It's rather sad to see a focus on building the O-line now.

[Red Dragon]

Don't get me wrong; offensive line was definitely an urgent priority and I'm glad the Cowboys have drafted offensive lineman three times in four recent drafts now.


But this focus on building a solid offensive line to protect Romo and aid the running game comes.............near the end of the Romo era. There won't be much time left remaining for Romo to enjoy the benefit of such a good offensive line, not at this diminishing point in his career.


This focus on drafting offensive linemen should have been done in 2008-2010, when the Romo era was still on the rise. Back then, a powerful offensive line could have propelled the Romo era to greater heights for half a decade or longer.


Now, this offensive line of Smith, Frederick, Martin, etc., will fully come into its prime........around the time Romo turns 35 or 36 years old.


Imagine if the 1990s Cowboys had only started to assemble a great offensive line for Aikman, Emmitt and Irvin.........around the year 1997 or 1998?

 

[rwalters31]

Don't get me wrong; offensive line was definitely an urgent priority and I'm glad the Cowboys have drafted offensive lineman three times in four recent drafts now.


But this focus on building a solid offensive line to protect Romo and aid the running game comes.............near the end of the Romo era. There won't be much time left remaining for Romo to enjoy the benefit of such a good offensive line, not at this diminishing point in his career.


This focus on drafting offensive linemen should have been done in 2008-2010, when the Romo era was still on the rise. Back then, a powerful offensive line could have propelled the Romo era to greater heights for half a decade or longer.


Now, this offensive line of Smith, Frederick, Martin, etc., will fully come into its prime........around the time Romo turns 35 or 36 years old.


Imagine if the 1990s Cowboys had only started to assemble a great offensive line for Aikman, Emmitt and Irvin.........around the year 1997 or 1998?

 

[rwalters31]

Don't get me wrong; offensive line was definitely an urgent priority and I'm glad the Cowboys have drafted offensive lineman three times in four recent drafts now.


But this focus on building a solid offensive line to protect Romo and aid the running game comes.............near the end of the Romo era. There won't be much time left remaining for Romo to enjoy the benefit of such a good offensive line, not at this diminishing point in his career.


This focus on drafting offensive linemen should have been done in 2008-2010, when the Romo era was still on the rise. Back then, a powerful offensive line could have propelled the Romo era to greater heights for half a decade or longer.


Now, this offensive line of Smith, Frederick, Martin, etc., will fully come into its prime........around the time Romo turns 35 or 36 years old.


Imagine if the 1990s Cowboys had only started to assemble a great offensive line for Aikman, Emmitt and Irvin.........around the year 1997 or 1998?

I agree with you 100%. I too like the pick but it is coming at the end of the careers of very good players (Romo). I am so surprised that Jerry past on the QB and this could mean that his days of picking the pretty shinny one is behind him.

We can only hope.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Oh well. The next QB will have these guys in the prime of their careers. So that will help a rookie QB transition into the NFL. At the very least, it will give our running game some needed muscle up front.

 

[OhSnap]

I know right? It's like when they do the right thing they do it at the wrong time. Why even bother.

 

[Nav22]

People thought Peyton was done after the neck issues. Brady's almost 37 and is still terrific. Rich Gannon won an MVP in his late 30s. Elway won a couple rings in his late 30s. Favre had possibly his best season ever at around age 40.

Barring injury (of course), Romo's nowhere close to done. He won't be taking much punishment behind this OL. Love the Martin pick.

 

[rags747]

This will most likely extend Romo's career into his late 30's. Unless Romo gets seriously injured I can see him playing at 38, hopefully these back surgeries do not take away from his arm strength. The big question is when and where do we find someone to groom behind him and will we have an opportunity to get a top notch QB in the draft, wont be easy unless we really tank.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Hindsight is 20/20. If we had drafted O-linemen before now, at what cost would it have been? Dez? Murray? Lee? You can't fix every problem at once. Even if the Cowboys had gone O-line more in prior drafts, half the fan base would've been whining that we're ignoring the skill positions. Until we see results on the field, every decision is a bad one even if it's a good one.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Oh well. The next QB will have these guys in the prime of their careers. So that will help a rookie QB transition into the NFL. At the very least, it will give our running game some needed muscle up front.

I agree the writing is on the wall. Build the trenches for our next young QB.

 

[Section446]

OL or not, this era wasn't going to produce a title. Thankfully, it's almost time for new blood.

 

[KB1122]

What do you mean? According to our coach, our quarterback is "very young." Tony "Very Young" Romo.

 

[KB1122]

This will most likely extend Romo's career into his late 30's. Unless Romo gets seriously injured I can see him playing at 38, hopefully these back surgeries do not take away from his arm strength. The big question is when and where do we find someone to groom behind him and will we have an opportunity to get a top notch QB in the draft, wont be easy unless we really tank.

Why would you want to extend his career into his late 30s?

 

[EST_1986]

We will have a pretty good offensive line while were in the search for a new QB after Romo hangs it up. I am not upset with the Martin pick in any way I just had my heart set on Manziel but the Martin pick was probably best for the team outside of a defensive guy.

 

[Fredd]

Am I missing something? We build the OL and protect your franchise QB; when he is gone, the OL is in their prime so bringing a youngen in will put him in the best possible position. would you want a rookie QB coming in and being chased on every play?

this was a solid, solid move...I am happy...there were no DL options available at our pick so taking anyone on defense would have been a reach...taking a guy that was not a reach tells me that the FO has learned from past mistakes and is building on a strength to make it stronger in the trenches....how many people have been clamoring for BPA? well, we took BPA

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

If Romo's successor comes sooner rather than later, he will have an experienced top notch line to play behind, and multiple weapons to get the ball to.
This was not a "Romo" pick. This was a value pick, with an understanding that both lines are important. Just like the offensive line was not fixed in one year, the defensive line will not be fixed in one year. They wanted to trade down, didn't, got the best available player. Now address the defensive line in days 2 & 3.
With a little luck, one of our or free agents will be solid, along with 2 or 3 prospects from this years draft...

This team cannot be fixed with one pick.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Why would you want to extend his career into his late 30s?

because he likes him, and hopes for the best.... look I don't pull out romo pom-poms like many... but at least respect that he hopes that romo can continue to play, and play well.
realistically health and the team direction will make that decision.

 

[ufcrules1]

He has had decent olines before. He has had his chances and choked them away. Romo just isn't as good as some of you think he was. His time is almost over. Still glad we are rebuilding the team the way we need to do it.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Some people will never be happy is what's sad.

The team committed financial resources to the position early in Romo's career and frankly they were a pretty good line for a few years with Gurode, Colombo, Leonard Davis etc., unfortunately injuries and age got to that group. It did take them a few years to rebuild the oline after that group fell apart as it would for most teams in that situation, but they seem to have righted the ship now and made some very shrewd moves/draft picks.

Frankly I don't think this team will win anything with Romo as QB regrdless of whose in front of him, the guy just doesn't strike me as much of a leader and makes far too many mistakes at key moments to win a Super Bowl. I think this team needs to spend a first rounder on a QB next year and whover that is will have a first rate line to protect him.

 

[Risen Star]

We can't do anything about that now. We can't change the past but there is life after Tony Romo. When the Cowboys do draft a QB that player will play behind a quality OL. In the meantime the Cowboys are protecting an aging Romo. Giving him every chance to stay upright and finish his career strong.

I don't know what is sad about that.

 

[Risen Star]

I don't know what the long term plan is for Martin. Does he stay at G or shift over to RT?