Last year's line "strength" was pass blocking Martin adds a mauler

[Parcells4Life]

With martin in the fold, even though the line which was much better last year than it had been, he gives us the ability to inflict our will on others if we choose to do so. Yes Murray had a good year but we all know that we couldn't get the yards we needed to at the end of games which Garrett talked about with teams stacking 8 in the box and not having confidence we could run past them.

As good as Garrett's been at building a roster I have to believe he knows how to use that talent and that's why he wouldn't run at the end of games because he didn't have confidence they could. Hopefully Martin changes that

 

[jterrell]

With martin in the fold, even though the line which was much better last year than it had been, he gives us the ability to inflict our will on others if we choose to do so. Yes Murray had a good year but we all know that we couldn't get the yards we needed to at the end of games which Garrett talked about with teams stacking 8 in the box and not having confidence we could run past them.

As good as Garrett's been at building a roster I have to believe he knows how to use that talent and that's why he wouldn't run at the end of games because he didn't have confidence they could. Hopefully Martin changes that

There is plenty there to cheer with Martin but the thought we all of a sudden become a different OL is simply not accurate.
The biggest win is that we won't drop off the face of the earth due to an injury now.
But make no mistake: Leary and Bern can run block. And Dallas can run the ball.
Part of the reason we didn't run more is wear and tear on Murray.
The young RBs were all banged up or ineffective.
Dallas ran well but not with volume.
A r5 through r7 RB is gonna help us more there than Martin.

But truly what will help our run game is a better defense.
You can't run the ball when the other team is scoring TDs every series and you are playing catch up.
Last year was about playing catch up most every game, all game.

 

[Parcells4Life]

There is plenty there to cheer with Martin but the thought we all of a sudden become a different OL is simply not accurate.
The biggest win is that we won't drop off the face of the earth due to an injury now.
But make no mistake: Leary and Bern can run block. And Dallas can run the ball.
Part of the reason we didn't run more is wear and tear on Murray.
The young RBs were all banged up or ineffective.
Dallas ran well but not with volume.
A r5 through r7 RB is gonna help us more there than Martin.

But truly what will help our run game is a better defense.
You can't run the ball when the other team is scoring TDs every series and you are playing catch up.
Last year was about playing catch up most every game, all game.

I would agree except for the last game of the season with a backup QB in a low scoring game we threw it 46 times and ran it 18. That's either terrible management of personnel or no confidence the line could sustain the run.

 

[jterrell]

I would agree except for the last game of the season with a backup QB in a low scoring game we threw it 46 times and ran it 18. That's either terrible management of personnel or no confidence the line could sustain the run.

The Eagles were stacking the box trying to force a back up QB to beat them.
Excellent strategy and one that worked when Orton threw the late pick.

Dallas was down by 7 at halftime.

That game was an outlier that Martin would likely not have changed.

With a healthy Romo they either eat another 100 yards passing or they play pass defense instead of run.

 

[KB1122]

Murray averaged 5 YPC last year. How much more is he going to average?

 

[jterrell]

Murray averaged 5 YPC last year. How much more is he going to average?

The problem was every other RB. Dunbar was also at 5.0 ypc but hurt most of the year.
Randle and Tanner were simply terrible and about 2.5YPC combined or half the Murray avg.

 

[xwalker]

There is plenty there to cheer with Martin but the thought we all of a sudden become a different OL is simply not accurate.
The biggest win is that we won't drop off the face of the earth due to an injury now.
But make no mistake: Leary and Bern can run block. And Dallas can run the ball.
Part of the reason we didn't run more is wear and tear on Murray.
The young RBs were all banged up or ineffective.
Dallas ran well but not with volume.
A r5 through r7 RB is gonna help us more there than Martin.

But truly what will help our run game is a better defense.
You can't run the ball when the other team is scoring TDs every series and you are playing catch up.
Last year was about playing catch up most every game, all game.

Yes, Martin is not going to be drastically different than Leary/Bern were at the end of the season. He is about depth and the future at OG and gives them an option at RT when Free is gone after 2014.

The Cowboys had Zero depth at OG. They had to at least find a guy was ready to play as a backup. That either meant drafting a starter in the 1st or a backup in the 2nd/3rd. Now they/ve gone from Zero backup OGs to Bern as a high quality backup OG/OC. You couldn't ask for a better backup OG/OC than Bern. He was really good by the end of the season which is the only time that he's been fully healthy since he's been here. His best game in 2012 was one where he played Center.
Martin is not a "mauler". He is a quality Zone Blocking Guard that can play OT if needed.

Edit: Ciscowski also says that Martin can play Center. That is always a big plus when a Guard can be the backup Center. That makes the Cowboys 3 deep at Center which is a rare luxury for an NFL team.

 

[jterrell]

Yes, Martin is not going to be drastically different than Leary/Bern were at the end of the season. He is about depth and the future at OG and gives them an option at RT when Free is gone after 2014.

The Cowboys had Zero depth at OG. They had to at least find a guy was ready to play as a backup. That either meant drafting a starter in the 1st or a backup in the 2nd/3rd. Now they/ve gone from Zero backup OGs to Bern as a high quality backup OG/OC. You couldn't ask for a better backup OG/OC than Bern. He was really good by the end of the season which is the only time that he's been fully healthy since he's been here. His best game in 2012 was one where he played Center.
Martin is not a "mauler". He is a quality Zone Blocking Guard that can play OT if needed.

my dream scenario was trade down and get an OG (Turner/Sankey) in round 3/4 with a bonus pick while taking a pass rusher late r1.
but yes, what you said is imho exactly right.
Bern if healthy is one of our top 5 OL but he's been healthy about 5 minutes over two seasons so back up is probably best spot for him.

 

[xwalker]

my dream scenario was trade down and get an OG (Turner/Sankey) in round 3/4 with a bonus pick while taking a pass rusher late r1.
but yes, what you said is imho exactly right.
Bern if healthy is one of our top 5 OL but he's been healthy about 5 minutes over two seasons so back up is probably best spot for him.

Yes, the Martin pick probably eliminates some of my top pets cats which were some of the 2nd/3rd/4th round OLinemen like Trai Turner.

 

[Idgit]

Another thing Martin would at least let us consider is dressing only 7 OLs on game day. With Frederick, Martin, Mack, Free, and Parnell, we at least have the option of going light on game days and adding another specialist or ST player we'd like to use.

 

[manster4ever]

The problem was every other RB. Dunbar was also at 5.0 ypc but hurt most of the year.
Randle and Tanner were simply terrible and about 2.5YPC combined or half the Murray avg.

We dont agree on Martin, but you have s legit point on RB depth..Murray is great when healthy and Dunbar has flashed in the pass game when HEALTHY...dunno about Randle but not impressed thus far in limited action: Tanner needs to go. I fully expect them to take a physical between the tackles type guy in 5th-7th rounds. Not alot of obvious options but this is where McClay can earn his money

 

[jnday]

Yes, Martin is not going to be drastically different than Leary/Bern were at the end of the season. He is about depth and the future at OG and gives them an option at RT when Free is gone after 2014.

The Cowboys had Zero depth at OG. They had to at least find a guy was ready to play as a backup. That either meant drafting a starter in the 1st or a backup in the 2nd/3rd. Now they/ve gone from Zero backup OGs to Bern as a high quality backup OG/OC. You couldn't ask for a better backup OG/OC than Bern. He was really good by the end of the season which is the only time that he's been fully healthy since he's been here. His best game in 2012 was one where he played Center.
Martin is not a "mauler". He is a quality Zone Blocking Guard that can play OT if needed.

Edit: Ciscowski also says that Martin can play Center. That is always a big plus when a Guard can be the backup Center. That makes the Cowboys 3 deep at Center which is a rare luxury for an NFL team.

I tend to agree with much of your post. I don't see Martin making a big difference in the number if wins in the coming season. He will provide another piece of quality , long term stability to the line. It will take two of three years for the young guys to gel at the pro level.

 

[50cent]

I don't remember one single game when the cowboys tried to run the clock out with Murray last season and failed. I do recall trying vs DET with Randle that was a colossal FAIL. MARTIN was a great choice at 16 with no DL player worth taking. He gives us nice young nucleus on the line. There is no reason now to not run Murray 20+ times a game and an avg of 25+ carries/GM, NONE!!

Berny can now add depth at C and G. I'd still like another G/T added after we get a speed rusher hopefully.

 

[jterrell]

Another thing Martin would at least let us consider is dressing only 7 OLs on game day. With Frederick, Martin, Mack, Free, and Parnell, we at least have the option of going light on game days and adding another specialist or ST player we'd like to use.

very true and something i think i listed in another thread as a big plus i take from his selection after reflection.

an extra slot on game day has very real value.

 

[Ashwynn]

Im not sure you can call anything we had last year a strength other than our kicking game, hoping with Martin on board the Oline becomes a strength.

 

[jterrell]

I don't remember one single game when the cowboys tried to run the clock out with Murray last season and failed. I do recall trying vs DET with Randle that was a colossal FAIL. MARTIN was a great choice at 16 with no DL player worth taking. He gives us nice young nucleus on the line. There is no reason now to not run Murray 20+ times a game and an avg of 25+ carries/GM, NONE!!

Berny can now add depth at C and G. I'd still like another G/T added after we get a speed rusher hopefully.

Murray isn't built for 25+ carry avg.
But at say 18 per game he needs a back up that can get you another 10 with little to no drop off.

You might stretch Murray put to 25 carries to win a playoff game but it would risk losing him to do so in the regular season.

 

[50cent]

Murray isn't built for 25+ carry avg.
But at say 18 per game he needs a back up that can get you another 10 with little to no drop off.

You might stretch Murray put to 25 carries to win a playoff game but it would risk losing him to do so in the regular season.

While I disagree that he isn't built for 25+, I only suggested that he get 20+ and the overall run game get 25+ per game.

 

[ghst187]

IMO we don't have a good short yardage back. That and I think our game management was largely bad. It was refreshing to see us able to pick up third and short by running the times we did it, which was lots more than recent years. Doing it CONSISTENTLY will be the difference and keep our horrid defense off of the field and keep Romo from throwing last minute INTs