Improving at LG

[condoin125]

I've stated in previous posts that our line this season was drug down by the play at the LG and RT positions. The players we lost there were much better than the guys who filled in those positions this season. For some reason people on this board (and back on DC) have convinced themselves that Collins played well, when in reality he didn't. We don't have to rehash that debate though and I can only hope that we draft a tackle that can push him.

When it comes to LG though, I have to believe that most people realize that Cooper was trash soup in 2017. Many hoped that his play would elevate between Smith and Frederick but that simply wasn't the case....he's a bad player and we get nothing from him at that position. We could draft a Guard but we already know that we need to draft a Tackle (for depth at the very least) and really can't afford to be picking two OL players, much less hope that we can find two good ones in the draft.

So I want to throw a name out there that I'd like us to go after in free agency: Justin Pugh from the Giants. He was a first round pick of theirs in 2013; he started his career with them as a RT where he performed at an okay level before moving to LG. He was much a much better guard for them his first two years doing it (2015 and 2016) and in fact, he graded out better in 2016 as a LG than Leary did for us in 2016. The kicker is that his 2017 was bad....there could be a ton of explanations for this....he did play through injuries, the Oline talent around him regressed (particularly at Center) and the entire Giants team was a shipwreck in 2017.

I think this could benefit us however....I think his poor 2017 could simply be an anomaly and he could return to form. The Giants don't appear interested in keeping him and we could perhaps get him on a decent deal considering his play last season. I especially like his chances to perform well between Smith and Frederick; I'm at least confident that he outperforms Cooper there. He's 27 and I would certainly be interested in getting him on a 3-4 year deal. Thoughts?

 

[Longboysfan]

If it's a team friendly deal.

 

[Zordon]

Pugh is one of those guys who personally hates the Cowboys. You'd probably have to offer him a premium just to consider us.

We can't do that. We are already investing too much in the oline imo. Coaches need to step up.

 

[Prime21]

At what cost?

How much can a team spend on one position group? Tyron, Beard, and LC already got contracts and Martin is about to get a BIG ONE.

I like the idea but it needs to come at a YUGE bargain.

 

[condoin125]

Pugh is one of those guys who personally hates the Cowboys. You'd probably have to offer him a premium just to consider us.

We can't do that. We are already investing too much in the oline imo. Coaches need to step up.

Not sure if that's true or not but even if so, when a player is not brought back by the team who drafted him (especially cuz of one bad year) they'll sign with rivals just to stick it to them.

 

[Jarv]

You've got to be kidding, Cooper over Pugh every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

 

[CATCH17]

2014 and 2016 we had Ron Leary in the lineup.. Just saying..

 

[condoin125]

At what cost?

How much can a team spend on one position group? Tyron, Beard, and LC already got contracts and Martin is about to get a BIG ONE.

I like the idea but it needs to come at a YUGE bargain.

Here is what Leary got at 27 from Broncos after 2016 season:

Leary, 27, is scheduled to make $36 million over four seasons with $20 million guaranteed, a NFL source confirmed.

If we can get something slightly less with Pugh, I would jump on it.

 

[condoin125]

2014 and 2016 we had Ron Leary in the lineup.. Just saying..

Where are you going with this? Leary was great for us...I acknowledged that what we replaced him with was much worse.

 

[phildadon86]

Here is what Leary got at 27 from Broncos after 2016 season:

Leary, 27, is scheduled to make $36 million over four seasons with $20 million guaranteed, a NFL source confirmed.

If we can get something slightly less with Pugh, I would jump on it.

So you want the Cowboys to pay Pugh what the Broncos paid Leary? Why didn't we just keep Leary then? This makes no sense. Draft a G in the first 2 rounds. La'el will be improved next season.

 

[condoin125]

You've got to be kidding, Cooper over Pugh every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

No team is jumping to get Cooper and there's a reason for that...figure it out.

 

[Nightman]

Cooper is fine for another cheap year

Draft an OG/C and groom him for 2019

 

[condoin125]

So you want the Cowboys to pay Pugh what the Broncos paid Leary? Why didn't we just keep Leary then? This makes no sense. Draft a G in the first 2 rounds. La'el will be improved next season.

The team was in a worse situation cap wise when Leary became a free agent and I just said I wanted a deal for Pugh that was slightly less....granted I'm not an agent or GM, perhaps we could get something significantly less. I just know that the guy had two straight years of high level play and a bad 2017.

 

[condoin125]

Cooper is fine for another cheap year

Draft an OG/C and groom him for 2019

I guess if you want to go with a guy who gives up regular pressure every game and who we are completely unable to run behind.

 

[CouchCoach]

If a team in dire need of OL doesn't want to keep him, I'd say that's a sign. I would not have a problem with spending a 2nd on a LG in this draft as long as it's a DT in the 1st.

They will roll with Collins at RT and he was OK.

 

[Nightman]

I guess if you want to go with a guy who gives up regular pressure every game and who we are completely unable to run behind.

Hyperbole much?

 

[Cowboysheelsreds053]

Pugh is one of those guys who personally hates the Cowboys. You'd probably have to offer him a premium just to consider us.

We can't do that. We are already investing too much in the oline imo. Coaches need to step up.

The last part is nothing but the truth, but we have seen this lifetime movie before and we know the outcome will not change, no matter how many times we watch it.

 

[condoin125]

I'm really confused...so many on this board have complained about our lack of moves in free agency and many of the same people want the team more "Dak friendly." This could be a free agency move that's not too cap heavy and will help protect Dak and create another running lane for Zeke. One of the reasons our line was the best from 2014-2016 was because we could literally run behind every position on the line. We couldn't do that in 2017....and once teams figure that out it makes your entire run game more predictable.

 

[CouchCoach]

I'm really confused...so many on this board have complained about our lack of moves in free agency and many of the same people want the team more "Dak friendly." This could be a free agency move that's not too cap heavy and will help protect Dak and create another running lane for Zeke. One of the reasons our line was the best from 2014-2016 was because we could literally run behind every position on the line. We couldn't do that in 2017....and once teams figure that out it makes your entire run game more predictable.

But that doesn't make Pugh the guy. The Giants OL was awful and they don't want to keep him? Does he fix the problem?

 

[condoin125]

Hyperbole much?

I wish. The LG position on the line usually faces the worst pass rusher on the Dline and he still manages to get beat every week. And we literally cannot run behind him....he creates no space for a RB to get through. No, he hasn't had a game like Chaz Green did with Atlanta that completely blows up the offensive game plan, but he literally provides nothing to help the team on the field. We're playing with ten guys.