Pittdawg - any news for us?

[sago1]

Pittdog, not all of us on here are idiots or simply uninformed. For Rob to handle all the adversity he did in his rookie year and first time playing in pain at RT position is more then most could have done. Yep, he got heavily criticized on this board when things got tough for the Cowboys and their fans but that unfortunately is reality. In the offseason we know Rob spent an extreme amount of time improving himself in every way he could & their was delight on this board as we heard about his work. In fact Parcells even cited Rob as a weightroom workout warrior comparable to team leader TNewman (apparently he lives in the weightroom). I might add that Colombo was also apparently in same weightroom doing lot of work as well.

As much as I've pulled for Rob, I thought all along that he'd have a tough time winning starting RT job this year because his principle competition was Colombo, who faced extremely long odds given serious knee/nerve injury back in 02 and inability play since then. I followed closely any reports I read about the 2 of them but I also read their 02 & 05 draft evaluations. For Rob to over his odds would have been outstanding, but if Colombo could overcome his extremely incredible odds, he's his talent could win him the RT job--which appears to be the case for now.

BUT none of this means that Rob's future with the Cowboys is in doubt. Any of those rather silly reports that Rob would bring us best trade value lacks an understanding of our OL needs both now and in the future. From what I've read, all Rob needs now to do is improve his techniques; he's already improved physically & his mental ability/maturity was never a problem--per Parcells. Colombo, Pettiti and apparently McQuistan are our future (not too distant either) whereas Fabini may only be a 1 year stopgap.

I don't know if Rob will start this year but that doesn't mean he wouldn't see a lot of playing and it doesn't mean he wouldn't start in 07. Cowboys OL will probably be drastically different in 07 & beyond. Adams will be 32 and in last year of his 5 year contract with us & his knee injury could seriously impact future decisions. Also, whether Fabini makes the team or not (if he not good enough to play LT & protect Bledsoe's butt he wouldn't be here), he wouldn't be here next year. So it entirely possible our OTs next year could well be our young players like Pettiti, Colombo & McQuistan. No way is Parcells parting with any of these guys. Just tell Rob to work hard on his techniques and things will work out just fine.

 

[Fernando Fernandez]

PittDawg, please tell Rob that I think he's a very handsome young man!

He looks alot like me; less 60-70 pounds and without the tattoos.

 

[wileedog]

I must admit to being surprised BP has given all the "starter" reps at LT to McQ. In a way it makes no sense- if Rob is the swing guy and McQ has had no reps at RT so therefore won't dress on gameday, why wouldn't you want Rob as prepared as possible to play? BP seems to have fallen head over heels for McQ and maybe with good reason but the guy is still as green as grass. Rob has not only had far more college experience he's got a year pro starting experience. I don't know if I can take another on the job training course with real bullets flying like last year with Tucker playing LT for the 1st time. It's confusing.

I think they are really just trying to test McQ as much as possible in the time they have to get some sort of feel for his ceiling.

Once the season starts, McQ won't sniff the field, so I think they want to know what they have while they can still evaluate him against "live" competition.

As for Robb, as PD mentioned its his natural position. If Flo does go down I'm sure Bill is comfortable that he can get Rob back in playing mode there in short order.

The problem I think is that Bill really wanted the line set right now so he could be gettting guys ready to play, but surprises like McQ and Columbo have made it so we still have to be in evaluation mode a little bit on the O-line. That's not necessarily a bad problem.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

I must admit to being surprised BP has given all the "starter" reps at LT to McQ. In a way it makes no sense- if Rob is the swing guy and McQ has had no reps at RT so therefore won't dress on gameday, why wouldn't you want Rob as prepared as possible to play? BP seems to have fallen head over heels for McQ and maybe with good reason but the guy is still as green as grass. Rob has not only had far more college experience he's got a year pro starting experience. I don't know if I can take another on the job training course with real bullets flying like last year with Tucker playing LT for the 1st time. It's confusing.

The #1 purpose of training camp and practices is preparation for the season. The number one purpose of preseason games is player evaluation.

Bill has already said he knows what he's got in Rob, and had to look at other guys. That was a sign of confidence, not of mistrust. RP had a tremendous offseason (according to press reports, see Mosley July 7 DMN in particular) and tho he is still 'developmental', there is much more need to assess Colombo, who hasn't played in a few years, and MCQ who hasn't played at all.

Those are the two Bill has got to evaluate fast.

If Flo, our undisputed starting LT, and Columbo, a wonderful comeback story, but still a former first round LT pick, ie, an elite pick with mega potential/talent, are going to start over RP, I just can't see it as some sort of defeat.

IMO, the fact that Bill trusts RP to back up both positions is nothing to sneer at, especially since his skills are still building.

 

[Juke99]

I'm in NYC and know all about Fabini. I brought it all up last year, and was shot down because just the fact that he "may" be a Cowboy makes him above ridicule.

The guy is a false start machine. Jet fans are laughing at us for taking him off their hands.

Rob Pettiti is a professional. He knows jobs are won and lost on a dime. He knows he has to work his arse off just to be on the team, and he'll have to work harder to win back the starting RT position.

The NFL is Darwinism at it's greatest. Rob knows this and will do all he can.

Best of luck to whomever wins the RT spot. It'll only make us better.

On the nosey.

 

[X-Dawg]

i haven't left, nor am i disgusted. rob is on an emotional roller coaster right now and unfortunately i'm seated next to him. he feels he had a great camp, but doesn't know how everything will shake out. he and columbo have become good friends, except when the yanks play boston, and is pulling for him to win the RT spot if it's not himself.

one funny thing, i have read where some feel rob is the most tradeable of the tackles and might even fetch as high as a third round pick, but in the next sentence remind everyone he has very little ability and are scared to death if he were the starter at either side. oh well, the plight of some dallas fans.

btw, if any of you fans live up north you might know about fabini's exploits at left tackle for the jets last year. if not, go to a jet fan page and ask, you might not be that happy.

I've tried to tell people that here for months - Fabini is an absolute joke...he was done 3 years ago...possibly the worst OL over the last 3 seasons - thanx Bill!

How is Rob's weight these days? has he muscled up as much as I've read? Are his feet quicker? that's the key is his footwork....

 

[pittdawg]

How is Rob's weight these days? has he muscled up as much as I've read? Are his feet quicker? that's the key is his footwork....[/quote]

rob will play at 325-327 lbs again this year, however he is alot more musclar and powerful than last year. he has improved his footwork, but i think the area of concern is his hand technique, the position of his hands while pass blocking. seems like a small thiink, but i guess it's very important.

 

[p1_]

The #1 purpose of training camp and practices is preparation for the season. The number one purpose of preseason games is player evaluation.

Bill has already said he knows what he's got in Rob, and had to look at other guys. That was a sign of confidence, not of mistrust. RP had a tremendous offseason (according to press reports, see Mosley July 7 DMN in particular) and tho he is still 'developmental', there is much more need to assess Colombo, who hasn't played in a few years, and MCQ who hasn't played at all.

Those are the two Bill has got to evaluate fast.

If Flo, our undisputed starting LT, and Columbo, a wonderful comeback story, but still a former first round LT pick, ie, an elite pick with mega potential/talent, are going to start over RP, I just can't see it as some sort of defeat.

IMO, the fact that Bill trusts RP to back up both positions is nothing to sneer at, especially since his skills are still building.

Couple this with a) the fact that Bill whiffed on both Peterman and Rogers and b) quality offensive linemen don't linger on the waiver wire and Bill had to see whether he was going to keep McQ on the roster, and thereby HAD to play him extensively. I think McQ would have been snatched had he been exposed.

Message board mutiny would ensue had that occurred.

 

[DLCassidy]

On the nosey.

Fabini's had an above average number of false starts, an average of 4 a year. Not good but not the end of the world either. Nothing that would lead people to to be laughing at us for signing him IMO. In fact, his false start #'s are identical to Flozell's in almost the exact same # of games.

 

[jobberone]

Pittdawg, I have no choice but to admire you for sticking it out here and doing it with class; especially with some of the uhhh thinkg posted by a few.

I admire Rob for hanging in there for a very difficult season last year. He overcame injuries and didn't just survive Bill but won an ally he'll have for life. Bill doesn't give anybody a thing; they earn it from one of the toughtest men I've seen in life.

I have no idea what will happen this year and I'm trying to stop trying to figure Bill out. Rob has made the team again and wherever he plays I expect better play out of him than even last year. He has looked very solid.

I expect a long career in the NFL for Rob no matter where he is. Having seen how you act on this forum I expect Rob to do well in life which is vastly more important.

Good luck to you both and see you around.

 

[DLCassidy]

The #1 purpose of training camp and practices is preparation for the season. The number one purpose of preseason games is player evaluation.

Bill has already said he knows what he's got in Rob, and had to look at other guys. That was a sign of confidence, not of mistrust. RP had a tremendous offseason (according to press reports, see Mosley July 7 DMN in particular) and tho he is still 'developmental', there is much more need to assess Colombo, who hasn't played in a few years, and MCQ who hasn't played at all.

Those are the two Bill has got to evaluate fast.

If Flo, our undisputed starting LT, and Columbo, a wonderful comeback story, but still a former first round LT pick, ie, an elite pick with mega potential/talent, are going to start over RP, I just can't see it as some sort of defeat.

IMO, the fact that Bill trusts RP to back up both positions is nothing to sneer at, especially since his skills are still building.

I see your point but with FA questionable for week 1 isn't it time in the 4th and final preseason game to make sure Rob is as ready as possible to play against Jacksonville if he's FA's backup? McQ starting against the Vikes tells me he's likely to get the nod to start against Jacksonville if Flo can't go.

 

[lurkercowboy]

I wish Dallas had the same depth at guard as they do at tackle. Adams, Petitti, Columbo, Fabrini, and McQ make up a deep set of tackles. Guard is thin however.

 

[AbeBeta]

This thread is funny.

If Petitti were on the Patriots and there was a rumor about trading for him, folks here would be very excited.

 

[DLCassidy]

I wish Dallas had the same depth at guard as they do at tackle. Adams, Petitti, Columbo, Fabrini, and McQ make up a deep set of tackles. Guard is thin however.

If I guard were hurt Gurode would move over and Johnson would play center. If it were for more than that game Procter has been used at both guard spots in TC. That's better than last year when Peter Potomus could only backup LG. And McQ played mostly guard in his 2 years of college ball. We could give him reps there in a pinch.

 

[junk]

My biggest concern about this whole situation is the underlying thought that "Bill knows what he has in Petitti, so he doesn't need to play him."

Huh? What young player doesn't need reps? Especially one that struggled so much last year?

Even Rob himself said he was confused with the tackle rotation.

 

[Verdict]

i haven't left, nor am i disgusted. rob is on an emotional roller coaster right now and unfortunately i'm seated next to him. he feels he had a great camp, but doesn't know how everything will shake out. he and columbo have become good friends, except when the yanks play boston, and is pulling for him to win the RT spot if it's not himself.

one funny thing, i have read where some feel rob is the most tradeable of the tackles and might even fetch as high as a third round pick, but in the next sentence remind everyone he has very little ability and are scared to death if he were the starter at either side. oh well, the plight of some dallas fans.

btw, if any of you fans live up north you might know about fabini's exploits at left tackle for the jets last year. if not, go to a jet fan page and ask, you might not be that happy.

I agree with many of the other posters who view you as a class act. If I were Rob's dad I would have been in jail right now for choking the life out of some of the classless posters on this forum. I think everyone has a right to their own opinion, (and it doesn't have to be the politically correct one- I hate that term, BTW-LOL) but being classless is, well, classless.

I think the Cowboys are in the enviable position of having more talent at OT than they have had in years. I hope the Cowboys keep your son and maximize his potential, and I wish the same for all of the other competitors at the position, as it is a hard position to stockpile talent.

I am not saying that everyone needs to jump on Rob's jockstrap because Pittdawg is a poster, but a little common courtesy isn't too much to ask, in my opinion. It is one thing for a poster to state his or her opinion of the facts (regardless of how they view the facts) and another to just be a jerk.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

My biggest concern about this whole situation is the underlying thought that "Bill knows what he has in Petitti, so he doesn't need to play him."

Well, then let's qualify it as doesn't need to play RP as much as he needs to play Colombo and McQ.

It sounds to me like Bill and Sparano are working with Rob on elements of his game they have already identified, and can do that in practice. If, as the dad says, it's about the hands...I am sure the combined efforts of the coaches and dline can come up with instruction and repetitions in practice.

It might not be the ideal scenario, but I have no trouble believing, considering the limited number of preseason snaps, that Bill is making a sound decision as to whom is more in need of the live action.

 

[proc]

I'd like to know what Rob thinks of the various DEs we have on the roster. Can't get any more insider than that.

 

[pittdawg]

My biggest concern about this whole situation is the underlying thought that "Bill knows what he has in Petitti, so he doesn't need to play him."

Huh? What young player doesn't need reps? Especially one that struggled so much last year?

Even Rob himself said he was confused with the tackle rotation.

let's not forget that rob has as many reps as columbo, fabini or mcq. he has played one half in each of the exibition games. now he might not have gotten the same reps in practice before flo was sidelined, but he has told me he is much fresher than last year after camp ended.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I've tried to tell people that here for months - Fabini is an absolute joke...he was done 3 years ago...possibly the worst OL over the last 3 seasons - thanx Bill!

How is Rob's weight these days? has he muscled up as much as I've read? Are his feet quicker? that's the key is his footwork....

Unfortunately... we had a number of fans on this board worship the Fabini signing like we just picked up Orlando Pace.

But anyone that has watched this guy over the years could tell you he was barely average before he started aging and having injury problems. What we've seen this preseason is classic Fabini. He just doesn't have much in the tank. We pretty much flushed 1.7mil down the toilet on that signing.