Is our OL a passing unit or run unit?

[Redball Express]

During the telecast I heard Buck and Troy talking about the OL and believe I heard Troy say they were better at pass blocking than run blocking.

I stopped and had to think about that.

If our offense is going to dominate running the ball with all our backs in order to win..

How is that going to work?

Is Troy correct?

What do you guys think?

Have we got our identity wrong?

Should we be throwing the ball with more urgency?

I think DAK had like 40+ passes today..

and the running game other than a few carries by Morris and the TD by Zeke WERE pretty anemic.

What say you guys?

 

[Zman5]

It was better at run blocking past two seasons. Not today.

 

[Tabascocat]

They were better at run blocking when Callahan was here, slowly declining now but I attribute most of that to Free.....he is terrible.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I think they haven't gelled yet. Not only that it was a division game. Remember in 2014 when we ran at will eagles did the same thing. It's a division thing. I'm not worried about the OL.......Free was worst, JPP was giving him fits. Gave up the inside move almost every time

 

[Redball Express]

They were better at run blocking when Callahan was here, slowly declining now but I attribute most of that to Free.....he is terrible.

Yes..Free has become a turnstyle.

And when they run to his side..he gets dumped.

Which is why they seem to run behind Smith and Beard.

Is there no way to shuffle the OL and move Free to the swing tackle?

Can't we move Martin out to tackle and move somebody to G and fix it?

Can Free play G?

 

[logan]

They were better at run blocking when Callahan was here, slowly declining now but I attribute most of that to Free.....he is terrible.

Collins doesn't seem to be as good as advertised either.

 

[Tabascocat]

Collins doesn't seem to be as good as advertised either.

No he doesn't but there is a bigger fish to fry on that line first

 

[Gameover]

They were better at run blocking when Callahan was here, slowly declining now but I attribute most of that to Free.....he is terrible.

free's problem is pass blocking though.

 

[Gameover]

I think Troy just has the wrong opinion. I wonder what type of shape is Leary in. They fell in love with Collins, maybe it's time to give Leary a look and move Green to Right Tackle.

 

[Tabascocat]

free's problem is pass blocking though.

Most definitely but it doesn't change the fact that he sucks

I read some article about how they changed the running game to comply with Free. The usual lanes were changed a bit so Free had to do minimal run blocking to hide his inability. Don't know how true that was but I believe it.

In short, Free is just worse in run blocking but still not effective in run blocking as he should be.

 

[cowboyfan4life2]

I think Troy just has the wrong opinion. I wonder what type of shape is Leary in. They fell in love with Collins, maybe it's time to give Leary a look and move Green to Right Tackle.

I would be fine with that, I believe the thinking with Collins is they think he was a first round talent, so they are going to give him every chance to play.

 

[Redball Express]

They were better at run blocking when Callahan was here, slowly declining now but I attribute most of that to Free.....he is terrible.

You are right.

I don't think this OL coach we have is really very good.

As good as the players maybe look on paper,

we are getting a lot of holding calls and false starts..

Witten had a couple for sure, too.

Not sure how you fix that.

 

[LocimusPrime]

It takes our line longer to " gel" and our rookie running back longer to get " in the groove of things " and our 70 million dollar WR more time to get his " timing" down. Meanwhile Jimmy Girrapalo takes his team on the road and wins. The Giants Dline who was just assembled this summer w the additions of Vernon and Damon gelled quickly enough to stop our running attack. Newly added J Jenkins did a wonderful job on Dez Roc Nation Bryant

 

[Redball Express]

I think they haven't gelled yet. Not only that it was a division game. Remember in 2014 when we ran at will eagles did the same thing. It's a division thing. I'm not worried about the OL.......Free was worst, JPP was giving him fits. Gave up the inside move almost every time

The Jints outcoached us on defense.

Period.

 

[KJJ]

During the telecast I heard Buck and Troy talking about the OL and believe I heard Troy say they were better at pass blocking than run blocking.

I stopped and had to think about that.

If our offense is going to dominate running the ball with all our backs in order to win..

How is that going to work?

Is Troy correct?

What do you guys think?

I heard Troy say that and he's living in the moment based on what he saw yesterday from the OL. Dak wasn't sacked once and our running game wasn't consistent. Zeke was stuffed practically every time he touched the ball. Our OL built it's reputation as the best OL in the league in 2014 blocking for Murray. It was Murray's 1800+ yards that had FANS here comparing it to the Great Wall of Dallas. Our pass protection was in question that season due to Romo's 29 sacks in 15 games. Someone posted an OL ranking last year that had the Cowboys OL #1 in run blocking and #5 in pass protection. Free is a weak link in pass protection due to his inability to handle an edge rush.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Replace Free with Green ASAP. He can't be any worse can he?

 

[CCBoy]

At this point, with Doug Free at right tackle a selection of better at run/pass is difficult.

 

[CCBoy]

You are right.

I don't think this OL coach we have is really very good.

As good as the players maybe look on paper,

we are getting a lot of holding calls and false starts..

Witten had a couple for sure, too.

Not sure how you fix that.

Hopefully, game legs will arrive shortly. The giants had large and mobile defensive linemen.

 

[imjunsul]

Maybe the Giants D-line was that much better again.. Cowboys always seem to disappoint in the worst way possible.. Why can't we lose like other teams.

 

[TwentyOne]

They were better at run blocking when Callahan was here, slowly declining now but I attribute most of that to Free.....he is terrible.

I was afraid of what you stated when Callahan left. Alot of people talked about it. I saw a decline in run blocking last year but i hoped its just me. But this first game demonstrated the same.

To me this OL never was a line who could dominate people one on one. They have power but are more of tequniqe quick OL who can dominate with clever blocking schemes. Frees decline clould also be a factor of Callahans departure.

But i do think nobody could have held Callahan. He was disgrundled because he wasnt named OC. And to be honest from what i saw he wasn't very good at it. He wanted out. In the end you can't have everthing even if your name is JJ.

Anyways this OL is very good. Zeke needs to learn the playbook and stop dancing around. He does not have the abiltity to do this. He should stick to what he is best at. One cut and hit the hole hard. He clearly wasnt prepared. At first sight he reminded me of Emmit. But as i have to admit his style is much different. He looks for contact where Emmit (most of the time) looked for the small spot he could fit thru. And he trys to be like Barry Sanders where he clearly lacks the physical ability.

I never was a fan of that pick anyway. he is not even close to the class of Todd Gurley even not in the range of Melvin Gordon. He is "just" good at everything. But i am willing to give him some time. I hope he will change his approach. I did not like how he handled the offseason.

On the bright side: Our OL looks much imporved in pass blocking compared to 2014.