How can we fix the OL and get more depth?

[Bigdog]

Pray Martin comes back and our starter remains healthy all year.

 

[Redsfan_83]

BWAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

It just completely amazes me that the #1 weakness on football team, the FO had the entire FA and draft to address and they did absolutely NOTHING!!!!

this has been a problem for this team for years, and they continue to ignore the harsh reality. Just wait till injuries hit, and if Zach holds out into the season? Maybe they want to sabotage Dak?

 

[Cowfan75]

Imagine if Martin loses the millions that he had already agreed to.

His money, Jerry's money...who cares? It's not my money. All I know is what will happen on the field without him.

 

[rambo2]

His money, Jerry's money...who cares? It's not my money. All I know is what will happen on the field without him.

The odds are pretty good that he will be on the field.

 

[Creeper]

If any team has to play 5 backups on the OL they will look pretty bad too. No one can field 10 starting caliber offensive linemen.

I think if they have 1 injury on the line they can manage it. 2 they might struggle a little bit depending on where. and 3 will be a problem, but that would be true of most teams.

 

[817Gill]

If any team has to play 5 backups on the OL they will look pretty bad too. No one can field 10 starting caliber offensive linemen.

I think if they have 1 injury on the line they can manage it. 2 they might struggle a little bit depending on where. and 3 will be a problem, but that would be true of most teams.

Beautifully said

 

[Bobhaze]

“Fixing“ the OL:

• Get Zack Martin back (hello Jerry?)
• Be prepared to pick up a veteran G or swing T (or 2) on waivers when final cuts happen in 2-3 weeks.
• May have to admit we have too many “developmental“ players on the OL. Patience to develop a player is great until you look up and almost every backup you have is “developmental project”.

Guiding question- Are we rebuilding or trying to win now?
I know our FO will say both but that’s not always possible.

 

[T-RO]

Backups we got suck. Can we trade someone? Any free agents still out there? OL is our biggest need other then maybe kicker.

I'm a traveller. Visit many fan football forums. This same question is getting asked *everywhere*.

Teams just can't find enough OL talent. Frankly wish we'd done something in the draft 1st or 2nd round for OL, because at this point...you just aren't going to find it.

It's craved and needed like the Spice Melange in Dune's fictional universe.

 

[T-RO]

Guiding question- Are we rebuilding or trying to win now?
I know our FO will say both but that’s not always possible.

Don't see any evidence the team is rebuilding. Frankly, don't really even understand your post. The Cowboys feature a top five roster by the estimation of numerous top minds...and are coming off dual 12-5 seasons. The roster is arguably better in numerous respects.

Everything could collapse with a few O-line injuries, but let me assure you: that's true for a lot of top 12 teams right now.

Martin has nuclear-level leverage right now. I wish it weren't so, but it absolutely is.

 

[visionary]

they should have taken oline in the second round in the draft instead of TE. horrible decision​

This

 

[Deionindahood]

I'm a traveller. Visit many fan football forums. This same question is getting asked *everywhere*.

Teams just can't find enough OL talent. Frankly wish we'd done something in the draft 1st or 2nd round for OL, because at this point...you just aren't going to find it.

It's craved and needed like the Spice Melange in Dune's fictional universe.

So every team has an egotistical GM/owner like Jerry? I'm not so sure of that...

 

[Hawkeye19]

Don't see any evidence the team is rebuilding. Frankly, don't really even understand your post. The Cowboys feature a top five roster by the estimation of numerous top minds...and are coming off dual 12-5 seasons. The roster is arguably better in numerous respects.

Everything could collapse with a few O-line injuries, but let me assure you: that's true for a lot of top 12 teams right now.

Martin has nuclear-level leverage right now. I wish it weren't so, but it absolutely is.

Actually, Martin has zero leverage until he actually starts missing game checks. Jerry and Stephen can play “chicken” with him because they don’t see any way a guy will flush game checks down the drain.

Zack is under contract and will only hurt himself (and the team) by holding out. Right now— he is having a very expensive vacation.

Unless he refuses to report in week 1 and is willing to burn his own money, Jerry has all the leverage. He just has to be patient and wait it out.

The issue I have is with JJ airing his thoughts publicly. His answer should be simple: “we love Zack! He is a huge part of this team and we want him here. We are working on things and hope it gets resolved soon.”

JJ airing this out publicly is risking poisoning the well with your top OL.

 

[T-RO]

Actually, Martin has zero leverage until he actually starts missing game checks. Jerry and Stephen can play “chicken” with him because they don’t see any way a guy will flush game checks down the drain.

100% No. Zak doesn't need the money. You gotta know this guy lives modestly and likely invests wisely. He's 100% set for life without a penny more.

For him at this point it's about fairness and dignity. And for that I bet Zack will be ready to sit out the entire season, if necessary.

There are hard reports that in multiple previous negotiations Zack played the good guy, willing to defer. I think he's now realized he's been taken advantage of. If it's $800k of penalties for practices missed, or multiple game checks missed...

HONEY BADGER DON'T CARE

Jerry's going to pay the man top 5 guard pay. Or Zack won't play.

 

[Hawkeye19]

100% No. Zak doesn't need the money. You gotta know this guy lives modestly and likely invests wisely. He's 100% set for life without a penny more.

For him at this point it's about fairness and dignity. And for that I bet Zack will be ready to sit out the entire season, if necessary.

There are hard reports that in multiple previous negotiations Zack played the good guy, willing to defer. I think he's now realized he's been taken advantage of. If it's $800k of penalties for practices missed, or multiple game checks missed...

HONEY BADGER DON'T CARE

Jerry's going to pay the man top 5 guard pay. Or Zack won't play.

If he goes that route— he will likely be traded. I am not saying JJ’s stance on this is right— in fact, I think he is wrong in how he is handling Zack— I am simply saying that JJ is one stubborn dude when he chooses to be.

For whatever reason, JJ has decided to make this a hill worth dying on. If Zack breaches his contract, I think he gets traded before JJ caves in at this point.

The timing of Zack’s holdout shows this was 100% calculated and that his camp thought it would result in panic from the FO and a quick payout. Now JJ has firmly put the ball in Zack’s court— and I just don’t see any way it makes sense for Zack to miss games.

If Zack is pissed at JJ— then he should finish his contract with high marks and spurn any Dallas offer to resign and finish out his career elsewhere. If he misses games and breaches his contract— JJ will go nuclear and irrational.

 

[StarOfGlory]

So every team has an egotistical GM/owner like Jerry? I'm not so sure of that...

Come on man, that”s s not what he said. What he did say is true. Plenty of teams are looking for good back up O-line. Just in our own division, Eagles have one decent vet and a rookie for backup along with JAGS. Giants and Washington can’t even field a starting five without a JAG or two.

 

[T-RO]

If Zack breaches his contract, I think he gets traded before JJ caves in at this point.

If it comes to that the 2023 Cowboys season is toast. No trade is going to return to us an elite top o-lineman, experienced in our system, ready to roll.

That's a world where Dak can't pass. Pollard can't run. Offense can't move.

 

[Hawkeye19]

If it comes to that the 2023 Cowboys season is toast. No trade is going to return to us an elite top o-lineman, experienced in our system, ready to roll.

That's a world where Dak can't pass. Pollard can't run. Offense can't move.

I agree. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. My guess is Zack reports week 1 and his public stance is he is there for his teammates and hopes his contract situation gets resolved amicably, but he willing to walk if it comes to that.

If he plays things that way, he puts the pressure back on JJ to take care of one of his top guys.

It may not happen when Zack wants it too, but they will want him for 4-5 more years at least— so something should get done

 

[DuncanIso]

Philbin left a mess.

Now we know why they fired him.

Big Mike talked Jerry into hiring him.

Now Big Mike doesn’t even know him.

 

[starfan1]

Actually I wasn't that high on the kid from Florida.....he was constantly getting blown up by 220lb LBers in the Sr Bowl. The real mistake was letting McGovern walk....especially after letting Conner Williams walk. What is the point of burning high picks on O-lineman if your just going to let them walk in 4 years???? Your developing players hitting their prime for other teams....that's just stupid. But hey.....this front office is known for their stupidity.

because there is only so much pie and Connor wanted too much of it. Williams walking was more of coaching misevaluation.He should have been playing center

 

[starfan1]

..dial up Jason Peters insurance plan. This guy at 42, still gives excellent depth.

there wasnt much I seen from him last year Id say was excellent but hes an upgrade on whats in lineman room now as a back up