DMN: Gosselin: Cowboys' offensive line is strength of team, should bring 'swagger'

[jobberone]

Gosselin: Cowboys' offensive line is strength of team, should bring 'swagger'

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Rangers beat writer Gerry Fraley and columnist Rick Gosselin joined Fox Sports Southwest's Dana Larson on Monday for SportsDay OnAir. Here are some highlights.

On the Cowboys' offense:

Gosselin: "The offensive line sets the tone. There is a nastiness on that 1992, 1993, 1995, and 1996 Cowboys offensive line's that set the tone for the team. I think you are going to see that. I think you will see that with Dez Bryant, Demarco Murray, and Tony Romo. The offensive line is going to give this offense some swagger. They are going to be able to protect. For this team to get where it wants to go, it needs Dez Bryant to be one of the two or three best receivers in football. He is not there yet. It needs Demarco Murray to be a Pro Bowl running back and play 16 games. He is going to have to average five yards a carry and get 12 touchdowns. They are going to have to be able to run the football. The line is in place to give everybody a chance in the skills positions to be better."

On the offensive line:

Gosselin: "No question right now this is the strength of the team. That's saying a lot from where they were at this point last year. With three No. 1 draft picks, they are also high on Leary and Free had a resurrection year last season. It's a strength of this team. They are going to be able to block for the running back and protect the quarterback. They are going to have to find a way to hold on to the ball for over 30 minutes and this offensive line gives them a chance. There is a lot of talent there. Tyron Smith is a present, current, and future Pro Bowler. There is a lot of good players in place there."

Gosselin: Why Cowboys' current defensive staff should stick around even if Garrett doesn't

Gosselin: I'm concerned about Cowboys D-line, not confident Lawrence, Melton can 'break even'

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[TwoDeep3]

This is important.

The only real hope I see for this team is the offensiove line crushing defenses and allowing the pl;ay makers to shine.

The defense holds no magic for me because it is built from the corner position with no real Free Safety. No pass rush, no pas defense.

 

[Fredd]

the OL needs to have that swagger, yes, they need to control not only the line itself, but the game...keep the ball away from opponents and the suspect defense will be on the field less...if they are on the field less, they won't be getting so tired in the 4th quarter of games...

it all starts with the OL

 

[jobberone]

the OL needs to have that swagger, yes, they need to control not only the line itself, but the game...keep the ball away from opponents and the suspect defense will be on the field less...if they are on the field less, they won't be getting so tired in the 4th quarter of games...

it all starts with the OL

I don't think this is a winning formula for everyone but I agree it is for this club right now. I mean that in the sense the offense wins the game by outscoring them and the defense playing well enough to do that. If we have a better defense than that I'll be ecstatic.

 

[waving monkey]

When the Goose says anything hopeful for the Cowboys you have to listen. Not that
wasn't kinda obvious.

 

[Risen Star]

And to think a few short years ago it was by far the biggest weakness on the team.

 

[burmafrd]

And to think a few short years ago it was by far the biggest weakness on the team.

3 accurate #1 picks will do that for you


all those 3-7 th round picks over the last 5 years or so? Only 1 is starting.

 

[jobberone]

And to think a few short years ago it was by far the biggest weakness on the team.

Except for that Free guy!

Have to get a shot in every once in awhile.

 

[noshame]

With this OL I will really begin to enjoy the 3rd and 4th quarters.

 

[CosmicCowboy]

a good OL= ball control ,move the chains ,score points...love it

 

[jazzcat22]

And to think a few short years ago it was by far the biggest weakness on the team.

Yes indeed...good job Jerry!!!

 

[Wolfpack]

It can be a strength if they remember to run the ball a bit more.

 

[jobberone]

It can be a strength if they remember to run the ball a bit more.

It'll be more of a strength protecting against the rush. But it'll be nice to see us with an effective running game.

 

[Western]

With the offensive line, the foundation for future success at least offensively speaking, has been laid.
Now, in the 2015 draft ~ draft a young healthy mentally-sound fundamental pocket passer QB who is a leader, stands tall in the pocket, and delivers laser-like passes.
Kevin Hogan, Sean Mannion, Connor Cook or Bryce Petty should all be considered.

 

[big dog cowboy]

All this talk about our offense and OL bringing swagger and setting a tone sounds great. It's not that I don't appreciate all of that because I do and I certainly am not taking them for granted. But, what we accomplish this year has everything to do with the defense.

 

[waving monkey]

it's not that you are wrong about picking a QB in the 2015 draft. I just don't see the Cowboys going that way.
Not with a high pick at least.Looking at Romo's contract will show us where they have prepared to start looking .
Having that guy in place would certainly feel good. I bet it's two years more so the third year is my guess.

 

[Hostile]

And to think a few short years ago it was by far the biggest weakness on the team.

This is the number one thing I think Garrett has done right. Turned a weakness into a strength by focusing on it. I knew getting rid of 3 high paid veterans on the OL at the same time was going to have bumps in the road, but I absolutely felt it was the right move if we focused on fixing the OL and he has.

 

[jobberone]

All this talk about our offense and OL bringing swagger and setting a tone sounds great. It's not that I don't appreciate all of that because I do and I certainly am not taking them for granted. But, what we accomplish this year has everything to do with the defense.

Yes but if the offense fixes a few things it will make it easier on the defense.

 

[burmafrd]

This is the number one thing I think Garrett has done right. Turned a weakness into a strength by focusing on it. I knew getting rid of 3 high paid veterans on the OL at the same time was going to have bumps in the road, but I absolutely felt it was the right move if we focused on fixing the OL and he has.

might want to ask Romo if all those hits were worth it.

 

[jday]

"The offensive line sets the tone. There is a nastiness on that 1992, 1993, 1995, and 1996 Cowboys offensive line's that set the tone for the team. I think you are going to see that. I think you will see that with Dez Bryant, Demarco Murray, and Tony Romo. The offensive line is going to give this offense some swagger. They are going to be able to protect. For this team to get where it wants to go, it needs Dez Bryant to be one of the two or three best receivers in football. He is not there yet. It needs Demarco Murray to be a Pro Bowl running back and play 16 games. He is going to have to average five yards a carry and get 12 touchdowns. They are going to have to be able to run the football. The line is in place to give everybody a chance in the skills positions to be better."

I agree that the Ol, on paper, looks to be the strength of the team, but in terms of winning football, there is no set formula of what we need each player to do. For instance, while it would be nice if Dez Bryant was considered a top 3 receiver, it's not a have to have to win. There are more potential playmakers on this team than just Dez, Romo and Murray. I'd add to that list Witten, Escobar, Hanna, Dunbar, possibly Ryan Williams, Beasley, Terrance Williams, Devon Street. In fact, I'd take a team where all of the players contribute over just have one guy being a top tier player. Furthermore, while I understand he is capable of it, I don't think Murray averging 5 yards per carry is an absolute necessity. I'm sorry, but for me statements like the above reinforces why this guy really isn't worth listening to.