Priority numero uno: mash

[erod]

Let's be great at something again.

Free agency and the draft are fast approaching, and the Cowboys have to avoid this tired plug-a-hole approach to every decision they make this time around. That's been the modus operandi with the team since Dez caught it in Green Bay.

The Cowboys biggest problem is, they aren't dominant at anything. They were, but they've since gotten cute, and now they're not.

Best offensive line in the NFL? Please. That looked average at best last year. Great passing team? No. Great running team? No. Great against the run or pass defensively? Heavens, no.

This team has a great running back, a decent offensive line, and otherwise, a bunch of guys named Bob. This team does nothing exceptionally well except punt and kick field goals, and even Dan Bailey suddenly looked like a mortal human with injuries and hiccups a year ago.

Enough. Sign or a draft a dominant guard this spring, or move La'el Collins back to guard and do the same at tackle.

Let's be a meat-eating, mashing running team again. That was what worked in 2016, and the absence of Ron Leary and even Doug Free really gutted the teeth from that run game this past season. Dallas can't throw it's way around that with this QB and these receivers, nor can it win low-scoring games. The run game must return to its previously dominating form.

Defense will be much the focus, and a receiver perhaps to boot. Of course. I'm not saying ignore the weaknesses altogether.

But first and foremost, the Cowboys have to return to being a dominant running team, and that means beefing the offensive line back up and getting Zeke into shape on and off the field. Priority numero uno.

Drafting Frederick, Martin, and Tyron wasn't sexy and it wasn't cute. More of that please.

 

[Aviano90]

I don't mind returning to be a dominant run team if the coaches would actually use the running game in short yardage and red zone opportunities when the season is on the line. If they aren't, let's improve the passing game.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Best offensive line in the NFL? Please. That looked average at best last year. Great passing team? No. Great running team? No. Great against the run or pass defensively? Heavens, no.

We are most definitely a great running team. We were #2 in rushing yards with our all star RB our for 6 games. #2 in yards per game. # 3 in yards per attempt. With Zeke playing the whole year no other team will touch us. It's the passing blocking we need to improve.

I'm ok to re-sign Cooper or replace him, but moving Collins again will screw up the line even more and the player's development.

 

[erod]

We are most definitely a great running team. We were #2 in rushing yards with our all star RB our for 6 games. #2 in yards per game. # 3 in yards per attempt. It's the passing blocking we need to improve.

I'm ok to re-sign Cooper or replace him, but moving Collins again will screw up the line even more and the player's development.

Collins is an above average guard and an average tackle. Either move him, or find somebody that can play guard at an elite level.

I'd like to move him and get a top tackle so if Tyron's back goes out again, there are better options than plugging in scrubs.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Collins is an above average guard and an average tackle. Either move him, or find somebody that can play guard at an elite level.

I'd like to move him and get a top tackle so if Tyron's back goes out again, there are better options than plugging in scrubs.

It was Collins first year at the position and he was already an upgrade over Free. I only expect him to get better and I believe he can become very good. You're right though, we do need a better insurance option for Smith.

 

[Sydla]

Let's be great at something again.

Free agency and the draft are fast approaching, and the Cowboys have to avoid this tired plug-a-hole approach to every decision they make this time around. That's been the modus operandi with the team since Dez caught it in Green Bay.

The Cowboys biggest problem is, they aren't dominant at anything. They were, but they've since gotten cute, and now they're not.

Best offensive line in the NFL? Please. That looked average at best last year. Great passing team? No. Great running team? No. Great against the run or pass defensively? Heavens, no.

This team has a great running back, a decent offensive line, and otherwise, a bunch of guys named Bob. This team does nothing exceptionally well except punt and kick field goals, and even Dan Bailey suddenly looked like a mortal human with injuries and hiccups a year ago.

Enough. Sign or a draft a dominant guard this spring, or move La'el Collins back to guard and do the same at tackle.

Let's be a meat-eating, mashing running team again. That was what worked in 2016, and the absence of Ron Leary and even Doug Free really gutted the teeth from that run game this past season. Dallas can't throw it's way around that with this QB and these receivers, nor can it win low-scoring games. The run game must return to its previously dominating form.

Defense will be much the focus, and a receiver perhaps to boot. Of course. I'm not saying ignore the weaknesses altogether.

But first and foremost, the Cowboys have to return to being a dominant running team, and that means beefing the offensive line back up and getting Zeke into shape on and off the field. Priority numero uno.

Drafting Frederick, Martin, and Tyron wasn't sexy and it wasn't cute. More of that please.

Drafting an OG at 19 is dumb given our situation (unless Q. Nelson slips to us). It just is.

Again, are you people really arguing that the difference between the OL we have with 4 first round talents on it and a great one is adding another first round OG?

Oy vey.

The plan should be bring in a vet OG to start at LG, bring in a vet OT as the swing tackle and draft a developmental OT in the 3rd or with one of our multitude of 4th round picks.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

1. Stop the run and get after the quarterback versus 2. Run the ball and protect the quarterback. Our talents sets up better protect and run with a first-round guard but we are not that far off from stopping the run and getting after the quarterback. A second round nose tackle to go along with Lawrence and Irving might be the ticket to close the gap on both fronts.

 

[Sydla]

Again, what you guys are advocating is that the only way we can run the ball well is have an OL of 5 first round talents and a Top 5 drafted TB.

Think about how dumb that sounds.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Again, what you guys are advocating is that the only way we can run the ball well is have an OL of 5 first round talents and a Top 5 drafted TB.

Think about how dumb that sounds.

Especially when we had no issue running the ball last year.

 

[Aviano90]

Especially when we had no issue running the ball last year.

Except when they wouldn't hand the ball off. We even ran the ball well with Morris and Smith.

 

[Sydla]

Especially when we had no issue running the ball last year.

Exactly. The "fix the OL" mantra made sense a few years ago but now people are going overboard with it.

Go get a vet OG, go get a vet OT, draft some developmental OL in the mid-rounds. The OL would then be fine.

But using a prime pick to take another first round OL, an OG no less, is such a waste of resources at this point.

 

[Teague31]

Wynn at 19

 

[Sydla]

Wynn at 19

Ewwww.

But he would make more sense than Hernandez who is just a pure OG. Wynn might be able to also play some RT.

But in the end, an OL at 19 is just more of the same roster mismanagement we should come to expect from the Cowboys.

 

[erod]

Drafting an OG at 19 is dumb given our situation (unless Q. Nelson slips to us). It just is.

Again, are you people really arguing that the difference between the OL we have with 4 first round talents on it and a great one is adding another first round OG?

Oy vey.

The plan should be bring in a vet OG to start at LG, bring in a vet OT as the swing tackle and draft a developmental OT in the 3rd or with one of our multitude of 4th round picks.

Doesn't have to be at 19. Guards typically last in the draft.

 

[cowboyec]

Doesn't have to be at 19. Guards typically last in the draft.

Id rather draft them than get another Byron Bell equivolent.
Isaiah Wynn or Will Hernandez if our board is washed out.
Day1 starter.

 

[Sydla]

Doesn't have to be at 19. Guards typically last in the draft.

If you are advocating bringing in an OG who is a vet or using a middle round pick on an OG, I agree.

But there are people advocating that we take an OG at 19. That would be insane.

 

[Chuck 54]

If the stud OG drops to 19, take him.
If one of the stud LBs drop, take him.
If the best WR or DT in the draft drops to 19 or the best DE, take that guy.

If those are mostly gone, and you aren't too excited about the 3rd best DT or LB, then it might be a good idea to drop down, secure additional picks, and draft the #2 or #3 OG, both of whom are probably day 1 starters. Package some picks and get 2 selections in round 2. Package some compensatory picks to get 2 selections in round 3.

I'd be happy to bring in only 6-7 players if it meant a starting OG and 4 more guys from rounds 2-3.

 

[Chuck 54]

If the stud OG drops to 19, take him.
If one of the stud LBs drop, take him.
If the best WR or DT in the draft drops to 19 or the best DE, take that guy.

If those are mostly gone, and you aren't too excited about the 3rd best DT or LB, then it might be a good idea to drop down, secure additional picks, and draft the #2 or #3 OG, both of whom are probably day 1 starters. Package some picks and get 2 selections in round 2. Package some compensatory picks to get 2 selections in round 3.

I'd be happy to bring in only 6-7 players if it meant a starting OG and 4 more guys from rounds 2-3.

And before some other smart-aleck says it, "Great, we can draft two injured guys or two crappy TE's in round 2."

 

[Sydla]

If the stud OG drops to 19, take him.
If one of the stud LBs drop, take him.
If the best WR or DT in the draft drops to 19 or the best DE, take that guy.

If those are mostly gone, and you aren't too excited about the 3rd best DT or LB, then it might be a good idea to drop down, secure additional picks, and draft the #2 or #3 OG, both of whom are probably day 1 starters. Package some picks and get 2 selections in round 2. Package some compensatory picks to get 2 selections in round 3.

I'd be happy to bring in only 6-7 players if it meant a starting OG and 4 more guys from rounds 2-3.

If you can drop down and get more picks, I'd still take the 3rd or 4th best DT or LB than OG.

And honestly, this logic of the 3rd at a position not being a smart pick is bizarre. The 3rd ranked DT might still be a better talent than the 2nd best OG. The 4th best LB might be better than the 2nd best S at 19.

It shouldn't matter what the player is ranked at his own position. It only matters where he is ranked relative to other players at other positions.

 

[erod]

If you are advocating bringing in an OG who is a vet or using a middle round pick on an OG, I agree.

But there are people advocating that we take an OG at 19. That would be insane.

If he was Zack Martin all over again, do it. History is filled with players taken between 15 and 30 that should have been taken in the 4th round.

Whatever it takes, make the offensive line dominant again.