Fan posting on The O-line Challenge

[CCBoy]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/5/10/3012234/the-o-line-challenge




A fan posting on BTB actually presented a good overview concerning the current offensive line:

O.K., so in trying to figure out where the Cowboys are, what's the number one question mark? What's the one position that perennial homer and optimist Tom Ryle doesn't even mention when he writes a front-page story about training camp battles? What's the one unit we didn't draft to improve? What's the position where our free agent pick-ups supplement some overtaxed UFDAs with. . . more overtaxed UFDAs?



No, you don't get a cigar for answering that the O-line will be at the Center of the Cowboys' failure or success this year. Our pass rush isn't going to stink unless Ware is injured. Our run defense is just fine as long as Spencer keeps racking up his TFLs, which we all know are as important as sacks. Er. . . moving on. . . Our secondary, for the first time in years, is actually a strength, and our ILBs are worth salivating over. Murray was the pleasant surprise of the draft, Felix ain't chopped liver, Vickers is a tool in the JG arsenal, and Romo + Witten + Miles + Dez = lots and lots of yardage.



But oh, the O-line. I think it's safe to say that when the bottom drops out, it will be G, C, G that is to blame. (Or, perhaps, an unexpected meltdown from our tackle play--Free's still a question mark and Tron has never played the Left side.) I'm not completely panicking for two reasons. First, JG has consistently managed some pretty good YPA rankings even when he had even less to work with. Second, with a bunch of young, raw guys, we can hardly get worse from one season to the next--can we? But I would have to say that the biggest I Told You So which I expect to see as the season progresses is this: Why didn't we fix the O-line? The biggest pleasant surprise will be if this unit actually performs well.



Here's my question: What counts as success for our O-line?...

 

[johnny utah]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/5/10/3012234/the-o-line-challenge




A fan posting on BTB actually presented a good overview concerning the current offensive line:

O.K., so in trying to figure out where the Cowboys are, what's the number one question mark? What's the one position that perennial homer and optimist Tom Ryle doesn't even mention when he writes a front-page story about training camp battles? What's the one unit we didn't draft to improve? What's the position where our free agent pick-ups supplement some overtaxed UFDAs with. . . more overtaxed UFDAs?



No, you don't get a cigar for answering that the O-line will be at the Center of the Cowboys' failure or success this year. Our pass rush isn't going to stink unless Ware is injured. Our run defense is just fine as long as Spencer keeps racking up his TFLs, which we all know are as important as sacks. Er. . . moving on. . . Our secondary, for the first time in years, is actually a strength, and our ILBs are worth salivating over. Murray was the pleasant surprise of the draft, Felix ain't chopped liver, Vickers is a tool in the JG arsenal, and Romo + Witten + Miles + Dez = lots and lots of yardage.



But oh, the O-line. I think it's safe to say that when the bottom drops out, it will be G, C, G that is to blame. (Or, perhaps, an unexpected meltdown from our tackle play--Free's still a question mark and Tron has never played the Left side.) I'm not completely panicking for two reasons. First, JG has consistently managed some pretty good YPA rankings even when he had even less to work with. Second, with a bunch of young, raw guys, we can hardly get worse from one season to the next--can we? But I would have to say that the biggest I Told You So which I expect to see as the season progresses is this: Why didn't we fix the O-line? The biggest pleasant surprise will be if this unit actually performs well.



(Here's my question: What counts as success for our O-line?...

No broke ribs for our QB?

 

[Dodger]

Here's my question: What counts as success for our O-line?...

There will be many moving and new parts, many of which I wouldn't describe as 'proven' guys, so if they do perform well, I'd say Callahan will have earned a big raise.

-Free returns to the player he was when he played RT before.
-Smith proves that he can handle the LT position.
-Whoever plays the center and guard positions give us something close to what Kosier gave us when he arrived.

That's how I'd define success.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Here's my question: What counts as success for our O-line?...

Protect Romo. He has a history of making everyone on his team look better if he has the ball in his hands.

 

[Sb or Bust]

Consistent success on 3rd and short, Increase in rushing TD, injury free Romo plus the confidence to call 7 step drop plays. The rest will take care of itself.

 

[Ren]

Here's my question: What counts as success for our O-line?...

Romo not taking a carer high in sacks again and surviving the season

Being able to score from the 1 yard line

No games like the 2 Philly games and the 2nd Giants game where they got owned bad

 

[popp1234]

1. Protect Romo (gain his confidence back)

2. Not have to pass to pick up 1 yard on goaline and 3rd down. :bang2

3. Reduce the pre-snap errors-especially at HOME.

4. Impose their will on the other team, not the other way around.

5. Leaving Vickers only one man to block.

6. We are not having a debate about the oline.

7. Romo and Murray buying them steak dinners and Rolexes.

 

[burmafrd]

1. Protect Romo (gain his confidence back)

2. Not have to pass to pick up 1 yard on goaline and 3rd down. :bang2

3. Reduce the pre-snap errors-especially at HOME.

4. Impose their will on the other team, not the other way around.

5. Leaving Vickers only one man to block.

6. We are not having a debate about the oline.

7. Romo and Murray buying them steak dinners and Rolexes.

that is a good list. To me protecting romo and being able to run on short yardage and EXPECT to get it would make this O line very good.

 

[Yeagermeister]

1. Protect Romo (gain his confidence back)

2. Not have to pass to pick up 1 yard on goaline and 3rd down. :bang2

3. Reduce the pre-snap errors-especially at HOME.

4. Impose their will on the other team, not the other way around.

5. Leaving Vickers only one man to block.

6. We are not having a debate about the oline.

7. Romo and Murray buying them steak dinners and Rolexes.

8. Stop waiting until the play clock runs all the way down to snap the ball

 

[Doomsday101]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2012/5/10/3012234/the-o-line-challenge




A fan posting on BTB actually presented a good overview concerning the current offensive line:

O.K., so in trying to figure out where the Cowboys are, what's the number one question mark? What's the one position that perennial homer and optimist Tom Ryle doesn't even mention when he writes a front-page story about training camp battles? What's the one unit we didn't draft to improve? What's the position where our free agent pick-ups supplement some overtaxed UFDAs with. . . more overtaxed UFDAs?



No, you don't get a cigar for answering that the O-line will be at the Center of the Cowboys' failure or success this year. Our pass rush isn't going to stink unless Ware is injured. Our run defense is just fine as long as Spencer keeps racking up his TFLs, which we all know are as important as sacks. Er. . . moving on. . . Our secondary, for the first time in years, is actually a strength, and our ILBs are worth salivating over. Murray was the pleasant surprise of the draft, Felix ain't chopped liver, Vickers is a tool in the JG arsenal, and Romo + Witten + Miles + Dez = lots and lots of yardage.



But oh, the O-line. I think it's safe to say that when the bottom drops out, it will be G, C, G that is to blame. (Or, perhaps, an unexpected meltdown from our tackle play--Free's still a question mark and Tron has never played the Left side.) I'm not completely panicking for two reasons. First, JG has consistently managed some pretty good YPA rankings even when he had even less to work with. Second, with a bunch of young, raw guys, we can hardly get worse from one season to the next--can we? But I would have to say that the biggest I Told You So which I expect to see as the season progresses is this: Why didn't we fix the O-line? The biggest pleasant surprise will be if this unit actually performs well.



Here's my question: What counts as success for our O-line?...

Overall production of the offense. From passing game to running game. Short yardage, redzone. I think we have the offensive weapons and they did a pretty decent job but I think they can become even a bigger factor if the OL starts playing at a higher level.

 

[burmafrd]

8. Stop waiting until the play clock runs all the way down to snap the ball

And the fact we do it ON EVERY SINGLE PLAY makes us very predictable.

 

[TNCowboy]

And the fact we do it ON EVERY SINGLE PLAY makes us very predictable.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I would like to see...

1) At least 12 rushing touchdowns. Twelve was the median figure last season.

2) A better conversion rate in third and short.

 

[popp1234]

8. Stop waiting until the play clock runs all the way down to snap the ball

Yep, forgot about that one.

Oh, and a center that knows the darn snap count.

 

[popp1234]

that is a good list. To me protecting romo and being able to run on short yardage and EXPECT to get it would make this O line very good.

No doubt. It's been a while since I had that kind of confidence in the big nasties.