Fix the trenches

[TWOK11]

It would be great if we could get more flashy guys like an Earl Thomas or some stud LB in FA. But IMO, the smartest move would be solidify the trenches now and then that frees up the draft for "skill" guys and developmental players.

If Jerry put me in charge, I'd sign:

- Suh. Sure, a risk. But he's still good and he makes the entire front seven better.

- Slauson. He's 32 but still productive and likely won't be pricey. You can then draft a mid round OG for developmental purposes.

- Andre Smith. Again, might not be pricey and is immediately our swing OT (unless he thinks he can get a starting gig somewhere else). He might also be able to play OG, which maybe then you don't need Slauson.

Our starting OL and DL will contain a total of 5 combined all-pro caliber players next year. We're ok along the trenches, at least enough so that we shouldnt be giving huge sums of money to FAs at those spots.

A starting DL of Irving, Lawrence, Crawford and Collins is pretty stout and that's without considering the possibly that Taco breaks out or we draft a DT high.

Our OL was still very good when Tyron was healthy last year. If we upgrade LG it should be through the draft.

 

[Stash]

Ooooof.

I totally missed that and he only went back to backup OT after he lost the starting RG position battle.

Don't beat yourself up. We all make mistakes.

 

[Sydla]

Our starting OL and DL will contain a total of 5 combined all-pro caliber players next year. We're ok along the trenches, at least enough so that we shouldnt be giving huge sums of money to FAs at those spots.

A starting DL of Irving, Lawrence, Crawford and Collins is pretty stout and that's without considering the possibly that Taco breaks out or we draft a DT high.

Our OL was still very good when Tyron was healthy last year. If we upgrade LG it should be through the draft.

It's not as stout as you think. Collins is playing out of position at the 1 Tech because of dumb front office/coaching decisions.

A guy like Slauson wont cost you a lot and takes the pressure off from having to use a top 2 pick in the draft on a LG.

But you tend to buy the FO hype so no surprise you think they shouldn't do anything in FA and just can fix everything in the draft.

 

[TWOK11]

It's not as stout as you think. Collins is playing out of position at the 1 Tech because of dumb front office/coaching decisions.

A guy like Slauson wont cost you a lot and takes the pressure off from having to use a top 2 pick in the draft on a LG.

But you tend to buy the FO hype so no surprise you think they shouldn't do anything in FA and just can fix everything in the draft.

Slauson isn't any better than a player we could draft in the second round if we choose to go that route.

 

[Doomsday]

Fixing the trenches sounds great to me. However, not buying that it will happen when they refuse to allocate resources to a 1-tech DT.

 

[Sydla]

Slauson isn't any better than a player we could draft in the second round if we choose to go that route.

LOL.

For one, he's a proven starting OG in this league. Are you suggesting that the hit rate on OGs in the 2nd round is 100%? You sign a guy like Slauson and you know your OL is now in good shape. You have no idea if a 2nd round OG is going to match that in his rookie year.

Of course your logic also fails to recognize the fact that this team has holes at a lot of places and it's probably easier and cheaper to sign a quality OG in FA and then use your top picks for other premium positions like LB or DE or S, etc.

 

[TWOK11]

LOL.

For one, he's a proven starting OG in this league. Are you suggesting that the hit rate on OGs in the 2nd round is 100%? You sign a guy like Slauson and you know your OL is now in good shape. You have no idea if a 2nd round OG is going to match that in his rookie year.

Of course your logic also fails to recognize the fact that this team has holes at a lot of places and it's probably easier and cheaper to sign a quality OG in FA and then use your top picks for other premium positions like LB or DE or S, etc.

Guards have the highest "hit" rate of any position in football. Barring injuries, most early round guards will be at least average starting caliber players.

 

[Sydla]

Guards have the highest "hit" rate of any position in football. Barring injuries, most early round guards will be at least average starting caliber players.

Got proof of the "hit rate"? In any case, using another early round pick on an OG is dumb.

Especially when you have needs at LB, S, DT, DE, WR, etc.

So if you use your first or second round pick on an OG on top of sitting out FA. How do you fix the holes at LB, DT, etc? You planning on 4th and 5th rounders rising to the challenge?

 

[DiResta]

I will break something if we use a first round pick on an OG.

i understand how you feel about having so many high picks on the offense line
i too want to go early and steady with defense this year but

we have seen the offense fold especially Dak when protection broke down
now the Eagles added Bennett almost overkill and if Dallas loses a key guy for any length of time there will be blood in the water
the Giants got better at lb and could kill it this draft trading back a little and might end up with even more defense threats
i will be shocked if the Skins dont take Vea Ward or Derwin

Dallas has to protect Dak and make the run game a threat or we might be watching Cooper Rush starting when Dak gets murdered
Dallas doesnt just need to get better at lg they are screwed without a legit lt backup

this is so critical because we watched the coaches let defenses tee off on Dak over and over destroying his confidence
the philosophy has shown they wont change route trees or be unpredictable with play calling
that means you better have a great line
and they still dont

 

[Terrancemcclain]

It's not as stout as you think. Collins is playing out of position at the 1 Tech because of dumb front office/coaching decisions.

A guy like Slauson wont cost you a lot and takes the pressure off from having to use a top 2 pick in the draft on a LG.

But you tend to buy the FO hype so no surprise you think they shouldn't do anything in FA and just can fix everything in the draft.

Thank you. I'e posted before that the cowboys allowed over a hundred yards rushing with five times with Collins playing the one tech. They also gave up over a hundred yards rushing four times with Sean Lee playing . I wish marinelli
Would get over himself and stop neglecting
The one tech position. Collins is a three tech not a one tech.it is really disturbing when "fans" seem to care more about covering for the front office rather than seeing the cowboys succeed

 

[Sydla]

i understand how you feel about having so many high picks on the offense line
i too want to go early and steady with defense this year but

we have seen the offense fold especially Dak when protection broke down
now the Eagles added Bennett almost overkill and if Dallas loses a key guy for any length of time there will be blood in the water
the Giants got better at lb and could kill it this draft trading back a little and might end up with even more defense threats
i will be shocked if the Skins dont take Vea Ward or Derwin

Dallas has to protect Dak and make the run game a threat or we might be watching Cooper Rush starting when Dak gets murdered
Dallas doesnt just need to get better at lg they are screwed without a legit lt backup

this is so critical because we watched the coaches let defenses tee off on Dak over and over destroying his confidence
the philosophy has shown they wont change route trees or be unpredictable with play calling
that means you better have a great line
and they still dont

Sign a vet OG. For one, OGs aren't normally pricey FA guys except for the cream like Norwell. So you can probably get a decent OG for a decent price. And since he's a vet, you have a good idea what you are getting.

That then frees up premium picks for positions that tend to be pricey positions in FA such as DT, DE, WR.

Signing an OG is the smartest thing this team could do. But they probably won't. They'll make the mistake of using yet another prime pick on an OG.

 

[ESisback]

It would be great if we could get more flashy guys like an Earl Thomas or some stud LB in FA. But IMO, the smartest move would be solidify the trenches now and then that frees up the draft for "skill" guys and developmental players.

If Jerry put me in charge, I'd sign:

- Suh. Sure, a risk. But he's still good and he makes the entire front seven better.

- Slauson. He's 32 but still productive and likely won't be pricey. You can then draft a mid round OG for developmental purposes.

- Andre Smith. Again, might not be pricey and is immediately our swing OT (unless he thinks he can get a starting gig somewhere else). He might also be able to play OG, which maybe then you don't need Slauson.

I agree with the notion of strengthening the trenches. An "other worldly" OL gives you more options at the skill positions. Many "good" players are made "legendary" because they lucked into the right situation.

 

[Sydla]

I should clarify one thing. While I am opposed to using our first round pick on an OG.............. if the Cowboys did something like say bring in Suh and trade for E. Thomas, thus significantly improving the defense, I could then live with an OG at 19 or 50.

But if they have no intentions of wading into the pool of the E Thomas and Suh's, then they should sign a cheap OG and use the prime draft positions for defense and/or WR.

 

[Verdict]

I will break something if we use a first round pick on an OG.

You might have to break something. Decent chance it's coming.

 

[Captain43Crash]

Wha

I will break something if we use a first round pick on an OG.

What do you think about paying an O guard 13 million a year? Would a team like NE do it ?

 

[Proof]

Hey, he'd be a fine backup/ role player and I wouldn't hate the thoughts of signing him. But any talk of him being some "swing tackle" is setting yourself up for the same failures you had in 2017.

maybe i've always misunderstood, but isn't a swing tackle a back up by definition?

 

[StarBoyz83]

Need to go defense. How much are they going to keep putting in the oline?

 

[beware_d-ware]

I'll take Slausen, but we can't afford Suh. Dude is going to want a lot of guarantees.

 

[buybuydandavis]

I think Andre Smith would be another Byron Bell if ever called upon to play left tackle. He's a guard at this point in his career.

Like Bell. I'm annoyed he never really got a chance at LG. Huge, powerful T, a little older and declining in agility. Sounds like a G or a poor swing T.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Sign a vet OG. For one, OGs aren't normally pricey FA guys except for the cream like Norwell. So you can probably get a decent OG for a decent price. And since he's a vet, you have a good idea what you are getting.

That then frees up premium picks for positions that tend to be pricey positions in FA such as DT, DE, WR.

Signing an OG is the smartest thing this team could do. But they probably won't. They'll make the mistake of using yet another prime pick on an OG.

I think management is with you on this one. The oline is designed to churn veteran LGs, the position it's easiest to get a decent player for cheap.

I don't see them using a high pick for a LG, although it could make the negotiations with Martin a little more interesting. It's good to have options. RG is another position where you don't have to go so expensive.

Maybe you won't like it, but as long as Cooper's injury doesn't have a long rehab, or project to lingering effects, I think he's on the upswing with us and should come cheap to boot.