How do YOU think each projected starter on the offensive line is going to pan out?

[TheSport78]

I think we have a real shot to make a run this year, but in my opinion the only thing that could stop us is our offensive line. There are questions about every projected starter...

Flozell Adams- We were 4-2 when Flozell went down and went .500 the rest of the season. Huge question to whether or not Flozell will be 100% after the ACL injury. If healthy, he will be the best OL on the squad. I believe Flozell comes back with a spectacular year and proves how important he is to the Dallas Cowboys.

Kyle Kosier- We keep hearing different things and opinions about this guy. Apparantly our people see something special in this guy since we gave him a starting LG contract. Maybe we'll have a new offensive philosophy this season and Kosier "fits the bill" perfectly (no pun intended)? If anyone saw that clip of Kosier getting pancaked by LaVar Arrington, it wasn't a pretty site and hopefully those aren't things to come in 06'. If Kosier pans out, our GM will most definitely look like a genius. For some reason I have a good feeling about this signing. Kosier was considered a sleeper in the free agent market and may have a solid year being next to Flo.

Al Johnson- 2nd round pick in 03' that needs to step up his strength bigtime. Probably our smartest offensive lineman?? Reports were that he has improved his lower body strength in particular and that is a great sign. He needs to take over the starting center position so we don't keep having the SAME position battle between Johnson and Gurode every training camp. I believe Gurode was brought back for depth on the OL incase someone important goes down. PLEASE prove you are starting center material, Al. I believe Al will have his best year yet. Long gone will be the days of him getting pushed back into Bledsoe.

Marco Rivera- Probably the biggest question on the offensive line. Is he fully healed from his back injury? Obviously Rivera was not at full strength last year and it DEFINITELY showed. If we can get that dominate Rivera that protected Favre for so many years, Bledsoe will have all day...all day. Rivera bounces back with a solid season and becomes even more of a leader for this team.

Jason Fabini- Not sure what to think about this guy. But he is a "Parcells guy" for sure. We've been searching for our right tackle for a long time, and Fabini isn't the long term answer for sure. He is just filling time for either another draft pick, or a well-improved 6th round pick in Rob Petitti. Petitti may have had has rough times, but he held his head high and started a full 16 game season as a 6th round rookie..not easy to do. Fabini will be serviceable this year, but I see RT as the weak spot on our OL this year.

If our OL pans out for the better, this offense could be scary in 06'. How do you guys think each "projected" starter will pan out this year??? GO BOYS! :starspin

 

[Future]

I agree with everything you said but I believe that its going to be Gurode starting at center and not Al Johnson. And i do believe that Fabini will most likely be the guy at RT, but do not rule out Pettiti or even Colombo to start there if they have a good training camp.

 

[burmafrd]

Too much is put into that one play by Arrington. ANYONE can look bad on one play. Kosier had several teams vying for his service- I think it is notable that the Boys really pushed to sign him first of all the FA's.
Johnson has apparently bulked up- which could be a very good thing as long as he does not lose too much quickness and flexibility.
If Rivera is healthy he will at least be solid. Same for the Hotel. Fabini started 89 straight games for a playoff caliber team. So he should be considered solid as well.

 

[superpunk]

I think it's gonna be sketchy at first. Honestly, I wouldn't expect our run blocking to be all that impressive this year, either. I'm a big proponent of continuity - the best Oline's in the league have been working together as a unit for 3-4 years. Expecting this unit to gel immediately is setting yourself up to be disappointed. The pass blocking early should be good, IMO. As the season goes on, the run blocking will progress, hopefully we can average at least 4 ypc this year.

When 40% of your line is new, that's gonna take some time to get going. I really hope Rivera, even if he's not at 100% (which he is, by all accounts) steps up as the leader of the line this year. Vocally, and by example.

 

[skinsscalper]

I agree with everything you said but I believe that its going to be Gurode starting at center and not Al Johnson. And i do believe that Fabini will most likely be the guy at RT, but do not rule out Pettiti or even Colombo to start there if they have a good training camp.

I'm also on board with not ruling out Pettiti or Colombo. Pettiti has a MAJOR chip on his shoulder. Many fans have the ineptitude of the Dallas offense pinned squarely on his shoulders (which isn't fair to any player). People have forgotten that up until Flo went down, Pettiti was pretty damn solid. Not a Pro Bowler, but he did an adequate job (and that was next to a less than 100% Rivera).

But the real wild card in this whole mix is Colombo. He's been quoted as saying that he hasn't felt this healthy at this time of the year in his entire career. That speaks volumes coming from a guy that has been injury plagued since his NFL playing days began. There were many teams high on this kid coming out of Boston College. The Bears ended up grabbing him with their 29th pick in the 1st round. The kid is a physical specimen at 6'8" and around 320. If he could even catch a sniff of the potential that the Bears and Parcells saw/see in this guy he could become something really special for Dallas.

SS

 

[theogt]

First, I wouldn't autmatically project Kosier as the starter. Other than FS, that will be the biggest camp battle on the team.

 

[superpunk]

First, I wouldn't autmatically project Kosier as the starter. Other than FS, that will be the biggest camp battle on the team.

How do you see it working out? Kosier v. Peterman? Is Gurode going to be in the mix? Because I kinda like him at guard, although his size doesn't seem to fit our plans.

 

[skinsscalper]

First, I wouldn't autmatically project Kosier as the starter. Other than FS, that will be the biggest camp battle on the team.

We didn't bring in Kosier for depth. Our running to the left side last year was attrocious. Which is hard for any tenured Cowboys fan to endure since we had a dominating Larry Allen over there for so long. The fact of the matter is, Larry could no longer engage in space anymore. That doesn't exactly fit BP's (or Julis Jones' for that matter) running style. Parcells wants to get Jones out there with a little room to pick a lane. LA was whiffing it a lot of times. Kosier is a much more mobile guard that has a streak of quickness in him. I read on this board a few weeks ago that the Cowboys staff was impressed with Kosier's "explosiveness". That bodes well for our running game if he can make that translate to Bill's scheme. The quicker that we can get out on these defenders the quicker JJ can make a read and a cut. Peterman isn't that type of lineman, and as it stands, Peterman is Kosier's only legitimate competition and Kosier has not only the style advantage, but the edge in experience as well.

SS

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Here are my guesses of what is going to happen...

Flozell-- Good year. Above average as a run blocker, better as a pass blocker. 8 sacks given up.

Kozier-- Better than Allen in '05. I think we'll all be a little surprised how steady he is. 4 sacks given up.

Johnson-- I think he beats out Gurode and takes 80% of the snaps during the season. His best season yet. Not a "Pro-Bowl" type season but consistent. 2 sacks given up.

Rivera-- Better than last year but not what he was in GB. 4 sacks given up.

Fabini-- An improved season over what Petitti gave us as a rookie but not a "Pro-Bowl" season either. 7 sacks given up.

Gurode-- I think he gets a couple starts due to injury and plays competently. 1 sack given up.

Petitti-- I think he gets a couple starts due to injury and shows much improvement over last year. 1 sack given up.

Peterman-- Better... shows us a little promise during training camp. Actually makes it onto the field to spell Rivera/Kosier. Gives us some hope for '07 after Rivera retires.

Columbo-- We don't see much of him. We "hear" he's capable of playing but Petitti beats him out as the 3rd tackle.

Overall I think we cut our total sacks down to less than 40 on the season and our running game averages 4.0 ypc. And if that is the case our offense will be in the top-10 of the NFL.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

First, I wouldn't autmatically project Kosier as the starter. Other than FS, that will be the biggest camp battle on the team.

Oh come'on!

Petitti has a better chance of beating out Fabini than Gurode/Peterman have of beating out Kosier.

 

[lostinomiya]

Marco Rivera- Probably the biggest question on the offensive line. Is he fully healed from his back injury? Obviously Rivera was not at full strength last year and it DEFINITELY showed.



i think there are question marks evenly distributed along our line. is flozell ok now? rivera too? what has kosier got to offer? has fabini recovered? is johnson good enough..isnt his size a problem? can pettiti step up?

some reasons to be optimistic - most of them should have recovered or gotten better but the q marks are there.

 

[AsthmaField]

Too much is put into that one play by Arrington. ANYONE can look bad on one play. Kosier had several teams vying for his service- I think it is notable that the Boys really pushed to sign him first of all the FA's.
Johnson has apparently bulked up- which could be a very good thing as long as he does not lose too much quickness and flexibility.

You're right. That one play means nothing. He was a rookie and got caught off-balance. I'm sure it's happened to every player. They've all had embarassing moments... it just wasn't caught on tape and shown around the internet. Remember the clip of Kellen Winslow II getting leveled by someone? He's still going to be a very good player... he just got caught there one play and got leveled. It happens.

Fabini started 89 straight games for a playoff caliber team. So he should be considered solid as well.

And don't forget that for the last few years he has been playing LT. By all accounts, the left side is much more difficult to play than the right side. You face the other teams best pass rusher and you typically don't have the TE there to help you as much. Fabini going back over to the right side will make him better... and he already did well enough at LT. The J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets didn't want to lose Fabini... they just didn't want to pay him what he was scheduled to make and they probably realized they'd have a real good shot at D'Brickshaw Ferguson in the draft.

Like Parcells said... he could line up Fabini backwards at RT and he wouldn't give up 13 sacks. I really don't know why anyone is worried about RT anymore. Worse case scenario over there is that Fabini starts... and that isn't a bad option at all. Best case is that Petitti or Columbo improve to the point that they're better than Fabini and we have a young player there who is a good player. It's a win/win at RT for us.

 

[theogt]

Oh come'on!

Petitti has a better chance of beating out Fabini than Gurode/Peterman have of beating out Kosier.

What? I know you're kidding but this is ridiculous. And as for bringing in Kosier as a backup. No, they brought him in to compete for the starting LG spot. They didn't pay him so much as to guarantee his spot. He has versatility as a backup at many spots and a good chance at obtaining the starting LG spot. Does he have it in the bag? Hell no. Not even close. If he was so good he had the spot guaranteed (as some here have suggested) then he wouldn't have been so cheap/easy to obtain.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

What? I know you're kidding but this is ridiculous.

Do you remember YOU thought we were going to be all over Manny Lawson... where I KNEW Carp would be the guy.

Now you don't want to get schooled again do you?

 

[theogt]

Do you remember YOU thought we were going to be all over Manny Lawson... where I KNEW Carp would be the guy.

Now you don't want to get schooled again do you?

How is this at all relevant? By the way, I WANTED Lawson. I never predicted either way. I had a feeling all along that Parcells didn't want to go with a "project". edit: Yes, I know you were kidding in this post as well.

 

[Ashwynn]

I've got my doubts. I get the impression Jones and Parcells decided a long time ago to spend on el dorado and make due everywhere they could. Sadly the oline is not a unit that we should have 'made due with what we can find'. It could become the achilles heel of the team and realy come back to bite us. I will pleasantly surprised if the Oline is stout and even NFL average. If its better then average, get, our D will get to learn how to close out teams and should round into championship shape late in the year. But I fear it wont. Thats been my greatest concern since Flo went down. Then we cut Allen! At 70% hes better then 90% of all offensive linemen. Fabini and Kosier seem like bandaides on a shotgun blast of a wound. I feel the splash factor got in the way this offseason.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

How is this at all relevant? By the way, I WANTED Lawson. I never predicted either way. I had a feeling all along that Parcells didn't want to go with a "project". edit: Yes, I know you were kidding in this post as well.

Yeah.

 

[theogt]

Yeah.

Funny. When I heard the ticket announce the pick was Carpenter, I wasn't disappointed that we weren't getting Lawson--I was disappointed that I would see these posts for weeks/months/years to come.

 

[followthestar]

its important to note that there is no BAD news thus far about our OL. that is to say, nothing new that has occurred is BAD - its all good! Adams coming back is GOOD - and he will remain the anchor on the left side for several more years to come. Pro Bowler. Kosier is a more mobile lineman and should do well - he seems to be an upgrade over where Allen would've been this year, which is one year older and slower than last year. Johnson and Gurode will apparently battle it out again, and the fact that they are fairly equal goes to show that this is NOT a position of strength for the team. I wish we could find a dominant player for Center, but both guys have one more year in the system and at least provide some stability with depth, and this is GOOD. Rivera will not be the player he was in GB, but he will definitely be healthier than last year, and this is GOOD. And going out on a limb here I project that Columbo earns the starting spot at RT, beating out Fabini. I remember when he was drafted, thinking he would be a great player, and if he is indeed feeling the best he's felt since he came into the league, this guy could be the dominant player many thought he would become. That would be GOOD, but even Fabini starting is an upgrade. Like I said, its all GOOD.
As far as depth is concerned, I think we're GOOD there too. And next year I anticipate taking an OL early in the draft, probably round 2 since our first pick will be used to take a WR...

 

[theogt]

its important to note that there is no BAD news thus far about our OL. that is to say, nothing new that has occurred is BAD - its all good! Adams coming back is GOOD - and he will remain the anchor on the left side for several more years to come. Pro Bowler. Kosier is a more mobile lineman and should do well - he seems to be an upgrade over where Allen would've been this year, which is one year older and slower than last year. Johnson and Gurode will apparently battle it out again, and the fact that they are fairly equal goes to show that this is NOT a position of strength for the team. I wish we could find a dominant player for Center, but both guys have one more year in the system and at least provide some stability with depth, and this is GOOD. Rivera will not be the player he was in GB, but he will definitely be healthier than last year, and this is GOOD. And going out on a limb here I project that Columbo earns the starting spot at RT, beating out Fabini. I remember when he was drafted, thinking he would be a great player, and if he is indeed feeling the best he's felt since he came into the league, this guy could be the dominant player many thought he would become. That would be GOOD, but even Fabini starting is an upgrade. Like I said, its all GOOD.
As far as depth is concerned, I think we're GOOD there too. And next year I anticipate taking an OL early in the draft, probably round 2 since our first pick will be used to take a WR...

I'd imagine AJ has the spot under lock, barring any setbacks injury-wise. Same with Fabini. Columbo is a project, not a starter. Gurode is just a decent backup.