My question to the board - Dallas Cowboys Forum

50cent · 07-25-2006

Mickey lists 5 concerns on his latest column. This got me to thinking.
1. O-line
2. Back-up QB
3. Kickoff specialst
4. Greg Ellis
5. Back-up NT
He didn't mention FS. So here's my question. If 4 of his concerns are really about back-ups, with starting O-line and FS being about starters. Are we really that far off from contending? We're really concerned about 3 spots(Kosier, Pettiti, and Davis). We have come a long way when our concerns are down to 3 spots. Flo doesn't bother me due to modern tech, Rivera has recovered, and Johnson/Gurode are servicable.

TEK2000 · 07-25-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50cent

Mickey lists 5 concerns on his latest column. This got me to thinking.
1. O-line
2. Back-up QB
3. Kickoff specialst
4. Greg Ellis
5. Back-up NT
He didn't mention FS. So here's my question. If 4 of his concerns are really about back-ups, with starting O-line and FS being about starters. Are we really that far off from contending? We're really concerned about 3 spots(Kosier, Pettiti, and Davis). We have come a long way when our concerns are down to 3 spots. Flo doesn't bother me due to modern tech, Rivera has recovered, and Johnson/Gurode are servicable.

This is a major concern for me... back injuries are usually life long problems and older players have a harder time getting over injuries as it is. A problem with Rivera's back will affect his strength and agility (as was apparent last season). I would say I have more concerns about Rivera than any other lineman we have.

NT is a question. Ferguson certainly has to play better than he did last season as well be able to handle more plays on the field. At least one of our backup NT's have to step in and be able to play at an at minimum MODERATE quality level in order for our middle linebackers to be successful.

Injuries can happen at any time to any player, fortunately, Bledsoe doesn't have a history of being out for injuries through his career... HOPEFULLY it won't be a problem this season. But.. as with ALL of our players, we can only HOPE that they stay healthy.

Screw The Hall · 07-25-2006

It's all about the OL as far as I'm concerned. All the other question marks are indeed valid, but on their own aren't dealbreakers. But we will go as far as that OL allows us to go, for better or for worse.

50cent · 07-25-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screw The Hall

It's all about the OL as far as I'm concerned. All the other question marks are indeed valid, but on their own aren't dealbreakers. But we will go as far as that OL allows us to go, for better or for worse.

I may be in the minority, but I'm with BP on this one. We weren't that bad until Flo went down. I know Rivera was limited but he wasn't really a glaring weakness last season. He didn't play to pro-bowl level, but he didn't exactly kill us either (i'e. Pettiti and Tucker). Flo, I really believe will be a force as will Rivera. My saving grace is Hannam. We don't have to force Fasano into a rush to play mode and Hannam is a capable blocker and receiving threat next to Pettiti/Columbo/Fasani.

**big dog cowboy** · 07-25-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screw The Hall

It's all about the OL as far as I'm concerned. All the other question marks are indeed valid, but on their own aren't dealbreakers. But we will go as far as that OL allows us to go, for better or for worse.

That has pretty much been the mantra all off season.

**big dog cowboy** · 07-25-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50cent

3. Kickoff specialst

If that is one of the top 5 concerns of our team we are in good shape.

TEK2000 · 07-25-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by big dog cowboy

If that is one of the top 5 concerns of our team we are in good shape.

GREAT POST!!! You're exactly right on that point.

JackMagist · 07-25-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50cent

Mickey lists 5 concerns on his latest column. This got me to thinking.
1. O-line
2. Back-up QB
3. Kickoff specialst
4. Greg Ellis
5. Back-up NT
He didn't mention FS. So here's my question. If 4 of his concerns are really about back-ups, with starting O-line and FS being about starters. Are we really that far off from contending? We're really concerned about 3 spots(Kosier, Pettiti, and Davis). We have come a long way when our concerns are down to 3 spots. Flo doesn't bother me due to modern tech, Rivera has recovered, and Johnson/Gurode are servicable.

It may sound odd but Kosier and Pettiti are actually the two starting O-linemen that I have the least concern with. This is not to say that I don't still have questions about them as well but Adams' knee, Rivera's back and Al Johnson's lower body strength are all more of a concern to me than the other two guys.

50cent · 07-25-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackMagist

It may sound odd but Kosier and Pettiti are actually the two starting O-linemen that I have the least concern with. This is not to say that I don't still have questions about them as well but Adams' knee, Rivera's back and Al Johnson's lower body strength are all more of a concern to me than the other two guys.

I'm just the opposite. So far, Ireland's track record warrants that he be given the benefit of the doubt on Kosier. I have to see Pettiti before I believe it. Summer time is the time to say good things about players and JJ has done his share of selling us BS. So, the proof is in the pudding on Pettiti. I like Rivera, Flo and the combination of Johnson/Gurode, just have questions about Pettiti if we don't give him TE help.

jlust22 · 07-26-2006

Yeah, I usually try not to buy into the pre training camp praise that gets thrown certain players way based on how they did in the offseason. It seems too many times that those guys who we are told are totally new players end up being more hype than substance. But, everyone seems to be raving about Pettiti's offseason so hopefully he will have a huge step up season going into his 2nd year. I do think he will be the starter at RT unless he has a real bad preseason.

From Matt Mosley's new training camp blog on dallasnews.com

Petitti filet...
Yes, it's the worst headline ever, but that's not what I get paid for. Many of you are concerned about the Cowboys' offensive line. Here's something from longtime e-mailer Zachary:

Did Petitti improve as last year wore on? Is the job completely up for grabs between him, Fabini, and Colombo? That is, each has an equal shot of winning? Thanks.

I promise to spend quite a bit of time on the offensive line situation during camp. I've been told by three different members of the club that Rob Petitti may have had the best off-season of any player. He launched himself into Bill Parcells' workout program, and from what we're hearing, he looks like a completely different person. This is good news since he didn't exactly dominate during his rookie season. At this point, he's well ahead of Jason Fabini and Marc Colombo. Let me also plant a little bug in your ear about a kid named Cory Procter, who was originally signed by the Lions as a free agent out of the University of Montana. He's raising some eyebrows already and could be a quality backup at both guard spots.

Posted by Matt Mosley at 2:32 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)

Screw The Hall · 07-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 50cent

I may be in the minority, but I'm with BP on this one. We weren't that bad until Flo went down. I know Rivera was limited but he wasn't really a glaring weakness last season. He didn't play to pro-bowl level, but he didn't exactly kill us either (i'e. Pettiti and Tucker). Flo, I really believe will be a force as will Rivera. My saving grace is Hannam. We don't have to force Fasano into a rush to play mode and Hannam is a capable blocker and receiving threat next to Pettiti/Columbo/Fasani.

Yeah didn't think we were bad with Flo either, at least in pass protection.
But I'm ready to get some consistent blocking in the running game for a change, and I'm hoping a healthy Rivera might help us in that regard.

If Pettiti has gained as much strength as has been reported, with his size maybe we'll finally get a people moving right side of the line we haven't witnessed in quite a while.

Either way the OL line will be the determining factor on how far we can go. If we are good in that area we can go all the way, no question in my mind.

Still, that's a big if in my mind. The very 1st thing we have to have is a healthy Flozell, it has to start there, and that's one thing I'll be looking for early.

Screw The Hall · 07-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by big dog cowboy

That has pretty much been the mantra all off season.

Yep, no doubt about it. I would gauge my morale in that area as concerned but not pessimistic. I do think the potential is there to be good, I just need to see it at this point.

Let's face it, it's been a long time around here since anyone's been comfortable with the OL. And to be frank I don't think we've done our best coaching in that area, and that concerns me too.

sago1 · 07-26-2006

We had a great OL during our SB years of the 90s, but poor drafting/age allowed this unit to deteriorate so badly that by 97 Madden (during Cowboy-Bear game) said Aikman's career will be greatly shortened if he continues to take the hits his OL was giving up--Bears was blitzing on every play, including against the run to take Aikman down--was the only weapon that was working in that game, which Cowboys went on to win. So our OL problems have been ongoing for almost a decade, except in Gailey's first season in 98 when Adams as a rookie started at LT & Allen was moved to LG solidying the left side of the OL.