NFL's most feared position groups

[Risen Star]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...for-2016?campaign=tw-nf-sf27592727-sf27592727

1) Dallas Cowboys' offensive line: The offensive men in the trenches frequently get overlooked, but the Cowboys' front line deserves attention due to its consistent dominance at the point of attack. The unit features three former first-round picks (Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and Travis Frederick) and a gifted interior blocker (La'el Collins) who was rated as a first-round talent before a pre-draft ordeal -- one that saw him mentioned in conjunction with (but never seen as a suspect in) a shooting death -- made him go undrafted. With the team expected to show a renewed commitment to the running game, given Ezekiel Elliott's addition to the backfield, the football world will fully appreciate the Cowboys' O-line in 2016.

 

[Bullflop]

Smart teams make the most of their strengths. The Cowboys deserve credit for maximizing theirs (the OL) with quality RBs to augment them.

 

[Risen Star]

Zeke Elliott retweeted this. Safe to say he is stoked to run behind this line.

 

[HomeBiscuit]

Right now the OL is really most feared by its' own fan base for false starts at most inopportune times? Don't recall many teams fearing them last year without Romo back there to continuously convert third and longs.

 

[xvendettax914]

Right now the OL is really most feared by its' own fan base for false starts at most inopportune times? Don't recall many teams fearing them last year without Romo back there to continuously convert third and longs.

And how exactly would you remember any other teams feelings towards them? I'd be curious what other secrets and info from closed door meetings, practices and locker rooms you have.

 

[tyke1doe]

I'm still blown away how La'el Collins fell completely out of the draft. Somebody should at the very least have used a low draft choice on him.
Oh, well, their loss our gain.

 

[Jstopper]

I'm still blown away how La'el Collins fell completely out of the draft. Somebody should at the very least have used a low draft choice on him.
Oh, well, their loss our gain.

You don't remember what la'el and his agent were saying at the time? They had let it be known that if the 2nd round passed and he hadn't been drafted he was going to refuse to report to whatever team drafted him sit out the 2015 season and he was going to redeclare for the 2016 draft. That's why nobody used a late pick on him.

 

[Swanny]

Right now the OL is really most feared by its' own fan base for false starts at most inopportune times? Don't recall many teams fearing them last year without Romo back there to continuously convert third and longs.

I'll never understand how Jason Witten has so many Fake Start penalties. It's mind boggling

 

[cowboyblue22]

and the cowboys are doing this just like they have with tony and wasting a great offensive line its not showing up in the wins.

 

[Sage3030]

You don't remember what la'el and his agent were saying at the time? They had let it be known that if the 2nd round passed and he hadn't been drafted he was going to refuse to report to whatever team drafted him sit out the 2015 season and he was going to redeclare for the 2016 draft. That's why nobody used a late pick on him.

sorry, misread your post.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Zeke Elliott retweeted this. Safe to say he is stoked to run behind this line.

He will do so after he descends from the clouds...

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

building the line is certainly a move that Dallas should be applauded for. Now they need to figure out how to get these guys locked up to long terms deals in the coming years.

 

[tyke1doe]

You don't remember what la'el and his agent were saying at the time? They had let it be known that if the 2nd round passed and he hadn't been drafted he was going to refuse to report to whatever team drafted him sit out the 2015 season and he was going to redeclare for the 2016 draft. That's why nobody used a late pick on him.

I remember. I also remember his agent basically saying they were bluffing.

Still, he's a 1st round talent. If you spend a 5th rounder on him, and he doesn't sign, who cares? Many 5th rounders don't make their respective teams anyway.

For a potential gem like Collins, I wouldn't think twice about spending a 5th round pick on him regardless what he and his agent say.

 

[erod]

I'm still blown away how La'el Collins fell completely out of the draft. Somebody should at the very least have used a low draft choice on him.
Oh, well, their loss our gain.

It was partly because his agent told teams after a certain round that he would refuse to sign a contract if drafted. He was able to get more money and choose his destination as a free agent.

EDIT: Looks like I'm a little late.

 

[CowboyRoy]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...for-2016?campaign=tw-nf-sf27592727-sf27592727

1) Dallas Cowboys' offensive line: The offensive men in the trenches frequently get overlooked, but the Cowboys' front line deserves attention due to its consistent dominance at the point of attack. The unit features three former first-round picks (Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and Travis Frederick) and a gifted interior blocker (La'el Collins) who was rated as a first-round talent before a pre-draft ordeal -- one that saw him mentioned in conjunction with (but never seen as a suspect in) a shooting death -- made him go undrafted. With the team expected to show a renewed commitment to the running game, given Ezekiel Elliott's addition to the backfield, the football world will fully appreciate the Cowboys' O-line in 2016.

Do you post these ridiculously obvious threads just so you can get likes?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I too think it was foolish. Don't care what his agent might say, if I'm a team, especially a team in need of OL help, I'm drafting him. Heck, even if I don't need the OL help, I'm drafting him because he is that kind of talent. I just can't imagine how you wouldn't spend, at the very least, a 7th on him. If he refuses to sign, the team still owns his rights and as such, could trade him if he doesn't want to sign. It's doubtful that his agent would refuse a trade IMO. If he goes back into the draft, he certainly doesn't get taken in the 1st, after a year of sitting around. Maybe not even the 3rd. I'd have to think that a trade to the right situation would be viable.

Was just dumb on behalf of the entire NFL IMO.

 

[cowboyblue22]

sounds like the offseason hype machine is in full force.

 

[tyke1doe]

I too think it was foolish. Don't care what his agent might say, if I'm a team, especially a team in need of OL help, I'm drafting him. Heck, even if I don't need the OL help, I'm drafting him because he is that kind of talent. I just can't imagine how you wouldn't spend, at the very least, a 7th on him. If he refuses to sign, the team still owns his rights and as such, could trade him if he doesn't want to sign. It's doubtful that his agent would refuse a trade IMO. If he goes back into the draft, he certainly doesn't get taken in the 1st, after a year of sitting around. Maybe not even the 3rd. I'd have to think that a trade to the right situation would be viable.

Was just dumb on behalf of the entire NFL IMO.

Exactly. I'm glad it worked out for the Cowboys, but you don't just let a 1st-round talent like Collins get out of the draft.

Think of the possibilities you have with him if you draft him in the lower rounds. You don't think a team would be willing to trade for him? You'd get a higher return on your investment, especially if he were cleared of any charges.

Gigantic mistake by NFL clubs.

 

[big dog cowboy]

the football world will fully appreciate the Cowboys' O-line in 2016.

They didn't before?

 

[JohnsKey19]

I remember. I also remember his agent basically saying they were bluffing.

Still, he's a 1st round talent. If you spend a 5th rounder on him, and he doesn't sign, who cares? Many 5th rounders don't make their respective teams anyway.

For a potential gem like Collins, I wouldn't think twice about spending a 5th round pick on him regardless what he and his agent say.

.

If Jaylon Smith can get drafted in the 2nd round, it's shocking to me that Collins didn't get picked in the later rounds even if the odds were reportedly slim that he would report. Obviously he's not reporting to Cleveland, for instance. But "appealing" franchises like Dallas, NE, NY, etc...I'm surprised they didn't use a draft pick.