Concerning the Offensive Line

[Manster68]

The Offensive Line has definitely been one of the top subjects on the boards over the past two years (and rightfully so). Many folks have hyped this unit to be the best Offensive Line of all time. Yes, I have been sucked into that feeling also. I don't want to feel that way because I am afraid I am setting myself up for a let down.

It is just that.... I am just so bleeping geeked to see what this unit can do!

I think what impresses me the most of this offensive line is not so much the starting five (although I do declare they are awesome). It is much more so the DEPTH this unit has and that IT IS GOING TO MATURE!

So, I beg the question: Is it just me, or is this offensive line the DEEPEST the Dallas Cowboys ever had?

Is it too early to tell?

Think of this backup offensive line:
Tackles: Green and Weems
Guards: move Lawrence Gibson to guard opposite the loser of the Leary/Collins battle
Center: Bernadeau (whom I believe could start on at least 10 other NFL teams)

I'll go to war with that backup offensive line any day!

 

[xwalker]

The Offensive Line has definitely been one of the top subjects on the boards over the past two years (and rightfully so). Many folks have hyped this unit to be the best Offensive Line of all time. Yes, I have been sucked into that feeling also. I don't want to feel that way because I am afraid I am setting myself up for a let down.

It is just that.... I am just so bleeping geeked to see what this unit can do!

I think what impresses me the most of this offensive line is not so much the starting five (although I do declare they are awesome). It is much more so the DEPTH this unit has and that IT IS GOING TO MATURE!

So, I beg the question: Is it just me, or is this offensive line the DEEPEST the Dallas Cowboys ever had?

Is it too early to tell?

Think of this backup offensive line:
Tackles: Green and Weems
Guards: move Lawrence Gibson to guard opposite the loser of the Leary/Collins battle
Center: Bernadeau (whom I believe could start on at least 10 other NFL teams)

I'll go to war with that backup offensive line any day!

In theory, yes; however, they have not even established a backup OT. They had more proven depth last year.

Nobody knows where Collins, Green and Gibson will play. The top priority should be to find the top backup OT. Is that Weems, Green or Collins? If Collins is better at OT than Green, then Green could move to Guard. Based on build, Gibson seems the least likely to move to Guard.

 

[jday]

The Offensive Line has definitely been one of the top subjects on the boards over the past two years (and rightfully so). Many folks have hyped this unit to be the best Offensive Line of all time. Yes, I have been sucked into that feeling also. I don't want to feel that way because I am afraid I am setting myself up for a let down.

It is just that.... I am just so bleeping geeked to see what this unit can do!

I think what impresses me the most of this offensive line is not so much the starting five (although I do declare they are awesome). It is much more so the DEPTH this unit has and that IT IS GOING TO MATURE!

So, I beg the question: Is it just me, or is this offensive line the DEEPEST the Dallas Cowboys ever had?

Is it too early to tell?

Think of this backup offensive line:
Tackles: Green and Weems
Guards: move Lawrence Gibson to guard opposite the loser of the Leary/Collins battle
Center: Bernadeau (whom I believe could start on at least 10 other NFL teams)

I'll go to war with that backup offensive line any day!

I'd maybe take the expectations down just a notch. Cautious optimism.

Not to say Demarco Murray is elite, but at this point, we as fans don't know if anyone is capable of replacing his ability to get the dirty yards consistently. That said, the offensive line will have to work that much harder to ensure the Cowboys have a viable running game. If the Cowboy's cannot establish a running game, that mean's leaning on Romo more than what is advisable.

 

[Staubacher]

I'd maybe take the expectations down just a notch. Cautious optimism.

Not to say Demarco Murray is elite, but at this point, we as fans don't know if anyone is capable of replacing his ability to get the dirty yards consistently. That said, the offensive line will have to work that much harder to ensure the Cowboys have a viable running game. If the Cowboy's cannot establish a running game, that mean's leaning on Romo more than what is advisable.

Murray led the league in rushing yards before contact last season with 847. That works out to 45.9 percent of his total rushing yards. For every "dirty yard" he got, he left a lot of clean ones downfield.

I'm not worried..

 

[big dog cowboy]

Murray led the league in rushing yards before contact last season with 847. That works out to 45.9 percent of his total rushing yards. For every "dirty yard" he got, he left a lot of clean ones downfield.

A lot of meat left on the bone.

 

[ShiningStar]

simply put, No. its easy now a days with buzz words, and dallas being so average that any spark to anything on the team would lead to greatness we ve never seen before. but stop discounting the men that played the game before you couldnt touch someone and draw a flag.

I have yet to see one mauler emerge yet. We have 3 very good players, but i dont even see a Colombo lite on the line in attitude. I dont see really anyone imposing their will. Tyron comes the closest. But as men who imprinted their fear into the opposing teams. havent seen it.

It was a different game we are trying to compare it to. The defenders were nastier, played to hurt. Really embody that of the gladiator days. Our guys play well, The very best ever, heck no, the very best in the NFL today, possibly, you can pinpoint, cherry pick, filibuster. in a heartfelt answer, no, stop it.

 

[blindzebra]

simply put, No. its easy now a days with buzz words, and dallas being so average that any spark to anything on the team would lead to greatness we ve never seen before. but stop discounting the men that played the game before you couldnt touch someone and draw a flag.

I have yet to see one mauler emerge yet. We have 3 very good players, but i dont even see a Colombo lite on the line in attitude. I dont see really anyone imposing their will. Tyron comes the closest. But as men who imprinted their fear into the opposing teams. havent seen it.

It was a different game we are trying to compare it to. The defenders were nastier, played to hurt. Really embody that of the gladiator days. Our guys play well, The very best ever, heck no, the very best in the NFL today, possibly, you can pinpoint, cherry pick, filibuster. in a heartfelt answer, no, stop it.

You do realize we run a zone scheme right? Their job is seal and reach the second level not move someone 5 yards downfield. The fact that we see them stonewall rushers at the LOS a lot shows mauling.

 

[jday]

Murray led the league in rushing yards before contact last season with 847. That works out to 45.9 percent of his total rushing yards. For every "dirty yard" he got, he left a lot of clean ones downfield.

I'm not worried..

No arguments here on that front. I actually agree that Murray "left some meat on the bone" but that doesn't necessarily mean we have the backs who can replace his production...let alone, improve on it. Dunbar, I think we can all agree, is not lead back material. He is a role player and someone I believe should see more passes out of the backfield, but he is not moving too many Dlineman with his legs when you need just 1 yard. Randle looks like a suspension waiting to happen. Williams and McFadden cannot stay healthy. I truly hope one emerges, but until I see it materialize on the field, I'm reluctant to start believing it.

 

[chris1995]

The Offensive Line has definitely been one of the top subjects on the boards over the past two years (and rightfully so). Many folks have hyped this unit to be the best Offensive Line of all time. Yes, I have been sucked into that feeling also. I don't want to feel that way because I am afraid I am setting myself up for a let down.

It is just that.... I am just so bleeping geeked to see what this unit can do!

I think what impresses me the most of this offensive line is not so much the starting five (although I do declare they are awesome). It is much more so the DEPTH this unit has and that IT IS GOING TO MATURE!

So, I beg the question: Is it just me, or is this offensive line the DEEPEST the Dallas Cowboys ever had?

Is it too early to tell?

Think of this backup offensive line:
Tackles: Green and Weems
Guards: move Lawrence Gibson to guard opposite the loser of the Leary/Collins battle
Center: Bernadeau (whom I believe could start on at least 10 other NFL teams)

I'll go to war with that backup offensive line any day!

The BEST OL in football, and a OL that is going to lead us to the Super Bowl Championship this year.

 

[Proximo]

As a Cowboys fan, it's perfectly okay to be 100% completely stoked about this O-line; not just for 2015, but for years to come. The FO did exactly what a fan wants them to do regarding O lineman. We have at least 1 solid veteran, several top young prospects (who are already proven at this point), plus a coupe UDFA who have potential. Fantastic scouting and execution. I can't think of a team who should feel better about their O-line than us.

 

[xwalker]

simply put, No. its easy now a days with buzz words, and dallas being so average that any spark to anything on the team would lead to greatness we ve never seen before. but stop discounting the men that played the game before you couldnt touch someone and draw a flag.

I have yet to see one mauler emerge yet. We have 3 very good players, but i dont even see a Colombo lite on the line in attitude. I dont see really anyone imposing their will. Tyron comes the closest. But as men who imprinted their fear into the opposing teams. havent seen it.

It was a different game we are trying to compare it to. The defenders were nastier, played to hurt. Really embody that of the gladiator days. Our guys play well, The very best ever, heck no, the very best in the NFL today, possibly, you can pinpoint, cherry pick, filibuster. in a heartfelt answer, no, stop it.

 

[ShiningStar]

read what i said again, our guys play really well, and they do it well. But do you honestly feel like they can maul with the best of them? They dont have to because it might not be a need. And can you show me how they do it every play every game? No, because they dont do it that way. They do their job and they do it very very well. I dont see the bully demeanor in them. Like Ware, Ware is a hall of famer, does he have a mean streak like Haley? No, now you can play me every video showing me Ware, but can you show me every game where he had a mean streak in him? no, so your video is worthless. Yes a play or two they are going to push and they are going to grit their teeth. Show me the Erik Williams, Leon Lett imposing their wills on the defense. These guys literally scared men paid to get at their qb.

Ps, you are shwoing me one play, wow, that doesnt help your side.

 

[xwalker]

read what i said again, our guys play really well, and they do it well. But do you honestly feel like they can maul with the best of them? They dont have to because it might not be a need. And can you show me how they do it every play every game? No, because they dont do it that way. They do their job and they do it very very well. I dont see the bully demeanor in them. Like Ware, Ware is a hall of famer, does he have a mean streak like Haley? No, now you can play me every video showing me Ware, but can you show me every game where he had a mean streak in him? no, so your video is worthless. Yes a play or two they are going to push and they are going to grit their teeth. Show me the Erik Williams, Leon Lett imposing their wills on the defense. These guys literally scared men paid to get at their qb.

Ps, you are shwoing me one play, wow, that doesnt help your side.

Leon Lett was a defensive player.

 

[ShiningStar]

Leon Lett was a defensive player.

yes, i mean Larry Allen typed Lett. but good pick up because it doesnt make a difference in the debate, but my point still stands.

 

[xwalker]

yes, i mean Larry Allen typed Lett. but good pick up because it doesnt make a difference in the debate, but my point still stands.

Right... You thought Lett was an OLIneman. No big deal.

The current Cowboys are a RT away from complete greatness. They were a much better mauling OL last season in the games where Parnell replaced Free. Hopefully, one of he young guys steps up soon to replace Free with a better mauler.

Overall, "mauling' is limited because they run a zone scheme. Also, many of the tactics that Erik Williams used are now against the rules.

If you want to see more plays, I recommend watching the Bears game last year and focusing on their 1 tech DT, Paea. The Cowboys pushed him all over the field and made him look silly.

 

[ShiningStar]

Right... You thought Lett was an OLIneman. No big deal.

The current Cowboys are a RT away from complete greatness. They were a much better mauling OL last season in the games where Parnell replaced Free. Hopefully, one of he young guys steps up soon to replace Free with a better mauler.

Overall, "mauling' is limited because they run a zone scheme. Also, many of the tactics that Erik Williams used are now against the rules.

If you want to see more plays, I recommend watching the Bears game last year and focusing on their 1 tech DT, Paea. The Cowboys pushed him all over the field and made him look silly.

yes, sorry im not perfect, but that doesnt change the debate. I said it clearly, you only picked out an obvious mistake but i can overlook it if you do it but please point out all my flaws and think that changes anything.

Read what i said, (and you made a good point) Our guys play well, they do their job well, their assignments well. There is no nasty streak, there may NOT be a need for it. But they are not the best line to ever play the game, bottom line. Rules change, the game has changed. Tho, all that aside. there is no mean streak in them like Haley. Ware is a hall of famer (intelligence prevails) BUT he had no mean streak in him.

 

[gmoney112]

I'd maybe take the expectations down just a notch. Cautious optimism.

Not to say Demarco Murray is elite, but at this point, we as fans don't know if anyone is capable of replacing his ability to get the dirty yards consistently. That said, the offensive line will have to work that much harder to ensure the Cowboys have a viable running game. If the Cowboy's cannot establish a running game, that mean's leaning on Romo more than what is advisable.

Dude, seriously. It was a thread about the OL, not about Murray. It was an interesting topic and you completely changed the direction of the thread.

Can the mods start giving bench warnings to people who try and misdirect interesting subject matter into the same debate that's been discussed ad nauseum? It's very annoying.

As the ACTUAL topic at hand, if Green and Collins pan out, i'd say it's definitely up there. You could make an argument it is, for sure. If Collins pans out to be a Pro Bowler, which I think is a fair expectation given his draft status and playing between Tyron/Frederick or at RT, i'd make a case that this is probably the best OL in the salary cap era.

 

[xwalker]

yes, sorry im not perfect, but that doesnt change the debate. I said it clearly, you only picked out an obvious mistake but i can overlook it if you do it but please point out all my flaws and think that changes anything.

Read what i said, (and you made a good point) Our guys play well, they do their job well, their assignments well. There is no nasty streak, there may NOT be a need for it. But they are not the best line to ever play the game, bottom line. Rules change, the game has changed. Tho, all that aside. there is no mean streak in them like Haley. Ware is a hall of famer (intelligence prevails) BUT he had no mean streak in him.

Did you watch all of the early nineties OLine in depth at the time they were playing?

Pre-Wreck Erik Williams and LA only played together for a couple of games LA's rookie year. EW after the wreck and others like Tuinei were on the decline by the time LA as a full time starter.

Many of those years they had players that were not really that great as individuals. John Gesek, Derek Kennard, Kevin Gogan. Stepnoski was a very good player but was not mauling anybody considering that he weighed 265 pounds.

In 1995 Ray Donaldson was the starting Center at age 37 and he only played 12 games.

Bottom Line: The current generation might never have the individual dominance of LA or EW, but as a group there is a good chance they that are more complete.

 

[AsthmaField]

If you want to see more plays, I recommend watching the Bears game last year and focusing on their 1 tech DT, Paea. The Cowboys pushed him all over the field and made him look silly.

Now that the Commanders have Paea though... they're pretty sure he's going to dominate the interior of the Dallas OL.

 

[ShiningStar]

Did you watch all of the early nineties OLine in depth at the time they were playing?

Pre-Wreck Erik Williams and LA only played together for a couple of games LA's rookie year. EW after the wreck and others like Tuinei were on the decline by the time LA as a full time starter.

Many of those years they had players that were not really that great as individuals. John Gesek, Derek Kennard, Kevin Gogan. Stepnoski was a very good player but was not mauling anybody considering that he weighed 265 pounds.

In 1995 Ray Donaldson was the starting Center at age 37 and he only played 12 games.

Bottom Line: The current generation might never have the individual dominance of LA or EW, but as a group there is a good chance they that are more complete.

the two lines are being built in two different eras. its like arguing who was better, Romans or Spartans. FA hurt, less in the contracts now a days where players have to agree to stipulations that might get them hurt, rules changed.

For its day, roughly 3 years, give or take, that offensive line was two differnt things, i noticed you didnt bring up. They imposed their wills, and they were very very deep. The backs up very good. That line was something to behold.