Dallas 2006 Offensive Line Issues

[Verdict]

It seems like a given that most boardmembers agree that an upgrade on the offensive line is needed, whether that improvement is from players retuning from injury, developing existing players, free agency or the draft.

In my book it seems like Flozell Adams, if healthy, is good enough to be a solid contributor. Petitti seems to be good enough to be a second tier starter, or a good backup. I would expect Petitti to improve next year with a year in the offseason program. Tucker is a serviceable backup. Essentially if we are going to improve the offensive tackle play we are going to either have to spend a LOT in free agency, or draft one high. Otherwise, the improvement next year at the tackle position is going to be marginal, and a waste of cap space.

While I'm not saying Al Johnson sucks, I really doubt that he strikes fear in the hearts of defensive linemen. Gurode is probably what he is, a spot starter, situational starter or career backup. This spot could use some fixing, and you might steal a top ranked center in the draft, or get one via free agency. Cap wise this spot might be the cheapest to shore up.

Now on to the $64,000 question. What about Larry Allen? Do we keep him, do we cut him, can we get a player to replace him? What is our cap savings if we cut him? I dont think Larry Allen sucks, but lets face it, in reality he is not a pro bowl player at his position. We might be able to replace him, save some cap money and use that cap money to upgrade at other positions.

Does anyone know (AdamJT13) what the cap savings would be if we cut Larry Allen?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It seems like a given that most boardmembers agree that an upgrade on the offensive line is needed, whether that improvement is from players retuning from injury, developing existing players, free agency or the draft.

In my book it seems like Flozell Adams, if healthy, is good enough to be a solid contributor. Petitti seems to be good enough to be a second tier starter, or a good backup. I would expect Petitti to improve next year with a year in the offseason program. Tucker is a serviceable backup. Essentially if we are going to improve the offensive tackle play we are going to either have to spend a LOT in free agency, or draft one high. Otherwise, the improvement next year at the tackle position is going to be marginal, and a waste of cap space.

While I'm not saying Al Johnson sucks, I really doubt that he strikes fear in the hearts of defensive linemen. Gurode is probably what he is, a spot starter, situational starter or career backup. This spot could use some fixing, and you might steal a top ranked center in the draft, or get one via free agency. Cap wise this spot might be the cheapest to shore up.

Now on to the $64,000 question. What about Larry Allen? Do we keep him, do we cut him, can we get a player to replace him? What is our cap savings if we cut him? I dont think Larry Allen sucks, but lets face it, in reality he is not a pro bowl player at his position. We might be able to replace him, save some cap money and use that cap money to upgrade at other positions.

Does anyone know (AdamJT13) what the cap savings would be if we cut Larry Allen?

I've looked at the centers available in the draft. Most are smaller than what Al Johnson is. I don't see that as being a good alternative at this point.

You'll never see Larry Allen get cut... I would almost guarantee that.

 

[AtlCB]

I really do not like the idea of getting rid of Larry Allen. He has been the only OL to start every game and play at a high level. He may no longer be dominant, but he is still better than the majority of starting guards in this league. If the Cowboys cut LA, the team will have another hole to fill.

 

[Hiero]

I really do not like the idea of getting rid of Larry Allen. He has been the only OL to start every game and play at a high level. He may no longer be dominant, but he is still better than the majority of starting guards in this league. If the Cowboys cut LA, the team will have another hole to fill.

Me either. I would prefer to keep Larry there as long as he wants to. He is not the old Larry but still much better than anything else we have.

 

[Verdict]

I've looked at the centers available in the draft. Most are smaller than what Al Johnson is. I don't see that as being a good alternative at this point.

You'll never see Larry Allen get cut... I would almost guarantee that.

If this franchise can cut Troy Aikman and E. Smith then I wouldn't call Larry Allen "uncuttable". If memory serves me Larry Allen is scheduled to make a boatload of money this next year. Larry Allen is strong as an ox, but he is not that versatile in terms of his mobility. He has gotten a "pass" because he is one of the all-time greats at his position, but lets face it, he is NOT the player he once was. The questions that remain about Larry Allen are, is he still "good enough" and is he worth what his cap hit will be. I'm not sure about the answer to either question, but I'm leaning toward thinking the franchise will restucture him or cut him.

I'm not sure of what is available to replace Larry Allen, or Al Johnson in the draft or free agency, but I'm thinking Bentley would be a good addition at center. Who knows if he will be a good enough deal capwise.

 

[ddh33]

The whole unti is a pretty big question mark, but I think some of it will sort itself out.

We know Bill likes "his" guys, and we know that he will give these young players every chance to succeed. With that in mind, I think Al Johnson and Pettiti are probably starting next season again. I would also imagine that Flozell comes back as your starting LT again.

The biggest question mark to me is the guard play? Will Rivera ever be the same again? Will Larry Allen be back? Those guys aren't exactly young, and they both have a lot of miles on them. To make matters worse, I don't know if the team has capable backups there?

 

[trueblue1687]

Larry Allen will be history. If the Jones clan is smart, they'll dump him while he still has SOME trade value. Allen was a force a few years back, but is average to SLIGHTLY above average now. One only has to look at his effort over the past few seasons...remember training camp when he could not pass conditioning drills?? Expect more of the same if he hangs around. Also, go back and look at some of the games this season. You'll notice that LA gives up on the pass rush ALOT. His run blocking is good if he wants it to be, but that seems to be his problem as with most older veterans: finding their "mojo".

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Larry Allen will be history. If the Jones clan is smart, they'll dump him while he still has SOME trade value. Allen was a force a few years back, but is average to SLIGHTLY above average now. One only has to look at his effort over the past few seasons...remember training camp when he could not pass conditioning drills?? Expect more of the same if he hangs around. Also, go back and look at some of the games this season. You'll notice that LA gives up on the pass rush ALOT. His run blocking is good if he wants it to be, but that seems to be his problem as with most older veterans: finding their "mojo".

And who's going to be dumb enough to take his salary?

 

[StanleySpadowski]

A replacement for Larry Allen (hopefully Peterman), a healthy Rivera, a healthy Jones to make up for their mistakes and a QB that doesn't make every OL look worse than it really is and Dallas has a decent OL heading into '06.


Tucker is one of the better backup OTs in the league, Pettiti will be better with a year's experience and an offseason spent getting stronger not losing weight, Gurode makes a decent C/G backup.

 

[Sarge]

A replacement for Larry Allen (hopefully Peterman), a healthy Rivera, a healthy Jones to make up for their mistakes and a QB that doesn't make every OL look worse than it really is and Dallas has a decent OL heading into '06.


Tucker is one of the better backup OTs in the league, Pettiti will be better with a year's experience and an offseason spent getting stronger not losing weight, Gurode makes a decent C/G backup.

If you replace Allen with Peterman - you're getting worse.

Rivera is still a question mark and older than cbz.

Petitti is totally unproven thus far.

Color me skeptical.

Peterman, Petitti, Rivera and Johnson???

I think the majority of this board will be fairly pizzed if this is what transpires.

I haven't even mentioned A. Johnson.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

If you replace Allen with Peterman - you're getting worse.

Rivera is still a question mark and older than cbz.

Petitti is totally unproven thus far.

Color me skeptical.

Peterman, Petitti, Rivera and Johnson???

I think the majority of this board will be fairly pizzed if this is what transpires.

I haven't even mentioned A. Johnson.

I said hopefully Peterman. The only way he starts is if he proves he can. That's the best case scenario for Dallas as far as $$$/draft picks go.

Rivera's a much better player than we saw this season.

And I agree that Pettiti is unproven but and wouldn't be adverse to him having to beat talent out next year for the position but he will play better next year.

 

[Sarge]

I said hopefully Peterman. The only way he starts is if he proves he can. That's the best case scenario for Dallas as far as $$$/draft picks go.

Rivera's a much better player than we saw this season.

And I agree that Pettiti is unproven but and wouldn't be adverse to him having to beat talent out next year for the position but he will play better next year.

Peterman is a waste IMO.

He's already proven he CAN'T, as opposed to he CAN.

Rivera is too old and beat up.

Petitti, who knows, it's a gamble.

I'd rather start the 'turnover' this offeseason than wait to see if these guys will pan out (save Petitti). Perhaps he deserves more time as he is a rookie.

Johnson, average at best............and I mean at best.

Let's put it simply..........you appear to me far more optimistic about this group than I do.

I say, start making the moves now, as opposed to waiting.

 

[AbeBeta]

I've looked at the centers available in the draft. Most are smaller than what Al Johnson is. I don't see that as being a good alternative at this point.

You'll never see Larry Allen get cut... I would almost guarantee that.

Al's size isn't the problem. His strength is. He's just not very strong. I don't know if he failed to work hard enough on his strength during the off-season or if he has hit a physical wall. He is a very smart and technically sound player. He's just too damn weak to do anything. He'd be a probowler in Denver.

I don't think Larry is getting cut. I think he is going to retire. If he doesn't retire we have no choice but to cut him. He's been (generously) mediocre this year. His contract is at the point where it isn't going to cost much to cut him (we might even save some $$). It isn't hard to find a guard who plays at his current level.

 

[Trip]

Larry Allen's cap hit next season is $5.5 million and the money saved by releasing him would only be $1.5 million.

Flozell Adams' cap hit is $7 million, and $3 million saved by releasing him.

I don't think with that minimal savings there is any way Larry Allen gets cut.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Adams, Allen, ?, Rivera? , ?

That's the current situation.

Rivera is a good player, and being sandwhiched between an undersized, underpowered center, and a rookie 6th round RT, that probably will expose him a bit too.

We need a Center who can get some push off the line. Maybe Johnson can improve his strength this offseason. ONe thing I've read on this board and other places is that Wisconsin sort of maxes out their players strength with their conditioning program, weather that is true or not, I don't know

 

[Sarge]

Adams, Allen, ?, Rivera? , ?

That's the current situation.

Rivera is a good player, and being sandwhiched between an undersized, underpowered center, and a rookie 6th round RT, that probably will expose him a bit too.

We need a Center who can get some push off the line. Maybe Johnson can improve his strength this offseason. ONe thing I've read on this board and other places is that Wisconsin sort of maxes out their players strength with their conditioning program, weather that is true or not, I don't know

No one is maxed out strength-wise in college.

 

[Clove]

I think Al Johnson and Pettiti are probably starting next season again. I would also imagine that Flozell comes back as your starting LT again.

The biggest question mark to me is the guard play? Will Rivera ever be the same again? Will Larry Allen be back? Those guys aren't exactly young, and they both have a lot of miles on them. To make matters worse, I don't know if the team has capable backups there?

I don't like the Al Johnson Petitti starting next season, that would make me puke.

Petitti is 2 years away, and Johnson is 10pds and lots of muscle away. Johnson was pushed around like Grocery Store basket, and Rivera was run thru, run around, and run over.

We get Bently, we make LA drop 20 pds, and we draft Daryn Colledge RT in the 2nd round.

 

[ddh33]

I don't like the Al Johnson Petitti starting next season, that would make me puke.

Petitti is 2 years away, and Johnson is 10pds and lots of muscle away. Johnson was pushed around like Grocery Store basket, and Rivera was run thru, run around, and run over.

We get Bently, we make LA drop 20 pds, and we draft Daryn Colledge RT in the 2nd round.

You may not like it, but that's my hunch. Those guys are going to get every chance. I think they may surprise too...

 

[StanleySpadowski]

No one is maxed out strength-wise in college.

I disagree with this statement somewhat. Players from certain programs never seem to gain the weight or strength that other players seem to add their first few years in the NFL.

The most notable example is Nebraska linemen of the late seventies through the nineties. Some have claimed that the substance testing is more rigorous in NFL, which I'm not sure I buy, but there has to be a reason that more All-American lineman than I can count from that school flopped in the NFL.

The same can be said for Wisconsin now. 1000 yard rushers year in year out, turning a mediocre back like Dayne into the career rushing leader, pro flops like Aaron Gibson. It does make one wonder.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Peterman is a waste IMO.

He's already proven he CAN'T, as opposed to he CAN.

Rivera is too old and beat up.

Petitti, who knows, it's a gamble.

I'd rather start the 'turnover' this offeseason than wait to see if these guys will pan out (save Petitti). Perhaps he deserves more time as he is a rookie.

Johnson, average at best............and I mean at best.

Let's put it simply..........you appear to me far more optimistic about this group than I do.

I say, start making the moves now, as opposed to waiting.

I am more optimistic than most when it comes to some of Dallas' younger lineman. I see Al Johnson as average, which isn't bad for a player in his second year starting, I see Pettiti and Tucker getting valuable experience (I'm of the school that unless the Super Bowl is a realistic goal for that season, let the young'uns play).


I still haven't given up on Peterman. Some lineman take awhile. I just know from watching games over and over again that Allen is playing terribly and I don't know how he can possibly play any better next year given his age.