Early thoughts

[fortdick]

I have only just started looking at the draft potentials, but I think the Cowboys would be best served by addressing the offensive line for the biggest imrpovement next season. There were too many occasions of us being unable to finish a drive and get the ball into the end zone due to lack of of push in short yardage.

I would really like to see the Boys focus on interior line the first round. Tweo names keep coming up as I do my research. David Decastro and Peter Konz. Both pwoerful run blockers and pretty much sure things.

The Boys could either go with a FA center and draft Decastro, or a FA guard like Nicks of Grubbs and take Konz a trade back situation. This will settle the OlIne for a long time and allow us to use the rest of the draft for defense or BPA.

I like the idea of dropping back five or six slots to pick up an extra third and take Konz. But I think it would be cheaper in the long run to take a FA center and draft Decastro. Nicks and Grubbs are going to cost more than a Meyers or Wells.

I really believe that fixing the interior line would equate to 4-8 points per game. This would be a huge difference given last seasons results.

 

[respectdatstar]

I agree. All good points.

 

[cowboy_ron]

good points

 

[RS12]

Konz depends on what the doctors think. DeCastro is probably the guy they want because of need and what he would cost versus say Nicks. However (despite what some of the experts around here say) looks like DeCastro could be gone by 14. I am still open to OT if they fall.

 

[MonsterD]

Konz depends on what the doctors think. DeCastro is probably the guy they want because of need and what he would cost versus say Nicks. However (despite what some of the experts around here say) looks like DeCastro could be gone by 14. I am still open to OT if they fall.

Not sure what to do with OT, bench Free? Free is not a guard, no matter what people wish.

 

[RS12]

Not sure what to do with OT, bench Free? Free is not a guard, no matter what people wish.

As bad as the interior needs fixing, the edges need to be sealed too. The division teams all have good edge rushers on both sides. I could see Free getting abused on the right side too after what I witnessed last year. Jonathan Martin or Mike Adams might need be a bad way to go. Could probably plug them in at guard for a year as well. Did it with Flozell Adams at one point.

 

[fortdick]

If Decastro is gone, then a move down for Konz seems a no brainer, unless we have signed a center like Meyers. I don't know if Saturday or Koppen have any juice left, but maybe they could be a stop gap while Kowalski learns.

I wish the draft and FA were at the same time, so teams could have a real time view of what is availabel and what they need.

 

[fortdick]

As bad as the interior needs fixing, the edges need to be sealed too. The division teams all have good edge rushers on both sides. I could see Free getting abused on the right side too after what I witnessed last year. Jonathan Martin or Mike Adams might need be a bad way to go. Could probably plug them in at guard for a year as well. Did it with Flozell Adams at one point.

We still managed to score on the Giants. They made their seaosn with pass rush.

While I agree that getting more pressure from SOLB and the DE's is important, I don't see a fix out there that is realistic. Improving our pass protection and short yardage ground game can be fixed this off season. I go with what can be fixed right now.

 

[tm1119]

Give me either Hardwick or Satele in FA for center and draft DeCastro at 14. If he's not available then you trade back to somewhere between 20-22 and pick up an extra 3rd. Then let Arkin/Nagy battle it out to start the other guard spot. That keeps the o-line young and productive for at least 4-5 years. Get best available CB in the 2nd and this team is a 10 win team next year just from there.

 

[fortdick]

Give me either Hardwick or Satele in FA for center and draft DeCastro at 14. If he's not available then you trade back to somewhere between 20-22 and pick up an extra 3rd. Then let Arkin/Nagy battle it out to start the other guard spot. That keeps the o-line young and productive for at least 4-5 years. Get best available CB in the 2nd and this team is a 10 win team next year just from there.

Holland may have learned his lesson. I think his play after coming back was as good as anyone we had not named Smith. He can still be is the mix, right?

I would like to keep a veteran next to Smith if he moves to the left side and Holland could do that. If not, then Kosier would have to move over and let Decastro play RG to start.

 

[tm1119]

Holland may have learned his lesson. I think his play after coming back was as good as anyone we had not named Smith. He can still be is the mix, right?

I would like to keep a veteran next to Smith if he moves to the left side and Holland could do that. If not, then Kosier would have to move over and let Decastro play RG to start.

Holland did ok, but he kinda is what he is. A.mediocre player in the NFL. I'd rather let 1 of the kids play and see if they sink or swim pretty much. Having Holland on the bench for a backup plan would be nice, but I think the kids need to be given a chance

 

[jjktkk]

I battled with myself for awhile now, on which priority(OL, or defense) is the Boy's top priority. I've concluded its the defense, just for the fact that it will be easier imo, to address the OL via free agency, than using a 1st rounder on a interior lineman. My opinion would change if the Boys traded down and got an extra pick though and were able to take a Olineman and a defensive player(passrusher/safety/cb).

 

[burmafrd]

everyone knows the weaknesses of the Boys.
Interior O line
Secondary
lack of consistent pass rush by anyone not named Ware.

The draft is supposedly lousy with Guard prospects.
And a fair amount of CBs.

FA has a few of each.


I say get a guard - a good one - say Grubbs in FA.
If Decastro is there grab him.

As regards Center- decide if Killa can be a good one. If not go for one in FA or the Draft.

Secondary: get a CB in the Draft and a good CB in FA. Anymore you need four good ones with all the multiple WR sets anymore. We have 2 and need 2 more.

Pass rush is the one area I do not think we can do much with this year in FA or the Draft. The only real improvement would be getting Mario; and that is a long shot at best.
There is no one in the Draft I can see that we could expect to do better than Spencer. No Von Millers this year.
Vinny Curry might be the best shot.

Let Spencer go; if we can get Curry fine if not take a gamble and start Butler.

 

[28 Joker]

I sure want to see the interior offensive line addressed in this draft. I want a guard in round 2 at the least. Dallas needs to get bigger and stronger in that interior if they want any chance to win a playoff game on the road or win the NFC East next year. The guard class is so deep at the top, and there should be value in round 1 or 2. Round 2 will offer size, strength, and athleticism at guard (Washington, Silatolu, and Osemele).

I still like Cordy Glenn in round 1. However, Brandon Washington, Amini Silatolu, and Kelechi Osemele would all be big upgrades in talent and fit perfectly in Dallas. These guys have size, strength, and athleticism. All four of those players, including Glenn, should be able to play LG, too.

I hope Peter Konz gets in the mix some how, because I don't like any of the centers in free agency. They are too old to sink moderate money into, imo. The guy in Houston is too small to fit here, imo. The Packers will not let Wells get away, and he wants to stay.

The Packers were getting bigger in the o-line while Dallas got too small inside last year.

 

[28 Joker]

Wes Bunting (National Football Post) ranks Cordy Glenn as the 9th best prospect entering the combine.

I would rather draft Cordy Glenn at 14 and not pay big money for a Carl Nicks. Glenn is an athletic freak, and freaks get drafted high. Glenn has 35 1/8 inch arms, and he fits perfectly at LG or RG. Glenn is the best guard prospect to come out of the SEC since Shawn Andrews.

6-5 1/2
346
35 1/8 inch arms

 

[JBS]

everyone knows the weaknesses of the Boys.
Interior O line
Secondary
lack of consistent pass rush by anyone not named Ware.

The draft is supposedly lousy with Guard prospects.
And a fair amount of CBs.

FA has a few of each.


I say get a guard - a good one - say Grubbs in FA.
If Decastro is there grab him.

As regards Center- decide if Killa can be a good one. If not go for one in FA or the Draft.

Secondary: get a CB in the Draft and a good CB in FA. Anymore you need four good ones with all the multiple WR sets anymore. We have 2 and need 2 more.

Pass rush is the one area I do not think we can do much with this year in FA or the Draft. The only real improvement would be getting Mario; and that is a long shot at best.
There is no one in the Draft I can see that we could expect to do better than Spencer. No Von Millers this year.
Vinny Curry might be the best shot.

Let Spencer go; if we can get Curry fine if not take a gamble and start Butler.

This draft is absolutely STACKED at guard

 

[jnday]

Wes Bunting (National Football Post) ranks Cordy Glenn as the 9th best prospect entering the combine.

I would rather draft Cordy Glenn at 14 and not pay big money for a Carl Nicks. Glenn is an athletic freak, and freaks get drafted high. Glenn has 35 1/8 inch arms, and he fits perfectly at LG or RG. Glenn is the best guard prospect to come out of the SEC since Shawn Andrews.

6-5 1/2
346
35 1/8 inch arms

I want DeCastro before Glenn , but I like Glenn . I think we all can get ready for a let down though . I have the feeling that the oline will not be addressed to the extent that many of us hope .