ESPN: Cowboys must draft Olineman

DFWJC

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Dan Graziano makes several good points today in outlining Dallas' primary draft needs..

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/print?id=49414&imagesPrint=off

"If the Dallas Cowboys don't pick an offensive lineman in the first round of next month's NFL draft, their fans officially have permission to quit."

"The decision earlier this week to designate defensive lineman Anthony Spencer as their franchise player crystallized the Cowboys' most significant need at this point."

"Heck, you can make a strong argument that they need to upgrade at four of the five starting spots;"

"Adding another first-round-caliber talent on the line, be it at guard or right tackle, would be a critical step in an important new direction for the Cowboys. They have, for several years now, boasted elite-level skill-position players on offense but have been unable to get the most out of them because of poor line play. They are squandering the prime years of players like Tony Romo, Jason Witten and Miles Austin -- and so far at least one otherworldly year from Dez Bryant -- by persistently failing to address this glaring need. The Smith pick in 2011 showed that maybe some things are changing, and that maybe this is becoming the priority it needs to be. Picking an offensive lineman again on April 25 would go a long way toward backing up Cowboys fans' hope that such is the case.

The opposing argument right now appears to be safety, because they also cut Gerald Sensabugh the day they franchised Spencer, and because it looks as though Texas' Kenny Vaccaro might be there at No. 18. But come on. They aren't using four substandard players at safety on every defensive play. They are using four substandard offensive linemen on every offensive play. It's the far greater need, and again -- not just for this season, but for the long term. You build through the draft and you build through the lines. The Cowboys have to do both, and they have a good chance this year to do so.
 
I agree 110% percent. We won't win a playoff game until we have a legit o-line, which includes upgrades at C, LG, and RT. With all that said, I still have very little confidence in Jerry to so the right thing and draft o-line. He's done nothing to warrant my confidence in him as of late.
 
It's not rocket science. Everyone and their mom knows that the Cowboys desperately need O-Line help. But the only person that matters is Jerry unfortunately..
 
IAmLegend;5017380 said:
It's not rocket science. Everyone and their mom knows that the Cowboys desperately need O-Line help. But the only person that matters is Jerry unfortunately..

Sadly there are some fans that just don't think it really matters. That those that are talking of the importance of building oline through the draft is silly and full of hyperbole.
 
tm1119;5017326 said:
I agree 110% percent. We won't win a playoff game until we have a legit o-line, which includes upgrades at C, LG, and RT. With all that said, I still have very little confidence in Jerry to so the right thing and draft o-line. He's done nothing to warrant my confidence in him as of late.

2 years ago drafted OL player in the 1st rd. I doubt the Cowboys will draft a C, LG and RT in this draft but I don't see why it is far fetched to think the Cowboys will draft OL within the 1st 3 rounds of this draft.
 
"The decision earlier this week to designate defensive lineman Anthony Spencer as their franchise player crystallized the Cowboys' most significant need at this point."

This.... By keeping Spencer that leaves us with one less void filled by a proven legit player. OL and S are the most glaring needs and with smart signings/draft can solidify this squad. We can't have pro bowlers at every position but getting better oline play will surely net us a few more!
 
BrAinPaiNt;5017385 said:
Sadly there are some fans that just don't think it really matters. That those that are talking of the importance of building oline through the draft is silly and full of hyperbole.

There are two pretty long threads advocating taking a fairly JAG QB or a good WR with our very 1st pick, just to prove your point.
Even you being a Tavor Austin fan would not choose him over Cooper or Warmack.
 
Doomsday101;5017390 said:
2 years ago drafted OL player in the 1st rd. I doubt the Cowboys will draft a C, LG and RT in this draft but I don't see why it is far fetched to think the Cowboys will draft OL within the 1st 3 rounds of this draft.

1st 3 rounds sure....but #18? IDK just seems unlikely given the history of this team, especially if its a guard. Jerry seems to have the theory that he can throw just about any big body at the position and eventually the starters will stick.
 
I don't remember the specific Cowboy needs when Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Bruce Carter and Demarco Murray were drafted. I am just glad they are Cowboys regardless of what the needs were on draft day.

Point is, just get good players. I don't really care about needs and value in a certain round. And a need today isn't necessarily a need tomorrow.

The Commanders made the playoffs last year. Was it because they had a great offensive line? Other than Trent williams, who did they have? How much better did RGIII make that line appear than it really was?

It would be nice if the BPA was also a need for the Cowboys. Sometimes it works out like that and most times it doesn't.
 
DFWJC;5017408 said:
There are two pretty long threads advocating taking a fairly JAG QB or a good WR with our very 1st pick, just to prove your point.
Even you being a Tavor Austin fan would not choose him over Cooper or Warmack.

Correct :cool:
 
ninja;5017424 said:
I don't remember the specific Cowboy needs when Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Bruce Carter and Demarco Murray were drafted. I am just glad they are Cowboys regardless of what the needs were on draft day.

Point is, just get good players. I don't really care about needs and value in a certain round. And a need today isn't necessarily a need tomorrow.

The Commanders made the playoffs last year. Was it because they had a great offensive line? Other than Trent williams, who did they have? How much better did RGIII make that line appear than it really was?

It would be nice if the BPA was also a need for the Cowboys. Sometimes it works out like that and most times it doesn't.

The Commanders line may not be great, but I think they did a great job blocking for a rookie RB. Nobody can deny that they are a much better unit than the Cowboys.
 
DFWJC;5017311 said:
"Heck, you can make a strong argument that they need to upgrade at four of the five starting spots;"

This statement sounds like this came from Risen Star. LOL!

But I agree that all four of the five starting spots need to be upgraded.

If not addressed, I see the same results from last season.
 
jnday;5017493 said:
The Commanders line may not be great, but I think they did a great job blocking for a rookie RB. Nobody can deny that they are a much better unit than the Cowboys.
Not even remotely comparable
 
ninja;5017424 said:
I don't remember the specific Cowboy needs when Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Bruce Carter and Demarco Murray were drafted. I am just glad they are Cowboys regardless of what the needs were on draft day.

Point is, just get good players. I don't really care about needs and value in a certain round. And a need today isn't necessarily a need tomorrow.

The Commanders made the playoffs last year. Was it because they had a great offensive line? Other than Trent williams, who did they have? How much better did RGIII make that line appear than it really was?

It would be nice if the BPA was also a need for the Cowboys. Sometimes it works out like that and most times it doesn't.

Agree with this. This team isn't good enough to target a certain position -- and we all know that strategy usually fails in the draft anyway. If we have another player ranked higher than some OLman, we better take him. This team really has several needs.

That said, we do have to address O-line. We just have to pick the correct players in free agency.
 
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