Position Flex... more than a cool phrase

[blindzebra]

Garrett kept using the term during the draft and it seems like we are trying to put together a team of football players that can be moved around as needed.

Frederick, Escobar, Randle, Wilcox, Webb, Holloman, and Magee all can be used in different ways or at multiple positions.

And already on the roster we have Kowalski, Cook, Bernadeau, Crawford, Bass, and Albright that all can be used in several spots.

Seems that an organization without a plan has one afterall.

 

[theogt]

I'd rather just get guys that are really good at playing 1 position, rather than mediocre at multiple.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

When Goose says they didn't have a plan consider the source.

Also consider taking a TE, a Center and a WR with the first three choices only protects the biggest contract in Cowboys History, then adding a 5th round RB to secure the backup spot after losing Felix Jones.

After that consider the Safety Dallas needed, and then the DB to replace Jenkins, rounding out the Draft with Hollman a LB for Kiffen.

Trying to convince someone there wasn't a plan while it's pretty hard to concede that Dallas did all of this flying by the seat of their pants, even with an alternate personality and a vivid imagination.

 

[Eskimo]

Versatility is useful in games because you have a limited number of spots. When there are injuries during the game you have to move guys around a little bit so having that versatility is useful.

I will say that the key to versatility is having someone who can play one position very well but who can also play another reasonably well. It is not about getting guys who cannot play one position well but can be barely functional at two different ones. An example would be David Arkin who can play Center and Guard but does poorly at both due to lack of anchor - that is not useful versatility. Travis Frederick has tape showing him to be very good at Guard and good at Center - that is useful versatility.

 

[blindzebra]

I'd rather just get guys that are really good at playing 1 position, rather than mediocre at multiple.

I would rather have guys that are really good at one position that have the ability to play another if needed.

 

[theogt]

I would rather have guys that are really good at one position that have the ability to play another if needed.

As Parcells would say, that creates two potential problems where one existed. If someone is good at their position, you stick them there and leave them there. You use "position flexibility" to justify keeping someone when they're not good enough to start at a single position.

 

[blindzebra]

As Parcells would say, that creates two potential problems where one existed. If someone is good at their position, you stick them there and leave them there. You use "position flexibility" to justify keeping someone when they're not good enough to start at a single position.

No that means when you go into a game you don't have to leave yourself short at several positions.

It means when you have a run on injuries you don't need to be starting guys off the street the following week.

 

[TheCount]

No that means when you go into a game you don't have to leave yourself short at several positions.

It means when you have a run on injuries you don't need to be starting guys off the street the following week.

To Theo's point - who is playing the position of the guy you just moved to replace that injured player?

 

[xwalker]

I'd rather just get guys that are really good at playing 1 position, rather than mediocre at multiple.

I prefer a player that is dominate at multiple positions (i.e. Larry Allen RT, RG, LT, LG).

 

[theogt]

I too prefer HOFers.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

"Position flex" is exactly a new, cool phrase. It's just an abbreviation of "flexibility". Lots of coaches say it now.

Can't believe anyone would claim it's indicative of some organizational plan.

 

[blindzebra]

To Theo's point - who is playing the position of the guy you just moved to replace that injured player?

To my point I am talking about taking potential starters that add depth too.

So unless there is an injury to Lee or Carter both Holloman or Magee won't be starters this season. Their ability to play all 3 spots means we are not moving Carter to replace Lee or visa-versa.

Having a swing lineman means you are not moving a starting guard to center.

 

[Risen Star]

Apparently our plan is to load up on top versatile talents like Kevin Kowalski, Ryan Cook and Ben Bass.

 

[Risen Star]

"Position flex" is exactly a new, cool phrase. It's just an abbreviation of "flexibility". Lots of coaches say it now.

Can't believe anyone would claim it's indicative of some organizational plan.

They'll say anything to defend the current state of the team.

 

[blindzebra]

They'll say anything to defend the current state of the team.

And you will say anything to complain about it.

It is an old tired act.

 

[Ratmatt]

I quit taking much stock into what they say out there along time ago.Just prove it on the field.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Garrett does seem to like "position flexibility" but I'm not a fan at all.

Let's take Jimmy Graham for example. Jimmy Graham can barely accomplish the blocking responsibilities of his role at tight end. Much less have any position flex to be a lead blocker or fill in at tackle on an unbalanced line formation. But Jimmy Graham, for all his non-position-flex, is extremely extremely good at the aspects of being a tight end that have to do with catching the ball. Would anyone not want Graham on their team?

What about a prime Jake Long? Let's just say that a prime Jake Long might be unsuited for guard because he is better working in space than handling 350lb guys parked right over top of him. Would you not want a prime Jake Long as your left tackle because he doesn't have the position flex to be a great guard?

And what about Doug Free's position flex? Remember when he was so flexible they could play him at either left or right tackle? That's why we paid him so much money is because he had such great position flex he could play left tackle, right tackle, and could even kick inside to guard! Turns out he can play all those positions but he can't play any them well!

What matters in the NFL is being so good at something that no one can defend it. Who cares if Michael Irvin didn't have a inside crossing route? He had an insane killer unstoppable slant! Who cares that Larry Allen couldn't play tackle, he was the scariest guard in the NFL. Who cares that Ed Too Tall Jones couldn't play nose tackle!

 

[Risen Star]

I quit taking much stock into what they say out there along time ago.Just prove it on the field.

Have patience. We're collecting Kevin Kowalskis and Ryan Cooks. That has to lead to something.

 

[Risen Star]

Garrett does seem to like "position flexibility" but I'm not a fan at all.

Let's take Jimmy Graham for example. Jimmy Graham can barely accomplish the blocking responsibilities of his role at tight end. Much less have any position flex to be a lead blocker or fill in at tackle on an unbalanced line formation. But Jimmy Graham, for all his non-position-flex, is extremely extremely good at the aspects of being a tight end that have to do with catching the ball. Would anyone not want Graham on their team?

What about a prime Jake Long? Let's just say that a prime Jake Long might be unsuited for guard because he is better working in space than handling 350lb guys parked right over top of him. Would you not want a prime Jake Long as your left tackle because he doesn't have the position flex to be a great guard?

And what about Doug Free's position flex? Remember when he was so flexible they could play him at either left or right tackle? That's why we paid him so much money is because he had such great position flex he could play left tackle, right tackle, and could even kick inside to guard! Guess what, he can't play any of those positions well!

What matters in the NFL is being so good at something that no one can defend it. Who cares if Michael Irvin didn't have a inside crossing route? He had an insane killer unstoppable slant! Who cares that Larry Allen couldn't play tackle, he was the scariest guard in the NFL. Who cares that Ed Too Tall Jones couldn't play nose tackle!

All coaches covet position flex but you have to be able to play one position well. There's a fine line between position flex and tweener.

At the end of the day, there's only one plan the Cowboys need to install and follow. Build this team from the front back and not the other way around. They should have been collecting linemen the last two years. The QB isn't getting any younger. We may go 20 years before we find another franchise type.

What you have to hope for as a Cowboys fan is improvement from within. Again. We need Crawford and Leary and Lissemore and Parnell to all emerge with the addition of Frederick proving he's a legit building block at C. If that all happens the Cowboys will be vastly improved. If it doesn't, they won't. Gavin Escobar and Terrance Williams are really just along for the ride.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I'd rather just get guys that are really good at playing 1 position, rather than mediocre at multiple.

I agree.

They'll say anything to defend the current state of the team.

no offense but that applies to both sides of the coin. People who hate absolutely everything will say absolutely anything to defend their feelings of the team being garbage.


This behavior isn't unique to either side.