OL Will we be as good as last year?

[BAZ]

They should be better with another year under their belt, but right now it's hinging on Frees health. If he can't get it together then it's all questions.

 

[DoctorChicken]

If they are not better something went drastically wrong.

Is it even possible for Martin to get any better?

 

[windjc]

They should be better with another year under their belt, but right now it's hinging on Frees health. If he can't get it together then it's all questions.

He looked good in preseason and in training camp. Not sure what pulling-it-together he needs to do.

 

[Joe_Fan]

Cowboys offense plays against a great defense every day in practice. (their own)

Exaggerating much? Granted they should be improved over last years unit but it's way too early to say that they're great until they can prove it in the regular season.

And this is the Cowboys after all which has a history of not playing up to their talent or expectations.

 

[DogFace]

They'll be much better. They'll tighten up the pass blocking. Which gets better with familiarity and communication. They will dominate the run game.

 

[Hardline]

We won't know until we see it on the field.

 

[Jarv]

OP clearly did not bother to research our current OL coach.

Can you give us a brief background? I thought he was a Bill Callahan assistant?

 

[darthseinfeld]

If healthy, they will be better. Young guys still learning. Running holes will be bigger, pass protection against stunts will be better. If healthy it will be the #1 OL without a doubt.

In reality we probably weren't the "best" line last year. Most feared and most dominant, probably. But that doesn't necessarily mean. Best running line.....easily. It would be interesting to see where we were pass blocking wise. Top 5? Probably. #1? Probably not. The talent and desire to be the best is there, and our younger lineman are already solid veteran figures. So I can assume we will have the best overall line in the NFL

 

[darthseinfeld]

If we have problems with the Panthers, Jets and Commanders (and Eagles D for that matter) then this team isn't a contender.

I do think Miami and Buffalo will present some potential challenges.

Eagles front 7's not bad. Their secondary, even with the guys they signed is garbage though

 

[BourbonBalz]

Why anyone would think our line, with four starters being so young, would be worse than the previous year is completely beyond me. . Last year one starter was a rookie and another was in his second season. They will get better physically and from an experience and cohesive standpoint.

 

[mattjames2010]

Every team in the league is now aware of our offensive line, and every week every defensive line will playing as hard as possible to destroy the label our offensive line has now.

This year will be a better indicator of how good they are than last year.

 

[mattjames2010]

Is it even possible for Martin to get any better?

He could learn to put a little more effort into blocks against one of the best DE's in the game during playoff time. Murray gets a lot of crap for his fumble but I see nothing directed at the poor block Martin put on Peppers.

So yeah, he has room for improvement. Little mistakes like that are easily overlooked until they have really bad outcomes.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Is it even possible for Martin to get any better?

Pass blocking across the line needs to improve. Martin included. I'm excited to see their progress.

 

[DallasEast]

Can you give us a brief background? I thought he was a Bill Callahan assistant?

http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/coaches/roster/frank-Pollack (excerpted)

Frank Pollack​

Pollack came to Dallas after one stint as the offensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders finished eighth in passing offense in 2012, fourth in the AFC, and ranked sixth in the AFC in total offense.

Prior to joining the Raiders, Pollack spent five seasons with the Houston Texans as assistant offensive line coach. In 2011 Pollack helped coach a group that blocked for two running backs that gained over 900 rushing yards as the Texans set a franchise record with 153 rushing yards-per-game, good for second in the NFL. The line included second-team All-Pro left tackle Duane Brown and center Chris Myers, who earned his first Pro Bowl berth.

The 2010 offensive line group paved the way for a record-setting season, as the Texans ranked third in the NFL with a franchise-record 6,186 yards of offense and a team-record 290 points while blocking for the NFL’s rushing (1,616 yards) and touchdown (18) champion, running back Arrian Foster.

In 2009 the line provided protection for the NFL’s leading passer, Matt Schaub, who threw for 4,770 yards and 29 touchdowns. The 2008 line featured the same five starters for all 16 games, marking a first in Texans history. His first year with the Texans and coaching in the NFL came in 2007, as the line allowed just 22 sacks.

Before joining the professional ranks, Pollack began his coaching career at his alma mater, Northern Arizona, in 2005 as the co-offensive line coach. He was promoted to the offensive line coach in 2006, when the NAU offense led the conference in scoring (34.4) and passing (267.2) and finished second in rushing (137.9).

Pollack was a sixth round draft choice by the San Francisco 49ers in 1990. He played two years for the 49ers, 1990-91, before moving to Denver, where he played from 1992-93. He finished his playing career back with the 49ers from 1994-98, having played 90 career games and helping San Francisco to a Super Bowl championship in 1994.

 

[Jarv]

http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/coaches/roster/frank-Pollack (excerpted)

Frank Pollack​

Pollack came to Dallas after one stint as the offensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders finished eighth in passing offense in 2012, fourth in the AFC, and ranked sixth in the AFC in total offense.

Prior to joining the Raiders, Pollack spent five seasons with the Houston Texans as assistant offensive line coach. In 2011 Pollack helped coach a group that blocked for two running backs that gained over 900 rushing yards as the Texans set a franchise record with 153 rushing yards-per-game, good for second in the NFL. The line included second-team All-Pro left tackle Duane Brown and center Chris Myers, who earned his first Pro Bowl berth.

The 2010 offensive line group paved the way for a record-setting season, as the Texans ranked third in the NFL with a franchise-record 6,186 yards of offense and a team-record 290 points while blocking for the NFL’s rushing (1,616 yards) and touchdown (18) champion, running back Arrian Foster.

In 2009 the line provided protection for the NFL’s leading passer, Matt Schaub, who threw for 4,770 yards and 29 touchdowns. The 2008 line featured the same five starters for all 16 games, marking a first in Texans history. His first year with the Texans and coaching in the NFL came in 2007, as the line allowed just 22 sacks.

Before joining the professional ranks, Pollack began his coaching career at his alma mater, Northern Arizona, in 2005 as the co-offensive line coach. He was promoted to the offensive line coach in 2006, when the NAU offense led the conference in scoring (34.4) and passing (267.2) and finished second in rushing (137.9).

Pollack was a sixth round draft choice by the San Francisco 49ers in 1990. He played two years for the 49ers, 1990-91, before moving to Denver, where he played from 1992-93. He finished his playing career back with the 49ers from 1994-98, having played 90 career games and helping San Francisco to a Super Bowl championship in 1994.

Thank you sir!

 

[BAZ]

He looked good in preseason and in training camp. Not sure what pulling-it-together he needs to do.

Well look harder I can't do everything for you.

 

[JBS]

The logic of some people in this world is mind boggling

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Not sure how many times if any this has been covered, but do you think our O-Line will be as good as last year or worse?

Myself I'm hoping we're as good, but I expect we take a few steps back. Why?

We lost Bill Callahan our OL coach for the past 3 years. A lot of fans think it's mainly talent that gets the job done, but in reality coaching has a huge impact. A coach has to know when to get in a players face, or use kid gloves. They also have to know which players you can use to motivate, and one's that are self motivating. Now we have a OL coach I've never heard of, not sure how good he is, but as I said I'm expecting us to take a step or two back, I'm hoping we take a step forward and are even more dominant. I'm also hoping Bill isn't nearly as successful in Washington as he's been in Dallas and other places he's coached.

I believe Mcfadden makes this oline better.
They have a runner that can bust out. Instead of getting caught or fumbling near the Los.

 

[InDakWeTrust]

He could learn to put a little more effort into blocks against one of the best DE's in the game during playoff time. Murray gets a lot of crap for his fumble but I see nothing directed at the poor block Martin put on Peppers.

So yeah, he has room for improvement. Little mistakes like that are easily overlooked until they have really bad outcomes.

How was his block a mistake? He walled off Peppers and Peppers got off a block 5 yards downfield to lightly smack the ball out of DeMarcos hand. McFadden or Randle would've exploded through the same hole instead of doing the pre flight checks before it took DeMarco to hit full speed.

 

[ShiningStar]

After talking to a few posters here, even i feel confident Pollack will do a good job and I was one of the people who did the happy dance when we got Callahan. Im very happy with this promotion and I think Pollack has such great talent, and he can relate to them as offensive linemen that he will do whats best for team with them.