O-line Thoughts

[gmoney112]

I know you feel Adams is at the end of his career and that's why he's at the top of your need to replace list. But why Kosier? He's only 32. I know you still want to keep him as a backup but why do you feel it's so urgent to replace him as a starter? Is it his strength or his effectiveness in the running game?

Kosier is great at pulling. Unfortunately he's getting up there in age and has never been great at handing stronger DT's. In today's game you need a strong LG to handle all the massive NT's from teams running the 3-4, and also be quick enough to reach the second level. Kosier would make a fine backup, unfortunately we face some very good lineman in the NFC East so this is an area of importance for us. Iupati/Gurode/Davis would make a monster core, capable of dominating the interior and rendering the good DT's we face quite often ineffective. The NFC East has a reputation for a strong front 7 with some exploitable secondaries(ours is the best in the East imo), if we can improve our pass protection and interior blocking we can take over games against our divisional opponents. It'd also allow Romo to step up in the pocket with a lot more confidence, and I think our goalline blocking would be very much improved.

 

[speedkilz88]

I wonder why Kosier never learned to snap. He's smart enough to make line calls, can pull, and although not great against the big boys most centers have that problem also.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Well since our O line coaches FINALLY have shown an ability to develope a tackle (first one since the Hotel showed up) we can maybe think that developing another can happen. Unfortunately Brewster is still a complete question mark since he was unable to get to camp or practice at all due to that pec injury. So there is no way anyone can say with any confidence what he will be. Kosier is signed through this year and probably could be kept for a reasonable deal which is not a bad thing. He would make a very good back up. Lots better then the proctologist. I want to see Dallas pick a Tackle and hopefully a G/C combo guy. We need to develope some inside guys as well.

I hate the thought of changing more then one position on the O line per year. BUT if you are going to do it - LT and LG or RT and RT are the way to go. You can still have good line play with 3/5 of the line going down one side remaining the same.

They like Proctor because of his ability to backup at C, not G. If there's one position Dallas really needs to draft this year it's C.

 

[UnoDallas]

The reason why is because of the years prior. You risk losing your best asset at Left Tackle, so you sign him long term. That gives you time to search for a replacement, groom a backup, etc, without having a gap at left tackle like the Browns, Lions, and Raiders of the world. It's true you might release them before the end of the contract's terms, or possibly restructure, but all of those considerations are taken into account when drafting a contract's terms in the first place.

Come on...

oh I understand it

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

The current OLine is consistantly pretty over-rated.

Apparently Gurode is lacking in mental capacity or rather capabilities to become a team leader on Offense. This team would be vastly improved with a Team Captian reading the Defense from the Center position. Gurode can be an All-Pro LG and take over for Kossier easily.

Kossier becomes our versatile very sufficient back-up Left and Right Gaurd.

Bigg is huge but makes alot of mistakes because of his size and over agression.

Flo just causes Dallas too much heartache every single season but Free looked more like a RT not a LT.

Columbo could be beat out by Free at RT but Dallas is said to be high on Brewster. I wonder if one of them could handle LT.

Concluding, Pouncy or a LT in the 1st, I'd prefer the Center.

 

[jobberone]

While depth all along the oline is a major concern, the biggest problem on the oline is at backup center. That's one position I would love to see addressed in this draft. Over OG or OT. This team is a SB contender and while you cannot address now over later in the draft you also can't ignore it and it deserves equal footing. That position hinges on how they feel about Proctor being servicable and how Bright fits into the picture.

 

[gmoney112]

While depth all along the oline is a major concern, the biggest problem on the oline is at backup center. That's one position I would love to see addressed in this draft. Over OG or OT. This team is a SB contender and while you cannot address now over later in the draft you also can't ignore it and it deserves equal footing. That position hinges on how they feel about Proctor being servicable and how Bright fits into the picture.

That's why I could seriously see us coming out of this draft with 3 olineman. Picking up a center in the 6th or 7th. This draft will solidify our line, in my opinion.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Good article Hos.

I fully agree.

I just don't know if the guy at #27 is the guy you think the Cowboys will get.

 

[Nightshade]

Kosier is great at pulling. Unfortunately he's getting up there in age and has never been great at handing stronger DT's. In today's game you need a strong LG to handle all the massive NT's from teams running the 3-4, and also be quick enough to reach the second level. Kosier would make a fine backup, unfortunately we face some very good lineman in the NFC East so this is an area of importance for us. Iupati/Gurode/Davis would make a monster core, capable of dominating the interior and rendering the good DT's we face quite often ineffective. The NFC East has a reputation for a strong front 7 with some exploitable secondaries(ours is the best in the East imo), if we can improve our pass protection and interior blocking we can take over games against our divisional opponents. It'd also allow Romo to step up in the pocket with a lot more confidence, and I think our goalline blocking would be very much improved.

Thanks for the great analysis. Iupati would be an amazing ungrade over Kosier. But if he doesn't fall to us at 27 Pouncey might and he might provide a great alternative to Proctor.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Dallas Cowboys – Left tackle: Any doubt where the Cowboys need to turn in the draft were probably erased by what the Vikings' defense did to Tony Romo(notes), and by proxy Romo's offensive line, in the 34-3 divisional playoff beatdown. Romo was shellshocked almost from the start of the game, took six sacks, and amassed a 20.8 passer rating in the second half. Jerry Jones seems to be convinced that Doug Free(notes) could start at left tackle, but Free may be a better swing tackle in the end. With the 27th pick, the 'Boys might look at Maryland's Bruce Campbell – he's got the size and agility needed, though he'll need experience before his game tape matches his 40 time.

Yahoo home page. No thanks

 

[tskyler]

Wow. I am so far from everyone's thinking here I am questioning my sanity.

1. Don't see Free as Flozell's replacement. See him at RT not LT
2. Think drafting a LT in round one is the right move. In fact, I think we should try to move way up in the 1st to grab an elite LT. Just don't see LT's as a good bet in any other place and suggest getting this type of premiere player in this uncapped year with all the funny games we could play with in the contract makes unique sense.
3. Think guards/centers much easier to find in later rounds.
4. Have no feel for Brewster but was seeing him more at guard than tackle. If so, I say go for best pure center.

So, 2010

LT Flo. Backup. Newly drafted LT, Free
LG Kosier Backup Brewster, Proctor
Center Gurode Backup Proctor, Newly drafted Center
RG Big, Backup Brewster, FA Guard Aquisition
RT Columbo Backup Free, Brewster

2011
LT Drafted LT
LG Brewster
C Gurode
RG Big
RT Free

 

[CF74]

Wow. I am so far from everyone's thinking here I am questioning my sanity.

1. Don't see Free as Flozell's replacement. See him at RT not LT
2. Think drafting a LT in round one is the right move. In fact, I think we should try to move way up in the 1st to grab an elite LT. Just don't see LT's as a good bet in any other place and suggest getting this type of premiere player in this uncapped year with all the funny games we could play with in the contract makes unique sense.
3. Think guards/centers much easier to find in later rounds.
4. Have no feel for Brewster but was seeing him more at guard than tackle. If so, I say go for best pure center.

So, 2010

LT Flo. Backup. Newly drafted LT, Free
LG Kosier Backup Brewster, Proctor
Center Gurode Backup Proctor, Newly drafted Center
RG Big, Backup Brewster, FA Guard Aquisition
RT Columbo Backup Free, Brewster

2011
LT Drafted LT
LG Brewster
C Gurode
RG Big
RT Free

Your not alone my thoughts are similar..

 

[blindzebra]

What many people miss, and confuse pressure stats to solidify their misconceptions, is while the tackles were credited with the sacks, hits and pressures their job is to force the outside rushers past the pocket to allow the QB to step-up to throw. Far too frequently Romo couldn't step up because the interior line got pushed back into the pocket.

The results were either a sack or Tony pulling a Houdini act and sliding side line to side line to save the play.

While the outside isn't perfect, the middle of the line doesn't hold the point of attack well pass blocking, gets beat a lot by twists, stunts and blitzes, and despite their size, doesn't get enough push in short yardage.

Toss in the fact that we have one proven back-up in Free and one they our high on in Brewster and this becomes a no-brainer.

Not to mention the media cough, cough, experts are saying LT.

 

[CF74]

What many people miss, and confuse pressure stats to solidify their misconceptions, is while the tackles were credited with the sacks, hits and pressures their job is to force the outside rushers past the pocket to allow the QB to step-up to throw. Far too frequently Romo couldn't step up because the interior line got pushed back into the pocket.

The results were either a sack or Tony pulling a Houdini act and sliding side line to side line to save the play.

While the outside isn't perfect, the middle of the line doesn't hold the point of attack well pass blocking, gets beat a lot by twists, stunts and blitzes, and despite their size, doesn't get enough push in short yardage.

Well said which is why I'm baffled that with all the pressure we give up in the middle that Gurode makes it to the Pro Bowl every year. I think the problem is between Gurode and Bigg that shifty quick stunts blow by them and on the other side Kosier gets shoved back a lot. Iupati might be the way to go but he's gonna need a year min to get in sync as would anyone else so we NEED to get O-line help now...

 

[Cowboy Junkie]

I do not get all the Free love from one play.
Free is no more than a backup player in this league.
Dallas needs Oline help no matter waht the position...

I do think that Gurode and Davis are still better than average NFL players. the others need replaced starting with Flo.

I would still keep flo on the roster .
I would draft best Oline available with the first pick regardless of whether it is a gaurd , tackle or center...



Please enough of the Free stuff , he will disappoint you

 

[blindzebra]

I do not get all the Free love from one play.
Free is no more than a backup player in this league.
Dallas needs Oline help no matter waht the position...

I do think that Gurode and Davis are still better than average NFL players. the others need replaced starting with Flo.

I would still keep flo on the roster .
I would draft best Oline available with the first pick regardless of whether it is a gaurd , tackle or center...



Please enough of the Free stuff , he will disappoint you

One play?

He was ranked 22nd in tackles pressure stats in the league as a first time starter, playing out of position.

 

[Four]

free played well

Looking at what highlights I can find I think Brewster might be pretty good too.

His bow legs make me nervous, but I saw and heard more than one bow legged guy use it as an advantage with a wider base and lower center, with good balance Brewster is going to be pretty good.

 

[peplaw06]

I hate when people say these things.

You have NOTHING to base your judgement that Brewster is JAG. You're saying that simply because he was a mid-round pick you haven't heard of.

He might not develop into anything, but he might be our starter a year or two down the road. Just because he wasn't a big name doesn't mean anything.

Whatev. Slate saw his highlight videos on the innernets.

 

[RS12]

Wow. I am so far from everyone's thinking here I am questioning my sanity.

1. Don't see Free as Flozell's replacement. See him at RT not LT
2. Think drafting a LT in round one is the right move. In fact, I think we should try to move way up in the 1st to grab an elite LT. Just don't see LT's as a good bet in any other place and suggest getting this type of premiere player in this uncapped year with all the funny games we could play with in the contract makes unique sense.
3. Think guards/centers much easier to find in later rounds.
4. Have no feel for Brewster but was seeing him more at guard than tackle. If so, I say go for best pure center.

I agree with premise number two. As for number three Mayock says Pouncey is the best interior lineman he has seen in a couple years and this is a weak year for interior O Line, also weak after the first eight tackles. All FWIW.

 

[sonnyboy]

Wow. I am so far from everyone's thinking here I am questioning my sanity.

1. Don't see Free as Flozell's replacement. See him at RT not LT
2. Think drafting a LT in round one is the right move. In fact, I think we should try to move way up in the 1st to grab an elite LT. Just don't see LT's as a good bet in any other place and suggest getting this type of premiere player in this uncapped year with all the funny games we could play with in the contract makes unique sense.
3. Think guards/centers much easier to find in later rounds.
4. Have no feel for Brewster but was seeing him more at guard than tackle. If so, I say go for best pure center.

So, 2010

LT Flo. Backup. Newly drafted LT, Free
LG Kosier Backup Brewster, Proctor
Center Gurode Backup Proctor, Newly drafted Center
RG Big, Backup Brewster, FA Guard Aquisition
RT Columbo Backup Free, Brewster

2011
LT Drafted LT
LG Brewster
C Gurode
RG Big
RT Free

Don't see your thinking all that off from many.

But the Cowboys do see Free as a left tackle. And I agree. His game is more finesse than power and LOT makes perfect sense to me.

I'm not set on exactly what type OL we should draft as much as I am set on the fact that we need volume. Quantity and quality. I want at least 3 OL selected.
Trade up, down and sideways! Move our picks around throughout the draft to end up with 3-4 OL selected where the value is good.