Is having a solid O-line more important than having an all-pro rb?

[brymatt94]

I know I'm stating the obvious but even if we have players like Felix and now Murray (who I personally was ecstatic to get) does it matter if the O-line isn't solidified? I'm not say ours isn't with Tyron Smith now on the line,but I feel even if Barber was going to be on the team next year and we had the greatest line, even he who is declining would have at least a decent season. So this all comes down to:has the standard of running backs needed to be successful gone down? It seems like its an accepted theory that rbs are a dime a dozen.

 

[baj1dallas]

o line is more important. GB proved that.

 

[SDCowboy]

It's a passing league now. Pounding the rock is fading. A line that can protect the QB is much more important.

 

[Outtayourleague]

o line is more important. GB proved that.

100% right

 

[Stash]

o line is more important. GB proved that.

Agreed.

 

[Future]

An OLine can make a decent RB look like an all-pro...a RB can't do the same for his OLine.

 

[Rynie]

An OLine can make a decent RB look like an all-pro...a RB can't do the same for his OLine.

I was 'bout to say the same thing! Emmitt Smith wouldn't have his numbers without that O-line, imo.

 

[Galian Beast]

Anyone who thinks running isn't important should see how Vick and AP have essentially put their teams on their backs. Same with Chris Johnson.

A running back can carry an entire team. Probably not all the way to a super bowl, but certainly to wins, and perhaps the playoffs.

 

[SDCowboy]

Anyone who thinks running isn't important should see how Vick and AP have essentially put their teams on their backs. Same with Chris Johnson.

A running back can carry an entire team. Probably not all the way to a super bowl, but certainly to wins, and perhaps the playoffs.

When the vikings were really good was two seasons ago and it was because of Favre. And the Titans haven't been to the playoffs since CJ has been on the team. And Vick is a QB...

 

[jazzcat22]

An OLine can make a decent RB look like an all-pro...a RB can't do the same for his OLine.

Emmitt gives his OL AND Moose the credit, they say, Emmitt made them look better.

Did the OL make Emmitt look great against the Giants, playing with a separated shoulder, especially not just running the ball, but also receiving.

Football is the ultimate team sport. It takes them all, even the WR selling the play as a pass, them blocking his man.

 

[pupulehaole]

I for one refuse to believe that running is going out of fashion, what do you turn to when you are up by 7 with 8 minutes left and have the ball? YOU POUND THE FREAKING ROCK. to answer the question though Oline us more important that's why I was happy to get Smith and our 4th rounder, name is eluding me as I drink hahaha.

 

[Idgit]

By round three, the options for improving the OL weren't as good as the options for improving the running game. And/or the gap between what was on the team, what was available in the third round, and what was likely to be available in the fourth round and below was not all that significant.

I don't like the RB pick in the 3rd, but you can bet JG had a reason for it. It's either necessary insurance, or we're trying to solve a problem we can't solve with our other backs alone. I'm surprised to see so many people think we'd just waste the pick without a purpose. He may not always have a good plan, but I think it's pretty clear by now that Garrett *does* always have a plan.

 

[perrykemp]

The league has been changing. I'm not saying having a power running game is detrimental -- however, the Packers are a very good example of a team that uses the pass to set up the run... they run mainly to run out the clock at the end of games and to keep teams honest overall.

I personally think it's crazy in this day and age to burn a 1st round pick on a RB. If you run a pass heavy offense (like GB, Indy, New Orleans, etc) you don't need an all-pro RB to find and exploit the holes that will exist on defense that is playing predominantly nickle and dime defenses.

 

[ThreeandOut]

.
I don't like the RB pick in the 3rd, but you can bet JG had a reason for it. It's either necessary insurance, or we're trying to solve a problem we can't solve with our other backs alone. I'm surprised to see so many people think we'd just waste the pick without a purpose. He may not always have a good plan, but I think it's pretty clear by now that Garrett *does* always have a plan.

And I think that plan is now that we have two OT's that can seal the edge on either side of the line,you should have RB's with the speed to take it outside.

 

[big dog cowboy]

By round three, the options for improving the OL weren't as good as the options for improving the running game. And/or the gap between what was on the team, what was available in the third round, and what was likely to be available in the fourth round and below was not all that significant.

All of that is true. But don't forget, Barber and likely Choice are done in Dallas.

 

[Shinywalrus]

Anyone who thinks running isn't important should see how Vick and AP have essentially put their teams on their backs. Same with Chris Johnson.

A running back can carry an entire team. Probably not all the way to a super bowl, but certainly to wins, and perhaps the playoffs.

Uh...I don't think that example say what you think that example say.

Chris Johnson, when he had a great line, was a world beater.

When Chris Johnson had to run behind the disastrous Leroy Harris, and Amano, who was effective at guard, got moved to Center?

Very, very average.

 

[superonyx]

This question is obvious. But also a little hard to come together on. You say a "solid" offensive line... How does one define solid offensive line? If you look at our line play from 2 years ago would you say it was solid? Do the Giants have a solid line? The Patriots?

Now if you say...would you rather having a dominant offensive line or a dominant RB then its an obvious choice....We should all take the dominant Offensive line.

If the question is attempting to set up a position on drafting Murray then it is much more complicated that that. We are talking a 3rd round pick here. Look at the success/failure rate of all players over the years at all positions in the 3rd round. Its just not a round where you can expect a dominant type of player. Sure we can point to certain examples of players drafted late that made it big. But just pull up the 3rd round of the past several drafts (all teams) and see where most players in this round fall.

The other thing we still dont know is the Cowboys plans with trades, free agents, ect. I think we all agree that our line was terrible last year. It was hard to watch. I hope we have a plan to fix it. And I think the fixing is more than just a 20 year old college kid drafted in the first round.
That being said. We cant be expected to plug every whole on the team with outside guys who can come in a play like all pros. We have defensive holes as well. And some of our current players will be expected to step up and buy into the program our coaches will put into place. Because honestly this team had enough talent last year to win a superbowl. So as it stands today we still have enough talent to win a superbowl. Its just going to be about coming together as a team and getting the most out of everyone.

 

[joseephuss]

Anyone who thinks running isn't important should see how Vick and AP have essentially put their teams on their backs. Same with Chris Johnson.

A running back can carry an entire team. Probably not all the way to a super bowl, but certainly to wins, and perhaps the playoffs.

Vick hasn't put anyone on his back.

The Vikings and Titans both have very good run blocking lines. Both were also poor at passing the ball this past season.

Running is important and so is passing. Passing maybe more so in today's game. Each still depends on a good offensive line.

Everyone would love to have a very good offensive line and a top running back because both are important. If you have to choose between the two, the offensive line has to get the nod.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think the 2 go hand in hand. A great back with no blocking is not going to do much. A great line with an avg back can be productive but when you get great line blocking along with a great back your running attack becomes a real threat. I have yet to see a great back not stand up and give credit to the men up front who open holes and do not allow penatration into the back field

 

[THUMPER]

I know I'm stating the obvious but even if we have players like Felix and now Murray (who I personally was ecstatic to get) does it matter if the O-line isn't solidified? I'm not say ours isn't with Tyron Smith now on the line,but I feel even if Barber was going to be on the team next year and we had the greatest line, even he who is declining would have at least a decent season. So this all comes down to:has the standard of running backs needed to be successful gone down? It seems like its an accepted theory that rbs are a dime a dozen.

I believe football starts up front with the O-Line.

A great RB cannot do much if his line isn't good (unless you're Barry Sanders and don't use the blocking anyway) but a solid O-Line can help a lesser RB. Denver proved this for years under Shanahan.

Obviously, you need both a solid O-Line and a good RB to have a consistently productive running game but it starts up front IMO.