FredBeard - this teams Mark Stepnoski

[mahoneybill]

Seems like the entrance of Mark Stepnoski at center started a whole new era for the Dallas line.

As a long time fan I see FredBeard being a key ingredient to that same type of change.

Yes, we now have 3 first rounders on the line , but I for one enjoy not seeing that middle jailbreak on Romo, and the second level blocking that Fred brings.

 

[NorthTexan95]

For several years I wanted the Cowboys to get a solid center so I was very happy with the Frederick pick. I've never thought of him with Stepnoski since they are completely different types of players. The results have been the same, though.

 

[Doomsday101]

Seems like the entrance of Mark Stepnoski at center started a whole new era for the Dallas line.

As a long time fan I see FredBeard being a key ingredient to that same type of change.

Yes, we now have 3 first rounders on the line , but I for one enjoy not seeing that middle jailbreak on Romo, and the second level blocking that Fred brings.

True, the combo of Frederick, Martin and Leery have been great in stopping the penetration up the middle and opening holes. Leery may not be a high pick but he certainly is playing like one. Both Frederick and Martin are 1st and 2nd year players yet look like seasoned vets out there.

 

[jrumann59]

Step was a smallish center that was an awesome technician that knew angles and leverage. The Beard is more of a mauler with some finesse thrown in.

 

[conner01]

step was a technician. he was small but strong and played with perfect technique. Fred is much more of a mauler but he does have solid technique. we have'nt seen the best of him yet, he will continue to get stroger and learn more. oline guys seems to be at their best after 3 to4 years in the league so this oline, if we can keep it together will be a force for years to come barring injury

 

[Future]

The two are absolutely nothing alike. Their style of play isn't the same and they have vastly different personalities.

 

[xwalker]

Seems like the entrance of Mark Stepnoski at center started a whole new era for the Dallas line.

As a long time fan I see FredBeard being a key ingredient to that same type of change.

Yes, we now have 3 first rounders on the line , but I for one enjoy not seeing that middle jailbreak on Romo, and the second level blocking that Fred brings.

They're both smarter than the average football player. You might be able to say that they're the glue that binds the OLines together.

Physically and personality wise, they're very different, but I don't think you're comparing them specifically, just what they bring as leader of the OLine.

 

[Jarv]

So now you're call the beard a stoner?

 

[morasp]

Back then we knew the importance of center play. When we lost Step they went and got Donaldson. It's almost like that corporate knowledge got lost somewhere between then and now.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

The Beard reminds me more of Gurode. Donaldson was a pure beast but Gurode, like Fred, displayed a great working knowledge of the scheme and his assignments to go along with his strength.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

So now you're call the beard a stoner?

Beat me to it lol

 

[mahoneybill]

They're both smarter than the average football player. You might be able to say that they're the glue that binds the OLines together.

Physically and personality wise, they're very different, but I don't think you're comparing them specifically, just what they bring as leader of the OLine.

Agree. To me their smarts/leadership and knowing how to handle the middle makes a great difference.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I believe you cannot have a good/great O-Line in today's NFL unless you have a really good center. If you have an average center, the O-Line will not be 'good.' Opposing defenses in today's NFL just attack the center and the A-gap too much and you need somebody that is big enough, has good technique and can call the line shifts properly.

I remember the criticism of Frederick and thinking only in Dallas can people be irate about their center's 40 time.




YR

 

[speedkilz88]

The Beard reminds me more of Gurode. Donaldson was a pure beast but Gurode, like Fred, displayed a great working knowledge of the scheme and his assignments to go along with his strength.

Gurode was similar physically, but he was not very good when asked to block someone on the second level unless they were directly in front of him.

 

[xwalker]

Gurode was similar physically, but he was not very good when asked to block someone on the second level unless they were directly in front of him.

He wasn't a very smart player either. It seemed like he had ADD or something and would just blank out for a few plays per game. It's weird, because he was really well spoken in interviews, but on the field he did a lot of dumb things.

 

[erod]

Frederick is a far better center than Stepnoski.

 

[kiheikiwi]

I think what scouts and evaluators missed on Fredbeard, and luckily we either realized or plain got dam lucky - is that, not only is he really strong with a mean streak. He is essentially a very, very smart dude. That combined with his physical nature has allowed him to pick up everything very quickly, and again, helps Romo when the center is making all the line calls and understands instantly when Romo changes a protection. I think we really struck gold with this player !

 

[Galian Beast]

Always wanted Al Johnson to pull through rather than Gurode.

 

[BAT]

Always wanted Al Johnson to pull through rather than Gurode.

So your pattern of being wrong went back that far I see. Gurode was always the better player, only you and Parcells could not see that.

 

[Galian Beast]

So your pattern of being wrong went back that far I see. Gurode was always the better player, only you and Parcells could not see that.

Johnson was definitely better than Gurode. Gurode was never a consistent center, nor was he great in pass protection.