More Focus On OL & Rushing, Please

[egn22]

Let me preface this by saying, I'm not an expert, don't pretend to be an expert, and don't want to portray myself as an expert.
I'm just a fan, thinking of ways we can gain advantage in the NFC east.

I keep hearing about our pass rush. Pass rush this, pass rush that, "effective pass rush..... Giants have JPP & Tuck, Eagles now have Ryans and Babin..."

It's no secret that our pass rush is lacking right now and the defense needs work. But I like the direction Jerry & Garrett are going in fortifying the O-Line. In my opinion this and the continued development of of Demarco & Felix will really be the key to slowing down some of the extremely talented defenses we're facing.

I'd like to see us draft DeCastro in the 1st ( i know you're shocked to hear that) but I'd also like to see us address the Center position, and eventually put together a completely dominant o-line with RB's that offer both power and speed, with a fullback that can deliver punishment as well.

These teams are not being shy about throwing everything plus the kitchen sink at Romo so why not wear them down with our big uglies, and keep them honest? We have quick RB's who are great pass catchers that can create the big play. Murray offers a little more imo w/ both power and vision.

Our defense is improving, but I think our offense can absolutely dominate if we work it right. Wear down defenses by pounding them, control the clock, and then let Romo do his thing. I know its a passing league, but bring old school, smash mouth back.

 

[InmanRoshi]

My goal is to lose the Giants in a potential NFC East clinching game 42-40 next year, instead of 37-34 we lost to them this year in Week 14. That will show improvement.

 

[egn22]

I doubt they'll throw up 42 on us with a severely limited time of posession.

 

[ufcrules1]

Ok.. our O-line was ranked #14 last year. Let's say we make it a top 5 Oline and we can score more points but our defense is still crappy and our pass rush is weak. Will that be enough for us to win it all? I don't think so. Now if your vision is to solidify the OLINE and make it elite and then focus on the DLINE in the next year or 2 and then have a chance to go all the way.. I'm with you.

I'm all aboard with Demarco and he will be a big part of our future here.. he is EXCELLENT and I love the way he runs the ball. He is also very smart. Felix on the other hand.. not so much. He has pretty much been a bust. I think we should have traded him for some defensive help. I'm tired of teams walking all over our defense.

 

[fortdick]

My goal is to lose the Giants in a potential NFC East clinching game 42-40 next year, instead of 37-34 we lost to them this year in Week 14. That will show improvement.

You really have become negative lately IR. I never expected you to go that way.

Our defense is already better with Connor and Carr. If they can save us 3-4 points a game, we improve our offense by 4-7 points a game by improving the OLine, then we wind up with at least 10 wins.

 

[cowboysooner]

Let me preface this by saying, I'm not an expert, don't pretend to be an expert, and don't want to portray myself as an expert.
I'm just a fan, thinking of ways we can gain advantage in the NFC east.

I keep hearing about our pass rush. Pass rush this, pass rush that, "effective pass rush..... Giants have JPP & Tuck, Eagles now have Ryans and Babin..."

It's no secret that our pass rush is lacking right now and the defense needs work. But I like the direction Jerry & Garrett are going in fortifying the O-Line. In my opinion this and the continued development of of Demarco & Felix will really be the key to slowing down some of the extremely talented defenses we're facing.

I'd like to see us draft DeCastro in the 1st ( i know you're shocked to hear that) but I'd also like to see us address the Center position, and eventually put together a completely dominant o-line with RB's that offer both power and speed, with a fullback that can deliver punishment as well.

These teams are not being shy about throwing everything plus the kitchen sink at Romo so why not wear them down with our big uglies, and keep them honest? We have quick RB's who are great pass catchers that can create the big play. Murray offers a little more imo w/ both power and vision.

Our defense is improving, but I think our offense can absolutely dominate if we work it right. Wear down defenses by pounding them, control the clock, and then let Romo do his thing. I know its a passing league, but bring old school, smash mouth back.

That is a Harbaugh squared/ Ryan model of winning. It can certainly be done but all those teams have dominating defenses and our pass catchers and quarterback are better than any of the 3.

If anything, I think we are closer to the Colt, Patriot, Saint, and Packer model, but as much as I love Romo I don't think he is quite on their level. I would say we are a couple of competent db's and a passrusher short of being the Giants and that's what we should shoot for.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I doubt they'll throw up 42 on us with a severely limited time of posession.

So when they jump up 17-3 in the 2nd quarter, we're going to keep running to speed the game up and put us out of misery faster?

Sounds good. I'll definitely take it over last year.

 

[InmanRoshi]

You really have become negative lately IR. I never expected you to go that way.

I'm just baffled that when we lose an NFC East clinching game 37-34 people say we need to fix the offense. We had two "starting" RBs last year, one puts up a 4.5 ypc and the other a 5.5 ypc, and the reason we didn't win games is because we didn't run the ball?


I'm tired of watching Romo get blamed for "choking" in December games in which he puts up 140 QB performances because our defense can't hold an opponent under 37 points. I'm tired of watching Ware practically crawling on the ground from fatigue late in the 4th quarter because he can never, ever, ever get a breather on the sideline at any point in the game, as Eli Manning stands in the pocket for 8 seconds and picks apart our defense for an easy 4th quarter win, and then everyone is claimiing it's Romo's fault because he over threw one pass and/or Miles Austin lost it in the lights.

 

[dwmyers]

The thing that correlates with winning isn't rushing yards or a commitment to the run, but rather, run success rate. I'd rather us pass more than run. That said, being more successful on 3rd and 1 can only improve this team.

D-

 

[egn22]

Ok.. our O-line was ranked #14 last year. Let's say we make it a top 5 Oline and we can score more points but our defense is still crappy and our pass rush is weak. Will that be enough for us to win it all? I don't think so. Now if your vision is to solidify the OLINE and make it elite and then focus on the DLINE in the next year or 2 and then have a chance to go all the way.. I'm with you.

I'm all aboard with Demarco and he will be a big part of our future here.. he is EXCELLENT and I love the way he runs the ball. He is also very smart. Felix on the other hand.. not so much. He has pretty much been a bust. I think we should have traded him for some defensive help. I'm tired of teams walking all over our defense.

i agree w/ this 100%. and i'm not the biggest felix fan by any means, but if used properly he's definitely a useful part of our offense.

 

[burmafrd]

I'm just baffled that when we lose an NFC East clinching game 37-34 people say we need to fix the offense. We had two "starting" RBs last year, one puts up a 4.5 ypc and the other a 5.5 ypc, and the reason we didn't win games is because we didn't run the ball?


I'm tired of watching Romo get blamed for "choking" in December games in which he puts up 140 QB performances because our defense can't hold an opponent under 37 points. I'm tired of watching Ware practically crawling on the ground from fatigue late in the 4th quarter because he can never, ever, ever get a breather on the sideline at any point in the game, as Eli Manning stands in the pocket for 8 seconds and picks apart our defense for an easy 4th quarter win, and then everyone is claimiing it's Romo's fault because he over threw one pass and/or Miles Austin lost it in the lights.

Well I AM TIRED of Romo getting beaten and battered and getting bones broke.

 

[burmafrd]

Ok.. our O-line was ranked #14 last year. Let's say we make it a top 5 Oline and we can score more points but our defense is still crappy and our pass rush is weak. Will that be enough for us to win it all? I don't think so. Now if your vision is to solidify the OLINE and make it elite and then focus on the DLINE in the next year or 2 and then have a chance to go all the way.. I'm with you.

I'm all aboard with Demarco and he will be a big part of our future here.. he is EXCELLENT and I love the way he runs the ball. He is also very smart. Felix on the other hand.. not so much. He has pretty much been a bust. I think we should have traded him for some defensive help. I'm tired of teams walking all over our defense.

yeah that 14th ranked O line that could not protect Romo and could not get a rush yard when we really needed it.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Well I AM TIRED of Romo getting beaten and battered and getting bones broke.

Well then pair him up with a good defense.

Stop forcing him to drop back 50 times a game in 5-7 step drops because he has sling the ball down field and put up 40 points a game for his team to have any hope of winning a critical game.

As long as we continue to allow the Giants to score 37 points a game, Romo is going to be dropping back in the pocket and getting annihiliated by Osi, JPP and Tuck who have their ears pinned back. It doesn't matter how good his OL is, he's going to get pummeled in that situation .... just as Aaron Rodgers did in the playoffs.

 

[cowboysooner]

Well then pair him up with a good defense.

Stop forcing him to drop back 50 times a game in 5-7 step drops because he has sling the ball down field and put up 40 points a game for his team to have any hope of winning a critical game.

As long as we continue to allow the Giants to score 37 points a game, Romo is going to be dropping back in the pocket and getting annihiliated by Osi, JPP and Tuck who have their ears pinned back. It doesn't matter how good his OL is, he's going to get pummeled in that situation .... just as Aaron Rodgers did in the playoffs.

And just like Drew Brees did despite having 2 of the best 3 guards in pro football.

 

[egn22]

LOL, i love how this became an intense debate.
just my thoughts.

 

[Nova]

I like your point. The NFCE had 21 more sacks than any other division last year, so maybe the most important thing isn't too keep pace (which we already have), but to deter the strength of our divisional foes. Build up our OL to fend off the strong pass rush of the Eagles, Giants and Skins.

Overall, you have to assume that we can't fix both problems this year alone. Which player or players would be the best move for now and the future? I think that guy is DeCastro.

 

[BlindFaith]

LOL, i love how this became an intense debate.
just my thoughts.

Yeah, about the 20th one on the subject.

Some want to baby Romo, build an ubber elite offensive line and try to score 45 points a game.

Others are fine with the offense the way it was last year plus the new pieces we've added, but want to actually put an NFL quality defense on the field.

 

[Cowboy Junkie]

I want to see more work n defense.
Offense looks pretty defense wins games

 

[zrinkill]

I think they have had focus on the o-line starting with the draft last year.

 

[Chuck 54]

I'm tired of watching Romo get blamed for "choking" in December games in which he puts up 140 QB performances because our defense can't hold an opponent under 37 points. I'm tired of watching Ware practically crawling on the ground from fatigue late in the 4th quarter because he can never, ever, ever get a breather on the sideline at any point in the game, as Eli Manning stands in the pocket for 8 seconds and picks apart our defense for an easy 4th quarter win, and then everyone is claimiing it's Romo's fault because he over threw one pass and/or Miles Austin lost it in the lights.

AMEN....preach it, brother !!!

I'd like to improve the OL or even become dominant as much as anyone, but I don't understand people wanting to draft OL, OL, WR (or some variation) ignoring the DL, which I think is far and away the weakest unit on our team, producing absolutely no pressure on plays when Ware is neutralized or run around the backside.

If the team decides that DeCastro is BPA in round one, fine, but I think the draft should be defense....and more defense, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if we took Coples or Brockers at DE, skipping DeCastro even if available.

I anticipate a draft that looks like....
1. D
2. D
3. D
4. Center
5. D

I think we'll address blocking TE with an UDFA or late selection or at cutdowns.
I don't see us drafting anyone else at RB, WR, QB, or OL unless I'm wrong about round 1.

We still need to add at least 2 CBs, an OLB, and a DE; maybe a NT too.