.
[View Full Quote]LT Tyron Smith - Just turned 22. He should continue to get better.

LG Nate Livings - Could be the best option to start the season at LG.

OC Phil Costa - Could be the best option to start the season at OC. Need to draft a backup OC in the top 3 rounds.

RG Brandon Moore - He is an experienced RG that played 4 years for Callahan.

RT Jermey Parnell - Parnell has the physical ability and now a little bit of experience.


Option 2: No Free Agents
LT Tyron Smith

LG Ronald Leary - NFL level physical ability, but he looked a bit lost in preseason.

OC Phil Costa - Need to draft a backup OC in the top 3 rounds.

RG Nate Livings. - Moved to RG to keep veteran next to Parnell.

RT Jermey Parnell - Parnell has the physical ability and now a little bit of experience.


Option 3: Draft Pick becomes a Starter
LT Tyron Smith

LG Draft Pick – If drafting an OG early, it would be good to have one that can play OC also.

OC Phil Costa - Need to draft a backup OC in the top 3 rounds.

RG Nate Livings or Brandon Moore, or other Veteran (Matt Slauson, Jets).

RT Jermey Parnell - Parnell has the physical ability and now a little bit of experience.


Summary:

The backup and future starter at Center is the most difficult position to find. There are multiple options in the Draft and Free Agency at OG and backup OT, but Near-Zero Centers in FA and only about 3 really good options in the draft.

With the signing of the 2 guards last offseason we made pretty good moves and are set at backup positions. I am pretty sure we will now upgrade the starting positions at guard thru the draft and we will find a quality starting center. Free will stay another year with a good guard playing at the right side.

PS: you don't draft for backup center in the first three rounds. Thats were you find starting material.

[burmafrd]

Originally Posted by TwentyOne

With the signing of the 2 guards last offseason we made pretty good moves and are set at backup positions. I think we will now upgrade the starting positions at guard and at center. Free will stay another year with a good guard playing at the right side.

PS: you don't draft for backup center in the first three rounds. Thats were you find starting material.

I would go as far as to say if you are looking for backups it should be at least 5th rd and maybe not even that.

I still cringe at Jerruh's DEPTH and SPECIAL TEAMS draft

[LatinMind]

Originally Posted by TwentyOne

With the signing of the 2 guards last offseason we made pretty good moves and are set at backup positions. I am pretty sure we will now upgrade the starting positions at guard thru the draft and we will find a quality starting center. Free will stay another year with a good guard playing at the right side.

PS: you don't draft for backup center in the first three rounds. Thats were you find starting material.

The longer parnell stays playing and rotating series the more likely Free would be a cap casualty

[xwalker]

Originally Posted by TwentyOne

With the signing of the 2 guards last offseason we made pretty good moves and are set at backup positions. I am pretty sure we will now upgrade the starting positions at guard thru the draft and we will find a quality starting center. Free will stay another year with a good guard playing at the right side.

PS: you don't draft for backup center in the first three rounds. Thats were you find starting material.

Please re-read the 1st sentence and item 3:

I’m going to list some different OL combos to start the 2013 season.

3. Must have a backup Center that is pushing to start.

Sean Lee was drafted in 2010 and played in 14 games but started Zero. In 2011, he started all of the games that he played in.

I would have described Sean Lee as a backup pushing to start.

Thanks for catching me, I was about to advocate for drafting a career backup in the first three rounds of the draft.

[honyock]

Originally Posted by xwalker

Yes, I'm convinced that Parnell is better than Free right now and will continue to get better with experience.

My concern is the 3rd OT. Weems is the only candidate on the roster. It would be great to get Dallas Thomas in the draft. He could be a starter at OG and a quality backup at OT.

Nice OP and thread xwalker. Assuming that the team is going with Parnell next year and Free is gone (which is looking more and more likely every game into the RT rotation/audition), what do you think of the likelihood that they'll consider Cook as 3rd OT next year? That's where he's had most of his NFL experience. I just don't know much of anything about his stints with the Vikings and Dolphins.

[big dog cowboy]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

I think 4 of the offensive line starters are on the roster presently.

Great.

[Deep_Freeze]

Originally Posted by honyock

Nice OP and thread xwalker. Assuming that the team is going with Parnell next year and Free is gone (which is looking more and more likely every game into the RT rotation/audition), what do you think of the likelihood that they'll consider Cook as 3rd OT next year? That's where he's had most of his NFL experience. I just don't know much of anything about his stints with the Vikings and Dolphins.

I have also thought of this, and if Free goes Cook would have to be in the equation cause of his game experience at the position. Maybe the staff felt like this when they picked him up cause he is so versatile. With our centers healthy again, and maybe a pickup too, Cook could fill in wherever needed as a backup.

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by Outlaw Heroes

Unless the Pats tag him, I'd make a strong push for Vollmer.

He`s had major back issues. I`d pass on him for that reason. Odds are they will act up again and no one knows how bad it will be.

[jjktkk]

Originally Posted by burmafrd

I would go as far as to say if you are looking for backups it should be at least 5th rd and maybe not even that.

I still cringe at Jerruh's DEPTH and SPECIAL TEAMS draft

Hard time moving on huh? A shame.

[AmishCowboy]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

They may very well have to due to lack of cap space needed to fill BOTH the RG and the RT positions.

There are no guarantees out there. The Cowboys are competing again 31 other teams for available talent.

That being said I think a RG will be brought in via FA, an OT will be drafted somewhere between rounds 2 and 4.

I think so too

[AmishCowboy]

Originally Posted by DBOY3141

I think they go after Slauson. He played for Callahan at Nebraska and the Jets. He is young (26). Then in the 2nd I think they will take a hard look at Barrett Jones from Alabama, can play multiple positions and Garrett and Saban are close.

Smith
Livings
Costa/Killer/Berny/Jones
Slauson
Parnell

Cutting Free and signing Slauson would be somewhat of a wash. Free is done in Dallas after this year.

I agree, Slauson won't break the bank, and I think we will look Defensive line in the 1st