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

[BrassCowboy]

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.

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.

you guys are arguing a whole different argument because you guys are generalizing the known baseline fact of the need for a good line. Well everyone on this board will agree with you there.

That is not the point Clayton is making about the Cowboys. He is saying the Cowboys line are all in their 30s and they will not hold up by mid year. It is this argument that Clayton makes that some here are questioning.

So lets not agree or disagree just for the sake of it and make sure we are debating the same thing.

 

[BrassCowboy]

I do not think our line will kill us, but the weakness is in Kosier then Flozell. We have to hit on the next draft or two for those positions.

I feel our line is not necassarily bad and should not hamper our chances for success this year.

 

[StylisticS]

Yes there was injuries last year and it does cause a concern every year because these are big guys. But the biggest problem is discipline. Whether it's penalties, lack of hustle, or blown assignments, that needs to be corrected. That's my biggest concern with the oline as opposed to injuries.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Yes there was injuries last year and it does cause a concern every year because these are big guys. But the biggest problem is discipline. Whether it's penalties, lack of hustle, or blown assignments, that needs to be corrected. That's my biggest concern with the oline as opposed to injuries.

Good point. The question is: Is anything being done to address the lack of discipline on the O-line? I haven't read anything to that effect so far.

 

[lockster]

I'm not about to brag on our offensive line, but they didn't drop the ball outta Romo's hand. They also, didn't throw interceptions, and they most certainly didn't cause the bad coverage on special teams or get our punter hurt. On top of that, they weren't the ones putting butter on T.O's fingers.

 

[sonnyboy]

I have two primary concerns about this team in 2009.

1. OL play - Go back to the Giants PO loss in 2007 and see how our healthy O-lineplayed in the 4th quarter of that loss. Romo was absolutely running for his life. THAT is a recipe for disaster. The same was true too often late last year but at least in that scenario we were injured. Not everyone can bring the heat like the Giants & Philly, but BTW - they are both in our division.
2. Secondary play - Having watched both the Seattle and NYG playoff losses this weekend I can remind you that our secondary in both those games melted down at key moments. That has been the trademark of this defense over the last three years. If you REALLY need to stop a team, there's a good chance they'll break your heart.

I'm hopeful, but not confident, in both areas. I believe they are our achilles heel. I hope we can adequately protect them.

Good post. I seems like our secondary has been a weakness for forever and a day.

I have to go back to to 1996 to find a point where I had true confidence in our secondary and looked on it as a strength.

That's precisely why I'm so confident in this years defense. We've been so hamstrung lately in this area. I feel like the shackles are finally off.

Love what I saw of Jenkins and Scandrick last year and love what I'm hearing of them in the OTAs. Also love what I heard of Sensabaugh in the OTAs.

This is the key.

Now I know I'm projecting here. And with so many new moving parts there's bound to be some continuity issues.
But you have to admit the increase in speed and coverage ability has to have you excited.

 

[Hostile]

I agree with Clayton about the O-line being key, but not about them being a frail bunch like the Bears and Commanders. There's nothing frail about any of them.

That said, I do hope OL is a major focus of the 2010 Draft. It would be nice to be as successful with that as the 2005 Draft was on D-line.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Coach Zorn.

Well, this is true.:

I don't mean to be so pessimistic, but I'm finding it extremely difficult to get excited about the upcoming season. Honestly, I've never felt less enthusiastic or confident as a Cowboys fan than I do now.:

 

[burmafrd]

With me its all about Wade. I have zero confidence in him.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

With me its all about Wade. I have zero confidence in him.

Jerry Jones is the object of my dismay and anger.

 

[Hostile]

Jerry Jones is the object of my dismay and anger.

Mine, Brad Johnson, is gone.

 

[Stash]

I agree with Clayton about the O-line being key, but not about them being a frail bunch like the Bears and Commanders. There's nothing frail about any of them.

That said, I do hope OL is a major focus of the 2010 Draft. It would be nice to be as successful with that as the 2005 Draft was on D-line.

:signmast:

Second!

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Mine, Brad Johnson, is gone.

:laugh2:

Oh, I hope it's that easy

 

[Section446]

I could see third, but I can't imagine we finish dead last in the division.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Until the Cowboys prove other wise I can't see it being a crime to pick them no higher than 3rd.

 

[RS12]

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.

Should have stayed at 51 in the draft and grabbed Beatty.

 

[Section446]

Until the Cowboys prove other wise I can't see it being a crime to pick them no higher than 3rd.

I couldn't agree more, last year we played like the league owed us something. This year we are the underdog.

 

[big dog cowboy]

But the line is the key to the season. If the line crumbles, so will the Cowboys.

I don't think it's a big secret this team will only go as far as the O-line will take it.

 

[Bizwah]

I have two primary concerns about this team in 2009.

1. OL play - Go back to the Giants PO loss in 2007 and see how our healthy O-lineplayed in the 4th quarter of that loss. Romo was absolutely running for his life. THAT is a recipe for disaster. The same was true too often late last year but at least in that scenario we were injured. Not everyone can bring the heat like the Giants & Philly, but BTW - they are both in our division.
2. Secondary play - Having watched both the Seattle and NYG playoff losses this weekend I can remind you that our secondary in both those games melted down at key moments. That has been the trademark of this defense over the last three years. If you REALLY need to stop a team, there's a good chance they'll break your heart.

I'm hopeful, but not confident, in both areas. I believe they are our achilles heel. I hope we can adequately protect them.

Nice post.

I totally agree on both counts. The OL has, at times the past several seasons, looked absolutely dominating. Yet other times looks like a spaghetti strainder.

You nailed the secondary issues. There are times in the games where they just dominate....yet, there are times in those games where they just absolutely melt down.

Last year's Pitt game is an excellent example. We dominated Pitts offense for the majority of the game....Late in the third, we have Roths running for his life....he throws up a prayer. Newman wasn't paying attention and got burned.

It seemed that after that, our secondary really struggled.

This is pretty typical. We underperformed in the secondary against teams that we should've dominated: St Louis, Washington (first game), Baltimore, Seattle....

Just too inconsistent.

Hopefully, that'll change this year.

 

[gimmesix]

That said, I do hope OL is a major focus of the 2010 Draft. It would be nice to be as successful with that as the 2005 Draft was on D-line.

I think it will be, based on the players we are likely to lose after this season.

Offensive line should take at least one hit (Holland), possibly two to three (Proctor and McQuistan, if they're kept this season).

We'll probably also be focusing on the defensive line (Spears, Bowen and Hatcher) and possibly wide receiver (Austin, Hurd).

Of course, we'll have to see how all the positions play out and who steps up to fully know what we'll need to address. But I think it's safe to say the lines will need some restocking.