Let's Talk O-line

[TwoDeep3]

How about we do this.

Move a freakin tight end over and help Free.

Leave Martin where he is and allow the line to come together and work as a one.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

This is from 2012--average of ten highest paid at position:

10 highest-paid players at each position:

Avg. Salary Years Total Money
Left Tackle $8.1 million 6 $46.2 million
Left Guard $6.1 million 6 $34 million
R. Guard $5.4 million 6 $29.9 million
Center $5.0 million 5 $26 million
R.Tackle $5.0 million 4 $22.2 million

Source: http://sturminator.blogspot.com/2012/02/is-doug-free-being-paid-too-much-to.html

EDIT: Apologize for not knowing how to line up the table correctly. At any rate, although left tackles get paid more, right tackles do not.

Nice find. A little surprised to see center so low on the list and definitely surprised to see RT at the bottom. If I would have had to guess I would have said:

LT
RT
C
LG
RG

 

[Oh_Canada]

Then R.I.P., Romo.

You can't make personnel decisions based on a frail QB. Martin is made to be a guard and will be an elite one for years to come. The better idea would be to find Romo and Free's replacement while leaving Martin where he is.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Just so I understand. Its your opinion that an above average tackle is more valuable than Larry Allen was?

If Martin is Larry Allen...by all means leave him at guard.

 

[RS12]

They didnt draft and pay Martin to be a RG long term

 

[Manster68]

They didnt draft and pay Martin to be a RG long term

I choose to differ on that. I say leave Martin at guard.

 

[Kaiser]

I would give Free two more games and then go to the rotation with Parnell that X mentioned above. I think Free is gone after this year, I would love to see Parnell establish himself this year as his replacement.

 

[Craig]

Have t they been using Witten to help out Free a ton?

 

[TwentyOne]

They didnt draft and pay Martin to be a RG long term

Do you have an insider giving you that information ?

 

[Craig]

I thought it was pretty openly said that they were easing him in at guard. I guess that could have changed though.

 

[ConstantReboot]

not so fast on drafting a tackle. the long term solution might be to move martin out to RT and draft a guard in the 2nd to 4th round. better chance of finding a good guard as opposed to a tackle. and if martin can take the role, then we got nice bookends.

Why would people want to do that? Martin is better as a guard than being a tackle. The best thing is to not fix whats broken and draft a reliable tackle.

 

[Vintage]

Nobody knows if he is better at tackle or guard. Until they see it.


As for what the Cowboys will do, who knows for sure? But considering they attempted to trade up for Trai Turner, it suggests they might view Martin as a tackle long term.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Parnell is a free agent next year also. I would not be surprised at the end of the year if Dallas didn't make them both the same offer and whoever takes it is the starting tackle going to camp. I would expect another tackle to be drafted.

 

[DandyDon1722]

Once again for the hundredth time - let's just go get a draft pick and start winning 10+ games a year. It's so easy even a caveman could do it. Just like we did Quincy - wait...what?

Look, I'm all for finding the next guy and If Romo isn't right - yes first two rounds. If he ends up being okay, hell to the no! You guys live in Disneyworld with these kind of statements. If Romo is okay the guy we can win 10+ wins is already in the huddle. He's gotten us to 8 without the help, let's see what he can do with a dominant offensive line and running game.

BTW- Mr. Toad's WIld Ride is vastly underrated. It's right across the street from It's A Small World (really it is) - check it out.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I thought it was pretty openly said that they were easing him in at guard. I guess that could have changed though.

Them trying desperately to trade back into the 3rd to draft a guard says a lot about what they think is Martin's ability to play RT

 

[Macnalty]

Two games into the season guys lets let some character development take place, I am thinking it is going to be a good story enjoy the journey.

 

[Fredd]

I wouldn't move Martin from G at all...first, he JUST started playing there, and second, it is working so far...I see the move kinda like if Dallas needed a TE (if Witten retired) and they moved Dez there...sure, Dez would play there, but he is best at WR

bad example, but just trying to make the point...leave martin where he is

 

[Bullflop]

I haven't yet given up hope that Free and Martin will eventually develop a chemistry working together and figure out a way to avoid the pressure. I'm considering the fact that Free did OK with Bernadeau last year working in that spot, so maybe it's simply a matter of time before they find a way to work in better sync together. If this difficulty with Free persists much longer, then I'll be much more likely to assume Free has, indeed, regressed.

 

[Boyz981]

I would love for the Cowboys to get this guy next year in the draft!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=DyIOlM_hCBM

 

[xwalker]

Them trying desperately to trade back into the 3rd to draft a guard says a lot about what they think is Martin's ability to play RT

Yes, it seems that way, but I also think they just really liked Trai Turner. He was a redshirt Sophomore and if he had waited a year to enter the draft he likely would have been a 1st round pick.

I think going into the draft that they thought they would get a defensive player in the 1st and really wanted to get a Guard in the 2nd/3rd and Trai Turner was probably their top choice. Once you spend time focused on a player and really like the player sometimes you want to get that player regardless of the situation. I think they really like Leary but you always have to be concerned about his knee long term.

It does seem that Martin's potential to play RT made him that much more valuable to them and made the pick easier to justify. Many reports are that they could have traded down to #26 or #27 for a 3rd. That would have been tempting because they could have gotten Lawrence with #27 and then kept their #2 and also gotten Trai Turner in the 3rd.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Trai Turner be about as good as Martin in time. I see him as similar talent but a about a year or so behind development wise.

Having said all of that, I think if they had the option to keep Martin at Guard that that would be the preference of the OL coaches.