MMQB - Scouting Dallas: The NFL’s Best Offensive Line

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I'm surprised Doug Free detractors aren't all over this.

Likely because his issues have been in pass protection and not run blocking. He is one of the better mobile run blockers in the league.

That doesn't mean he doesn't struggle with speed to power inside out and outside in moves. used to get really bad early in his career when he would cross his feet and otherwise get sloppy with his technique. Get inside his reach and you can still rock him. I do think his punch to recover is better this year than it has been in the past.

 

[gimmesix]

That was what I would have expected to cause a ruckus.

Free has his flaws, but his game is more appreciated around the league than it is by Cowboys fans.

We want him to be Smith, Frederick or Collins, but not many starting linemen are on that level. When Free is looked at in light of other right tackles in the league, he compares much more favorably.

 

[gimmesix]

Likely because his issues have been in pass protection and not run blocking. He is one of the better mobile run blockers in the league.

That doesn't mean he doesn't struggle with speed to power inside out and outside in moves. used to get really bad early in his career when he would cross his feet and otherwise get sloppy with his technique. Get inside his reach and you can still rock him. I do think his punch to recover is better this year than it has been in the past.

Yes, when his technique got sloppy, his game got ugly and that seems to be where some fans think he still is.

I agree that those are his areas of struggle ... and fans are continue to shout for him to be cut every time he can't handle it or he false starts or holds or breathes.

 

[Nova]

I appreciate the accolade, but it seems this guy didn't know two things.

1. The struggles were because McFadden took us out of our normal scheme and had us in a PBS more often than ZBS.

2. We took a RB with the 4th overall pick because he was not only the best pick, but because he could allow out OL to continue to do what it is best at (see point 1).

 

[Nova]

And yeah this year we're better.

I usually try not to hype our guys, but La'el Collins could be right.

The 2016 Cowboys could have the best line in NFL history.

Come at me historians.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Yes, when his technique got sloppy, his game got ugly and that seems to be where some fans think he still is.

I agree that those are his areas of struggle ... and fans are continue to shout for him to be cut every time he can't handle it or he false starts or holds or breathes.

I just watched Avril get inside his hands, stand him up, throw him backwards and hit the QB hard last week. How about you address people that actually make the claims about his foot work as opposed to painting that brush so broad.

There is a very rational basis for skepticism towards Free's pass blocking and it makes sense to want to improve the team. People that ask for cuts with no sense of a solution/replacement are not worth the time wasted on them,

 

[Maxmadden]

Bet this guy also couldn't comprehend why the vikes drafted moss or why the pats later signed him. "Both teams had great quarterback so why in the world would they need a good receiver??"

If we had went with cast off RB's we would have been good, but we would have always wondered what could have been with the best OL in football. At least now, we will know.

The rebuilt motor in my truck runs awesome with the two barrel carburetor but I just have to know what it will do with a 4 barrel. If I want to maximize performance, I supercharge it.

 

[nathanlt]

And that's before Collins.

Dak "likes" this.

 

[gimmesix]

I just watched Avril get inside his hands, stand him up, throw him backwards and hit the QB hard last week. How about you address people that actually make the claims about his foot work as opposed to painting that brush so broad.

There is a very rational basis for skepticism towards Free's pass blocking and it makes sense to want to improve the team. People that ask for cuts with no sense of a solution/replacement are not worth the time wasted on them,

I think you took me wrong. I wasn't saying you were one of those fans. I was saying that's what many do.

I saw the same thing you did with Avril. I don't consider Free to be above reproach, and he definitely deserves some of the criticism he receives.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I think you took me wrong. I wasn't saying you were one of those fans. I was saying that's what many do.

I saw the same thing you did with Avril. I don't consider Free to be above reproach, and he definitely deserves some of the criticism he receives.

I am one of those fans. You called us out. Difference is we aren't saying much because there is no alternative. I wanted Parnell, Martin, and Collins to replace him. Leary is a better guard than Free is a tackle in my book. Now it is what it is. I don't know why you want to resurrect that dispute.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

"This in mind, it makes you wonder why the Cowboys would spend the No. 4 overall draft pick on a running back."

*sigh*

 

[bh32]

And yeah this year we're better.

I usually try not to hype our guys, but La'el Collins could be right.

The 2016 Cowboys could have the best line in NFL history.

Come at me historians.

1991 Commanders had the best OL ever only gave up 7 sacks with over 14yrds an attempt passing and produced over 2000yrds rushing..

 

[Yakuza Rich]

It's the best run OL in the league, not the best OL.

I disagree. Look at the pressures per attempt and then look at how long the QB's hold onto the ball on this team.

People forget that the O-Line got off to a bit of a bump start because Leary got hurt and they tried to replace him with Bernardeau and then turned to Collins and the O-Line improved greatly.

Then we had Witten's arguably worst season blocking due to being hampered with injuries. And Hanna was hurt as well.

Not to mention no Dez and no Romo.

And yet McFadden, who was a 1-dimensional inside zone runner, still had 4.6 ypc and only AP was running the ball better when DMC was named starter and they dropped that ham-n-egger Randle.





YR

 

[gimmesix]

I am one of those fans. You called us out. Difference is we aren't saying much because there is no alternative. I wanted Parnell, Martin, and Collins to replace him. Leary is a better guard than Free is a tackle in my book. Now it is what it is. I don't know why you want to resurrect that dispute.

So you're one of those fans with an irrational hatred for Free that blinds you to him being a good tackle? OK.

 

[BAT]

Bet this guy also couldn't comprehend why the vikes drafted moss or why the pats later signed him. "Both teams had great quarterback so why in the world would they need a good receiver??"

This is eerily close to how Jerry approached the draft after Jimmy left. He thought he was drafting back ups.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

That's their opinion. Our starting QB has gone down now 3 times inside of a year.

How can anyone rate this OL the best at pass blocking with "which way did he go" Free? They even mentioned run blocking, which he is much better at.

Simple...we give up far less pressures per attempt than the rest of the league. And our offense is designed to have the QB hold the ball longer.

Romo got injured against the Eagles on a player where he caught the Eagles in a bad defense and was trying to get the ball off to take advantage in an empty backfield.

He then got injured against the Panthers on a poor block by DMC. And then got hurt against the Seahawks on a play that had nothing to do with the O-Line.

Free really hasn't been a problem in the past 3 seasons. I won't confuse him with Anthony Munoz anytime soon, but find me another O-Line that comes nearly as close in their pressures per pass attempt and has a QB that holds onto the ball as long as we do.







YR

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

So you're one of those fans with an irrational hatred for Free that blinds you to him being a good tackle? OK.

Nice strawman. I have been critical of Free for rational reasons I pointed out. Hate is a pretty strong word obviously used to characterize to dismiss an opposing view. I want to improve the weak spots on the team and while there are bigger fish to fry on defense, it is between TWill and Free as who who is the weakest link on offense.

Good is a qualitative generalization. He is not 'good' in pass protection in my view because he is susceptible to bull rushes and speed to power moves which are typically the bread and butter of SDE.

 

[Nova]

1991 Commanders had the best OL ever only gave up 7 sacks with over 14yrds an attempt passing and produced over 2000yrds rushing..

Well guess whose giving up 6 sacks and rushing 2100 yards?

THE 2016 DALLAS COWBOYS

Jk

 

[Cover 2]

Because that's not you measure pass blocking effectiveness. If I have a quarterback who likes to hold on to the football, I'm going to see more injuries. There are other variables at play here.

Not to mention, pass protection relies on more than just the offensive line. Tight ends and runningbacks/fullbacks play a role as well.

 

[perrykemp]

Well guess whose giving up 6 sacks and rushing 2100 yards?

THE 2016 DALLAS COWBOYS

Jk

91 Commanders line was the best I've ever seen for a single year.

Rypien seemingly would take 7, 9, and 50 step drops on every pass and he was never touched. They were just an unbelievable that single season.