Our o-line is fine.. not the prob

[TheSport78]

To me the biggest failure on this team (outside of the ridiculous field-goal situation) was the O-line. One week, A-OK. The next week mediocrity. The following week outright failure.

The O-line is the weakest starting unit on this team as of right now. It's not SB quality.

Because they are old and fatigued by the end of the year. We need younger, healthier linemen who won't have arthritis by January.

 

[craig71]

To me the biggest failure on this team (outside of the ridiculous field-goal situation) was the O-line. One week, A-OK. The next week mediocrity. The following week outright failure.

The O-line is the weakest starting unit on this team as of right now. It's not SB quality.

I can agree with that.I'm also wondering if Houck has lost some of his desire to be a coach.He isn't getting any younger and the commitment it takes to be a coach may be fading.

Craig

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I don't know that Columbo gets released in that sitaution.Depth is key if they plan on making a run.


Craig

Yeah, I don't think he does either unless:

1. Free takes the RT spot and 2. They draft another OT who has more on the ball than Columbo.

If Columbo is not going to suit up on game day, then yeah, I could see him being released.

The only saving grave for Columbo would be his capacity to play guard. But then again, I'm guessing Brewster gets a game-day spot and who knows if another draft pick doesn't happen at guard or center come April.

 

[hawklegion]

The problem with going with draft picks is some will not turn out, the odds just say so. I don't think even Wade and Jerry would be comfortable with 1 let alone more then rookie O-lineman starting. I know we are limited on FA but picking up a high caliber Lineman and also draft would be good.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I can agree with that.I'm also wondering if Houck has lost some of his desire to be a coach.He isn't getting any younger and the commitment it takes to be a coach may be fading.

Craig

No question.

On top of that we have too many linemen who are old or athletically limited... Or both.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The problem with going with draft picks is some will not turn out, the odds just say so. I don't think even Wade and Jerry would be comfortable with 1 let alone more then rookie O-lineman starting. I know we are limited on FA but picking up a high caliber Lineman and also draft would be good.

This team has had rookie lineman start... And if you get one early enough, at least their pedigree could get them some looks as a potential starter. I'm thinking a 1st round olineman at this juncture.

Then you have Free, who's very close to being a starter.

Brewster will not technically be a rookie next year. If he improves his strength, he could be a replacement for Kosier.

 

[craig71]

Yeah, I don't think he does either unless:

1. Free takes the RT spot and 2. They draft another OT who has more on the ball than Columbo.

If Columbo is not going to suit up on game day, then yeah, I could see him being released.

The only saving grave for Columbo would be his capacity to play guard. But then again, I'm guessing Brewster gets a game-day spot and who knows if another draft pick doesn't happen at guard or center come April.

To many variables to account for at this time.I think as of now that Columbo is on the roster but that may change by the end of TC.

Craig

 

[CoolNClutch]

I agree, we simply went up against the best defensive front four remaining in the playoffs. Flozell probably has another 2 years left in him but I definitely think his replacement should come through the draft and not Doug Free. Free looks to be pretty solid at RT, why mess up something that is working already? Interior linemen can play at an older age without seeing a significant drop-off in talent so I think the others will be fine.

 

[craig71]

No question.

On top of that we have too many linemen who are old or athletically limited... Or both.

I think age and athletic ability are part of it.Still think coaching is a factor as well.I also think that the individual players grade out better than the unit as a whole.


Craig

 

[2much2soon]

And if this type of jail-break game happened once, it's sure to happen again next season– probably several times because no doubt others are going to follow the same formula the Vikings used to bottle-up the offense.

I am always get suspicious when "formulas" and "blueprints" for beating teams are proclaimed.

Remember in '06 (I think) when Indy was undefeated and Dallas beat them? And Parcells was so happy that his GAME PLAN was EXECUTED to perfection that he was near tears? And suddenly Dallas had exposed the formula for beating the Colts? Pressure Manning and make him throw under duress?

Sure, that does work, but how many teams have been able to EXECUTE that GAME PLAN against Indy since then?

I don't disagree that the time to replace Flozell is very near. And if Columbo's problems were more than a result of breaking his leg a relatively short time before then that is a huge problem as well.

But Sunday I saw an offensive line, that had looked good enough for most of the year that Romo and the RBs were able to be very effective, appear to be completely lost. Like they had no idea what Minny was doing most of the time.

One particular play that stuck in my mind was one of Minny DTs appearing to drop into coverage, hesitate, then turn and rush Romo untouched as if in a 1 man zone blitz.

I think somebody, Houck or Garrett, fell asleep after the Philly games and really dropped the ball this week.

And I'd be willing to bet they catching huge amounts of hell for it.

 

[mmillman]

Your take on the offensive line is myopic. The line is aging with no depth and specially no depth at arguably the second most important position on offense.

 

[CF74]

We need solid depth ON TOP OF at least one new starter.

Let's not deceive ourselves... This is not a SB winning offensive line.

Not with these five starters. There is one or two who are flat-out not good enough.

We get a ton of pressure up the middle and from the left side, always have. Romo makes this o-line look better than it is but the play calling doesn't help when he's having a bad day.

When Bigg and Dre are on they can move mountains but when they aren't it's a disaster like Sunday. We need to stir up some competition...

 

[rangers71]

One bad game and everyone is wanting to fire the o-line coach and replace everyone on the o-line, we are a good coached unit with elite talent. If we replace anybody it should be RW 11, he's horrible and can't get open.. enough with wasting my time about him, hes good as gone.

Seriously who could we replace Flo with that would match his talent? The only guy I sorta-kinda-maybe want gone is Columbo.. why you ask? Because Free plays better. Other than that we have proven game in and out that our o-line is great, besides one game.

Why was everyone so worries when Columbo got hurt now everyone wants to get rid of him? Amazing.

 

[Mansta54]

One bad game and everyone is wanting to fire the o-line coach and replace everyone on the o-line, we are a good coached unit with elite talent. If we replace anybody it should be RW 11, he's horrible and can't get open.. enough with wasting my time about him, hes good as gone.

Seriously who could we replace Flo with that would match his talent? The only guy I sorta-kinda-maybe want gone is Columbo.. why you ask? Because Free plays better. Other than that we have proven game in and out that our o-line is great, besides one game.

Two words: NICE POST....

 

[craig71]

Why was everyone so worries when Columbo got hurt now everyone wants to get rid of him? Amazing.

I think you have to worry about Columbo's injury history prior to this year.You also have to consider how those injuries combined with this years injury are going to effect him down the road.I like what Columbo brings to the table but I also think you have to let Free challenge him for a starting role.It's just part of the game,you have to keep infusing youth into starting roles to stay competitive in the long term.

Craig

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

While I don't think the line is terrible, this isn't about just "one bad game". Romo's been sacked more this season than any other and all of them aren't on him. I doubt they find someone better than Flo in the draft or f/a so I guess he'd be penciled in, along w/ Davis and Gurode. Colombo and Kosier are solid but they may be challenged in t/camp for their spots. I hope they can find a future starting OT in this draft... If so, and with the projected camp battles, depth may not be that big of a concern as some may think.

 

[kramskoi]

Well, actually it is the problem. This offense was what second in yards and middle of the pack as far as points. It couldn't get the one yard when necessary and it created drive killing penalties on a regular basis.

The line is the weakest part of the offense.

And if this type of jail-break game happened once, it's sure to happen again next season– probably several times because no doubt others are going to follow the same formula the Vikings used to bottle-up the offense.

The line hasn't been able to handle stunts all year.

...the best pass blocker on the line is Kosier...Gurode, Davis below average...Columbo/Free marginally above average...Adams below average...this is a line that relies a lot on the elusiveness of Romo and the quickness of Jones and Choice...with each passing season these guys will only get slower...i think 2007 was their best season together...

...you would think they would run-block better with all the beef but this unit does'nt block as well for its size...and i do think there's some underachieving going on as well...

 

[kramskoi]

While I don't think the line is terrible, this isn't about just "one bad game". Romo's been sacked more this season than any other and all of them aren't on him. I doubt they find someone better than Flo in the draft or f/a so I guess he'd be penciled in, along w/ Davis and Gurode. Colombo and Kosier are solid but they may be challenged in t/camp for their spots. I hope they can find a future starting OT in this draft... If so, and with the projected camp battles, depth may not be that big of a concern as some may think.

Free as performed as well as Columbo down the stretch...and he may not be the same after that injury...IF Brewster comes on then Dallas would have some interesting options...

 

[sonnyboy]

We need solid depth ON TOP OF at least one new starter.

Let's not deceive ourselves... This is not a SB winning offensive line.

Not with these five starters. There is one or two who are flat-out not good enough.

I agree. Except this is a SB winning OL, IF it's completely healthy. Chances of that given the average age of it's starters.........zero!

I want our top 6 OL back. But we need to go to camp with 6 new players we feel good about.

One significant FA, one more mid tier FA and at least 3 drafted players. And two of them should be first day guys.

 

[ZeroClub]

Well, actually it is the problem. This offense was what second in yards and middle of the pack as far as points. It couldn't get the one yard when necessary and it created drive killing penalties on a regular basis.

The line is the weakest part of the offense.

And if this type of jail-break game happened once, it's sure to happen again next season– probably several times because no doubt others are going to follow the same formula the Vikings used to bottle-up the offense.

The line hasn't been able to handle stunts all year.

I agree with you on all counts.

The running game in general just isn't as important as it used to be in the NFL. But IMO the single most important aspect of the running game today would be the short yardage running game. I'd like to see the Cowboys put some focus on that.

In addition to upgrading the OL, I'd like to see the Cowboys acquire a true short yardage RB ... the power guy who can reliably grind out the yard and a half to two yards when you really need it.

Barber used to be good in that role, but isn't so much anymore. Choice gives it a good try, but there must be better options out there. The Cowboys should find one of those better options.