Breer: Will the Cowboys’ offensive line still be overwhelming?

[Plankton]

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/06/15/adrian-peterson-new-orleans-saints-nfl-minicamp-notebook

2. Will the Cowboys’ offensive line still be overwhelming? Over the course of this decade, as the team has dropped first-round pick on top of first-round pick, and big contract extension after big contract extension on offensive linemen, the Cowboys’ identity and personality have grown to flow through the big guys up front. And that’s why I think the sneaky big story this spring down in Dallas—as the focus has been on Dak Prescott (he’s looked great) and Zeke Elliott (he’s had to work himself back into playing shape) and the defensive changes—is happening in that position group. To be clear, with Tyron Smith at left tackle, Zack Martin at right guard and Travis Frederick at center, this area’s going to remain a strength. But there’s turnover at right tackle and left guard, and if an overwhelming strength becomes just a strength, that could mean something in what should be a competitive NFC East.

The Cowboys’ hope is with La’el Collins, who should be a dominant run blocker at right tackle, and his limitations in pass protection can be managed given that Dallas has an athletic right-handed quarterback. And Chaz Green has ability and versatility to play just about anywhere on the line; he just has to stay healthy, and at left guard would be playing between Smith and Frederick. Now, if Green can’t stay healthy, and if Collins, whom the team is fully expecting to keep at tackle, struggles on the outside? Then, you’d have tackle Emmett Cleary (a guard working at tackle), ex-draft bust Jonathan Cooper (a guard who’s been working at center) and Joe Looney (a guard/center) competing for snaps.

There’s plenty that has to play out here, and it’ll be interesting how that affects the Cowboys’ two sophomore stars, who leaned on the line last year to have historic rookie seasons.

 

[Fletch]

Thanks Albert.

 

[Stash]

I like Breer's work, but I think this tidbit has a negative slant to it.

I don't see it mentioned about the distinct possibility that this year's line is better than the 2017 version?

 

[Teague31]

Love how all of these articles conveniently leave out the fact that Free was a complete dumpster fire last year

 

[diefree666]

Love how all of these articles conveniently leave out the fact that Free was a complete dumpster fire last year

well to be fair look at how many here refuse to admit that as well.

 

[Carson]

Love how all of these articles conveniently leave out the fact that Free was a complete dumpster fire last year

Too many facts!!

Just like our secondary will be worse. But nobody mentions how pedestrian Carr, Claiborne and Church really were.

Writers logic ... Free = Anthony Munoz. Everyone in our secondary is Ronnie Lott, Mel Blount and Deion.

We're doomed!!

 

[Stash]

Too many facts!!

Just like our secondary will be worse. But nobody mentions how pedestrian Carr, Claiborne and Church really were.

Writers logic ... Free = Anthony Munoz. Everyone in our secondary is Ronnie Lott, Mel Blount and Deion.

We're doomed!!

It is funny. Most of them are the same people criticizing those same players as liabilities when they were here. But as soon as they're gone? How will they ever replace them?

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Think it's fair for Breer to point out that, at this point, we have some question marks at RT and LG. My guess is that the line as a whole will turn out to be better than last year's version. But it's just a guess (albeit a reasonably educated one) until we see it on game day.

 

[diefree666]

Think it's fair for Breer to point out that, at this point, we have some question marks at RT and LG. My guess is that the line as a whole will turn out to be better than last year's version. But it's just a guess (albeit a reasonably educated one) until we see it on game day.

I don't think he really has a point. Yes we might be less at LG but it is a virtual certainty we will be better at RT which is more important. So overall the odds are that we will be BETTER on the O line then worse. So claiming otherwise goes against the facts as they stand. Sadly though it seems in this day and age that only negative articles get any play or respect and Breer is just pandering to that.

 

[gimmesix]

Love how all of these articles conveniently leave out the fact that Free was a complete dumpster fire last year

Yet, he was still better than the tackle we brought in (Byron Bell) and could still be better than Collins at tackle since we don't know how well Collins will play tackle. I did think Green played well when called upon at tackle, but the question with him is health.

Sometimes, a dumpster fire is better than the entire building burning down.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

I don't think he really has a point. Yes we might be less at LG but it is a virtual certainty we will be better at RT which is more important. So overall the odds are that we will be BETTER on the O line then worse. So claiming otherwise goes against the facts as they stand. Sadly though it seems in this day and age that only negative articles get any play or respect and Breer is just pandering to that.

Maybe just a difference of interpretation. I didn't read him to be suggesting that the O-line will be worse. Just think he was raising the possibility: "...if an overwhelming strength becomes just a strength, that could mean something in what should be a competitive NFC East."

Whatever. I'm not too concerned about what Breer thinks anyway. Pretty sure the big fat guys up front aren't either.

 

[gimmesix]

Think it's fair for Breer to point out that, at this point, we have some question marks at RT and LG. My guess is that the line as a whole will turn out to be better than last year's version. But it's just a guess (albeit a reasonably educated one) until we see it on game day.

I think it will turn out better as well, but I think we have to acknowledge that there is a lot to be proven here with Collins, Green, Cooper and Bell.

 

[diefree666]

Maybe just a difference of interpretation. I didn't read him to be suggesting that the O-line will be worse. Just think he was raising the possibility: "...if an overwhelming strength becomes just a strength, that could mean something in what should be a competitive NFC East."

Whatever. I'm not too concerned about what Breer thinks anyway. Pretty sure the big fat guys up front aren't either.

Fat guys are worried about their next meal.

 

[CowboyRoy]

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/06/15/adrian-peterson-new-orleans-saints-nfl-minicamp-notebook

2. Will the Cowboys’ offensive line still be overwhelming? Over the course of this decade, as the team has dropped first-round pick on top of first-round pick, and big contract extension after big contract extension on offensive linemen, the Cowboys’ identity and personality have grown to flow through the big guys up front. And that’s why I think the sneaky big story this spring down in Dallas—as the focus has been on Dak Prescott (he’s looked great) and Zeke Elliott (he’s had to work himself back into playing shape) and the defensive changes—is happening in that position group. To be clear, with Tyron Smith at left tackle, Zack Martin at right guard and Travis Frederick at center, this area’s going to remain a strength. But there’s turnover at right tackle and left guard, and if an overwhelming strength becomes just a strength, that could mean something in what should be a competitive NFC East.

The Cowboys’ hope is with La’el Collins, who should be a dominant run blocker at right tackle, and his limitations in pass protection can be managed given that Dallas has an athletic right-handed quarterback. And Chaz Green has ability and versatility to play just about anywhere on the line; he just has to stay healthy, and at left guard would be playing between Smith and Frederick. Now, if Green can’t stay healthy, and if Collins, whom the team is fully expecting to keep at tackle, struggles on the outside? Then, you’d have tackle Emmett Cleary (a guard working at tackle), ex-draft bust Jonathan Cooper (a guard who’s been working at center) and Joe Looney (a guard/center) competing for snaps.

There’s plenty that has to play out here, and it’ll be interesting how that affects the Cowboys’ two sophomore stars, who leaned on the line last year to have historic rookie seasons.

Personally, I think Collins is going to be a monster at RT. Big time improvement there. But LG is another matter. Regardless, the line will be great again. The only issue being that we cant handle any injuries to the big 4 this year like we could last year.

 

[diefree666]

Personally, I think Collins is going to be a monster at RT. Big time improvement there. But LG is another matter. Regardless, the line will be great again. The only issue being that we cant handle any injuries to the big 4 this year like we could last year.

actually I would say we have better depth now. Last year we really were unsure. Green proved he can play; and so did Cleary. We know Collins can play. Bell and Cooper are looking pretty good right now - of course without pads- so things are actually better.

 

[Stash]

Think it's fair for Breer to point out that, at this point, we have some question marks at RT and LG. My guess is that the line as a whole will turn out to be better than last year's version. But it's just a guess (albeit a reasonably educated one) until we see it on game day.

I wish that Breer could acknowledge that possibility as you have.

His slant only seems to consider the fact that it could be worse, and not the very real possibility that it could be even better.

If La'el Collins can bring his game to right tackle, he can be an absolutely huge upgrade from Doug Free and bring a level of toughness, nastiness, and physicality that a finesse player like Doug Free never could.

I strongly feel that La'el Collins can be the best right tackle this team has had since Erik Williams.

 

[Stash]

Yet, he was still better than the tackle we brought in (Byron Bell) and could still be better than Collins at tackle since we don't know how well Collins will play tackle. I did think Green played well when called upon at tackle, but the question with him is health.

Sometimes, a dumpster fire is better than the entire building burning down.

I'd rather look at the real potential for improvement over the proven poor play the team got from Free last year. Sometimes, unknown is better than known bad.

 

[Stash]

Personally, I think Collins is going to be a monster at RT. Big time improvement there. But LG is another matter. Regardless, the line will be great again. The only issue being that we cant handle any injuries to the big 4 this year like we could last year.

"Big four"?

 

[CowboyRoy]

actually I would say we have better depth now. Last year we really were unsure. Green proved he can play; and so did Cleary. We know Collins can play. Bell and Cooper are looking pretty good right now - of course without pads- so things are actually better.

Are you serious? We had Leary last year that was head and shoulders above any of these backups we have now. We also had Free. Much better collection last year. You take out Free and Leary and who are you putting in? Green and Cooper? Not even close.

 

[CowboyRoy]

"Big four"?

Collins, Frederick, Smith, Martin? Big four? Do you not agree with that?