Over 30 not as big a deal as it once was

[burmafrd]

Many of the morons downgrading the Cowboys say it is because of our age at key areas. BULL HOCKEY.
O linemen very OFTEN play well into their mid thirties- and our oldest ones have a couple of years to go before they get there.
Jerry Rice comes to mind as regards WR's= he was top of the line into his mid thirties. Key is not a speed guy so no big there. Glenn is possibly a concern but reports are that his speed is still there.
Bledsoe is in his thirties- big deal. Nothing unusual there- looking at the QB's winning SB's and there are a lot of 30+ guys there- as long as you do not depend on speed and quickness that is not an issue. Vick will not be much in his 30's if he lasts that long- but Bledsoe is not a problem there.
Where else is age a concern?
Now it is TRUE that 30+ players have more injuries and heal slower- no argument. BUT as long as a 30+ player is in top shape there is no reason he should get injured more then a younger player - its how and where you play that makes a difference. Clearly our older guys will not be around a whole lot longer- but for this year and next it should not be a real concern.

 

[Reality]

I'll take "Things fans of an NFL team with a lot of old players would say" for $500, Alex.

Hopefully, you're right though

 

[jobberone]

30. Depends on your perspective I guess. I'll take 30 again as long as I don't have to be married.

 

[junk]

I am concerned that the team gave a big bonus to a 30+ guard.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Over 30 not as big a deal as it once was

I keep telling my wife that.

She isn't buying it either.

 

[burmafrd]

Being close to 50 myself I would argue that being 30 is pretty good. In this day of much better training, much better sports medicine, and so on, being over 30 is not what it was 30 years ago.

 

[jterrell]

Age is a factor but also the fact is position matters more. OL can be early 30's when they hit their peak. Technique is such a big part of it and athleticism fairly minimal.

RB, WR and CB should be pre 30 or right at it. You are not gonna have the same burst and quickness unless you are just a freak like Darrell Green.

Basically the bigger the guy the easier to play longer.
The one exception is QB where being 30 is far from a deathkneel provided you can stay healthy.

 

[smashmouth]

Age is a factor but also the fact is position matters more. OL can be early 30's when they hit their peak. Technique is such a big part of it and athleticism fairly minimal.

RB, WR and CB should be pre 30 or right at it. You are not gonna have the same burst and quickness unless you are just a freak like Darrell Green.

Basically the bigger the guy the easier to play longer.
The one exception is QB where being 30 is far from a deathkneel provided you can stay healthy.

:signmast: I agree.
But about the receivers, you mentioned position and I think that what Key does, he can do for a long time. The only problem is, we need a young burner that can make defenses think about whether they want to double Key or not. If that guy is TG, then we shall see. So I can see Key being in his 30's and still giving Defenses fits with those tough 1st down catches.

 

[ravidubey]

30 is not a bad age for an offensive lineman, quarterback, a defensive lineman who's game is based upon size and power and not speed, and MAYBE a possession WR who is an excellent route runner.

30+ sucks for every other position, and Dallas is 30+ at both possession and outside WRs-- two of the most important positions on the team and all the real DT's on the team are in their 30's which is bad for La'Roi Glover since his game is speed and quickness. I don't know enough about Fergy, but I would suspect his game is likely equal parts speed and power and that he's not a Sam Adams type who plays huge and could play forever.

 

[burmafrd]

Glover and Ferguson each have acouple of years before we have to worry. Time enough to find their replacements. Especially since this draft gave us so many good D linemen. All we need is to draft a good DT next year and one the next year and we are set. So no big.

 

[Jimz31]

I agree about age not being as big a factor with Linemen.....other positions are totally debateable, though.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Being close to 50 myself I would argue that being 30 is pretty good. In this day of much better training, much better sports medicine, and so on, being over 30 is not what it was 30 years ago.

Very true, but along with better training come bigger and faster players so in some ways it balances itself out. OL guys can usually play longer than most other positions, and alot are in their best years in their 30's.

Rice was a Pro Bowler at the age of 38, I believe, but then again, you can't take arguably the greatest player ever and make him a rule. He's more of an exception to the rule.