News: BTB: Poll results: Did the Dallas Cowboys improve on offense in the 2017 offseason?

[NewsBot]

Here’s how the BTB community feels about the improvements made on offense.

[Well, we have completed the improvement series, so let’s see what the results for each position group were. Understandably, we know that real improvement will show up once the season actually begins. However, the question can still be answered because in some areas, you can see the Cowboys really tried to improve that area versus others where it’s more of the same.

Here’s how the BTB community felt with the Cowboys’ offseason approach to improving their star-studded offense.]

Offensive Line:


53% Yes
47% No

Analysis: This is the only one that gives me pause in agreeing with the rest of our BTB comrades. However, it seems BTB is overall more pleased with the move for La’el Collins to tackle than anything else. Collins has way more upside than an aging Doug Free but you have to commend Free for his warrior-like mentality. He was around for some of the worst offensive woes as the Cowboys line was aging fast. Collins has great athleticism and his ability to block on the second level is going to fit right in with the way this line plays. The right tackle spot should eventually see an upgrade and it may be quicker than we think.

The left guard position is what gives you pause because the competition is between two guys who haven’t exactly had the greatest starts to their careers. Depending on whom you ask, some folks feel that Jonathan Cooper could have a Marc Colombo-type of career. He’s up against a career tackle who has been riddled with injuries in Chaz Green.

Quarterback:


48% Yes
52% No

Analysis: This is certainly understandable because the Cowboys do not seem to have any worries about Kellen Moore as the backup but the fans say otherwise. Moore’s capabilities as a backup are really only missing one key ingredient and that’s the physical attributes it takes to perform the job. If the Cowboys were forced to roll with Kellen Moore, he’s assured folks that he can move the chains.

He’s more comfortable with Scott Linehan’s offense than perhaps any quarterback in the NFL but that doesn’t mean everyone is comfortable with Moore. He just doesn’t possess the same athletic profile that has made this offense successful.

Running Back:


58% Yes
42% No

Analysis: BTB seems to be really intrigued by what Jahad Thomas can bring to the running back room. This is Ezekiel Elliott’s team and there is no doubting that but Thomas is a nice little weapon to have in the role formerly held by Lance Dunbar. Thomas was extremely productive at Temple and he’s going to get a lot of playing time during the preseason. Also, having Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden as backups to Elliott is not too shabby in itself.

Tight End:


54% Yes
46% No

Analysis: Everything that we’re hearing in regards to Rico Gathers is driving this result to be a yes at tight end. If he can make the 53-man roster that’ll be successful for him but we’re hearing a lot of whispers of his potential to play. He’s going to get the opportunity in the preseason to showcase his skill set. Sometimes there is improvement in subtractions and the loss of Gavin Escobar was a long time coming. He never showed that he was worth the pick but the front office deserves part of that blame as well.

Geoff Swaim was really playing well before he was injured last season and the same could be said for James Hanna, who spent last season on IR. When Escobar had to stay in and block, the drop off was noticeable. Dallas also added some youth with Connor Hamlett and Blake Jarwin but the potential here is all currently with Gathers.

Wide Receiver:


96% Yes
4% No

Analysis: There is a lot of BTB excitement with the addition of Ryan Switzer, the offense got that much more difficult to defend by drafting him. He’s not just a special team’s demon, he led North Carolina in receiving last year. He plays very aggressively with a competitive drive that far exceeds someone of his size. Switzer is not simply another Cole Beasley, the better comp is Julian Edelman. Having two of those dangerous slot players is huge in today’s NFL. Then you have Dez Bryant, who was incredible to end the 2016 season. Brice Butler and Terrance Williams offer their own abilities too. It’s a very solid receiving corps that just got better in the draft.

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