O-Line

[Stash]

One thing I can't figure.

Why is a player like McWasteofSpace - with no chance of making this roster - getting all of the reps at right guard once Leonard Davis leaves the game?

Wouldn't it be smarter to give Bright some playing time there?

 

[Apluz]

It's funny. Before last game, everyone was screaming Brewster sucks, now everyone is a fan. (not picking on you)

There was a big difference in play it appears. I wonder what changed. Did he actually get that much better, or was he playing against lessor pass rushers. I remember hearing in the previous game, he didn't have the ability to drop anchor or the laterally movement to stop edge rushers. Now all the sudden that has completely changed?

I'm going to hold off any judgment for now. As we all should.

Not everyone was thinking Brewster sucks. There were a few of us on this board that was very much Pro Brewster from the start. There really is not much difference in his play from the first game till this one except he has cut down on some of the mistakes he has made.

I never saw on film all the negative crap people were saying about his feet, hips, or athletic ability.

Brewster has made mistakes in each game but with experience he also has improved each game. My judgment of him remains the same. Experience is the key to his development because he has the tool to be a good Tackle or Guard prospect.

 

[hawklegion]

One thing I can't figure.

Why is a player like McWasteofSpace - with no chance of making this roster - getting all of the reps at right guard once Leonard Davis leaves the game?

Wouldn't it be smarter to give Bright some playing time there?

There must be some on the coaching staff who feel otherwise.

 

[Apluz]

I am not concerned with our run game at this point except for short yardage -we seem to get manhandled in short yardage situations - not sure why. With the musical chairs in the oline during camp I am not surprised at the lack of run game in the preseason. Last year our run game was physical and at times overpowering - I see no reason wht that will change. I just think we are less intense during preseason than some. That has seemed to be the case over the years to me.

Brewster and Young perform well in the next couple of games I would consider letting Barron go. Costa got good reviews in the last game so that is a relief at the C position.

I think part of the problem with our running game is how we practice. The team dose not go balls out against each other in practice (running drills) like many other teams do. There is nothing like playing at full game speed with the coaches barking in your ear to play faster.

In the next game I can almost guarantee that we will focus on our run blocking. Run blocking was a strength for our team last season it will be again for us mark my words.

Costa has gotten good reviews in camp and EVERY game so far. In terms of his play he has put quite a bit of distance between himself and Bright. I would be surprised if the team kept Bright and cut him. Sadly I don't think both will make the team and I'm already on record saying Bright will be cut. Now if Barron gets the boot like some are suggesting then all bets are off.

 

[smoovb]

Here's my take on the OL:

• LT - Free: Free is about average, physically for a LT in this league. A tiny bit weaker and quicker possibly. Has the ability to turn in an above average year.
• LG - Kosier: KK is about average as a LG, but just barely. If he's slowed down by injuries, Holland might be an upgrade over an injured Kosier.
• C - Gurode: Above average, good, strong run blocker, average to above average pass blocker. No worries here.
• RG - Davis: Davis has looked poor to me in the preseason. He's capable of mauling his man but he's been slow off the snap and I've seen him reaching. He worries me a little at this point. Below average as of right now, above average if he can return to his form of 2 years ago.
• RT - Columbo: Not sure what we'll see here, he was above average before the injury last year, but has been below average this preseason. Some worry here.
• G - Holland: Better than average backup, could fill in and not be a major worry.
• C - Costa: Acceptable if somewhat risky backup center. Certainly hope that he doesn't see major minutes this season.
• OT - Barron: He'd be below average as a starting tackle. If they can give him some help he should be able to do his job but he will struggle against elite pass rushers.
• Inactive - Brewster: He'll make the 53 even if he's inactive. He seems to be coming along. I'd like to see him against the NFCE competition to really evaluate him.
• Inactive - The Cowboys will have to carry 9 OL on the roster with all the injuries. They may elect to carry 10. That leaves a slight opening for Bright or Sam Young.

I gotta agree with my man here. His assessment of our o-linemen are pretty much spot on. That said, it does not bode well for our type of offense.

As everyone knows, we pretty much run the Coryell offense. Also, we all know you need bad-to-the-bone pass protection to be successful to run this type of offense. I think we are ok there, but we also need an inside running game to make our type of offense effective, and so far, we ain't got one - even with 3 good RBs. That points right to the o-line.

Last game wasn't too bad. It is preseason, after all. But who knows come regular season. Hope they can pull it together somehow.

 

[baj1dallas]

I will say this, it's definitely time for the Cowboys to focus on OL early during the draft. While you can find offensive line later in the draft. Those guys take more time to develop and of late, they haven't been very successful at it. (except for Free of course. Brewster, Costa, Young, etc it is too early to grade)

What are you going to say when they use their first round draft picks, reach on guys who aren't that great and don't fit the system, give up on them after 2 years and those guys go on to be mediocre starters on mediocre (or worse) teams like Detroit?

 

[Stash]

There must be some on the coaching staff who feel otherwise.

Scary thought.

 

[YosemiteSam]

What are you going to say when they use their first round draft picks, reach on guys who aren't that great and don't fit the system, give up on them after 2 years and those guys go on to be mediocre starters on mediocre (or worse) teams like Detroit?

Who said anything about reaching? Are you saying there are no offensive lineman worth 1st round grades?

 

[hawklegion]

Scary thought.

I tend to agree !

 

[30yrheel]

yes, o-line is the weak link. who else? maybe place kicker (unknown).