Bob Sturm On The O-Line

[Apollo Creed]

From Bob's incredible blog that can be found at http://sturminator.blogspot.com/

With one game to play, we are left to review the job of the team to assemble these units and we find that once again the organization seems to undervalue the "big uglies".

Why else would they leave camp with the idea that Phil Costa, an undrafted center entering his 2nd year, and Bill Nagy, a 7th round rookie, were capable of starting in the NFL? Nobody would debate the wisdom of turning over the offensive line as last year's crew was far below a passable grade for a line that had so much salary invested, but to replace them with unregarded and untested kids who never "won" a job rather than simply being handed it is certainly befuddling. The responses are always that Marc Colombo and Leonard Davis needed to be replaced. And that is absolutely true. But, only if you have a proper understudy who is ready. And while Colombo has been switched out for a rookie in Tyron Smith who looks the part of a regular for the next decade, he is the only young lineman who has demonstrated the ability to play at even an "average" level of performance.

The rest of the kids; Costa, Nagy, Kevin Kowalski, and David Arkin are not ready to provide anything above replacement level performance. Costa is the regular from the group, and profootballfocus.com has him rated as the 31st best regular center in the NFL. Overall, his performance level has been unacceptable all year, and much of that can be attributed to the Cowboys putting way too much on his young plate before he was ready. Nagy's unfortunate leg injury in New England resulted in the Cowboys signing Montrae Holland - a player they had cut a month earlier - from off the street and he immediately improved the overall play of the offensive line. Kowalski seems to be a reasonable reserve option, but as another un-drafted free agent rookie, needs time in the weight room to grow to evaluate whether he can make a living at this level. And that leaves Arkin, who the Cowboys invested a 4th Round pick in this past April (which makes him easily the most regarded of the 4). The rookie guard has yet to even be active for a game in his 1st year in the league. Given the needs at guard this year, that reality seems to speak rather loudly about his current state of performance.

So, when the OL is being tossed around by New England, Philadelphia, New York, or even Arizona, one must recognize that the Cowboys did much of this to themselves. Did they need a shakeup from the 2010 crew? Yes. Did they need to try to replace 3 of the 5 starters at the same time with nothing available but a batch of rookies who were almost completely unregarded besides Smith? And now, with the season hanging in the balance, they must face the formidable Giants front with Holland now out. This brings on Derrick Dockery, who the Cowboys opted for over Brian Waters back in September, to save the day at Left Guard.

Basically, they took a unit that was substandard in 2010 and did not add a single veteran until the regular season had started at which they signed two older players who were on the street. They cut 4 veterans and replaced them with undrafted free agents. And we wonder why the unit is in shambles in late December?

 

[burmafrd]

Not much to argue with there.

 

[Risen Star]

Welcome to my posts in August.

It's been in crisis mode for years now. Maybe this will be the offseason the "GM" acts and gets aggressive.

 

[Stash]

Not much to argue with there.

No there isn't.

One of those spots where we really have to hope for improvement next year.

In the young players we have continuing to develop.

In the draft.

And possibly in free agency.

 

[Apollo Creed]

I think the most obvious answer is that not only were they slightly strapped, and there weren't many reasonable options available.

They had been targetting interior linemen for years, both Pouncey's, Iupati, etc - so it's not like they are completely ignorant to our needs, they just haven't been in a position to fill holes that are becoming more and more gaping.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Per Bob Strum: "Did they need a shakeup from the 2010 crew? Yes. Did they need to try to replace 3 of the 5 starters at the same time with nothing available but a batch of rookies who were almost completely unregarded besides Smith?"

Per Strum's second question above, I think the Cowboys made a decision that this was a rebuilding year, and so it was important to find out as much as they could about the young players they though had a shot to eveolve into great OL starters in the NFL. The Cowboys also knew this was Hudson Houk's last year with the team (it's been documented that he's retiring after this season) and so Dallas did not want to sit these young pups this season and have them miss out on Houk's coaching. Thus if they really wanted these young players to be coached and evaluated by Houk, then YES, they really did need to start these young rookies.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Per Strum's second question above, I think the Cowboys made a decision that this was a rebuilding year, and so it was important to find out as much as they could about the young players they though had a shot to eveolve into great starters i the NFL. The Cowboys also knew this was Hudson Houk's last year with the team (it's been documented that he's retiring after this season) and so Dallas did not want to sit these young pups this season and have them miss out on Houk's coaching. Thus if they really wanted these young players to be coached and evaluated by Houk, then YES, they really did B]need [/b] to start these young rookies.

I got that vibe the entire offseason, and think the organization had this appraoch until they realized that this team is still competitive as long as Tony Romo is the QB.

Even at 3-4 it was obvious this team could compete, maybe not go deep in the playoffs, but compete with some of the best teams in football.

And hopefully they learned that this isn't the heart of the salary cap era, you don't have to spend years rebuilding and implementing philosophies, you can win any given year, and anyone can get hot at any given time. You just don't want to put yourself in a position where your team is so deprived at a posiiton that it prevents your entire unit from operating. That's the case with this line.

This isn't Jacques Reeves giving up a big play here and there, this is 3 players that might not start anywhere else in this league. This is a unit that has broken it's QBs ribs, collarbone, and is working on his right hand.

Go cheap anywhere else, just not at OL.

The Cowboys learned that the hard way this year.

 

[Risen Star]

I got that vibe the entire offseason, and think the organization had this appraoch until they realized that this team is still competitive as long as Tony Romo is the QB.

Even at 3-4 it was obvious this team could compete, maybe not go deep in the playoffs, but compete with some of the best teams in football.

And hopefully they learned that this isn't the heart of the salary cap era, you don't have to spend years rebuilding and implementing philosophies, you can win any given year, and anyone can get hot at any given time. You just don't want to put yourself in a position where your team is so deprived at a posiiton that it prevents your entire unit from operating. That's the case with this line.

This isn't Jacques Reeves giving up a big play here and there, this is 3 players that might not start anywhere else in this league. This is a unit that has broken it's QBs ribs, collarbone, and is working on his right hand.

Go cheap anywhere else, just not at OL.

The Cowboys learned that the hard way this year.

That's a great post with one exception. We don't know if the Cowboys learned it yet. I hope they have and it'll show with an aggressive offseason.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Per Strum's second question above, I think the Cowboys made a decision that this was a rebuilding year, and so it was important to find out as much as they could about the young players they though had a shot to eveolve into great OL starters in the NFL. The Cowboys also knew this was Hudson Houk's last year with the team (it's been documented that he's retiring after this season) and so Dallas did not want to sit these young pups this season and have them miss out on Houk's coaching. Thus if they really wanted these young players to be coached and evaluated by Houk, then YES, they really did need to start these young rookies.

I think you are spot on in your analysis!

If HH was as good as everyone thought, why not let up him coach up the young guys rather than go with a bunch of old guys with no upside? Yes, there was a risk but I think it was necessary considering the organization was in a retooling year.

All in all, you could argue the o-line was serviceable if not solid. It was to be expected considering the inexperience at three out of the five positions. Some of the young guys (Nagy, Arkin, Killa) may or may not work out long term but I think they did their job. The same cannot be said for some on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Risen Star]

All in all, you could argue the o-line was serviceable if not solid.

You could argue that, but not without people laughing at you.

 

[JoeCorrado]

Game experience can only be gotten in one way- playing the games. Smith learned a huge amount this season and he had the physical tools to step his game up with the new found, hard earned knowledge.

Costa, Nagy, Kowalski, etc~ all need to develop their physical abilities to match the mental aspect. The payoff with these guys, will not be completely realized till next season.

Pay me now, or pay me later. At some point, you have to pay the piper. Jerry Jones and Garrett chose to pay the old fashioned way- while some teams choose to pay by check, in FA.

FA dollars to the o-line equals fewer dollars elsewhere. Developing young talent takes time, and there is a cost to pay. Pick your poison. Unloading the likes of Bigg, Gurode, etc~ costs money and it had to be offset. This is the path we chose.

 

[JoeCorrado]

You could argue that, but not without people laughing at you.

I am not laughing. The o-line has made improvements enough that they are not a laughing stock. They are serviceable, not good and far from great.

 

[Risen Star]

I am not laughing.

Good. Then he has somebody to fingerpaint with.

 

[Risen Star]

Costa, Nagy, Kowalski, etc~ all need to develop their physical abilities to match the mental aspect. The payoff with these guys, will not be completely realized till next season.

Pay me now, or pay me later. At some point, you have to pay the piper. Jerry Jones and Garrett chose to pay the old fashioned way- while some teams choose to pay by check, in FA.

I'd say there's a better chance than not that none of those players ever amount to anything. I'll tell you right now Phil Costa will never be a good NFL center. Give him 5 more years and the best coaching. It's not happening.

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

I am not laughing. The o-line has made improvements enough that they are not a laughing stock. They are serviceable, not good and far from great.

They're mediocre at best and that's being nice. Romo and his great scrambling ability makes them look serviceable. The offensive line showed their true colors Saturday against Philly. Carl Nicks should be a priority. If we can sign him we go from a below average offense line to an above average offensive line. With Romo under center that's all we need.

I'd say there's a better chance than not that none of those players ever amount to anything. I'll tell you right now Phil Costa will never be a good NFL center. Give him 5 more years and the best coaching. It's not happening.

I'm 6 feet and about 250 lbs. I bet you I could easy beat Phil Costa right now. He ****ing sucks.

 

[Fletch]

Welcome to my posts in August.

It's been in crisis mode for years now. Maybe this will be the offseason the "GM" acts and gets aggressive.

We did draft 1st round for the Tyron. That was huge. I feel Jerry and Jason will make another big splash in the draft for another big time O-lineman and make a big splash in FA for yet another. It's a huge need and it's more glaring than ever before.

I have faith we will draft O-lineman and make a push for a big name FA lineman.

A DT would be helpful too whether that is draft or free agency. CB is a need too. *sigh*

 

[JoeCorrado]

They're mediocre at best and that's being nice. Romo and his great scrambling ability makes them look serviceable. The offensive line showed their true colors Saturday against Philly. Carl Nicks should be a priority. If we can sign him we go from a below average offense line to an above average offensive line. With Romo under center that's all we need.

Mediocre to me = average.

We are in agreement. You simply choose a more derogatory adjective to describe the same level of play.

That says a little something about us as fans. Glass half full / glass half empty. It is all about perspective, and maybe about what the future holds for these same guys. I see some as starters, while others will serve as solid backups down the road for us.

A work in progress. More changes to come. This won't be next seasons starting line. Most will be around in some capacity... maybe not starting though.

 

[Risen Star]

My perspective on the offensive line is it's the weakest area of our football team and has been for quite some time. Just a decent offensive line would give us a real chance to contend this year.

Drafting Tyron was nice. Now we need to do something about the three stiffs inside.

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

My perspective on the offensive line is it's the weakest area of our football team and has been for quite some time. Just a decent offensive line would give us a real chance to contend this year.

Drafting Tyron was nice. Now we need to do something about the three stiffs inside.

2 words.

CARL NICKS

 

[Eskimo]

Welcome to my posts in August.

It's been in crisis mode for years now. Maybe this will be the offseason the "GM" acts and gets aggressive.

Really? According to Garrett's many detractors here we have a good OL based on sack% and ypc. Surely they must be great?

There is no doubt that this was a rebuilding year and we got caught with a team that is better than anyone expected. This is a credit to Romo and Garrett, IMO.

Next year we need at least one OG in the interior. We may even need two new players on the interior but I am hoping we can get by with one if Kowalski and Arkin/Nagy/Costa can nail down 2 of the jobs. I am highest on Kowalski of the 4. I hope we can draft DeCastro in the first but I would not trade up for him. If we miss on him I would insist on grabbing someone in the 2nd round even if we have to trade up to do it or trade down from the first round pick to do it. I would be happy to spend the rest of the picks on defense with at least 2 CBs drafted so we can say bye bye to TNew and Walker.

I think if we do what I suggested above we will have a top 3 offense in yards and ppg like we did in 2007. This is what I expect with or without Laurent Robinson.