Cowboys looking for more than a LG, they’re building an antifragile line

[Bullflop]

It's been encouraging to see Waletzko getting stronger and rehabbing so successfully in his offseason workouts. If his progress continues to favor him with stronger contributions at LT this season, this OL should show better all-around strength where it counts the most. Hopefully, the interior of the OL will also see some improvement with stronger contributions from their talents at LG and far better health being seen from Terence Steele.

 

[nalam]

With nowadays 17 game schedule and playoffs, OL injuries cant be avoided , we need good starters and viable backups , and OL notoriously as strong as the weakest link as defenses will pick on that.

So it makes position flex personnel to have as backups but we cant holes in starters itself ( Like RT and LG now)

If Steele comes back fully healed unlike Gallop it will be a plus, Tyler smith if he plays LG he can be at least strong at point of attack but I wouldnt want that young man to switch positions too often and dont gel in any position. (Tyron is a big if he can sustain full season )

 

[gtb1943]

Make sure your starters are only playing one position and make sure most of your backups can play more than one position. That is the way to do it.

The strongest part of a top O line is continuity between good to excellent players working as a unit. anything else will not get the job done.

Position flex like anything else can be carried to an extreme where you do not have players who can really get the job done well at any one position.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Much like a healing broken bone, the Cowboys seem determined to go through the pains of cross training today all so they can be stronger or more antifragile tomorrow.

Their constant juggling goes beyond the simple search for a starting LG. They are working different combinations across the board, with only Tyler Biadasz (OC) and Zack Martin (RG) as locks in their respective positions.

The Cowboys know, regardless of what they do to prepare, injuries will happen. Which is why they’re focused on the next best thing: becoming antifragile.

Testing their reserve tackles like Matt Waletzko and Josh Ball inside at guard helps them achieve that goal. Mixing and matching Tyron Smith and Tyler Smith shows what the optimal lineup can be. Finding out who can be a back-up at multiple positions and what combinations are the most effective will allow them to handle unforeseen injuries and set them on the path for resiliency.
https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/20...han-a-lg-theyre-building-an-antifragile-line/

Another way to adjust to the longer season and OL shortage in talent is to implement blocking schemes that are not wholly dependent on "one on one my guy beats your guy". Scheme up your advantages, we don't have all pros at every position even with the starting lineup.

 

[conner01]

It isn’t just Martin and Biadasz who are locks for their respective positions once the regular season starts (until injury strikes of course). If all 5 are healthy week 1 the OL is set regardless of what people want to say and how badly they want the team to play Tyler at LT. It’s Tyron, Tyler, Biadasz, Martin and Steele.

That’s the oline they want for sure
But the odds of those 5 playing 17 games is slim, so you have to be prepared for every possibility

 

[charron]

They do not have a good starting LG. They are trying out some tackles at LG primarily to see if they can do the job because those 2 guys might not even make the team at tackle. They aren't really training behind Martin cause he's not the weak link, LG is and depth behind the weak link doesn't exist. They are also working really hard to keep Tyler at LT and not move him inside.

 

[Cowboys5217]

Lots of talk and that is all it is.

They are not doing anything different then just about every other team in the NFL.

Correct. This is just hype.

Although there is one thing we do differently than just about every other franchise for the last 27 years. It is claimed to be an "advantage".

 

[Jarntt]

That’s the oline they want for sure
But the odds of those 5 playing 17 games is slim, so you have to be prepared for every possibility

For any team the odds are slim. When one of your guys is Tyron it's a whole other level of unlikely

 

[CCBoy]

It's been encouraging to see Waletzko getting stronger and rehabbing so successfully in his offseason workouts. If his progress continues to favor him with stronger contributions at LT this season, this OL should show better all-around strength where it counts the most. Hopefully, the interior of the OL will also see some improvement with stronger contributions from their talents at LG and far better health being seen from Terence Steele.

Biggest Challenge: Facing athletic edge rushers will always be a challenge in the NFL, but facing a pass-rushing group like the Philadelphia Eagles will be easily the biggest task of the season. The Eagles had three edge rushers finish in the top 11 of season-long PFF grades from last season (Sweat, Reddick, Graham) and in addition to returning that trio, the defending Super Bowl runner-ups will also be adding Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo to the interior defensive line which will only allow for more pressure off the edge.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/battle-lines-how-tyron-smith-affects-ot-position

All this fan knows is that when Dallas plays Philadelphia at least twice in then 2023 season, I don't want to hear from our bunch of name droppers on site to ever complain about Tyron Smith, Terence Steele, or Waletzko!


The true battle, in my opinion, is to see who'll be the backup guard (Asim Richards? Chuma Edoga? Matt Farniok?) and who'll be swing tackle (Matt Waletkko?). All in all, just let if flesh itself out, and it most definitely will once the team starts going full speed in Oxnard.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/mailbag-worry-about-guard-by-committee

 

[Bullflop]

Expecting any team to come away from an Eagles game without some sacks being in evidence is asking more than what is at all likely to happen. This version of the Dallas OL will be challenged royally in any matchup with them, as will any other team in the NFL. Keeping realistic expectations would be the prudent thing to do for us or any other fanbase in the league. I wouldn't expect our fans to have all of our members to have realistic expectations or anything even close to that. It's just not in the cards and never will be if the past is any indication. Some will cry, no matter what. Quite a few, I expect.

 

[big dog cowboy]

They are trying out some tackles at LG

Cowboys have been drafting OT's and moving them to OG for a while now. They did it again just a couple of months ago.

 

[rambo2]

O'Cyrus Torrence would've helped them build an "anti fragile" offensive line.

They didn't like him. Maybe he will be decent at Buffalo and maybe he won't. It will be interesting to watch. I think that Schoonmaker is a better blocker than Torrence and Schoonmaker can run and catch the ball too.

 

[rambo2]

Or we could have drafted one.

They did draft one and signed some undrafted players as well.

 

[rambo2]

It's been encouraging to see Waletzko getting stronger and rehabbing so successfully in his offseason workouts. If his progress continues to favor him with stronger contributions at LT this season, this OL should show better all-around strength where it counts the most. Hopefully, the interior of the OL will also see some improvement with stronger contributions from their talents at LG and far better health being seen from Terence Steele.

I suspect that Waletzko is going to be a good player. I have a good feeling about him. We will see. He is certainly a player to watch in preseason. We have a bunch players to watch on this 90 man roster. It's going to be fun to watch.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Or we could have drafted one.

The big questionable pick, IMO, was round 2. Bet there were quality interior olinemen to be had.

 

[rambo2]

The big questionable pick, IMO, was round 2. Bet there were quality interior olinemen to be had.

I didn't like them. I bet that Schoonmaker will turn out to be a good pick.

 

[Hardline]

They didn't like him. Maybe he will be decent at Buffalo and maybe he won't. It will be interesting to watch. I think that Schoonmaker is a better blocker than Torrence and Schoonmaker can run and catch the ball too.

They didn't like him is a problem. He was a borderline first rounder. And in no way is Schoonmaker a better blocker .

 

[big dog cowboy]

They didn't like him is a problem. He was a borderline first rounder. And in no way is Schoonmaker a better blocker .

He just didn't sit their scheme also. They really just weren't interested.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I didn't like them. I bet that Schoonmaker will turn out to be a good pick.

I have hopes for Schoonmaker. I tend to like the superfreaks.
Still, he was a reach.
And TE was not a need, IMO. Ferguson was fine, and he'll be developing more slowly now that he'll be losing snaps to Schoonmaker.

 

[big dog cowboy]

And TE was not a need, IMO.

Cowboys wanted to upgrade their blocking and replace Schultz. Accomplished two things with one pick.