Signed by Cowboys Cowboys sign OT Cameron Fleming

[gimmesix]

If Fleming is an option to start, I think it makes more sense to play him at tackle and move Collins. Collins would be amuch better guard than Fleming in my opinion.

But if they're not moving Collins, that tells me that Fleming is the much-needed swing tackle insurance policy.

And kudos to this team for fixing 2017's biggest mistake.

That's possible. However, I don't know if Collins at tackle and Fleming at guard would be a better option than Collins at guard and Fleming at tackle. I don't want to see Dallas going back and forth on this. Put Fleming at one spot or the other, put Collins at one spot or the other and try to go with it. If that doesn't work, then make the switch. I don't want to see both cross-trained until we have them settled at whatever their primary spot is going to be.

What I would do is let Fleming compete with M. Martin and a third- or fourth-round draft pick to be the starting guard and leave Collins alone. So my initial lineup would likely be Smith, Fleming, Frederick, Martin, Collins.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Is that right? Because he's clearly the 5th best offensive lineman on the roster right now. Those names "battling" at G are bums.

If we do not draft an OG to be the starter (or sign another), I believe the line will be best with Collins a RT and one of the "bums" at LG.

 

[Avery]

Low years, much lower salary than I thought. I like it.

 

[Stash]

That's possible. However, I don't know if Collins at tackle and Fleming at guard would be a better option than Collins at guard and Fleming at tackle. I don't want to see Dallas going back and forth on this. Put Fleming at one spot or the other, put Collins at one spot or the other and try to go with it. If that doesn't work, then make the switch. I don't want to see both cross-trained until we have them settled at whatever their primary spot is going to be.

I don't want to see indecision either, but there's no question in my mind that Collins is the better player. He's a good tackle right now and might be great, but, given his power, he'd be a terror at guard. I definitely think Fleming is a better tackle than he would be inside.

But I definitely think the plan for him is swing tackle and not starter inside.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I don't think he comes here without at least the promise of being able to contend for a starting job. I don't think Dallas made him any promises, but it's got a job open on the line and I'm sure Fleming, with his starting experience and success after settling into starting for the Patriots, believes he'll be given a fair shot at it.

I think it's naive to believe he came here just to be a backup.

He'll only start if Smith misses time, IMO.

 

[gimmesix]

He'll only start if Smith misses time, IMO.

So you're essentially saying we've got to use a first- or second-round pick on a starting guard.

 

[Denim Chicken]

So you're essentially saying we've got to use a first- or second-round pick on a starting guard.

We don't have to--that's why were signing Martin--but I think it's the plan.

 

[jrumann59]

I think a suspect guard is easier to hide on the current line as it is constructed than a suspect tackle. Take that anyway you want.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't want to see indecision either, but there's no question in my mind that Collins is the better player. He's a good tackle right now and might be great, but, given his power, he'd be a terror at guard. I definitely think Fleming is a better tackle than he would be inside.

But I definitely think the plan for him is swing tackle and not starter inside.

Same problem here as with Denim Chicken's post. If Fleming is the swing tackle, then we're still looking for our fifth starter, and the only way to make sure we find him is by using a first- or second-round pick. I don't think Dallas is making these offfensive line moves with any intention of investing another first- or second-round pick in the line.

 

[gimmesix]

We don't have to--that's why were signing Martin--but I think it's the plan.

If the plan isn't to use Fleming as a starter, then I think we have to. Martin is no more than a backup with some upside. I can't see viewing Martin as a possible starter instead of Fleming. Fleming's level of play when he started was higher than Martin's.

 

[Stash]

Same problem here as with Denim Chicken's post. If Fleming is the swing tackle, then we're still looking for our fifth starter, and the only way to make sure we find him is by using a first- or second-round pick. I don't think Dallas is making these offfensive line moves with any intention of investing another first- or second-round pick in the line.

It's still open as far as I'm concerned yes. Even if they do end up signing Marcus Martin, he's a reclamation project, not a sure-fire solution.

The good news is that a need at guard lines up well with this year's draft and you wouldn't have to reach for one in the first round.

 

[Denim Chicken]

If the plan isn't to use Fleming as a starter, then I think we have to. Martin is no more than a backup with some upside.

He should be at least comparable to Cooper last year which I am fine with.

Moving Lael again after a strong finish last year would be disastrous to his development and the continuity of the line.

 

[LifetimeBoysFan]

I thought I saw that we re-signed Looney, but did we also sign Marcus Martin too? Or did we pass on him for Looney? If we did both and Fleming we’ve solidified our OL depth.

 

[gimmesix]

It's still open as far as I'm concerned yes. Even if they do end up signing Marcus Martin, he's a reclamation project, not a sure-fire solution.

The good news is that a need at guard lines up well with this year's draft and you wouldn't have to reach for one in the first round.

You wouldn't have to, but you would be ignoring needs on defense.

 

[Risen Star]

We don't have to--that's why were signing Martin--but I think it's the plan.

LOL.

It's cool. We got Martin.

 

[gimmesix]

He should be at least comparable to Cooper last year which I am fine with.

Moving Lael again after a strong finish last year would be disastrous to his development and the continuity of the line.

Martin is a project who I don't think we can count on to even be as good as Cooper.

 

[cowboyec]

looks like Collins at OG and Fleming at OT.
draft could change it.
As of now....Collins is the best movable chess piece and Fleming is,today,one of the 5 best OL on the team.
Collins-OG.
Fleming-OT.

 

[Risen Star]

Martin is a project who I don't think we can count on to even be as good as Cooper.

Correct. If he was as good as Cooper last year it would be the highlight of his career.

I'm getting Bill Nagy/David Arkin flashbacks.

 

[dallasdave]

Mod edit....

After Witten’s Restructure, Cowboys Beef Up O-Line With Fleming, Looney

FRISCO, Texas – After somewhat of a slow start to free agency, things have definitely picked up for the Cowboys, starting late last week and it has even spilled over into Monday.

The Cowboys have bolstered their offensive line by signing two players, including a starter from last year’s Super Bowl. Former Patriots tackle Cameron Fleming signed a one-year deal. He started six games for the Pats last year at right tackle, and could wind up there again with the Cowboys.

That move would likely mean La’el Collins would slide down to left guard, a spot he played in 2015 as a rookie.

However, the Cowboys added some depth inside of their line as well, re-signing Joe Looney to a two-year contract.


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2018/03/26/after-witten’s-restructure-cowboys-beef-o-line-fleming-looney

Nice to get another OT

 

[Denim Chicken]

LOL.

It's cool. We got Martin.

It will downgrade 2 positions on the line if you move Lael back to OG and start Fleming at RT. Additionally, if Smith misses time then you have to move around the whole line (Lael back to RT and Fleming to LT...)

Alternatively, you can have a potential downgrade in LG (or a possible upgrade depending on the draft), a position in-between to all-pros, and if Smith misses time you plug in Fleming without having to change-up the whole line.