Do we need to address O-line next year?

[JoeyBoy718]

I know this was a definite YES! last year, but we seemed to have turned this from a weakness to a strength. Obviously, Smith and Fred are our pillars for the next decade. Also, Free took a pay cut and played very well this year. Last but not least, our guards are surprisingly playing well too. Bern has really stepped up and has outplayed Waters. People forget he's young too. We brought him in here because he had starter potential and he may very well be proving us right. Leary was brought in in a low-risk, high-reward move. An undrafted free agent with degenerative knee issues. Well, he's been healthy and has been improving all season. We don't have much depth but Parnell can be a solid swing tackle, Costa is a solid backup center, and we could even bring Waters back for another year.

If we didn't have so many holes on defense, I would say let's still draft O-line early next year. But our defense is so bad that I think we need to spend EVERY draft pick and free agent acquisition on defense. I also think we're set on offense for at least next year in the personnel department. The only thing I think we could use is a RB, but I have faith that Murray can remain healthy and he still has a year left on his contract. The only thing I think our offense needs ASAP is a new coach/coordinator and play caller. I think we can afford to not address offense for a year for the sake of putting all our energy into improving our defense. What do you think?

 

[Picksix]

Free played well early on, but he's tailed off over the last several games. I would still look to improve that spot.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Free played well early on, but he's tailed off over the last several games. I would still look to improve that spot.

I think we definitely need to improve. My point is, would it kill us if we waited a year? I think our defense is so bad that we NEED to address that now.

 

[Tabascocat]

Not with that many holes on defense. There will be only so much money to patch up what is left over from draft picks and most will have to go to the defense.

Best bet is hope Waters has one more year and roll with what we got IMO.

Another guard and tackle would be nice but there are other more pressing positions.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

A good team always looks to enhance the talent level of their o and d lines in the off-season so yes!

 

[JoeyBoy718]

A good team always looks to enhance the talent level of their o and d lines in the off-season so yes!

But good teams typically don't have the worst defense in league history.

 

[tm1119]

Free played well early on, but he's tailed off over the last several games. I would still look to improve that spot.

Free is too cheap after the restructure to replace at this point. He'll be penciled in as the starting RT next year.

I would look to add a G in the 3rd/4th. I'd hardly call Berny and Leary a strength

 

[sideon]

Address but don't invest, the O-line only needs about 2 above average players to be more solid but the D needs a complete overhaul.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

But good teams typically don't have the worst defense in league history.

My point exactly! The Cowboys are not a good team because they have been slow to add talent on both sides of the trenches. D-line should be the priority this next draft but they should always look for a stud o-lineman (usually a guard) in the 2nd and beyond.

 

[rwalters31]

I know this was a definite YES! last year, but we seemed to have turned this from a weakness to a strength. Obviously, Smith and Fred are our pillars for the next decade. Also, Free took a pay cut and played very well this year. Last but not least, our guards are surprisingly playing well too. Bern has really stepped up and has outplayed Waters. People forget he's young too. We brought him in here because he had starter potential and he may very well be proving us right. Leary was brought in in a low-risk, high-reward move. An undrafted free agent with degenerative knee issues. Well, he's been healthy and has been improving all season. We don't have much depth but Parnell can be a solid swing tackle, Costa is a solid backup center, and we could even bring Waters back for another year.

If we didn't have so many holes on defense, I would say let's still draft O-line early next year. But our defense is so bad that I think we need to spend EVERY draft pick and free agent acquisition on defense. I also think we're set on offense for at least next year in the personnel department. The only thing I think we could use is a RB, but I have faith that Murray can remain healthy and he still has a year left on his contract. The only thing I think our offense needs ASAP is a new coach/coordinator and play caller. I think we can afford to not address offense for a year for the sake of putting all our energy into improving our defense. What do you think?

Yes and YES, guard is still a problem. Even though it looks like the OL can allow runs, it still has big problems against good DL in pass coverage. Excellent Guards make OT look like Supermen. Now for the DL we need TACKLES!!!!!!! Did I mention that DT make DE look like Supermen.

 

[likofloathe]

Add a guard in the mid rounds, then look for a player who gets cut who still has some talent left. They need to address the Defensive line and olb positions early.

 

[Direwolf63]

Earlier in the year I wanted 2 guards. I'd be OK with just one now.

I still don't believe Leary is anything more than a backup. Bernadeau has surprised me and has actually played well. The center and tackles are fine.

But I agree the primary focus has to be the defense this year.

 

[visionary]

I know this was a definite YES! last year, but we seemed to have turned this from a weakness to a strength. Obviously, Smith and Fred are our pillars for the next decade. Also, Free took a pay cut and played very well this year. Last but not least, our guards are surprisingly playing well too. Bern has really stepped up and has outplayed Waters. People forget he's young too. We brought him in here because he had starter potential and he may very well be proving us right. Leary was brought in in a low-risk, high-reward move. An undrafted free agent with degenerative knee issues. Well, he's been healthy and has been improving all season. We don't have much depth but Parnell can be a solid swing tackle, Costa is a solid backup center, and we could even bring Waters back for another year.

If we didn't have so many holes on defense, I would say let's still draft O-line early next year. But our defense is so bad that I think we need to spend EVERY draft pick and free agent acquisition on defense. I also think we're set on offense for at least next year in the personnel department. The only thing I think we could use is a RB, but I have faith that Murray can remain healthy and he still has a year left on his contract. The only thing I think our offense needs ASAP is a new coach/coordinator and play caller. I think we can afford to not address offense for a year for the sake of putting all our energy into improving our defense. What do you think?

our starting LG has a knee problem
our starting RG is a journey man
our starting RT is mediocre and just took a pay cut for bad performance
we have no depth at either OG position
our back up tackle is completely untested
our back up center is costa who is so accomplished everyone not completely blind breathed a sigh of relief when we drafted fred

but, other than that, we are set at OL

 

[NJ22]

I know this was a definite YES! last year, but we seemed to have turned this from a weakness to a strength. Obviously, Smith and Fred are our pillars for the next decade. Also, Free took a pay cut and played very well this year. Last but not least, our guards are surprisingly playing well too. Bern has really stepped up and has outplayed Waters. People forget he's young too. We brought him in here because he had starter potential and he may very well be proving us right. Leary was brought in in a low-risk, high-reward move. An undrafted free agent with degenerative knee issues. Well, he's been healthy and has been improving all season. We don't have much depth but Parnell can be a solid swing tackle, Costa is a solid backup center, and we could even bring Waters back for another year.

If we didn't have so many holes on defense, I would say let's still draft O-line early next year. But our defense is so bad that I think we need to spend EVERY draft pick and free agent acquisition on defense. I also think we're set on offense for at least next year in the personnel department. The only thing I think we could use is a RB, but I have faith that Murray can remain healthy and he still has a year left on his contract. The only thing I think our offense needs ASAP is a new coach/coordinator and play caller. I think we can afford to not address offense for a year for the sake of putting all our energy into improving our defense. What do you think?

This is a good question. It was so bad last year that I am very surprised with how well they have played this year. Especially Bernadeau. With that said I am a believer that you can never have enough o-line depth. I agree rounds 1-3 at least need to be pass rushing lineman Get me the next Ware and Hatcher.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

our starting LG has a knee problem
our starting RG is a journey man
our starting RT is mediocre and just took a pay cut for bad performance
we have no depth at either OG position
our back up tackle is completely untested
our back up center is costa who is so accomplished everyone not completely blind breathed a sigh of relief when we drafted fred

but, other than that, we are set at OL

Good way to look at it!

The o and d-lines are units. As we have seen in the past, a unit with weak links is a monumental liability.

 

[CaptainMorgan]

I don't think there is a position on this team that doesn't need addressed one way or the other.

 

[visionary]

I don't think there is a position on this team that doesn't need addressed one way or the other.

starting with HC

 

[Dodger]

I'd be looking for a guard at some point in the draft.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Still worried about Free long-term. I commend him for having a much better season but i'd be looking for a younger upgrade if available as early as round 2.

 

[Deep_South]

our starting LG has a knee problem
our starting RG is a journey man
our starting RT is mediocre and just took a pay cut for bad performance
we have no depth at either OG position
our back up tackle is completely untested
our back up center is costa who is so accomplished everyone not completely blind breathed a sigh of relief when we drafted fred

but, other than that, we are set at OL

You know, I felt a lot better before reading this post.