I'm not sure if the OL is so bad (or how long it has been) when I consider the fact that we've hardly had a RB threat since Romo first stepped on the field.
Barber did have a great year and that is the year that we went 13-3 but our defense folded and Crayton dropped the pass that could have won us the game.
Now, when Murray steps on the field the D must respect the run and LBs freeze just long enough to get a couple of extra seconds in the passing game. Just his threat adds a few precious seconds and that's why it seemed like the line improved towards the end of the season...it's when a real threat returned to the run game...what does that say about Felix, JJ's pet cat?
Every time the team has had a real threat at RB on the field, the line looks better because the D cannot just t-off vs the passing game, and that is key.
That's what I see, but I know this line as constituted needs upgrades at G, C and RT, and players returning from injury won't be the fix, we need real mid-level pros (can't have all pro's at all positions can we?) and that takes decades and every day evaluation of every NFL prospect and player to find the right players for the Cowboys system.
How can that happen when the GM has a billion dollar company and a billion dollar football team to run as well? When our GM is running companies and going to strip clubs guys like Ozzie Newsome and Trent Baalke are pouring over data to find the right personnel and minimize risks in the draft and free agency.
This article confirms what I (and probably most here) already knew, Romo makes the line look infinitely more effective than it is...add a real running threat and the mask further hides an OL built without the eye of a real pro GM, driving us into continuous salary cap hell.
/rant
