BTB: 2011 NFL Draft Rumors: Cowboys To Address O-Line Via Free Agency?

[YosemiteSam]

Replenishing your offensive line via free agency is one of the most expensive things you can do in the NFL. There isn't just one position, there are five and good free agent offensive linemen are damn expensive.

 

[burmafrd]

Witness Davis's contract.

 

[Doomsday101]

Replenishing your offensive line via free agency is one of the most expensive things you can do in the NFL. There isn't just one position, there are five and good free agent offensive linemen are damn expensive.

True and trying to find and hit on draft picks comes with a risk. No way Dallas upgrades the line soley with FA but I do think using FA and the draft gives us a chance to make some real changes on the OL

 

[YosemiteSam]

True and trying to find and hit on draft picks comes with a risk. No way Dallas upgrades the line soley with FA but I do think using FA and the draft gives us a chance to make some real changes on the OL

I think you go draft first and fill in the holes with FA. Problem is, the Cowboys always take players later in the draft which he more hit and miss. I think they have to draft an OL in the first round this year. (I would go in the second too of one of my guys where still there)

 

[Doomsday101]

I think you go draft first and fill in the holes with FA. Problem is, the Cowboys always take players later in the draft which he more hit and miss. I think they have to draft an OL in the first round this year. (I would go in the second too of one of my guys where still there)

I don't disagree we need to use the draft to upgrade the line but there have been many misses with OL players even in the top of the draft. I do not think we can fill holes of Colombo, Davis and possiable Kosier all in the draft and it still leaves us thin depth wise. I think FA pickup is a must.

 

[sonnyboy]

Replenishing your offensive line via free agency is one of the most expensive things you can do in the NFL. There isn't just one position, there are five and good free agent offensive linemen are damn expensive.

Yes it is. We've been doing it for the past 10 years.

Now if we could trade down a couple times we could do something like this.

1(22) RT
2(40) OG
2(54) FS
3(71) OG/OT
3(78) BPA
4.......OC/OG
4.......BPA
5.......LOT
5.......BPA
6.......BPA
7.......BPA

I'm not just thinking of 2011. And I'm not just considering our starting five. I'm looking at 2011 thru 2013 and the 16-18 offensive lineman we take to camp.
A draft like this could be the building blocks of a nearly complete OL overhaul we will have by 2013.

By 2013 I'd like to see Free, 4 other starters under age 30 and 4-5 players we feel good about in reserve.

Romo will be 33 in the 2013 and in all likelyhood, more fragile.

We have a 4-5 year window of prime play from Romo. Our goal should be to improve that OL each year to the point it's one of the league's best units by 2013.

 

[BAT]

Thank you...and the leaked photo of last year's board showed that the Cowboys DO use the BPA during the draft. But this year is a little challenging upon principals..without a CBA and free agency.

The need for FS and OL last year was just as dire as this year. Cowboys still drafted BPA, based on their board.

The strategy netted 2 very good players. Why deviate from something that worked? Jerry's other strategy, drafting guys nice enough to babysit his kids, or drafting backups, or STers, or OL with and without potential, has just not panned out.

The Cowboys flat out suck at evaluating OL, and yet everyone is fine with them taking one with their very first pick? A top 10 pick to boot.

 

[28 Joker]

Smoke.

Jerry Jones is tired of over paying for mediocre offensive linemen.

Have any of you seen the free agents at OT?

The list is terrible.

Doug Free might be the best, and you are going to have to pay him.

Don't eat the cheese.

 

[nathanlt]

Not if the lockout doesn't end. Can't rely on free agency with a week to go until the draft.

Exactly. This is an inept attempt at a smokescreen. A very deep OL draft, and the Cowboys plan to WAIT to address their need at tackle AND guard in the draft, to wait for an indeterminate amount of time for free agency.

I mean, waiting until the second and third rounds to address OL needs is one thing, but to dismiss OL entirely?

Something doesn't smell right about this smokescreen, like I said, it's so inept.

I hoped Dallas would move down, that's what I've advocated for all along, but if the front office let this story slip, they're definitely not trading down, they're staying put, and getting Tyron Smith. Now that's not a disaster, but doubling down on 1st and second round picks is a much better plan.