I'm glad people are excited about our offensive line

[Fredd]

I think a defense-heavy draft is what is needed, especially at the top of the draft...but, what if they get the feeling that Free won't be there, do you use another 1st on a ROT if one is there? Also, there will be other decisions, like Carr, to determine as well....I like Carr more than most in here, but I believe he is pretty expensive next year....

 

[xwalker]

I create a thread when I want to discuss something, I thought that was what message boards were about.

Melton is expensive, and the only way I can justify keeping him at that rate, is if he performs even better as he gets healthier and back into football shape.

Melton is playing pretty well though, not sure how you have concluded Crawford has outplayed him, hopefully not just by the snap count.

Who is they?

They = Broaddus, Fisher and the other insider types that hang around the team everyday.

My conclusions are based on watching game footage and the coaches film. I think most here would agree that Crawford has played well at DT.

I don't really keep up specifically, but it I'll see a huge number of new threads (not just posts, but complete new threads) from you and then nothing for a long period of time. I'm easily amused.

 

[xwalker]

I think a defense-heavy draft is what is needed, especially at the top of the draft...but, what if they get the feeling that Free won't be there, do you use another 1st on a ROT if one is there? Also, there will be other decisions, like Carr, to determine as well....I like Carr more than most in here, but I believe he is pretty expensive next year....

They need fill needs in FA and go BPA in the draft. The best drafts seems to be the ones where they go BPA over need (see Frederick and Martin).

 

[cowboys1981]

In the draft you go for BPA every round.


I'm happy to see our line getting some love. When it's 3 & 1, I'm expecting a first down with this line.

 

[Clove]

Well... I was one who knew we needed to draft offensive line and build a top one, but I also thought Romo was washed up, or even if he wasn't washed up, I didn't think he had the guts to compete in the playoffs. Well, let's just say I'm excited NOW, that we picked Martin. Our O-line looks great. What I've underestimated was Linehan & Marinelli. I've probably underestimated Romo, but time shall tell. For now, I won't address Romo or Garrett, I'll just enjoy the ride. About the defensive line, who we need to convince is Jerry Jones. I said this 5 years ago, and nothing's changed. You build from inside out. Build both lines, and prepare to be in the hunt year after year.

 

[jobberone]

I agree with the BPA but there are usually players in a tier to pick from that fits your biggest holes.

Right now, pending Lawrence showing up, a rush DE ie WDE who can turn the corner quickly is priority number one. I think we have to wait on Spencer settling in at SDE. You have Crawford as a SDE and a DT. Melton, Mincey and Selvie are decent players with Melton likely to get better. Some don't like Brent but he will add to the 1/3 DT position. I'm not certain about T McClain yet.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I think they definitely renegotiate Melton's contract for next year. This year Marinelli will hold the DT rotation together with duct tape and bubble gum and by next year, they will role with the best players out of Melton, Crawford, Bishop, Coleman, McClain, Josh Brent, Okoye, Hayden and Whaley.

By next year Lawrence will have established himself as a starter, we take whatever we get from Anthony Spencer and the tryouts continue to see if we have legit rotational players out of the group of Selvie, Mincey, Lavar Edwards, Jack Crawford, Boatright and Michael Sam (plus Ben Gardner next year).

Then its basically a lock that we bring in a DE from a high draft pick or FA signing.

Watch out for Whaley next year.

IMO better prospect then both Coleman and Bishop, although admittingly all three are completely different. I think Whaley has legit star potential

 

[jobberone]

Watch out for Whaley next year.

IMO better prospect then both Coleman and Bishop, although admittingly all three are completely different. I think Whaley has legit star potential

Interesting about Whaley. I admit to not knowing the player.

 

[RS12]

Maybe this will convince people that we also need to look at our defensive line with the same emphasis.

I dont need to be convinced. I am old school. I know where games are won and lost.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Interesting about Whaley. I admit to not knowing the player.

Very similar to Melton. Went to UT, switched positions and has a blazingly quick first step

Comparisons to Melton are more eerie then lazy

 

[RS12]

The type of people who think we should draft a QB next year,

I am all for drafting heavy on the D Line but dont be shocked if they grab a QB. BTW they are probably counting on Lee coming back, but Shaq Thompson would be a beast at WILL in this scheme.

 

[gimmesix]

I create a thread when I want to discuss something, I thought that was what message boards were about.

Melton is expensive, and the only way I can justify keeping him at that rate, is if he performs even better as he gets healthier and back into football shape.

Melton is playing pretty well though, not sure how you have concluded Crawford has outplayed him, hopefully not just by the snap count.

Who is they?

I think Crawford has been more consistently disruptive than Melton since Crawford moved to 3-tech, while Melton has just flashed. However, Melton is still battling injury, so Melton might eventually show us what a true 3-tech looks like and make us just look at Crawford like "he's a pretty good rotation guy."

However, I do like how often Crawford has been getting into the backfield against the run and pass. We need him to stop being an "Almost Anthony," though and get there a bit quicker.

 

[BAT]

Defense is a bit different than o-line in this regard. Defensive linemen are placed on a priority compared to offensive linemen. I don't have the numbers but if you look at 1st and 2nd round draft picks, I'm sure you'll find more defensive linemen than offensive linemen.

We shouldn't reach, but it really isn't about reaching, especially if we do well this year, we're not going to be in position for any prime players. I think we need to get the best defensive linemen available, and they're almost always there regardless of where you're picking without significantly reaching.

If we can turn this over with star power, we can at the very least get the rotation a lot deeper.

If Cowboys get anywhere close to NFC championship game, teams will be drafting OL and RB high again. It's cyclical like that.

 

[Nova]

Don't forget the possibility of Brent making an impact. I really am curious to see how this DL looks with Brent and Lawrence in the lineup, with a less rusty Spencer.

This season may actually play out well for us down the stretch...

Not counting on it though. I think we filled our luck quota with how well Ro is playing

 

[Fredd]

They need fill needs in FA and go BPA in the draft. The best drafts seems to be the ones where they go BPA over need (see Frederick and Martin).

while I agree with that in principle, the focus MUST be defense in the draft...I don't think they focus on a position like locking in on a DE (for example), but they need to focus on that side of the ball

 

[morasp]

I was surprised to read this morning that Broaddus thought Coleman and Bishop were outplaying McClain at DT. Despite not being high draft picks they may turn into something , stranger things have happened. We are usually pretty good at finding late round and UDFA gems.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Our biggest need on the DL draft wise is another DE, and Im guessing its gonna be a strong side DE. I think no matter what happens the FO is gonna have D Law pegged for that weak side.

I also wouldnt be shocked if they tried to get Hardy on a bargin deal

 

[waving monkey]

I agree. We do need to address D-line heavy, but we also have a lot of young potential on the D-line. The reason we were so successful at building a young nasty O-line is because we didn't reach. The only desperation move was Tyron Smith. When I say desperation, I mean we were gonna draft LT regardless. With Fred and Martin, we chose the best player on the board. I think we can afford to do the same thing now since we have some young potential on D-line. We spent a lot to get Lawrence so he will definitely get a shot at being our long-term WDE. We've groomed Crawford over the years and it looks like he's making a legitimate case at being our 3-tech of the future. We don't seem to draft 1-tech very high, but we do have some young potential in Bishop. And with Crawford likely moving to 3-tech, it seems we need to address SDE (Selvie will do for now, but we need to improve). My point is, we can afford to draft the best D-linemen available. We don't need to specifically draft 3-tech or SDE or WDE. Just accumulate talent like we did on O-line. We can be a year or two away from a dominant D-line if we play our cards right.

Isn't Spencer a SDE ? Up grading is required no doubt.How the BPA falls thats the ticket but we're certainly getting after
some defensive line talent and line backers and defensive backs. We have placed ourselves finally where we really can take BPA
without a lot of knee jerking unless some super talent is falling near by.

 

[burmafrd]

In the draft you go for BPA every round.


I'm happy to see our line getting some love. When it's 3 & 1, I'm expecting a first down with this line.

nobody goes BPA pure in any round. Need is always factored in

 

[cowboys1981]

nobody goes BPA pure in any round. Need is always factored in

I disagree. BPA should be the route we go. If we have needs spend it in FA with a proven player.