Lack of depth

[Rockport]

Sure did show last night. The play of both the offensive and defensive lines last night was nothing short of horrible. It's almost as if the team told the players not to play. The Texans out physicaled them from start to finish. I pray that we don't have many injuries this year because our depth on the lines is just plain bad. If we stay healthy, we have a chance, but any more injuries and Dandy Don can start singing his song.

 

[Denim Chicken]

It sure looks that way when all the backups play together, but in reality when one or two backups are inserted with that starters because of injury the drop-off is less significant.

 

[Doomsday101]

Sure did show last night. The play of both the offensive and defensive lines last night was nothing short of horrible. It's almost as if the team told the players not to play. The Texans out physicaled them from start to finish. I pray that we don't have many injuries this year because our depth on the lines is just plain bad. If we stay healthy, we have a chance, but any more injuries and Dandy Don can start singing his song.

As a whole your right but the last game was more about individuals than team. There were some guys who did well and others who can look forward to a career outside of football.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

Garrett admitted as much in his press conference........ But Jerry says we are in better shape along the OL as ever and DL is a position of strength. Stephen has the "special sauce," to get us there. Don't ever question a 70 year old man with the brain of a 40 year old. SMH

 

[Rockport]

I was embarrassed by the play last night especially of the offensive and defensive lines. That performance was pathetic.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

I was embarrassed by the play last night especially of the offensive and defensive lines. That performance was pathetic.

the sad part is that that some of these OL, will make the team. There are people on here who still want Arkin on the team, and even a starter. He was totally dominated by future grocery sackers, and shelf stockers.

 

[Stash]

Churn baby churn!

 

[Stash]

the sad part is that that some of these OL, will make the team. There are people on here who still want Arkin on the team, and even a starter. He was totally dominated by future grocery sackers, and shelf stockers.

And those same folks who stuck by him and refused to admit that the guy can't play.

And when he's cut, we'll get some shoulder shrugs, 'oh well's', and 'time to move on's' like we usually do.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

Provided they're actually rolling with the Smith, Leary, Fred, Free and Parnell lineup, Bernadeau and Livings offer decent depth in the interior, especially Bernadeau who can play center. In fact, I would make him backup center right now.

I don't see a reason to hold on to Costa, Kowalski, or Arkin at this point. They've had enough time to show they can play, and they can't. They were projects when they came in, and you can find a new project anywhere.

Tackle is where they have absolutely nothing past the starters. That's where they should be going over the waiver wire with a fine tooth comb.

 

[Rockport]

Provided they're actually rolling with the Smith, Leary, Fred, Free and Parnell lineup, Bernadeau and Livings offer decent depth in the interior, especially Bernadeau who can play center. In fact, I would make him backup center right now.

I don't see a reason to hold on to Costa, Kowalski, or Arkin at this point. They've had enough time to show they can play, and they can't. They were projects when they came in, and you can find a new project anywhere.

Tackle is where they have absolutely nothing past the starters. That's where they should be going over the waiver wire with a fine tooth comb.

Spot on. We need the injury Gods to smile on us this year for sure.

 

[Future]

It sure looks that way when all the backups play together, but in reality when one or two backups are inserted with that starters because of injury the drop-off is less significant.

Agreed. If someone like Ware or Spencer is out long term, we might be in trouble, but our depth is ok as long as we dont have all the same injuries as last year.

One thing that is going to help with depth, at least on defense, is that we are running a far simpler scheme. It will be a lot easier to plug and play this year than it was last year.

 

[dcstands4]

Sure did show last night. The play of both the offensive and defensive lines last night was nothing short of horrible. It's almost as if the team told the players not to play. The Texans out physicaled them from start to finish. I pray that we don't have many injuries this year because our depth on the lines is just plain bad. If we stay healthy, we have a chance, but any more injuries and Dandy Don can start singing his song.

we knew this from last year

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Last night's game was strange. It seemed the players were intentionally put in dificult situations, not the best situation to suceed. It was like the Cowboys wanted to see a few individual matchups and several players under duress. That last drive Tanney was being tested to see how he would do when the odds were stacked against him. They gave him bad play calls to go along with a jailbreak rush. I think it was more a mental evaluation than wanting to see anything on the field. Let's speed the game up and see where Tanney's decision-making skills are right now. And I thought he did pretty well all things considered. He did throw a beautiful TD pass which Benford dropped.

 

[Idgit]

And those same folks who stuck by him and refused to admit that the guy can't play.

And when he's cut, we'll get some shoulder shrugs, 'oh well's', and 'time to move on's' like we usually do.

There haven't been a ton of Arkin-supporters on this board the last few years. I've never been a huge fan, but I understand people perking up when he showed something finally here this camp.

But the reaction you mention above is, in my opinion, completely appropriate. Hope for the best for the guy, try to be honest about his play, and if he's demoted or cut, shrug and move on to hoping for the best for the next Dallas Cowboy.

Phil Costa's a great example of that. One of the most unfairly derided players on the squad the last two seasons. I've defended the guy in countless threads. Frederick comes in, clearly outplays him, and Costa's demoted. As he should be. I suggested earlier (before we lost the couple OGs to injury) that we might even be in a position of trying to dangle him in a trade with Denver for a low pick next year a'la Ryan Cook. It's nothing personal. Just support the guys who are here while looking to upgrade the team.

 

[Idgit]

Last night's game was strange. It seemed the players were intentionally put in dificult situations, not the best situation to suceed. It was like the Cowboys wanted to see a few individual matchups and several players under duress. That last drive Tanney was being tested to see how he would do when the odds were stacked against him. They gave him bad play calls to go along with a jailbreak rush. I think it was more a mental evaluation than wanting to see anything on the field. Let's speed the game up and see where Tanney's decision-making skills are right now. And I thought he did pretty well all things considered. He did throw a beautiful TD pass which Benford dropped.

That thought--and it's sort of a weird conspiracy-theory thought, I admit--crossed my mind on that 3rd and 2 in the first quarter where they ran the ball. It's just one play, and you can't read into it, but you didn't need to see your RB in that situation. That had passing-down test for Tanney written all over it, and they elected to run the ball, instead. In the regular season, I'd think nothing of it, but in a preseason game where you're trying to evaluate a specific player, and on a down and distance that's obviously going to get some consideration from the play caller, it was an odd decision.

 

[Doomsday101]

That thought--and it's sort of a weird conspiracy-theory thought, I admit--crossed my mind on that 3rd and 2 in the first quarter where they ran the ball. It's just one play, and you can't read into it, but you didn't need to see your RB in that situation. That had passing-down test for Tanney written all over it, and they elected to run the ball, instead. In the regular season, I'd think nothing of it, but in a preseason game where you're trying to evaluate a specific player, and on a down and distance that's obviously going to get some consideration from the play caller, it was an odd decision.

I agree. I think many things were done to get a view on an indiviudal player not so much about winning. Even defense I can't recall Dallas blitzing at all on the evening everything was pretty much base

 

[Stash]

There haven't been a ton of Arkin-supporters on this board the last few years. I've never been a huge fan, but I understand people perking up when he showed something finally here this camp.

But the reaction you mention above is, in my opinion, completely appropriate. Hope for the best for the guy, try to be honest about his play, and if he's demoted or cut, shrug and move on to hoping for the best for the next Dallas Cowboy.

Phil Costa's a great example of that. One of the most unfairly derided players on the squad the last two seasons. I've defended the guy in countless threads. Frederick comes in, clearly outplays him, and Costa's demoted. As he should be. I suggested earlier (before we lost the couple OGs to injury) that we might even be in a position of trying to dangle him in a trade with Denver for a low pick next year a'la Ryan Cook. It's nothing personal. Just support the guys who are here while looking to upgrade the team.

I guess I have a differing view.

I get frustrated when this team stubbornly hols onto guys that a couch scout like me can see can't play.

And they have been doing it for years.

You drafted him, missed again, move on.

But they're only fooling themselves when they draw these things out.

 

[Zordon]

Garrett admitted as much in his press conference........ But Jerry says we are in better shape along the OL as ever and DL is a position of strength. Stephen has the "special sauce," to get us there. Don't ever question a 70 year old man with the brain of a 40 year old. SMH

LOL i'm in tears from laughter..


...or maybe it's sadness.

 

[Idgit]

I guess I have a differing view.

I get frustrated when this team stubbornly hols onto guys that a couch scout like me can see can't play.

And they have been doing it for years.

You drafted him, missed again, move on.

But they're only fooling themselves when they draw these things out.

Ah, if you're talking about the team, then I see where you were coming from. I thought you were talking about the average fan's tendency to lock onto guys and hope they develop.

The team makes some odd decisions with personnnel. Arkin was one of them. I've never seen anything there (until this camp, and it's too late now) worth dedicating a roster spot to. For me, I'd say the same thing about Kyle Wilbur. I'd have kept Wilbur last season, to be sure, but at this point, he's getting outplayed by street players. Whatever's there is not worth the roster spot to develop. I'd move on now, but I don't think that's what ends up happening.

 

[Stash]

Ah, if you're talking about the team, then I see where you were coming from. I thought you were talking about the average fan's tendency to lock onto guys and hope they develop.

The team makes some odd decisions with personnnel. Arkin was one of them. I've never seen anything there (until this camp, and it's too late now) worth dedicating a roster spot to. For me, I'd say the same thing about Kyle Wilbur. I'd have kept Wilbur last season, to be sure, but at this point, he's getting outplayed by street players. Whatever's there is not worth the roster spot to develop. I'd move on now, but I don't think that's what ends up happening.

I would call Rob Ryan and the Saints to see if i can get a pick for Wilbur, otherwise, I think the scheme change has done him in as I see nothing to make me want to keep him around.