Big Country
Rolling Thunder
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One thing the Cowboys need when employing next year's philosophy for the O-line is one of continuity... I think this has been lacking for some time now... Ever since the Jimmy Johnson days Dallas has used a power blocking scheme that uses huge bludgeoning guys to physically dominate their man in front of them...
Back in the day Emmitt feasted off this big line because he could use his vision and bounce ever so slightly between the tackles and then the defenders would fail to bring down Emmitt with arm tackles... Result was long time consuming drives... and consistently popping off five and eight yard runs... and we remember there were lots of those. When you can run like that regularly on third and five and third and two, you're going to be pretty good.
Other teams such as Atlanta's and Denver's uses more of a zone blocking scheme that likes to scoot laterally while engaging their opponents and then the RBs will flash to a cutback lane and take off while the DL tries to recover from the lateral slide while being engaged... Very effective for RBs such as Warrick Dunn and Tatum Bell, who made ripping off long yardage on runs pretty common... Atlanta and Denver are teams usually at the top of the rushing offense list.
One disaster I remember was back in 2002 when Dallas employed Bruce "yellow tiger" Coslet and Frank "styrofoam hammer" Verducci in their own version of WCO and zone blocking scheme... The result was a stastical and philosophical disaster... I couldn't imagine Larry Allen and Flozell Adams doing the "ta dada ta da, Block!... ta dada ta da, Whiff!... Chad Hutchinson got hit more often than a dartboard at a cricket tourney. The Colwboys most dangerous play of that year was when TE Tony "chicken hawk" McGee fell down at the end of the O-line and then ran across the empty side of the field while QB Squincy rolled out and threw back across the field and fans prayed McGee made it into the end zone... Whew!!
1. LT-- I think Flozell can be fine finishing his career in Big D... I'd sure like to see a repeat performance of his 2003 pro-bowl season... Any quality depth however be it draft or FA sure couldn't hurt looking back at this year.
2. LG-- Larry Allen sadly, I think his time is done... He is now a liability in the blitz from ANY team... run blitz, pass blitz, it doesn't matter. He just can't get around in space anymore... He still can pull on occasion but his space gets attacked by defenders when he moves out...
I think, not necessarily because he's a physical liability, but most likely because he's the most studied offensive lineman in the league by opposing DCs, is the reason Dallas will live or die by their existing running philosophy... Anything can happen to this position this off-season, be ready...
3. C-- Al Johnson is an enigma... surely he regressed in the Dallas scheme this year, but if you were to plug him in Green Bay for a traded draft pick, I think he would absolutely shine... Al has a long upper body and short quick legs... In Dallas present scheme, he's got to stand up big 330 lb defensive tackles while MLBers come crashing through the front... Not actually a recipe for success. Gurode to me is just a backup... more physical because of his size, but he's a backup guard really. Proof Gurode is not a center... First play of second half in NYG when DT Clancy nearly gets Bledsoe's handoff and Antonio Pierce struts in with a 15 yd fumble recovery for a TD... Gurode doesn't need to call plays... Brain fart maybe, but give me someone else.
4. RG-- Like it or not, Rivera is here to stay... He'll definately get his second chance. The reasoning is not just financial, but due to his overall experience. He's old yes, but not that old. But definately that position was hampered when Rivera went down with that back injury... IMO he will be seething over this past season and definately will want to make amends and prove he can be part of the rebuilding. One other plus, he's a fiery vocal leader... He'll definately help get Dallas back on track with his leadership as long as he can stay healthy.
5. RT-- Petitti can benefit from Rivera's on field leadership and some good old off-season training... One can say he was overwhelmed and he toughed it out during his injury... But, if a blue chipper such as McNeil or Justice can be had through the draft, look for good competition where the best player will win the job for next season... He did need help for the most part, but again, he'll work out the off season and fill in at least. The OL rebuilding process wont be held hostage with Rob P.'s ability or any lack thereof... He'll find a way to work and improve...
If nothing else... try some TC scenarios with Tucker at guard and see what works... Someone on this board suggested that, and I thought myself that would be a good idea... Tucker is athletic and big... guard might just suit him better anyway since he was a guard in college. In reality, upgrade the center position and hope you can get a fresh body at right tackle to improve the situation overall... Improve the center and you can see Julius running better as well as Bledsoe seeing less up the middle pressure... Rollouts aren't his strong suits... Every DC in the NFL knows that. In any case... quality depth will go a loooong way for the hunt for SB XLI in Miami.
Back in the day Emmitt feasted off this big line because he could use his vision and bounce ever so slightly between the tackles and then the defenders would fail to bring down Emmitt with arm tackles... Result was long time consuming drives... and consistently popping off five and eight yard runs... and we remember there were lots of those. When you can run like that regularly on third and five and third and two, you're going to be pretty good.
Other teams such as Atlanta's and Denver's uses more of a zone blocking scheme that likes to scoot laterally while engaging their opponents and then the RBs will flash to a cutback lane and take off while the DL tries to recover from the lateral slide while being engaged... Very effective for RBs such as Warrick Dunn and Tatum Bell, who made ripping off long yardage on runs pretty common... Atlanta and Denver are teams usually at the top of the rushing offense list.
One disaster I remember was back in 2002 when Dallas employed Bruce "yellow tiger" Coslet and Frank "styrofoam hammer" Verducci in their own version of WCO and zone blocking scheme... The result was a stastical and philosophical disaster... I couldn't imagine Larry Allen and Flozell Adams doing the "ta dada ta da, Block!... ta dada ta da, Whiff!... Chad Hutchinson got hit more often than a dartboard at a cricket tourney. The Colwboys most dangerous play of that year was when TE Tony "chicken hawk" McGee fell down at the end of the O-line and then ran across the empty side of the field while QB Squincy rolled out and threw back across the field and fans prayed McGee made it into the end zone... Whew!!
1. LT-- I think Flozell can be fine finishing his career in Big D... I'd sure like to see a repeat performance of his 2003 pro-bowl season... Any quality depth however be it draft or FA sure couldn't hurt looking back at this year.
2. LG-- Larry Allen sadly, I think his time is done... He is now a liability in the blitz from ANY team... run blitz, pass blitz, it doesn't matter. He just can't get around in space anymore... He still can pull on occasion but his space gets attacked by defenders when he moves out...
I think, not necessarily because he's a physical liability, but most likely because he's the most studied offensive lineman in the league by opposing DCs, is the reason Dallas will live or die by their existing running philosophy... Anything can happen to this position this off-season, be ready...
3. C-- Al Johnson is an enigma... surely he regressed in the Dallas scheme this year, but if you were to plug him in Green Bay for a traded draft pick, I think he would absolutely shine... Al has a long upper body and short quick legs... In Dallas present scheme, he's got to stand up big 330 lb defensive tackles while MLBers come crashing through the front... Not actually a recipe for success. Gurode to me is just a backup... more physical because of his size, but he's a backup guard really. Proof Gurode is not a center... First play of second half in NYG when DT Clancy nearly gets Bledsoe's handoff and Antonio Pierce struts in with a 15 yd fumble recovery for a TD... Gurode doesn't need to call plays... Brain fart maybe, but give me someone else.
4. RG-- Like it or not, Rivera is here to stay... He'll definately get his second chance. The reasoning is not just financial, but due to his overall experience. He's old yes, but not that old. But definately that position was hampered when Rivera went down with that back injury... IMO he will be seething over this past season and definately will want to make amends and prove he can be part of the rebuilding. One other plus, he's a fiery vocal leader... He'll definately help get Dallas back on track with his leadership as long as he can stay healthy.
5. RT-- Petitti can benefit from Rivera's on field leadership and some good old off-season training... One can say he was overwhelmed and he toughed it out during his injury... But, if a blue chipper such as McNeil or Justice can be had through the draft, look for good competition where the best player will win the job for next season... He did need help for the most part, but again, he'll work out the off season and fill in at least. The OL rebuilding process wont be held hostage with Rob P.'s ability or any lack thereof... He'll find a way to work and improve...
If nothing else... try some TC scenarios with Tucker at guard and see what works... Someone on this board suggested that, and I thought myself that would be a good idea... Tucker is athletic and big... guard might just suit him better anyway since he was a guard in college. In reality, upgrade the center position and hope you can get a fresh body at right tackle to improve the situation overall... Improve the center and you can see Julius running better as well as Bledsoe seeing less up the middle pressure... Rollouts aren't his strong suits... Every DC in the NFL knows that. In any case... quality depth will go a loooong way for the hunt for SB XLI in Miami.
. Where alot of sweeps and pitches were used.