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

[dallasdave]

Not that i disagree, more that I wasn't sure what you were referring to.

But I actually like this year's linemen overall better than I did last year's.

You and me both my friend.

 

[dallasdave]

That and the Jaylon Smith updates!

knee jerk reaction

 

[Stash]

Well said indeed Sir How to you replace Free== very easy with Cleary, Collins, or a couple other people. Glad Free is gone, and people should stop asking how can we replace Free

How do you replace Doug Free?

My response? Happily.

 

[pgreptom]

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

Recency bias usually works the other day. I don't know what kind of bias it is but Free has been 'serviceable' for two years really. Collins should at least be serviceable if not an upgrade. I also remember reading how much the Boys loved Cooper when he was being drafted. I wouldn't be surprised if they're just as good, if not slightly better next year as a unit. Tyron should be healthy too.. and that alone is a huge upgrade.

 

[dallasdave]

How do you replace Doug Free?

My response? Happily.

It's Party Time

 

[Stash]

Sometimes. I think there's reason to believe it is.

Collins was a first-round talent who played tackle well at an SEC school. The only real question about him is his ability to make the switch to the right side because of the change needed in his footwork. We don't know how long it will take him to make that adjustment, but his value as a player is higher than Free's ever was. It's a relief to know that Dallas is having him spend all of his time adjusting to the position to get to the point where he's not thinking about technique. There may be some bumps in the adjustment, but it's realistic to expect him to eventually play at a higher level than Free, if he doesn't do it right off the bat.

Agreed.

Green also was drafted earlier than Free because of the ability he showed at another SEC school when he could stay on the field. If he had not had the injury troubles, then he would have been drafted higher. The obvious question with him is can he ever stay healthy.

Definitely. Guy has ability, needs availability.

Free was drafted in the fourth round because of the athleticism he displayed at tackle at a non-power school, which had earned him the nickname "Doug Freak." However, he was clearly a project as he didn't play with power in college and had some technique issues. He improved both of those things, but at times they would show back up like they did last year. He's always been an upgradeable player, but Dallas hasn't had an upgrade ... although Parnell was at least on par with Free.

As bad as Free was, the question is whether we have that upgrade now. I believe we have two players who could be, but I need to see it before I erase those question marks.

Completely fair. But, at the same time, the guys need to be given the benefit of the doubt as well, and it sounds like you're doing that. We can neither anoint them, nor write them off as not being capable. The only thing that will tell us is time.

 

[big dog cowboy]

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.

It is fair to point that out. I think your guess will turn out to be right. Maybe not week one but by the playoffs certainly.

 

[LittleD]

And find a way to keep Collins under contract for a number of years.(I think we can)

If he balls out, Stephen will find enough money. The salary cap just keeps going up and they can find 7-9mil per year to sign him up.
If Cooper plays well, I think he will be extended as well. If not, oh well, just draft another lineman high in the draft next year. Keep
filling the OL well with top players and let Zeke run. Championship!!!

 

[LittleD]

It's Party Time

Be nice to Doug Free. He played through a bunch of injuries that robbed him of quickness and he never had that much power. He gave it all he
had and never said a mean word to anyone. As Stephen often says, you can't have pro bowlers at every position. Doug has retired so let him do so in peace.

 

[jday]

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.

Did anyone notice the slight towards Zeke on him having to "work himself back into playing shape?" Isn't that what every NFL player does at this time of year? It almost seems as if he is attempting to call him lazy in the offseason and based on the reports I've read he has been working hard to improve on a season he says he left alot of yards on the field, despite being the leading rusher with only 15 games on his resume.

When you see these "misinformation slights" it makes it so hard to take anything else that reporter says seriously.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

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

While I don't think Free was very good, I also don't think dumpster fire is an appropriate characterization.

Rob Pettite and Alex Barron were dumpster fires and examples of bottom tier OL play. Free went from consistent if lacking power to lacking power and consistency. That is not good by any stretch but it's the difference between not knowing what you are going to get from play-to-play versus knowing that you are going to get a shitshow every down.

 

[Silver N Blue]

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?

Concur crap article with little to no merit with it being from OTAs.

 

[Stash]

While I don't think Free was very good, I also don't think dumpster fire is an appropriate characterization.

Rob Pettite and Alex Barron were dumpster fires and examples of bottom tier OL play. Free went from consistent if lacking power to lacking power and consistency. That is not good by any stretch but it's the difference between not knowing what you are going to get from play-to-play versus knowing that you are going to get a ****show every down.

That's true. There's varying degrees of suckitude.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Did anyone notice the slight towards Zeke on him having to "work himself back into playing shape?" Isn't that what every NFL player does at this time of year? It almost seems as if he is attempting to call him lazy in the offseason and based on the reports I've read he has been working hard to improve on a season he says he left alot of yards on the field, despite being the leading rusher with only 15 games on his resume.

When you see these "misinformation slights" it makes it so hard to take anything else that reporter says seriously.

Some players work out year round. Zeke pretty famously partied from February to May and TMZ showed it to us.

He also looks like he put on a fair bit of weight in the midsection. I have commented several times that I hope he does not go the way of Felix Jones and eat himself out of his athleticism.

I don't think Zeke is lazy. He seems to party as hard as he works and I also think that RBs need to take time off to let their bodies recuperate. Alcohol does not help it overly much but I get it. Given that context I think Breer's statement is fair.

 

[jday]

Some players work out year round. Zeke pretty famously partied from February to May and TMZ showed it to us.

He also looks like he put on a fair bit of weight in the midsection. I have commented several times that I hope he does not go the way of Felix Jones and eat himself out of his athleticism.

I don't think Zeke is lazy. He seems to party as hard as he works and I also think that RBs need to take time off to let their bodies recuperate. Alcohol does not help it overly much but I get it. Given that context I think Breer's statement is fair.

From what I recall, there have only been a few instances that TMZ reported. And regardless if someone goes out at night or not, that in no way suggest he's not staying shape. The latest pictures I've seen suggested to me he has definitely been putting in work.

Felix didn't eat himself out of his athleticism. The coaching staff wanted him to put on more weight so he could handle the rigors of being the #1 back and his athleticism could not support the additional weight. The way you said it makes it seem as though it was all his fault, and it simply wasn't. As a player, if you want to stay you do what they say, no questions asked.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

From what I recall, there have only been a few instances that TMZ reported. And regardless if someone goes out at night or not, that in no way suggest he's not staying shape. The latest pictures I've seen suggested to me he has definitely been putting in work.

Felix didn't eat himself out of his athleticism. The coaching staff wanted him to put on more weight so he could handle the rigors of being the #1 back and his athleticism could not support the additional weight. The way you said it makes it seem as though it was all his fault, and it simply wasn't. As a player, if you want to stay you do what they say, no questions asked.

I am not interested in fault and blame. That is not how I roll so you aren't getting that seeming from me. Felix put on weight and suffered for it. You can worry about whose fault that is if you like. I don't bother.

If the team told him to put on weight I doubt they asked him to just put on fat. For example the team asked DLaw to put on weight after his rookie season and he came back with 15 lbs of muscle. Hitchens and others have done similar routines. It's not the same thing.

And Zeke was shown at clubs, parties, and events all offseason. Between he was reported going out to the Keys, etc. Compare with the reports of Dak and Collins at training academies and you get a stark dichotomy of two different offseasons.

I just said that I didn't think he was lazy. I never said he did not work hard. Nonetheless your assertion that Breer is just making up news is unfounded.

 

[Redball Express]

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?

It may.

But I think we have to be patient.

Injuries played a huge part in last year with Collins out and Free dealing with his injuries.

The depth isn't apparent yet. Green is a huge question mark with his injuries.

The quality of the OL again has to rely on its depth.

No more Leary.

So we will see.

The team knows this.

 

[Stash]

It may.

But I think we have to be patient.

Honestly, that's all we can do is be patient. Nothing anyone does now will decide it right now, good or bad.

Injuries played a huge part in last year with Collins out and Free dealing with his injuries.

Collins, to some extent, but Leary more than capably filled in. Free? He was just shot. Glad he knew it.

The depth isn't apparent yet. Green is a huge question mark with his injuries.

The quality of the OL again has to rely on its depth.

No more Leary.

So we will see.

The team knows this.

I think depth is even better. Green showed that he can play, if he's healthy. As did Emmitt Cleary when he was called upon. And Byron Bell has experience and versatility. I don't like him at tackle, especially left, but I do like him at guard.

I see a minimum of 9 offensive linemen I'd like to keep, and that's not having seen or read anything about Theaker or Skipper.

 

[fishspill]

When you have 3 All-Pro anchors then the remaining spots are among the most desired in the league for FAs and roster assets. Now, a FA isn't going to pass up a lot more money but if money is equal the chance to come in and impress here means a good chance at a better contract soon.

 

[Nova]

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?

With Collins apparently excelling, I think it's a strong possibility.

We just need at least average play from the LG spot.