Is the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line still elite?

[zekecowboy]

There were, of course, questions. The offensive line was the only unit on offense to experienceturnover, with two of the five positions featuring new faces. One of the new faces was a relatively known entity; third-year player La’el Collins would be replacing the retired Doug Free. Collins was considered a first-round talent in acquired in 2015 but injuries and an inability to displace LG Ronald Leary had prevented him from establishing an identity in the NFL. The fact he was moving from guard to right tackle further complicated the situation.

The left guard position would be an even bigger unknown. A motley group consisting of a failed former high draft pick (Jonathan Cooper), an ever-injured in-house draftee (Chaz Green) and low-pedigreed journeyman (Byron Bell) would compete for the position. Cooper looked to be the likely winner when Green was predictably injured in training camp. The coaching staff, however, chose to go with Green once he recovered.

We’re now three games (19%) in the season and the reality is the running game has been

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...rs-dallas-cowboys-ezekiel-elliott-tyron-smith

 

[Tabascocat]

First three weeks against stiff defenses and two new linemen. There is not enough there to make that determination. Of course they are not on par with last season but I need to see about 5 or 6 more games to fairly judge them.

 

[TheDuke]

Maybe I'm wrong but I think most would agree that we may not be as 'elite' as we were last year along the o-line but still right around the top compared to lines around the league.
I've pretty much accepted that Green or Cooper is not the answer at LG and there is a real possibility that Collins moves back to LG and we draft a RT next year.

 

[Supercowboy1986]

As long as the team keeps winning games I could care less if the offensive line is considered "elite" or not

 

[xwalker]

There were, of course, questions. The offensive line was the only unit on offense to experienceturnover, with two of the five positions featuring new faces. One of the new faces was a relatively known entity; third-year player La’el Collins would be replacing the retired Doug Free. Collins was considered a first-round talent in acquired in 2015 but injuries and an inability to displace LG Ronald Leary had prevented him from establishing an identity in the NFL. The fact he was moving from guard to right tackle further complicated the situation.

The left guard position would be an even bigger unknown. A motley group consisting of a failed former high draft pick (Jonathan Cooper), an ever-injured in-house draftee (Chaz Green) and low-pedigreed journeyman (Byron Bell) would compete for the position. Cooper looked to be the likely winner when Green was predictably injured in training camp. The coaching staff, however, chose to go with Green once he recovered.

We’re now three games (19%) in the season and the reality is the running game has been

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...rs-dallas-cowboys-ezekiel-elliott-tyron-smith

They've been good in Pass Protection. They've been a little out of sync in the running game both with themselves and with Zeke. The run play calling got back to more outside zone against AZ which helped.

Physically I have not seen a problem. It's all about timing and angles. Collins and Green can both do the job physically. They just need to work on timing and angles. You can blow up a DL but if push him to the wrong location then the run play still doesn't work.

 

[CowboyStar88]

The line right now misses Leary's nastiness IMO and Doug Free's experience

 

[percyhoward]

The "still" in the title is misleading because this is a different OL. And it's early, but obviously this line hasn't been nearly as effective as last year's line.

 

[cityochamps]

Jury is still out on whether they are trending down, but yes as of now they are one of the top 2 maybe 3 in the league I'd say that's elite

 

[Kaiser]

First three weeks against stiff defenses and two new linemen. There is not enough there to make that determination. Of course they are not on par with last season but I need to see about 5 or 6 more games to fairly judge them.

I'm going to start posting this in a bunch of threads, my prediction for Monday is a ton of sportswriters saying the Cowboys didn't play a lot of preseason and the first 10 quarters of the season were basically the preseason for this team. And now that they have the reps today, they are rolling. That's my prediction for Monday.

Great profile picture BTW.

 

[TheDuke]

I'm going to start posting this in a bunch of threads, my prediction for Monday is a ton of sportswriters saying the Cowboys didn't play a lot of preseason and the first 10 quarters of the season were basically the preseason for this team. And now that they have the reps today, they are rolling. That's my prediction for Monday.

Great profile picture BTW.

I like where you're going with that. You might be on to something. Maybe because the sportwriters are so predictable. In this case they could be right themselves. It does take time for an oline to get rolling. Garrett has said himself many times that the best reps for an olinemen are real game situations.

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Yep.

 

[TheFinisher]

They've been good in Pass Protection. They've been a little out of sync in the running game both with themselves and with Zeke. The run play calling got back to more outside zone against AZ which helped.

Physically I have not seen a problem. It's all about timing and angles. Collins and Green can both do the job physically. They just need to work on timing and angles. You can blow up a DL but if push him to the wrong location then the run play still doesn't work.

It doesn't help that Witten and our TEs have been getting their ***** kicked in the run game. That's been the larger problem IMO.

 

[xwalker]

It doesn't help that Witten and our TEs have been getting their ***** kicked in the run game. That's been the larger problem IMO.

Witten's decline has been more obvious in his blocking than receiving, IMO.

 

[DallasDomination]

Collins is a lg for sure.. If we draft a legit right tackle this oline could be the best we've had since the 90s .

Right now we have 2 question marks on a weekly basis. Maybe they get better maybe not.

 

[duro420]

Collins is a lg for sure.. If we draft a legit right tackle this oline could be the best we've had since the 90s .

Right now we have 2 question marks on a weekly basis. Maybe they get better maybe not.

It would be wise to give this set two games at the least to become more familiar with one another's play and tendencies. Last year's set of lineman had the benefit of a few years of practicing and performing in games. It cannot be understated how important it is for lineman to have stability on their right or left or both. Sure new pieces can be added while still having success(titans oline after adding RT jack conklin) but their effectiveness increases more so with established starters and playing time. That titans line will be even more formidable in the coming future imho. Patience will pay off for us, well with 3 blue chips and another potential one in the making in La'el. Collins impressed me greatly vs den's miller- no idea what you Collins bashers were watching. Of course the levee broke eventually but that will happen against a special player like miller.

 

[Tabascocat]

Witten's decline has been more obvious in his blocking than receiving, IMO.

It is getting pretty bad. At least we did not see a false start from him last week

I love Witten but it will be exciting when the day comes to get a guy like Gronk or whoever not named Hanna, Swaim, etc.

 

[xwalker]

It is getting pretty bad. At least we did not see a false start from him last week

I love Witten but it will be exciting when the day comes to get a guy like Gronk or whoever not named Hanna, Swaim, etc.

Rico...

 

[Vinnie2u]

2-1 Don’t care if the Oline is not Elite. Don’t care if Zeke is Fat and Lost a step. Don’t care if Dez is not Dez. Just win baby.

 

[Redball Express]

There were, of course, questions. The offensive line was the only unit on offense to experienceturnover, with two of the five positions featuring new faces. One of the new faces was a relatively known entity; third-year player La’el Collins would be replacing the retired Doug Free. Collins was considered a first-round talent in acquired in 2015 but injuries and an inability to displace LG Ronald Leary had prevented him from establishing an identity in the NFL. The fact he was moving from guard to right tackle further complicated the situation.

The left guard position would be an even bigger unknown. A motley group consisting of a failed former high draft pick (Jonathan Cooper), an ever-injured in-house draftee (Chaz Green) and low-pedigreed journeyman (Byron Bell) would compete for the position. Cooper looked to be the likely winner when Green was predictably injured in training camp. The coaching staff, however, chose to go with Green once he recovered.

We’re now three games (19%) in the season and the reality is the running game has been

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/201...rs-dallas-cowboys-ezekiel-elliott-tyron-smith

I don't see much difference b/w last year and now.

Teams have had a good look at our OL and schemes for years now.

Its about Linehan..

he is one darned sharp dude..

listen to his interviews..

he is anything if not a winner.

You can tell his offensive players love him.

He protects the OL with his playcalls and then knows when to call out the dogs on you.

And our OL reminds me of a pack of wild dogs on the hunt at times..

You can run from them..

but they will find you.

 

[Tabascocat]

Rico...

I sure hope he is the answer.......