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

[Alexander]

I have doubts because I do NOT like Gurode at Center. I strongly believe that if the Cowboys could have drafted the Center they coveted in the 2nd round...Gurode would have been moved to Guard.

You keep on believing that nonsense.

It is not a coincidence he fulfilled his potential at center as opposed to when he was at guard earlier in his career.

By the way, Unger might not have been targeted for center here either, but more as a C/G swing player. He's going to start at right or left guard for Seattle, but is the third string center.

 

[Zaxor]

you guys can pooh pooh Clayton all you want...but his reasoning is simplistic and is ALWAYS going to be the basis of whether a team contends or not. If the OL plays well (which I have my doubts), we will be succesful.

I have doubts because I do NOT like Gurode at Center. I strongly believe that if the Cowboys could have drafted the Center they coveted in the 2nd round...Gurode would have been moved to Guard.

I have doubts because I do not like Flo as a starting LT. Simply put, he makes mistakes at inopportune times.

I don't like our depth on the interior of the OL...when Corey Procter is the 1st guy of your bench...your depth is bad.

I have doubts because for $50M, Davis simply does not impact the game the way a $50M guard should. He should be Larry Allen, instead he is a ?

I like Columbos attitude...if EVERY one of the OL had his attitude, then I would have ZERO doubts about the OL...but attitude can only go so far when you have physical limitations. And Columbo has them.

I can agree with most of this except Gurode...I am not sure he would be better at guard...He has played both positions...but he doesn't seem to be able to master either position. He plays better at center though.

The oline played like shht last year...if they do not improve...this team will not stand much of a chance offensively.

 

[Doomsday101]

Only issue I have had with Gurode at center is the shotgun snap. I did think he improved on his snaps last year compared to 2007 but they still appear to be an issue that he needs to continue to work on.

 

[Alexander]

I can agree with most of this except Gurode...I am not sure he would be better at guard...He has played both positions...but he doesn't seem to be able to master either position. He plays better at center though..

Someone really needs to do something about the Pro Bowl rosters. I mean, how can they keep giving a spot to a player who hasn't even mastered his position?

 

[Zaxor]

Someone really needs to do something about the Pro Bowl rosters. I mean, how can they keep giving a spot to a player who hasn't even mastered his position?

I think... scratch that... I know Gurode has the physical tools to play center and dominate the guy across from him... what gives me my cause for worry with him is not snapping the ball correctly (i.e. forgetting of the snap count, snapping over the head etc...) and from what I have read and heard the calling of the blocking assignments one of the reasons Kosier was missed so greatly.

 

[Doomsday]

I think... scratch that... I know Gurode has the physical tools to play center and dominate the guy across from him... what gives me my cause for worry with him is not snapping the ball correctly (i.e. forgetting of the snap count, snapping over the head etc...) and from what I have read and heard the calling of the blocking assignments one of the reasons Kosier was missed so greatly.

I truly believe Gurode's biggest issue is he needs someone like Parcells to step on his throat and hold him accountable. He is just one of those guys that needs to be pushed camp cupcake is never going to get the best out of this guy.

 

[Doomsday101]

I truly believe Gurode's biggest issue is he needs someone like Parcells to step on his throat and hold him accountable. He is just one of those guys that needs to be pushed camp cupcake is never going to get the best out of this guy.

I thought Haynesworth did that, not Parcells.

 

[sonnyboy]

I think... scratch that... I know Gurode has the physical tools to play center and dominate the guy across from him... what gives me my cause for worry with him is not snapping the ball correctly (i.e. forgetting of the snap count, snapping over the head etc...) and from what I have read and heard the calling of the blocking assignments one of the reasons Kosier was missed so greatly.[/quote]

Someone really needs to do something about the Pro Bowl rosters. I mean, how can they keep giving a spot to a player who hasn't even mastered his position?



Good posts guys. People need to get a grip. Gurode and Adams(when healthy) are probowl level players. Are they HOFers? Absolutely not! But they are both better than just good. Only a handful of guys right now you could take ahead of them.
What's more important? Demonstrating some physical dominance and the ability to block even the best defenders, or near 100% consistency.

Adams and Gurode have a few warts. They make a mistake from time to time and everyone focuses their attention on the mistakes.

Now I'm not saying the mistakes don't count, hurt or piss me off either. I just try to look at the whole picture and consider what the guy does on the other 28 or 29 plays out of 30 he doesn't jump offsides or makes a poor snap.

Would anyone here prefer Torrin Tucker and Al Johnson to take their spots?

 

[Zaxor]

I truly believe Gurode's biggest issue is he needs someone like Parcells to step on his throat and hold him accountable. He is just one of those guys that needs to be pushed camp cupcake is never going to get the best out of this guy.

For whatever reason he has a tendency to lose focus

I thought Haynesworth did that, not Parcells.

that is gonna be a heck of a matchup in the NFCE for awhile.

 

[Doomsday101]

For whatever reason he has a tendency to lose focus



that is gonna be a heck of a matchup in the NFCE for awhile.

I look forward to seeing.

 

[Zaxor]

I think... scratch that... I know Gurode has the physical tools to play center and dominate the guy across from him... what gives me my cause for worry with him is not snapping the ball correctly (i.e. forgetting of the snap count, snapping over the head etc...) and from what I have read and heard the calling of the blocking assignments one of the reasons Kosier was missed so greatly.[/quote]

Someone really needs to do something about the Pro Bowl rosters. I mean, how can they keep giving a spot to a player who hasn't even mastered his position?



Good posts guys. People need to get a grip. Gurode and Adams(when healthy) are probowl level players. Are they HOFers? Absolutely not! But they are both better than just good. Only a handful of guys right now you could take ahead of them.
What's more important? Demonstrating some physical dominance and the ability to block even the best defenders, or near 100% consistency.

Adams and Gurode have a few warts. They make a mistake from time to time and everyone focuses their attention on the mistakes.

Now I'm not saying the mistakes don't count, hurt or piss me off either. I just try to look at the whole picture and consider what the guy does on the other 28 or 29 plays out of 30 he doesn't jump offsides or makes a poor snap.

Would anyone here prefer Torrin Tucker and Al Johnson to take their spots?

That is what Hos was talking about in a other thread...risk/reward...

Also I think that is what Wade was talking about... guys doing things right... but not exactly right. That is our Gurode to the T... He needs to maintain focus.

 

[burmafrd]

All indications are that a healthy O line would be very good if Houck can kick their butts hard enough. Now whether Houck still has it in him to do this is the question. He did not impress me at all last year. I do not care what he did 15 years ago- what is important is he still a top coach NOW?

 

[Doomsday]

I thought Haynesworth did that, not Parcells.

lol, good one!

 

[JeffInDC]

All indications are that a healthy O line would be very good if Houck can kick their butts hard enough. Now whether Houck still has it in him to do this is the question. He did not impress me at all last year. I do not care what he did 15 years ago- what is important is he still a top coach NOW?

The problem is this line is not designed (physically) to pass-block 35+ times a game. Now, if only they were made to run-block 30-35 times a game by the OC, ..........................

 

[BrassCowboy]

Clayton didn't spell it out very clearly, but I think I understand what is implied.
Because of our line's age, it has injury issues. I'm operating under that assumption. Now, as I stated previously, offensive linemen can play into their 30s. But offensive linemen who are banged up may not be able to do so. I'm hoping that the offensive line can overcome its injuries and play together as a unit throughout the entire season. But if not, we have to get youth in there.

That was my point. And I think it flows from Clayton's point - even if it wasn't spelled out definitively.

fair enough. I think alot here have spelled out what you and I think pretty well.

I do not think our line will hold us back, barring any major injuries, but do believe we will focus on it next year and so on....

 

[tyke1doe]

fair enough. I think alot here have spelled out what you and I think pretty well.

I do not think our line will hold us back, barring any major injuries, but do believe we will focus on it next year and so on....

I hope you're right.