Am I the only one NOT worried about the OL?

[ScipioCowboy]

You say that, but this is an overreaction on your part, too.

My post-history re: the OL problems is pretty clear. You can search it. I've said many, many times we had significant issues at C last season, and at RT. We addressed the former, and not the later. And I've said that OG play doesn't concern me because you can get by with adequate OGs if you coach them properly and have similarly adequate depth. Saying 'ok is good enough' at some of these positions hardly makes me a pollyanna. That's not what 'pollyana' means.

Mark Schlereth once said, "If you give me two good tackles, I can find any two bums off the street to play guard." I agree in principle. But signing a Berm...er, bum off the street to play right guard is a tenuous proposition when Doug Free is the right tackle.

 

[xwalker]

Mark Schlereth once said, "If you give me two good tackles, I can find any two bums off the street to play guard." I agree in principle. But signing a Berm...er, bum off the street to play right guard is a tenuous proposition when Doug Free is the right tackle.

I would add Center to the statement.

Livings and Bernadeau would have been OK last season if RT and Center had been at least average; however, Free was terrible until he starting rotating with Parnell (and implementing the technique changes requested by Callahan). Cook was the worst run blocking Center on the team since Cory Proctor was forced into action several years ago.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I would add Center to the statement.

Livings and Bernadeau would have been OK last season if RT and Center had been at least average; however, Free was terrible until he starting rotating with Parnell (and implementing the technique changes requested by Callahan). Cook was the worst run blocking Center on the team since Cory Proctor was forced into action several years ago.

I'm still holding out hope Leary can take the reins at right guard.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Offensive line is interesting in that average players can look much better than they actually are when they're surrounded by pro bowlers. Livings strikes me as that type of 'average' player. If Smith rounds into a top tier left tackle and Frederick can shorten his adjustment period, Livings will suddenly look Newton-esque.

Okay, maybe not Newton-esque. But I doubt we'll be talking about him much.

 

[xwalker]

I'm still holding out hope Leary can take the reins at right tackle.

I think you intended to say Right Guard.

It might change in training camp; however, most reports from OTAs and mini-camp had Leary practicing at Left Guard.

 

[xwalker]

Offensive line is interesting in that average players can look much better than they actually are when they're surrounded by pro bowlers. Livings strikes me as that type of 'average' player. If Smith rounds into a top tier left tackle and Frederick can shorten his adjustment period, Livings will suddenly look Newton-esque.

Okay, maybe not Newton-esque. But I doubt we'll be talking about him much.

Livings' biggest issue is health. He was OK early last season before injuring his knee. Now he has had a scope of his knee and is still having problems.

I agree that if healthy and if surrounded by a quality LT and Center, that Livings could be a decent Guard.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I think you intended to say Right Guard.

It might change in training camp; however, most reports from OTAs and mini-camp had Leary practicing at Left Guard.

Yes, I meant to say guard.

 

[Trueboysfan]

Our Oline and dilapidated defense was our Achilles heel last year. If we can stay healthy and at least provide a little more protection and actually open some holes we will be just find this year. I'm always optimistic about my Cowboys but it would be a lie if I said I wasn't worried about our Oline.