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

[Doomsday101]

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.

True but then I tend to think that the play of the OL allows the talent of the star players to shine brighter. If the QB is allowed a bit more time and if the WR are allowed more time to run the routs or the blitz is picked up leaving the matchups you want and the RB has more room to run then of course he is going to put up the numbers.

 

[jday]

True but then I tend to think that the play of the OL allows the talent of the star players to shine brighter. If the QB is allowed a bit more time and if the WR are allowed more time to run the routs or the blitz is picked up leaving the matchups you want and the RB has more room to run then of course he is going to put up the numbers.

I don't doubt the potential of these players hitting the mark he has set; I am disputing the necessity of these players hitting that mark to win. Furthermore, rather than those players hitting the mark, I would prefer the entire team contribute to winning. If you just have a few guys contributing we will really start to look like the Lions. And when that happens, a good defense (heck, an average defense) can take those players away.

 

[Seven]

But it'll be nice to see us with an effective running game.

They had that on several occasions last season and put the kibosh on it for whatever reason. Dead horse, I know, but with that said I'm praying Linehan lets it rip. We have the tools.


For the love of all that is good and pure.........drive the nail in the coffin and don't look back!

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't doubt the potential of these players hitting the mark he has set; I am disputing the necessity of these players hitting that mark to win. Furthermore, rather than those players hitting the mark, I would prefer the entire team contribute to winning. If you just have a few guys contributing we will really start to look like the Lions. And when that happens, a good defense (heck, an average defense) can take those players away.

I agree. I don't think it is about Dez or Murray getting x amont of yards it is about an OL opening up oppertunities for all the weapons. If the defense wants to take Dez out they can do a lot to limit him it then falls to Williams and others to make the plays. The OL though allows Romo the oppertunity to go through the progressions without having to take off on the run and free lance as much. Granted Romo is good at doing it but it also has lead to key mistakes

 

[jday]

I agree. I don't think it is about Dez or Murray getting x amont of yards it is about an OL opening up oppertunities for all the weapons. If the defense wants to take Dez out they can do a lot to limit him it then falls to Williams and others to make the plays. The OL though allows Romo the oppertunity to go through the progressions without having to take off on the run and free lance as much. Granted Romo is good at doing it but it also has lead to key mistakes

Most coaches agree when building a team you start upfront on both sides of the ball. Granted, if I'm doing a fantasy draft, my top 10 picks probably aren't lineman, but my point is I agree with you, that offensive line looks poised for greatness. The defensive line is still anybody's guess.

 

[Zordon]

They are a big strong physical RT away from being the best in the business.

 

[BigStar]

They are a big strong physical RT away from being the best in the business.

Agree, the line is not set quite yet. If Martin can rotate outside in 2015, then that would work out great, but Free needs replaced to make this unit a strength across the board. If that takes another early OL pick (2-3) then so be it. This team has tried to draft OL mid-late but just can't seem to scout the position very well.

 

[Doomsday101]

Most coaches agree when building a team you start upfront on both sides of the ball. Granted, if I'm doing a fantasy draft, my top 10 picks probably aren't lineman, but my point is I agree with you, that offensive line looks poised for greatness. The defensive line is still anybody's guess.

I agree. As for defense, right now it is a big if. Having said that I'm glad these young guys will be learning from Rod Marinelli. You look at any of the defenses he has coached and you will see guys who hustle to the ball and who will be ripping at balls. I'm sure they will have their mistakes and issues but he will have them giving max effort.

 

[Risen Star]

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.

That was awfully bold of you.

 

[jday]

That was awfully bold of you.

Not sure why my response was "bolded." It was that way by default for some reason. Nevertheless, nice double entendre.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Swagger. meh.

We try that ever year. And to the Cowboys detractors it just comes off as arrogance and then we lose a string of games and phffft!

Swagger was the domain of Jimma Johnson and his maniacs who didn't care what the rest of the world thought and who played smashmouf football like there was no tomorrow.

Unrequited love her for the Jimma era because they optimomized swagger.

 

[Hostile]

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

They weren't. That doesn't change the fact that if we had kept those 3 players at those salaries we'd be a lesser team right now. It's the real world Burm.

 

[jday]

I agree. As for defense, right now it is a big if. Having said that I'm glad these young guys will be learning from Rod Marinelli. You look at any of the defenses he has coached and you will see guys who hustle to the ball and who will be ripping at balls. I'm sure they will have their mistakes and issues but he will have them giving max effort.

Here's hoping.

 

[xwalker]

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.

The coaching has also been a huge part of the OL improvement.

I never thought the old OL coach Houck did much to develop mid-tier players. He was OK with super talented players like Tyron, but it would be hard to screw that up.

The 1st year for Callahan seemed bad, but the injuries killed any ability to get that unit together. The starting Center was the 4th or 5th option. Both Guards were injured for most of the season.

In 2013 the OL coaches did a brilliant job. They developed both Fred and Leary each of whom had never played a snap in a real NFL game. Their biggest achievement was tweaking the scheme to cover up the problems with Doug Free.

With Callahan as the OC, I think most of the OL coaching was done by Frank Pollack. He should probably get more recognition for doing an excellent job.

 

[Doomsday101]

Here's hoping.

again I don't what they will do I just know they will hustle to the ball or they will find a quick seat on the bench as was the case with Carter last season. Even street FA we had last year while they were unable to get it done Rod and Kiffen had these guys hustling to the ball.

 

[jday]

again I don't what they will do I just know they will hustle to the ball or they will find a quick seat on the bench as was the case with Carter last season. Even street FA we had last year while they were unable to get it done Rod and Kiffen had these guys hustling to the ball.

I like Marinelli's style of football and I believe there is something to him getting the most out of players. The question for this defense is where is their ceiling. Last year that ceiling was pretty low for most players not named Jason Hatcher, but with 1 more year in the system and an injection of youth, that could be all this defense needed...or, as I suspect, it could use 1 more round of free agency/draft to truly be competitive.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

That was awfully bold of you.

i c wut u did thar

 

[Doomsday101]

I like Marinelli's style of football and I believe there is something to him getting the most out of players. The question for this defense is where is their ceiling. Last year that ceiling was pretty low for most players not named Jason Hatcher, but with 1 more year in the system and an injection of youth, that could be all this defense needed...or, as I suspect, it could use 1 more round of free agency/draft to truly be competitive.

As I have said before I'm keeping expectation modest this coming season but would not be shocked to see this unit being much improved and deeper than last years group.

 

[jobberone]

They had that on several occasions last season and put the kibosh on it for whatever reason. Dead horse, I know, but with that said I'm praying Linehan lets it rip. We have the tools.


For the love of all that is good and pure.........drive the nail in the coffin and don't look back!

The only reason I've ever come up with that makes sense is they were afraid to play ball control offense with that defense. And I'm not sure I blame them. You cannot play that offense if you are going to give up 27ppg. It doesn't work well. You can't take 5 mins to score and allow them 1-2 mins. Man, did we suck last year on defense.

 

[dfense]

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

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/incoming/20140623-ns_19dallast_38314529.jpg.ece/BINARY/w620x413/NS_19DALLAST_38314529.JPG
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'

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sports/...-is-strength-of-team-should-bring-swagger.ece

he fails to mention the Cowboys had the #1 ranked no name defense at the time to. That certainly didn't hurt.