Could our offensive line be even better this year?

[Bullflop]

Berdy is still on the team for 1 more year I think... I am willing to bet that unless there is someone out there that we just have to have... we will probably just roll with him for 1 more year. With that being said... I would be surprised if we didn't get a swing tackle in the draft.

You might be right about Bernie -- I couldn't seem to find anything relative to when his contract is up. I think he took a salary reduction last year but can't seem to find anything specifically pertaining to the length of that deal. It does seem reasonable to assume that if he indeed has another year remaining on his contract that any changes other than a swing tackle on the OL might very well be put off until the defensive problems are resolved. Seems logical.

 

[endersdragon]

You might be right about Bernie -- I couldn't seem to find anything relative to when his contract is up. I think he took a salary reduction last year but can't seem to find anything specifically pertaining to the length of that deal.

Sportrac has him here through this season, so yea, 1 more season and honestly, I don't really mind him that much as a backup.

 

[Bullflop]

Sportrac has him here through this season, so yea, 1 more season and honestly, I don't really mind him that much as a backup.

Granted. My main concern would be if something were to happen to Leary's knee and we were forced to rely on Bernie for a long stretch of time. You're making sense, though -- the defense should be our #1 priority this year.

 

[endersdragon]

Granted. My main concern would be if something were to happen to Leary's knee and we were forced to rely on Bernie for a long stretch of time. You're making sense, though -- the defense should be our #1 priority this year.

Go RB and swing tackle in the draft... the rest defense.

 

[Bullflop]

Go RB and swing tackle in the draft... the rest defense.

OK, I'll tell Stephen you said so . . . lol.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Assuming we stay healthy this year, this line should be much better.

Zack Martin with another year under his belt, same group better cohesion, I am glad we locked up Free.

We really need not freak out at RB, we will draft a workhorse in my opinion.

 

[T-RO]

I think they could definitely be better. While they were very good last year, they did have their struggles. They were very good in run blocking typically, but did have some struggles. Pass blocking could definitely improve though. Sometimes they would show what they were capable of with 7+ seconds of protection, especially when most needed. Others they seemed to have trouble picking up blitzes that they should have picked up. I assume that was due to having 3 2nd year or less starters up the middle though, and then Parnell starting almost half a season as well. I expect to see that cleaned up more this year with Fred, Leary and Martin all having another year under their belts. Would definitely like to see a legit backup OT signed though. That is my only concern for this OL.

Some of that was a simple case of being outnumbered. 5 guys can't block 7! The team always seemed to really struggle against Jim Haslett's blitzes. Not sure if that's a case of Tony not getting good reads, a failure of personnel to adjust, the offensive scheme being weak or Tony just not getting the ball out quicker. The good news is that Haslett is gone.

Sometimes the other guys are going to win some plays, you know?

 

[dguinta1]

Is DMc a good blocker? What about these new FB' we have obtained?

 

[ElGatoGrande]

They need depth and an upgrade at tackle and they all need to improve their pass blocking. Can they be better? They can be a lot better, they need to be a lot better.

 

[xwalker]

I am seeing a lot of doom and gloom, but as annoys so many of you I do try to look at the positive side of things (worked pretty well last year) so real quick I just want to take a look at our offensive line. Outside of Doug Free, everyone is 25 years old or younger. Tyron Smith, the guy who has been on the team the longest of the other 4, is still younger than everyone other than Zach Martin.

Generally it would seem that another year of experience for guys under the age of 26 is a very good thing, as is another year together as a unit. While losing Murray obviously hurts, it is interesting to look at this line and wonder how much they can improve from what was already one of the best o-lines in the league (if not the best). Or at least it is for me. Yea, we still need a new swing tackle and possible eventual replacement for Free, but that seems like a pretty minor issue. Anyway just my $.02 in all this "Why didn't we go after ____, 8-8 or worse for sure!" talk.

I would expect it to be better. In 2014 Leary and Fred were only in their 2nd year and Martin was a rookie. All 3 should be even better.

The biggest concern is that Free had ankle surgeries in both Jan 2014 and Jan 2015 and he is 31. If he loses any quickness his effectiveness could decline rapidly.

Developing a swing Tackle is critical.

 

[AzorAhai]

Some of that was a simple case of being outnumbered. 5 guys can't block 7! The team always seemed to really struggle against Jim Haslett's blitzes. Not sure if that's a case of Tony not getting good reads, a failure of personnel to adjust, the offensive scheme being weak or Tony just not getting the ball out quicker. The good news is that Haslett is gone.

Sometimes the other guys are going to win some plays, you know?

Thats not what I'm talking about. There were plenty of instances where they had enough people to pick up a blitz and were confused by stunts, then had a free blitzer come through. And even when they send 7, likely a RB will be kept in and at that point the assignments should try to be called out pre snap so Romo can try to account for who and where that blitzer is coming from. Sometimes a 6 man blitz with a lot of pre snap movement caused enough confusion on the OL to allow 2 untouched blitzers through. Its not as simple as as 5 OL on 7 Defenders. See the Detroit game. That 1st half almost every blitz confused the OL.

 

[Mansta54]

They should be better. But as good as an Oline may be, a RB makes the oline good.

I think McFadden will make our oline much better with longer runs and staying on his feet. He has breakaway speed and is much more alusuvive then Murray and just as strong. Murray left a lot of yards on the field.

 

[reddyuta]

We need find a Viable backup for Free,I hope one of those PS squad guys can take the next step.

 

[Brooksey]

Leary has a degenerative knee issue, and Free is going/went under the knife. I don't even know who the backup guard or tackle would be at this point. Is Berny still on the team?

Lol, Leary's knee issue is not affecting his play right now and probably won't until he's into his 30's. Free's procedure is a non issue.

 

[canters]

I look for us to take a OL somewhere in the first 4rds, someone who can play G and ROT. We very well should be improved.