Did the Cowboys O-line improve or are they just facing poorer defenses?

gtb1943

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The first Johnson line all were unheard of and lower talents when brought together as All Pros. Fact.
Erik Williams was a third rd pick so not that low
and as has been clear for a very long time the Great Wall was a fluke
 

baltcowboy

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The offensive unit needs to continue to play together and develop. With Tyler Smith leading the way we have 6 or 7 guys to develop into a solid unit. You don’t need the Great Wall of Dallas III to have a good offensive team.
 

CowboysFaninHouston

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I think the Tampa game was a good test of the interior. The Bucs don't have good outside pass rushers, so the game tells us little about our tackles, but the interior went up against their sacks leaders in Vea (6), Kancey (6.5) and David (5.5). Kancey did have half a sack against us, but we limited Vea to three tackles and one QB hit.
True.

I loved Martin. But he was a huge liability. Since he moved to IR the interior has come together real well.
 

CCBoy

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Erik Williams was a third rd pick so not that low
and as has been clear for a very long time the Great Wall was a fluke
Do a check and come up with the first offensive line, never informed.

Jimmy Johnson's first offensive line for the Dallas Cowboys was built from a group of players who were considered rejects, castoffs, and overlooked by other teams. The players included: A couple of third-rounders, A seventh-rounder, Two free-agents, A player who was traded away because he was unwanted, and Players from small schools.

The offensive line is known as "The Great Wall of Dallas" and is credited with helping the Cowboys win three Super Bowls between 1992 and 1995. Some of the players on the line include:

  • Mark Tuinei
    A converted defensive lineman who died of a drug overdose in 1999
  • Erik Williams
    An intimidating player who almost died in a car crash in 1994
  • Nate Newton
    Served time for drug trafficking
  • John Gesek
    Described as a "silent assassin" who has worked as a financial planner and realtor since leaving football



  • Cowboys History: The Offensive Line That Made The Triplets
    Dec 2, 2013 — Well, they thought they could do it because that's exactly what they did to build this line. These were castoffs, rejec...

    Blogging The Boys


  • An O-line remembered: 'The Great Wall of Dallas' among Cowboys' greats
    Dec 3, 2013
    USA Today
https://www.google.com/search?q=jimmy+johnson's+first+offensive+line+assembled&rlz=1CAVARX_enUS1094&oq=jimmy+johnson's+first+offensive+line+assembled&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigAdIBCTI1ODY5ajBqNKgCBrACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

An O-line remembered: 'The Great Wall of Dallas' among Cowboys' greats​

Nate Davis
USA TODAY Sports

This edition of A Football Life focuses on former Dallas tackles Mark Tuinei and Erik Williams and interior linemen Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton, John Gesek and Kevin Gogan. (Hall of Famer Larry Allen, who joined the Cowboys in 1994, is a footnote to this story even though some regard him as the best guard in NFL history.)
 
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Chasing6

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I think its combination of both.

playing 21, 25,29 and 32nd ranked defenses helps, but also that we had 2 new starters on the line and more than any other position group, the OL needs to play as a unit. one single failure and its a sack or tackle in the backfield regardless of what the other 4 do..... and two rookies starting, not just two new ones.

so now they have had a chance to jell a little, get a little experience together. also as much as I love him and he is one of all time cowboys greats, Martin was the weakest point on the line. his injury was a blessing in disguise as we have seen a leap in OL play after he went on IR. not a coincedence.
Well how did we run the ball last week?
 

Chasing6

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Answer your own questions tomorrow and next week.

Success is always a serious question. It takes technique, discipline learned over time, and leadership. That can be observed and followed.

Pay attention and not just scornfully. Be a fan.
We already know how we will run the ball tomorrow and next week.
 

CCBoy

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We already know how we will run the ball tomorrow and next week.
No you don't and numbers have increased. You have proven nothing and never do.

It takes a handoff and blocking. The Cowboys know how to do that...and mix in passes with the runs.

Hate to break things in on you, but the staff and coaches already know how the game of football is played. They aren't cry babies, like you.
Attention donkey driving. jackass on red triangle. Road sign att
 

CCBoy

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Team Results​


YearTmLgJob TitleWLTW-L%W plyfL plyfPlayoff ResultNotes
YearTmLgJob TitleWLTW-L%W plyfL plyfPlayoff ResultNotes
YearTmLgJob TitleWLTW-L%W plyfL plyfPlayoff ResultNotes
1989Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1150.06300Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
1990Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager790.43800Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
1991Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1150.68811Lost DivOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
1992Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1330.81330Won SBOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
1993Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1240.75030Won SBOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
1994Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1240.75011Lost ConfOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
1995Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1240.75030Won SBOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
1996Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1060.62511Lost DivOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
1997Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager6100.37500Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
1998Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1060.62501Lost WCOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
1999Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager880.50001Lost WCOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2000Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager5110.31300Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2001Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager5110.31300Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2002Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager5110.31300Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2003Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1060.62501Lost WCOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2004Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager6100.37500Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2005Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager970.56300Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2006Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager970.56301Lost WCOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2007Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1330.81301Lost DivOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2008Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager970.56300Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2009Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1150.68811Lost DivOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2010Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager6100.37500Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2011Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager880.50000Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2012Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager880.50000Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2013Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager880.50000Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2014Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1240.75011Lost DivOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2015Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager4120.25000Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2016Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1330.81301Lost DivOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2017Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager970.56300Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2018Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1060.62511Lost DivOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2019Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager880.50000Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2020Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager6100.37500Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2021Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1250.70601Lost WCOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2022Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1250.70611Lost DivOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2023Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager1250.70601Lost WCOwner serves as team's de facto General Manager
2024Dallas CowboysNFLOwner/President/General Manager780.467Owner serves as team's de facto General Manager
Total36 Years31925901615
Dallas Cowboys1989-2024319259016
15

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/executives/JoneJe0.htm
 

plasticman

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I think it is a combination of each. I think three of the past four opponent defenses have been ranked 25th or lower, something like that.

However, with the average age of the Cowboys O-line starters at 24, it would be natural to expect they have improved due to experience, practice, and familiarity with each other.

It takes time to form a cohesive unit and two of the five were rookies, one had 2 NFL starts prior to the start of the season.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, this should be an exciting group next season.
 

Chasing6

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No you don't and numbers have increased. You have proven nothing and never do.

It takes a handoff and blocking. The Cowboys know how to do that...and mix in passes with the runs.

Hate to break things in on you, but the staff and coaches already know how the game of football is played. They aren't cry babies, like you.
Attention donkey driving. jackass on red triangle. Road sign att
Sounds like you don't.
 

gtb1943

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Do a check and come up with the first offensive line, never informed.

Jimmy Johnson's first offensive line for the Dallas Cowboys was built from a group of players who were considered rejects, castoffs, and overlooked by other teams. The players included: A couple of third-rounders, A seventh-rounder, Two free-agents, A player who was traded away because he was unwanted, and Players from small schools.

The offensive line is known as "The Great Wall of Dallas" and is credited with helping the Cowboys win three Super Bowls between 1992 and 1995. Some of the players on the line include:

  • Mark Tuinei
    A converted defensive lineman who died of a drug overdose in 1999
  • Erik Williams
    An intimidating player who almost died in a car crash in 1994
  • Nate Newton
    Served time for drug trafficking
  • John Gesek
    Described as a "silent assassin" who has worked as a financial planner and realtor since leaving football



  • Cowboys History: The Offensive Line That Made The Triplets
    Dec 2, 2013 — Well, they thought they could do it because that's exactly what they did to build this line. These were castoffs, rejec...

    Blogging The Boys


  • An O-line remembered: 'The Great Wall of Dallas' among Cowboys' greats
    Dec 3, 2013
    USA Today
https://www.google.com/search?q=jimmy+johnson's+first+offensive+line+assembled&rlz=1CAVARX_enUS1094&oq=jimmy+johnson's+first+offensive+line+assembled&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigAdIBCTI1ODY5ajBqNKgCBrACAQ&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

An O-line remembered: 'The Great Wall of Dallas' among Cowboys' greats​

Nate Davis
USA TODAY Sports

This edition of A Football Life focuses on former Dallas tackles Mark Tuinei and Erik Williams and interior linemen Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton, John Gesek and Kevin Gogan. (Hall of Famer Larry Allen, who joined the Cowboys in 1994, is a footnote to this story even though some regard him as the best guard in NFL history.)
And show me any line with such low draft choices or UDFA's that ever came close to that. Like I said it was a fluke; and thinking you can do it again is stupid.
 

gtb1943

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No you don't and numbers have increased. You have proven nothing and never do.

It takes a handoff and blocking. The Cowboys know how to do that...and mix in passes with the runs.

Hate to break things in on you, but the staff and coaches already know how the game of football is played. They aren't cry babies, like you.
Attention donkey driving. jackass on red triangle. Road sign att
yeah they have a losing record so what does that prove?
 

BHendri5

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After weeks of struggles, the Cowboys offensive line seems to finally be putting things together. The beaten and bruised, mismatched and mangled unit appears to be playing their best ball of the season and it’s no coincidence it’s resulted a fair degree of team success along the way.

Through weeks 1-11, the Dallas rushing attack ranked in 17th success rate (39 percent) and 25th in EPA/play (-0.136). In the four weeks that followed they have been fourth in success rate (46.3 percent) and 13th in EPA/play (-0.069). It marks a significant improvement and explains why the Cowboys have gone 3-1 behind a quarterback who ranks just 25th in EPA/dropback + CPOE composite score (measures impact and accuracy).

The question at hand is has the Cowboys offensive line finally worked things out with their run blocking or is this just a result of playing poorer competition?

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/17/cowboys-o-line-improve-poor-defense/
They have the right players playing now, Guyton not starting unless someone is injured, Hoffman, Beebee, Bass should be playing as well. Martin was not having a good season , I have said it all season long before his injuries added to his poor play, he was mentally already retired, they should have not talked him in to coming back this season. When he left Steele's play got better(I still think he needs to be gone after this season too), button needs to be moved to RT, that's what he is .
Really the Oline should be LT-Smith, LG-Bass/Beebe, C-Hoffman(maybe Beebe now since they have been playing him there all season), RG- Bass/Beebe, RT- Steele(for now).
Next season if we do not draft or sign a true LT, you can let EDOGA/Richards, and a rookie or FA, Keep Smith up to speed just in case. Beebe/Bass/Hoffmanalong with Smith battling the for the Guard spots, Guyton/EDOGA/Richards and whomever else battling for the RT.
But whatever it is next season start the true best 5 guys, Jerry stay out of it let it play out in camp.
But yes the Oline is playing better, with the subtraction of Martin(he was Great a HOFer, but his time is over). Hoffman could possibly get into the RT competition, if we want EDOGA/Richards, Smith,Beebe,Bass, Hoffman
 

CCBoy

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yeah they have a losing record so what does that prove?
Nothing to your lame butt, butt, butt, butt...explain to us all why your clamor of losing should mean a damn thing to anyone rushing up to consume your crap.
 
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They played some of the worse run defenses in that three game stretch and struggled when we face TB bc they are built different in the front 7. Hoffman is a depth guy, he shouldnt be starting long term. We need a talent upgrade on the OL
 
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