My prediction: Barring injuries we will have a serviceable OL.

[CooterBrown]

The Center is the key to good OL play. Costa and his backup, Kowalski missed most of the year. Against Baltimore, Costa played and the running game flourished. Suddenly, the whole line was better. Then Costa was hurt again and it went downhill from there. I think Frederick was drafted because Jerry Jones remembered that his early Cowboys OL consisted of JAGs until they drafted Mark Stepnoski and Eric Williams. (Larry Allen was later). Tuine, Newton, and Gogan were Tom Landry players. Suddenly with a great center and a great tackle, the rest of them became pro-bowlers. (Of course, it didn't hurt to have Emmitt Smith running behind them.) But, I think Jerry Jones is searching for some deja vu.

 

[honyock]

I didn't look at Livings last year very much but the impression I got was the interior was a problem. If you look at Livings' and Cooks' PFF stats then you get the impression they weren't 'that bad'. If you look at the club's reaction to it all then you get the impression they aren't convinced Livings is the guy they want to depend on. My take is he is injured again. Bernie was injured as well last year and is still rehabbing. That means their jobs are up for grabs.

When I watched Bernie some (not all snaps) he was very inconsistent. At times he looked All Pro able to do a great reach block and still pick up the stunt and stonewall his guy. Or he will get to the second level and engage or do a good cut off block. Then he would inexplicably just whiff on a block. And as another pointed out it would at times be on a reach or trying to pick up a stunt. Or his guy would just shoot the gap with him giving little block.

Fred is going to do well IMO but it's just difficult for a rookie to come into the NFL and be dominant at any position. He'll have some difficulty at times.

So the point is the interior is still an unknown even with the addition of Fred although I do see him as a solution there and an immediate upgrade.

Again, right now the only secured position on the OL is the LT and he wasn't a pillar of strength last year either.

Having said that I think we'll be better than average with pass blocking and I'm hoping we can up our running average into the 4+ range nearing the league average. If we can do that as well as improve the short yardage then we'll have a decent OL.

My thoughts at present are Smith, Leary, Fred, Bernie, and Parnell to start the season. But that's just a SWAG.

I'd second your SWAG. I'd love to see a youngster beat out Bernie, but I don't know if the team would be willing to take the chance on an interior as young and inexperienced as Leary, Fred, and Kowalski/Arkin, especially if Parnell beats out Free. That's not much experience at four positions.

So I'd guess that either Bernie of Livings at least start the year at one guard position. That's assuming that either of them get healthy, which seems to be a big IF at the rate we're going.

I only re-watched the final four games last year in detail watching the o-line. To my fan-not-scout eye, Livings and Bern struggled in different areas. Livings had the most trouble with quickness. He just didn't look like he had the lateral movement to handle quick and agile tackles or stunts.

I think his knee injury was the game before I started watching closely, so that may have been a factor. But if he's already having problems with the same knee again, that's worrisome.

I thought Bern was quicker and more athletic than Livings, but he had trouble with power. I remember him getting bulled back into the pocket a lot.

Having said all that, if Bern and Livings keep having nagging injury issues, that's when I wouldn't be surprised to see Fred start getting reps at guard in TC. Maybe we end up with Costa at center and Leary and Fred at guards, although I don't know which they'd want at right guard.

 

[rwalters31]

I think the OL will be improved from last year just by having a better understanding of the scheme that Callahan put in place last season. How much better? No way of knowing until they hit the field.

Last year heading into training camp the Cowboys were dealing with injuries on the OL and that would end up being the case for most of the season and I think if they can stay relatively healthy with the starting unit will be a big help but again how big? Anyone’s guess.

I'm not under the illusion this OL will be a top 5 or top 10 OL nor I'm I jaded to think this OL will be will be the same or worse than last season.

As bad as the OL was we did go 8-8 and I do expect better than that this season

Lets see, Romo hits the ground 36 times last year with a serviceable OL. So, if the OL is serviceable again this year we can expect the same results? We won 8 games because of Romos elusiveness not because of the OL! Now, you say if the running game can take the heat off of Romo he will not hit the ground 36 times. Well, I think the OL needs to be more than serviceable to make that happen. Can you imagine giving Romo 3 full seconds without someone in his face! Just saying!

 

[big dog cowboy]

As bad as the OL was we did go 8-8 and I do expect better than that this season

A largely overlooked fact.

 

[KJJ]

As bad as the OL was we did go 8-8 and I do expect better than that this season

There's teams that had worse OL's than the Cowboys that finished better than 8-8. The Packers went 11-5 last season with an OL that got Aaron Rodgers sacked 51 times. The Steelers won a SB in 08 with probably a worse OL than last years Cowboys OL.

 

[Idgit]

There's teams that had worse OL's than the Cowboys that finished better than 8-8. The Packers went 11-5 last season with an OL that got Aaron Rodgers sacked 51 times. The Steelers won a SB in 08 with probably a worse OL than last years Cowboys OL.

They didn't turn the ball over nearly as much, or took it away more. GB 2012 (+7). Steelers 2008 (+4). Dallas 2012: minus 13.

It's not really about the OL, though we needed to improve there. It's about taking care of the football. It's a wonder we got to 8-8 with the injuries and the careless ball control.

 

[jobberone]

We had the #3 passing offense and #31 run offense. We didn't do as much with all those yards as we should; the RZ offense was not very good. Much of all that was not being able to run the ball as well as poor FP and the TOs or lack of them.

If you can't run the ball in from inside the three then you have OL problems.

 

[CoCo]

My thoughts at present are Smith, Leary, Fred, Bernie, and Parnell to start the season. But that's just a SWAG.

I tend to think it'll be Free over Parnell simply because Free seemed to come on late last season and has been placed on full alert to his job being in jeopardy. That and I'm using up all my "this young guy will develop" hope on Leary and Frederick

Otherwise, I'm with you on your projected lineup. Livings injury struggles along with seemingly positive reports on Leary leads to that likely change. Bernadeau would seem to be RG by default if they're intent on keeping Costa at b/u Center and hesitant to have 3 new starters on the interior.

I think there is some upside hope with Bernadeau with stronger Center play, a year's experience with Callahan, and a somewhat healthier offseason.

That leaves Costa, Cook & Kowalski as the primary interior backups. I'm not holding my breath on Arkin (though certainly hoping) and I get the feeling Livings roster spot might be in jeopardy if this knee remains troublesome.

I think there is considerable hope in this unit for 2013 while remaining short on guarantees.

 

[burmafrd]

The Center is the key to good OL play. Costa and his backup, Kowalski missed most of the year. Against Baltimore, Costa played and the running game flourished. Suddenly, the whole line was better. Then Costa was hurt again and it went downhill from there. I think Frederick was drafted because Jerry Jones remembered that his early Cowboys OL consisted of JAGs until they drafted Mark Stepnoski and Eric Williams. (Larry Allen was later). Tuine, Newton, and Gogan were Tom Landry players. Suddenly with a great center and a great tackle, the rest of them became pro-bowlers. (Of course, it didn't hurt to have Emmitt Smith running behind them.) But, I think Jerry Jones is searching for some deja vu.

you mean the same Baltimore Defense that got humiliated by Kansas City the week before? And was getting worked by just about everyone?

 

[cowboy_ron]

The only thing different this year is a rookie "first round" center, nothing substantial that would warrant optimism given last year's disaster,,, we're all hoping on our long shots to develop into something serviceable, that's all.

People that listen to the media and continue to say what a "reach" Frederick was really aren't watching the drafting process closely...Frederick was I believe was the #1 rated center in the draft...if another team that was in need of a center upgrade as much as we were had drafted him it would have been a "brilliant" move but since it was Dallas it was a massive reach...BS.....just because other teams needs were not center related it's considered a reach and many people just follow the media on the "reach" aspect of the pick...he will be good for us for many years to come.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

People that listen to the media and continue to say what a "reach" Frederick was really aren't watching the drafting process closely...Frederick was I believe was the #1 rated center in the draft...if another team that was in need of a center upgrade as much as we were had drafted him it would have been a "brilliant" move but since it was Dallas it was a massive reach...BS.....just because other teams needs were not center related it's considered a reach and many people just follow the media on the "reach" aspect of the pick...he will be good for us for many years to come.

So a player chosen a round early because of "need" isn't a reach? Someone should inform all those speaking English of the new definition of "reach".

Besides, you're missing the point entirely. This OL was abysmal across the board last year, so starting a single, second round talented rookie this year is unlikely to produce a significant upgrade unless 2 or more of our remaining long shots also play well this year. Even starting a single first round rated rookie would leave the outcome dependent upon our remaining long shots.

 

[xwalker]

So a player chosen a round early because of "need" isn't a reach? Someone should inform all those speaking English of the new definition of "reach".

Besides, you're missing the point entirely. This OL was abysmal across the board last year, so starting a single, second round talented rookie this year is unlikely to produce a significant upgrade unless 2 or more of our remaining long shots also play well this year. Even starting a single first round rated rookie would leave the outcome dependent upon our remaining long shots.

It is only a round early based on some draft media ratings.

If you consider the historical lack of accuracy of those ratings, then there is no need to redefine "reach".

Replacing 1 player on the OL represents a 20% change. How big is 20%?...If 4.5 forty player improved his time by 20% he would run a 3.6 forty.

 

[xwalker]

you mean the same Baltimore Defense that got humiliated by Kansas City the week before? And was getting worked by just about everyone?

Baltimore gave up an average of 122.8 yards rushing per game in 2012.

Dallas rushed for an average of 79.1 yards per game in 2012.

Dallas rushed for 227 yards against Baltimore with Costa as the starting Center.

 

[Verdict]

I think think the best position for Frederick and Costa is center. If Frederick becomes your starting center, then we may have the best backup center in the NFL in Costa.

It also makes Berny more expendable if we decide to cut him at some point, because his versatility at center isn't as big of a deal unless he can beat out Costa as the number two center. Personally I'm hoping Killa out plays Berny and secures a spot as a younger, cheaper guy who can play guard and center.

I think it is a pretty good possibility that at least one of this group Cook, Livings and Berny don't make the final 53 man roster.

 

[CoCo]

I think most Cowboy fans wish we had greater certainty along our O-line. That is, that we could be assured of enough improvement to know that Romo would have time to throw and that our RB's would have room to run. We look at our skill position weapons and think there would be no stopping us if our O-line, like our offensive skill positions, was a position of strength. It follows then that most wish we'd spent more offseason resources to create that certainty. Count me amongst "most."

But the FO made their choices and we'll live with those for 2013. Does it necessarily follow then that we have no basis for hope? I don't feel that way at all. Do I wish there was greater certainty? Sure.

But just because most of us didn't get "our way" doesn't mean there is no basis for hope. I do have hope in the development of Leary, Costa & Kowalski. Why wouldn't I? They're all young players who've shown flashes, however brief. Same is true for Parnell and Free isn't far removed from being a player that looked to be our future at LT based upon his on the field play over a full season. Callahan's teachings were reportedly a struggle and adjustment for some. And while some love to poke fun at "continuity" the reality is that its a proven factor regarding offensive lines. And that is before we get to what most believe is a defintive upgarde at a pivotal spot (pun intended) on that struggling line.

So while some will insist there is little reason for hope, the reality is that there in fact are multiple reasons for hope. Not in the form most of us preferred. And not with any guarantees. But its not baseless hope like some continue to insist.

 

[CoCo]

I think think the best position for Frederick and Costa is center. If Frederick becomes your starting center, then we may have the best backup center in the NFL in Costa.

It also makes Berny more expendable if we decide to cut him at some point, because his versatility at center isn't as big of a deal unless he can beat out Costa as the number two center. Personally I'm hoping Killa out plays Berny and secures a spot as a younger, cheaper guy who can play guard and center.

I think it is a pretty good possibility that at least one of this group Cook, Livings and Berny don't make the final 53 man roster.

I think Cook's jack of all trades, master of none, status will earn him a spot. We eventually lose something if he has to take the field but we also can feel pretty confident that the roof won't cave in if he's forced to play. Wild Card - if Weems shows he's a keeper, then Cook could be forced out IMO.

I also think there's enough intrigue with Berny's potential (young enough, little stability next to him, and ill-timed injuries of his own) that he'll be on the roster. If he's not its because someone clearly stepped up IMO that we aren't necessarily planning to (read Costa, Kowalski, Arkin).

There's a growing feeling that Livings may be the odd man out. Leary looks like he's going to make a move and Livings combo of health & age is starting to work against him when we have multiple other "contenders" (Costa, Kowalski, Arkin) w/upside, though admittedly none are clearly proven equals at this point.

Livings needs to have a productive camp. He's not a great enough certainty to win a spot standing on the sidelines. Someone else will show enough to push him out if we can't count on him being healthy. IMO...

 

[ElGatoGrande]

It is only a round early based on some draft media ratings.

If you consider the historical lack of accuracy of those ratings, then there is no need to redefine "reach".

Replacing 1 player on the OL represents a 20% change. How big is 20%?...If 4.5 forty player improved his time by 20% he would run a 3.6 forty.

I think you may have just reset the bar for "reaching" in one post... lol

 

[burmafrd]

Baltimore gave up an average of 122.8 yards rushing per game in 2012.

Dallas rushed for an average of 79.1 yards per game in 2012.

Dallas rushed for 227 yards against Baltimore with Costa as the starting Center.

once again trying to act like a defense attorney. What were the stats for the Ravens in the game before us and the game after us- and generally for that part of the season?

 

[Wood]

How I would break that unit out:

LT - Smith: Look for him to really establish himself as one better LT in football.

LG- Leary: While zone blocking is not his strength he has enough talent & size to make it work plus he is younger than Livings.

C - Fredericks: with so much media attention on how he was slotted at best a 2nd round pick, I really think Travis is motivated to prove people wrong. A solid year in which you won't hear much about him (which is good news).

RG - Bernadeau: Athletic and strong as mac truck, Dallas lives with his deficiencies. Has better year due in part to more effective communication from Fredericks.

RT - Free: Has basically same year as last year but whole lot cheaper. Parnell will rotate at times dependent on pass rusher.

Smith - Excellent year
Leary - Solid year
Fredericks - Solid year
Bernadeau- solid year
Free - Marginal year

 

[burmafrd]

I think Cook's jack of all trades, master of none, status will earn him a spot. We eventually lose something if he has to take the field but we also can feel pretty confident that the roof won't cave in if he's forced to play. Wild Card - if Weems shows he's a keeper, then Cook could be forced out IMO.

I also think there's enough intrigue with Berny's potential (young enough, little stability next to him, and ill-timed injuries of his own) that he'll be on the roster. If he's not its because someone clearly stepped up IMO that we aren't necessarily planning to (read Costa, Kowalski, Arkin).

There's a growing feeling that Livings may be the odd man out. Leary looks like he's going to make a move and Livings combo of health & age is starting to work against him when we have multiple other "contenders" (Costa, Kowalski, Arkin) w/upside, though admittedly none are clearly proven equals at this point.

Livings needs to have a productive camp. He's not a great enough certainty to win a spot standing on the sidelines. Someone else will show enough to push him out if we can't count on him being healthy. IMO...

cooks greatest value is that he can play decently at 4 of the 5 positions on the O line for at least part of a game. That kind of backup versatility is hard to find; and allows you to only carry 2 backup O linemen on game day- leaving a slot for another position. That can be VERY handy.