Do we really have an o-line that only needed Jason Fabini and a 7th rnd pick?

[TruBlueCowboy]

When you think about it, the biggest free-agent signing to fix this offensive line was Jason Fabini. The highest offensive line draft pick was a 7th rounder. That's a little scary when you flashback to how bad that oline was by the end of the season.

I know Flozell's injury caused a lot of problems, but the thing to consider is that he could get hurt again. Have Bill & Jerry really improved the offensive line enough to get this team over the hump? We have a quarterback who more than most NEEDS protection. We have a mouthy WR who will go off on everyone if he isn't getting his production. We have a tight end in Witten who is best when he doesn't have to stay back to block. Julius went from future HOFer to potential bust with some fans because of that line.

Should we be worried? There are so many new additions to be optimistic about but one bad oline can destroy a team's season. With Flozell's return and the few free-agent signings and low round draft picks, did this team fix its problems, or has it doomed itself to a repeat season?

 

[Cowboys22]

No, it also need Kosier and a healthy Flozell Adams!

 

[CrazyCowboy]

And after all of that......I am still concerned!

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

Considering the line looked just fine and Bledsoe and Glenn were on pace to start in the pro bowl for 6 weeks last year, I think replacing old slow Allen with Kosier and replacing Petitti with Fabini is probably fine enough to make the line serviceable. Look at New England's line. They have a bunch of guys making like 1 mil or less a year and they protect brady all day. It's all about cohesion, and we just need to get some of that going.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

Considering the line looked just fine and Bledsoe and Glenn were on pace to start in the pro bowl for 6 weeks last year, I think replacing old slow Allen with Kosier and replacing Petitti with Fabini is probably fine enough to make the line serviceable. Look at New England's line. They have a bunch of guys making like 1 mil or less a year and they protect brady all day. It's all about cohesion, and we just need to get some of that going.

Yeah, but that line started looking a lot better when Tom Brady replaced Drew Bledsoe.

 

[ravidubey]

That's the multi-million dollar question isn't it?

We should not compare with the end of last season because that was the OL of what would have been a 5-11 team.

We need to compare with what we fielded opening day against San Diego-- and that OL went 5-3 to start the year.

2005 - Adams, Allen, Johnson, Rivera, Pettiti
2006 - Adams, Kosier, Johnson, Rivera, Fabini

You've already got to say that's a better OL. Yes, Adams, Fabini, and Rivera are older but not old by offensive linemen standards.

Johnson will be a better player and Rivera will be a healthier player than what we saw against the Chargers. Pettiti will be much improved, and Fabini is an established pro who will either beat Pettiti outright or provide quality depth. Either way, he raises the standard of play at RT and we also gain depth.

Columbo is a total unknown, but you've got to think Peterman will at least be in the mix. He was a good player at LSU, I don't see how he's a total washout unless he gets injured.

Then there's Gurode. He'll also be better.

If that OL stays healthy and Owens and Glenn do as well, this team is a serious contender.

 

[BigDFan5]

There was nobody outside DBrick that was gonna help this OLine THIS year, so I am fine with not reaching for one

 

[cowboysfan31]

I think alot of the problems last year stemmed from the one major problem at C. We had problems with slow exchanges and dropped exchanges and everything went downhill from there. Both T spots have been upgraded and Rivera should hopefully be back healthy. If Johnson really improved as much as has been speculated I think the OL should be ok.

 

[Merlin]

There was nobody outside DBrick that was gonna help this OLine THIS year, so I am fine with not reaching for one

Winston Justice was there in the second. I think he could have helped.

 

[BigDFan5]

Winston Justice was there in the second. I think he could have helped.

Justice went like 13 picks ahead of us in round 2

 

[TheHustler]

There was nobody outside DBrick that was gonna help this OLine THIS year, so I am fine with not reaching for one

Nick Mangold.

 

[groverat]

The last thing anyone should ever do is count on Winston Justice to do anything. No doubt he's a major talent, but he's a flake.

 

[BigDFan5]

Nick Mangold.

You rather have Mangold over Carpenter? I question your sanity

 

[InmanRoshi]

3 out of the 5 starting positions on the Oline will be different than the year before. If Gurode beats out Al Johnson, that will be 4 out of the 5 starting positions. That's a pretty drastic change for a unit that requires cohesiveness and continuity.

 

[Juke99]

Ya know, funny thing, Flozell has taken a beating from many Cowboy fans in the past...yet, now, he's seen as the savior.

Let's face it, his play has been inconsistent from day one...he had one very good year under Parcells. The other 1 1/2 years were up and down.

He's always had problem with speed rushers.

His concentration, at times, has been lacking.

I am hopeful he'll have a very good year. But there's no guarantee that this will be an "up" year for him.

The offensive line is still a huge concern for me.

 

[Juke99]

3 out of the 5 starting positions on the Oline will be different than the year before. If Gurode beats out Al Johnson, that will be 4 out of the 5 starting positions. That's a pretty drastic change for a unit that requires cohesiveness and continuity.

Great point.

 

[CowboysNumeroUno]

With recent first day picks like Gurode, Johnson, Rogers, and Peterman, I don't mind adding players from Free Agency and the late rounds of the draft. The only draftee to play significantly in the last 2 years is Pettiti, and he was drafted very late.

 

[Bone]

Honestly, I really like our team. I keep hearing about how we need an offensive tackle but I am far more concerned about how we play from Guard to Guard. Everyone on the OL will need a career year for us to have a Super Bowl Championship type of season.

Bone


out.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Well for one thing, (looking just at the right side of the line), it's wrong to completely dismiss Pettiti as a contributor next year. The guy was never picked with the idea he would START every game last year. But, he showed toughness and fight despite some injuries and having never been through a 16 game NFL season.

A LOT of players would have mentally folded and wilted in the face of all that and the withering criticism he received from the media and fans. Rob never quit. I'm willing to bet Parcells likes that about the kid.

He will be a better player this year having worked extremely hard on his conditioning, agility and strength and he will be healthy once again and more adjusted mentally to the pro game.

I expect Fabini to win the job if he's healthy, but Pettiti can be a contributor in years to come.

 

[CoCo]

Anyway you slice it this OL is a risk. There is no objective way around it.

... you can't assume Gurode/Johnson or Pettiti will be better in 06. You are what you are until you prove otherwise. Pettiti at least was a rookie.
... we really don't know about Kozier. How good is he? How will he mesh?
... we hope Rivera bounces back to Packer form but was his health so bad as to dictate his poor play in 05?

I think it is reasonable to assume...
... Flozell comes back reasonably close to pre-injury form.
... Fabini can be an upgrade at RT.

Thats not to imply we're doomed. I believe there is a reasonable chance that we can return this OL to respectability. Can it be good? Lesser chance, but still a chance. (insert Jim Carrey line here)

We at least have some new options over the end of 05. That's cause for hope, but not a guarantee certainly.