ESPN Clayton: Discusses why he thinks Dallas finishes 3rd or 4th in NFCE

[WoodysGirl]

Q: Are the Dallas Cowboys going to strengthen their offense this year because the thing that hurt them last year was nobody blocked for Tony Romo. … I would think that somebody from the main coaching staff would be let go because firing the special teams coach isn't addressing their problem, which is their offense.
From Richie in Dallas

A: You've hit on why I think the Cowboys will finish third or fourth in the NFC East. They have five offensive line starters in their 30s. The last two teams that did that in the past two years -- the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders -- watched their lines collapse by the middle of the season. If Romo doesn't have protection, it will be tough. Don't get me wrong: The Cowboys will contend. They have talent. They have a good quarterback. I like the coach. The defense should be good. But the line is the key to the season. If the line crumbles, so will the Cowboys.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4340917

 

[Dallas]

Clayton.




I stopped reading. Guy has no idea about what he writes. Ubelievable.

 

[burmafrd]

Idiot. We have only one starter older then 31. You look at the bears and the skins and their people were years older. Another reason to ignore this hack.

 

[CATCH17]

As long as we can stay healthy our Oline should be a strength.

Flozell scares me though.

But getting Proctor off the field is key.

 

[tyke1doe]

Sounds right to me. The offensive line has got to hold up, and we've got to plug whatever youth we have into the line.

 

[Dallas]

Sounds right to me. The offensive line has got to hold up, and we've got to plug whatever youth we have into the line.

Just how old do you think our line is?

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree with him. It starts up front and not just for Dallas but every team out there. Without protection or opening holes in the running game the offense will struggle. If Dallas can give Romo protection and the backs room to run I think we can go very far.

 

[tyke1doe]

Idiot. We have only one starter older then 31. You look at the bears and the skins and their people were years older. Another reason to ignore this hack.

They have five offensive line starters in their 30s.

So are the other starters 30 years old? If they aren't, doesn't that make Clayton's statement accurate?

 

[Ren]

So are the other starters 30 years old? If they aren't, doesn't that make Clayton's statement accurate?

They're all 30-31 except Flozell who's 34

 

[tyke1doe]

Just how old do you think our line is?

Flozell - 34
Kosier - 30
Gurode - 31
Davis - 30 (31)
Columbo - 30 (31)


Flozell, Kosier and Columbo have been injured, which takes a toll on offensive linemen, especially big offensive linemen.

Offensive linemen can play a long time if they stay relatively healthy.

 

[Sarge]

I dont care what anyone says - our OL is not our strength.

 

[DFWJC]

I don't always agree with Clayton, but our Oline is also my main concern.

 

[Doomsday101]

Flozell - 34
Kosier - 30
Gurode - 31
Davis - 30 (31)
Columbo - 30 (31)


Flozell, Kosier and Columbo have been injured, which takes a toll on offensive linemen, especially big offensive linemen.

Offensive linemen can play a long time if they stay relatively healthy.

True. I will say this I know everyone wants a physical camp but i think Dallas needs to be smart as well and get ample playing time for the guys who will be backing up the starters on the Oline. 1 The starters are experianced vets who will not need alot of time and 2 the backups need to get in as much work as they can.

 

[dal0789]

We finish 1st watch n see

 

[Ren]

I dont care what anyone says - our OL is not our strength.

Hopefully we can actually hit on some o line draft picks in the next few years specially at LT.
Flozell scares me these days but not as much as not having him right now with our current depth would

 

[NeonNinja]

Its understandable. The boy's have lost CB Anthony Henry. PR Adam Jones. DT Tank Johnson. SS Roy Williams. WR Terrell Owens ETC. Lets face it. The boy's have there work cut out

LOL! THEIR, that is all.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I thought it was reasonable enough, really.

I still listen to The Huddle on weekends, and you can tell Clayton is getting a little older. Sometimes he gets names and facts slightly wrong. But at least he doesn't seem to have agendas or intentionally stir up controversy like so many on ESPN.

The only thing I'd say is that everyone assumes the backups can't play, and I'm not so sure we know that. A few years ago we won nine games with total hacks like Rob Petitti and Torrin "Mother" Tucker playing quite a bit... Who's to say Free or McQ at guard or even Brewster couldn't fill in at least as well as those guys.

 

[gimmesix]

Idiot. We have only one starter older then 31. You look at the bears and the skins and their people were years older. Another reason to ignore this hack.

Yeah, Adams is really the only one who is approaching the downhill point of his career.

It also doesn't take into account that Colombo essentially only has four years of playing time, and Kosier basically has five. These guys do not have a lot of wear and tear on their bodies, other than their injuries.

Two "young" starters there, and two more in Gurode and Davis who do not show any signs of wearing down.

Even Adams was playing at his peak just two years ago before having several issues that affected him last year, and not issues that had anything to do with age.

 

[tyke1doe]

It also doesn't take into account that Colombo essentially only has four years of playing time, and Kosier basically has five. These guys do not have a lot of wear and tear on their bodies, other than their injuries.

Aren't injuries "wear and tear" on your body?

 

[slick325]

Clayton isn't too far off IMO. Flozell Adams is the primary concern for me as well. I feel like he is done. Not buying into the cry that his struggles were ALL because of injuries last year. Maybe I'm too old school because I feel if you can't play due to injury then don't. If you are in the lineup, you are accountable as if you came in 100%. Sorry Flo, you get no pass from me.

Prove me wrong big man if not, I hope the draft or free agency is kind to my Cowboys in 2010 specifically when it comes to getting a LT.