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

[CoCo]

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

I have more hope than you for Free and/or Parnell, but if you could guarantee me all the results listed above I think I'd take it right now and say we can make that work.

 

[CoCo]

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.

Agreed on Cook's value. And I ultimately think he'll stay. But I wonder if Dallas will keep a versatile backup at the expense of cutting someone who they think has more upside potential a bit further down the road - and not just an O-lineman.

Trying to think of a good example from the past and frankly am drawing a blank. Maybe someone like Harris who was cut loose a time or two before he showed himself to be a player.

 

[KJJ]

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.

The Cowboys clearly need to improve on the OL but I don't think it's been as horrible as some try and make it seem. Even with the issues upfront Romo had statistically a career year in 2011 and last season still produced almost 5000 yards and 28 TD's. Dez had a career year in 2012 and Witten put up 110 catches. Part of the reason the running game has been so bad is partially due to the run blocking but a big part is not having a healthy Murray for 16 games. Felix showed up for camp last July not ready and looked lethargic most of the season subbing for an injured Murray.

We all know Romo makes the OL look better than it is with his escapability. One big reason for the struggles the last 3 seasons has been the defense that cost Ryan his job. The D starts the season looking pretty good and fades as the season goes on. After a good defensive game vs the Giants on opening night the D fell flat the following week vs Seattle with Marshawn Lynch in beast mode running the defense ragged. The D looked awful vs Chicago allowing Brandon Marshall to run free through the secondary. Alfred Morris a rookie back put up 313 yards rushing vs the Cowboys in 2 games.

He had a 200 yard game and Brown another rookie back for Philly put up 169 yards vs the Cowboys. The defense can't stop the pass or the run and forces very few turnovers. The Cowboys turn the ball over and get very few in return. By the end of the year the D can't stop anyone it's been the same pattern since 2010. The Cowboys would have easily beaten NO in week 16 had they not given up 550 yards of offense. The OL needs to improve but most of the blame for these 8-8 seasons is on the defense in my opinion.

 

[KJJ]

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.

Part of the reason the RZ offense has been bad is the Cowboys keep shooting themselves in the foot with penalties that put them in long down situations taking them away from the run. Another issue besides the run blocking is not having a back who can push the pile and gain the tough yards. Murray likes to get cute with his cutbacks and has taken some losses down there. Barber use to power his way for yards in the RZ and was virtually unstoppable inside the 5 scoring 20 rushing TD's in 06-07.

 

[Risen Star]

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.

Correct.

Replacing Costa with an NFL talent is an upgrade though. Even with a rookie. Tyron will be better this year. Other than that, it's the same line. It should be better than what was probably the worst offensive line the Cowboys have ever fielded, but it still won't be a strength of the team. Neither will the defensive line. Good luck winning something when that's true.

 

[KJJ]

If it's going take no injuries for the Cowboys OL just to be serviceable then we're in trouble because injuries are bound to happen. If you're going to be a good team you have to be able to overcome an injury or 2 upfront and have players step up. Injuries are part of football the Ravens had their share last season. You can't use injuries as an excuse or you'll be using that excuse every year.

 

[Idgit]

Good luck winning something when that's true.

You'd have to go all the way back to 2012 to find an instance of a team winning a Superbowl playing against an opponent when they are weaker on both lines. And before that, you're probably looking all the way back to 2011.

Also, despite the multiple injuries to multiple new starters and playing our fourth option at Center last season, our OL was probably only in the bottom third of the league, overall. If that qualifies it for worst OL in Dallas Cowboys history, then we've been pretty fortunate as a franchise.

 

[waving monkey]

I read differntly about Livings. I read that he was rated in the middle of guards in the NFL

 

[Risen Star]

You'd have to go all the way back to 2012 to find an instance of a team winning a Superbowl playing against an opponent when they are weaker on both lines. And before that, you're probably looking all the way back to 2011.

Also, despite the multiple injuries to multiple new starters and playing our fourth option at Center last season, our OL was probably only in the bottom third of the league, overall. If that qualifies it for worst OL in Dallas Cowboys history, then we've been pretty fortunate as a franchise.

Neither the Ravens or 49ers were weak along both sides of the line of scrimmage. The opposite is true, in fact.

Swing and a miss.

 

[Risen Star]

Who wants to start the "We are serviceable!" chant?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Neither the Ravens or 49ers were weak along both sides of the line of scrimmage. The opposite is true, in fact.

Swing and a miss.

Maybe you can edumacate us on the supposed sucktitude of the defensive line...

Please elaborate on how crappy Spencer, Ware, Ratliff and Hatcher are.

 

[Risen Star]

Maybe you can edumacate us on the supposed sucktitude of the defensive line...

Please elaborate on how crappy Spencer, Ware, Ratliff and Hatcher are.

Ratliff hasn't been a good player in 3 years. You might as well ask me to defend La'Roi Glover at this point.

Ware is breaking down physically. He's on the back 9 of his career. Spencer has had one year in his career where he was a legitimate top pass rusher. He's also approaching 30. Hatcher is okay but aging. A recurrent theme. There is weak depth behind them all. Not a blue chipper like Floyd would have been waiting in the wings.

You can't see it because PFF isn't telling you, but this is headed towards the OL debacle we have presently if we don't act now.

The bottom line is the OL is the weakest part of our offense. The defensive line is the weakest part of our defense. No team wins anything when that's true. If you're built from the back to the front, you watch the playoffs on TV.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Ratliff hasn't been a good player in 3 years. You might as well ask me to defend La'Roi Glover at this point.

Ware is breaking down physically. He's on the back 9 of his career. Spencer has had one year in his career where he was a legitimate top pass rusher. He's also approaching 30. Hatcher is okay but aging. A recurrent theme. There is weak depth behind them all. Not a blue chipper like Floyd would have been waiting in the wings.

You can't see it because PFF isn't telling you, but this is headed towards the OL debacle we have presently if we don't act now.

The bottom line is the OL is the weakest part of our offense. The defensive line is the weakest part of our defense. No team wins anything when that's true. If you're built from the back to the front, you watch the playoffs on TV.

Being on the "Back 9" doesn't mean Ware's going to be awful.

Spencer had a very good year as a pass rusher last year... And he's been decent for several years supplying lots of pressures... On top of that he's a terrific run stopper.

Ratliff hasn't been awful when he's played... Which granted hasn't been enough.

I wouldn't be so quick to sell out Crawford and Lissmore as be "no depth".

I will agree the rest of the defense is very good. I expect good things this season out of this defense.

 

[Zordon]

i agree serviceable is the best it's going to be.

my question is do you guys think this is acceptable. we are nearing 3 years since the 2010 purge. we have two first rd picks on the line. team's are rebuilding their lines in this time span...skins seemingly overnight. talent is shoddy on our line but i think a little more pressure needs to be put on the coaches to fix this quickly.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

i agree serviceable is the best it's going to be.

my question is do you guys think this is acceptable. we are nearing 3 years since the 2010 purge. we have two first rd picks on the line. team's are rebuilding their lines in this time span...skins seemingly overnight. talent is shoddy on our line but i think a little more pressure needs to be put on the coaches to fix this quickly.

2010 Purge?

The "Purge" occurred in training camp/preseason of 2011.

 

[Zordon]

2010 Purge?

The "Purge" occurred in training camp/preseason of 2011.

meant to say following the 2010 season.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

meant to say following the 2010 season.

OK, I understand that but it still doesn't make it three years.

As of right now it hasn't even been two years since the full purge.

Hey, I understand the desire to get the offensive line up to snuff as the next guy but still less than two years is less than two years. 4 out of the 5 positions needed to be gutted and the 5th has regressed in that period of time.

Lets see how they do this season. I'm expecting better than the last two seasons.

 

[Idgit]

Neither the Ravens or 49ers were weak along both sides of the line of scrimmage. The opposite is true, in fact.

Swing and a miss.

One of them doesn't need to be for my point to be correct. The Ravens beat the Niners despite being weaker along both lines, because winning in the trenches is not what actually wins you games.

Look at how effective the Ravens passing game was during the postseason if you really want to know why they're world champions. How many turnovers to Flacco throw, despite playing teams with better lines than he had?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

One of them doesn't need to be for my point to be correct. The Ravens beat the Niners despite being weaker along both lines, because winning in the trenches is not what actually wins you games.

Look at how effective the Ravens passing game was during the postseason if you really want to know why they're world champions. How many turnovers to Flacco throw, despite playing teams with better lines than he had?

Very, very valid point.

The Niners were much better than the Ravens along each of the lines.

And yep, it was the overall passing efficiency of Flacco (which kills me to admit it) and the rest of the Raven's passing game that was the difference. Certainly wasn't the defense nor was it the running game.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Ware is breaking down physically. He's on the back 9 of his career. Spencer has had one year in his career where he was a legitimate top pass rusher. He's also approaching 30. Hatcher is okay but aging. A recurrent theme. There is weak depth behind them all.

I think you are selling out depth a lttle short.