O-Line

[NoLuv4Jerry]

It's a weakness, and we'll only go as far as they can carry us.

offense does NOT need to carry us. We allowed 16 points a game last year. Our mindset as an organization would have to change to allow the defense to carry us. They have the talent...they have the depth...a lot of money has been spent...lots of first round picks. They just need to be put on notice that it is EXPECTED of them to bring it all year. By a shift in mindset I mean...instead of trying to convert 3rd and 15 and run the risk of a sack or fumble or pick. Pick up a few yards and punt the ball. I know this will make our ears cringe...but I do not trust this offense anymore. Mainly because of the offensive line and Garret. Tony has made this offensive line look much better than it is. They are good in spurts...or early in the year before their older legs give out. But you cannot expect them to dominate for 16 games and the playoffs. Plus in the playoffs you play better defenses or possibly are playing road games..so you better be able to defend...because scoring will be much harder to come by. This defense can do it...they just need to be pushed to do it. Heck, there will be times where we might have to play for a FG, as opposed to taking sacks and getting pushed out of FG range...especially with a new kicker. But this defense has to start thinking dominination. I will give you a primary expample of how the mindest of this defense drifts at times. The Falcons game last year. Everyone was pumping up the Falcons...everyone was saying we would lose...we are beating them, soundly...then we just GIVE them a TD at the end. We don't even cover the guy..because we were so GIDDY to win a game people said we would lose. I will give you another one...we are domininating the Saints...I mean it wass 24-3 at one point. Then the defense just lays down because they did not have the mental toughness to CRUSH the Saints. We were ahead...we were going to win...and that is all that counts looked like the mindset to me. Then all of a sudden we miss a FG that would have put the game out of reach...and we needed to convert a cruical 3rd down to ice the game Or how about the KC game...we fought all the way, finally go ahead. Then we give up a drive and TD to Dwayne Bowe in the closing seconds and have to win in OT. This is the type of stuff I am talking about. And I live in the DC area so I see a lot of Ravens football. THey are mean, nasty, and will step on your throat when you are laying on the ground gasping for air. We NEED to think like this.

 

[Seven]

Right now as it stands............we're one dimensional and limping along at that. The run game stinks because the blockiing stinks. However, SD is a pretty good defense and our offense is strawberry for a reason, so what now?


I hate pre-season.........



EDIT: In keeping with thee majority of the boards wishes I corrected my mistake of using 'Vanilla'.

 

[Doomsday101]

Right now as it stands............we're one dimensional and limping along at that. The run game stinks because the blockiing stinks. However, SD is a pretty good defense and our offense is vanilla for a reason, so what now?


I hate pre-season.........

I hate the reaction of some fans in pre season but have to say I like seeing young players who for the most part will not see much if any playing time during the season.

 

[aikemirv]

Aside from last year and what I believe was a weakness holding the edges I think the main problem/concern with this Oline is handling pressure up the middle. We are not quick enough with Davis and Gurode to handle a lot of activity/stunts/blitzes up the middle. With all the outside breakdowns in the MInn game the fact that Romo could not even step up in the pocket was most disconcerting. Blitz pickup up the middle costs us in Saturdays game also.

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.

 

[CATCH17]

Whats funny is at the end of the year we will most likely have a top 3 offense... Again....

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Aside from last year and what I believe was a weakness holding the edges I think the main problem/concern with this Oline is handling pressure up the middle. We are not quick enough with Davis and Gurode to handle a lot of activity/stunts/blitzes up the middle. With all the outside breakdowns in the MInn game the fact that Romo could not even step up in the pocket was most disconcerting. Blitz pickup up the middle costs us in Saturdays game also.

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.

then we need to dictate to the defense what we are going to do. Gurode and Davis need to knock the crap out of guys early in the game. To weaken their legs for later in the game. We have to avoid 3rd and longs. We have to pass more on traditional run downs. We cannot run, run pass. When teams KNOW we have to pass, we are doomed. Because like you said...we are vulnerable up the middle...BIG time.

 

[aikemirv]

then we need to dictate to the defense what we are going to do. Gurode and Davis need to knock the crap out of guys early in the game. To weaken their legs for later in the game. We have to avoid 3rd and longs. We have to pass more on traditional run downs. We cannot run, run pass. When teams KNOW we have to pass, we are doomed. Because like you said...we are vulnerable up the middle...BIG time.

I really think the onus is on Garrett to make us less predictable. He can design a good offense but he really IMO has no feel for keeping a team off balance. Norv is the master of it, Sean Peyton is a close second. Not saying they are smarter but they are much better in game managers of plays and offensive rythm.

 

[casmith07]

The offensive line is the weak link of any football team. If it snaps your QB can't do his job effectively.

 

[DanTanna]

Whats funny is at the end of the year we will most likely have a top 3 offense... Again....

And in the playoffs we will lose because of them like the last two years.

 

[CATCH17]

And in the playoffs we will lose because of them like the last two years.

Only 1 team can win it.

 

[casmith07]

Only 1 team can win it.

Seriously...if you think we lost in the playoffs because of the offensive line alone, you're a delusional fan.

What about the defense giving up 30+ points? Or generating no turnovers? Or the fumbles?

There was a lot wrong in the Minnesota game that didn't have anything to do with the offensive line.

It also helped that Adrian Peterson waited until the game against New Orleans to suddendly suffer from acute fumblitis.

 

[Stash]

Whats funny is at the end of the year we will most likely have a top 3 offense... Again....

That's in yards, not points once again, right?

 

[Doomsday101]

That's in yards, not points once again, right?

I know I'm expecting more in terms of points in the redzone and think they will show an improvement from last season.

 

[baj1dallas]

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.

 

[Stash]

I know I'm expecting more in terms of points in the redzone and think they will show an improvement from last season.

I hope so.

I'll have to wait until the regular season to find out.

There's no way know for sure if this is the result of legit issues or conservative playcalling.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hope so.

I'll have to wait until the regular season to find out.

There's no way know for sure if this is the result of legit issues or conservative playcalling.

No doubt we will see in the reg season. I'm not one to walking around saying we can't I know they can do a better job and fully expect them to do just that.

 

[YosemiteSam]

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)

 

[21Savage]

Seriously...if you think we lost in the playoffs because of the offensive line alone, you're a delusional fan.

What about the defense giving up 30+ points? Or generating no turnovers? Or the fumbles?

There was a lot wrong in the Minnesota game that didn't have anything to do with the offensive line.

It also helped that Adrian Peterson waited until the game against New Orleans to suddendly suffer from acute fumblitis.

You're delusional if you think the defense had a lot to do with us losing that game. Go back and watch it.

Yeah we gave up 14 points early in that game. But check it out: from the start of the 2nd Q to the start of the 4th Q, we gave up only 3 more points and those were off an offensive turnover in our territory. The defense totally stifled Minnesota's offense for a huge part of that game.

Do you have any idea how many times we turned the ball over including failed 4th down conversions? That defense buckled down and played championship ball, giving us a strong chance to win that game. Look especially at the play of our front 7, especially Anthony Spencer.

 

[21Savage]

FYI, Montrae Holland started two games I believe two years ago when Koiser got injured and then was replaced with Cory Proctor who in turn started the next 11 games.

The guy has the ability to play in my opinion. I just think he is fat and lazy. Like say Alex Barron except at guard rather than tackle.

This is the second time I'm seeing you blurt out this nonsesne. I don't know how you can be so ignorant of the situation yet speak with so much conviction about it.

Once again, Holland replaced Procter due to the potential for better play and made the Oline a lot better in the Seattle game he played and the quarter and a half he played against Pittsburgh. He hurt his ankle in that game and Procter then replaced him. Please know the facts before you speak about the issue

 

[YosemiteSam]

This is the second time I'm seeing you blurt out this nonsesne. I don't know how you can be so ignorant of the situation yet speak with so much conviction about it.

Once again, Holland replaced Procter due to the potential for better play and made the Oline a lot better in the Seattle game he played and the quarter and a half he played against Pittsburgh. He hurt his ankle in that game and Procter then replaced him. Please know the facts before you speak about the issue

Where was he 11 games later? Don't be a *****bag. There was no point is saying **** like that.