Projected 2014 starters: Dallas Cowboys

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I don't know which play you're referring to. In the play involving the RB, Leary was not "doubling down" on the NT. He was blocking to the outside. The RB had the 3rd guy.

In the GB game, Leary was doubling on the NT, but Leary was the primary blocker on that defender with Fred 1st helping Bern and then coming back to the double with Leary.

Sorry but it seems obvious to me that Leary got fooled by them sugaring the A gap and ended helping noone.

You keep trying to paint this picture of assignments but it seems like revisionist history to me. Pass protection works inside out and when the LB bailed he should have looked inside as Smith had the edge. He gave a free lane to a inside DL and acting like the RB is the one given inside responsibility rings hollow to me.

The run i am talking about is at the 11:16 of the third quarter where he again fails to block anyone at all. He consistently fails to execute combination blocks due to his slow feet like on that one.

 

[jobberone]

Have you reviewed them on the All-22? I think you would be surprised at how well Leary was playing near the end of the season.

I normally respect Fuzzy's analysis because unlike many posters, I think he actually watches the games; however, these posts in regards to Leary are just not correct, IMO.

I didn't watch it this year like I normally do which means not every play for most of the OL. It appears you watched a good bit more than me this year. I saw enough to generalize they both improved over the year but taking the entire year into account they are both inconsistent. I do agree they both were better over time. So was Fred but most of us expected some inconsistency from a rookie. I did say they would make competition for guard interesting this year and that Martin wasn't a walk on lock IMO.

I think Leary can be a solid starter in the league. I do not think he is what I would call a mobile guard but then I have a pretty high opinion of what a mobile guard should be. I have a higher opinion of Mack at present but not a lot difference really. They are both guards but they have some differences. Mack fits better on the right irrespective of the guys around him, his familiarity with RG footwork yada, and the fact he replaced the starting RG. Leary fits better on the left IMO also irrespective of other reasons.

 

[xwalker]

Sorry but it seems obvious to me that Leary got fooled by them sugaring the A gap and ended helping noone.

You keep trying to paint this picture of assignments but it seems like revisionist history to me. Pass protection works inside out and when the LB bailed he should have looked inside as Smith had the edge. He gave a free lane to a inside DL and acting like the RB is the one given inside responsibility rings hollow to me.

I've heard announcers say pass protection works inside out, but that's a generalization. They vary blocking schemes in the NFL. If they always block based on some simple inside-out mindset, the defense will know that and take advantage. Why do you think the Center makes Line Calls?

In the play against the Bears, it is obvious that Randle is expecting to block the LB and is expecting Leary to take the DL. Leary's man loops outside an is taken by Tyron. The far outside rusher, a DE, drops into coverage.

The idea in that blocking scheme was to have the RB, Randle, matched up against a LB with the OLinemen Leary and Smith blocking the DLinemen.

 

[xwalker]

The run i am talking about is at the 11:16 of the third quarter where he again fails to block anyone at all. He consistently fails to execute combination blocks due to his slow feet like on that one.

It was impossible to do anything different on that play. His only chance would have been to abandon his assignment within the Zone stretch play in an attempt to get #57.

In the Zone Stretch the OL is required to flow down the line. Leary would have had to fire out forwards, not laterally to have any chance to block #57. Even then it's doubtful that any OL would have been able to make that block. The LB #57 was already moving in that direction and was already even with Leary at the snap.

I'm sure that Leary made some mistakes during the season, but the plays that you've picked out are not good examples of a mistake by Leary.

Are you watching this on the All-22 ?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I've heard announcers say pass protection works inside out, but that's a generalization. They vary blocking schemes in the NFL. If they always block based on some simple inside-out mindset, the defense will know that and take advantage. Why do you think the Center makes Line Calls?

In the play against the Bears, it is obvious that Randle is expecting to block the LB and is expecting Leary to take the DL. Leary's man loops outside an is taken by Tyron. The far outside rusher, a DE, drops into coverage.

The idea in that blocking scheme was to have the RB, Randle, matched up against a LB with the OLinemen Leary and Smith blocking the DLinemen.

Leary blocks noone on the play and you are assigning the DT who lined up infront of him to the RB? That's nice. Just because Randle attempted to make the block does not mean that was his assignment.

It's more than announcers saying it. It's a central principle in football to not allow pressure right up the middle. Leary bit on the misdirection to the outside hard and blocked no one. If you at least do not consider that a lack of awareness then I do not know what to tell you.

And yes I am watching the end zone view.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

It was impossible to do anything different on that play. His only chance would have been to abandon his assignment within the Zone stretch play in an attempt to get #57.

In the Zone Stretch the OL is required to flow down the line. Leary would have had to fire out forwards, not laterally to have any chance to block #57. Even then it's doubtful that any OL would have been able to make that block. The LB #57 was already moving in that direction and was already even with Leary at the snap.

I'm sure that Leary made some mistakes during the season, but the plays that you've picked out are not good examples of a mistake by Leary.

Are you watching this on the All-22 ?

Yes and I have watched Bernadeau execute that block and I expect a guy like Martin with good feet will be able to execute a reach block even in they cannot get infront of the LB. He is slow in speed and in reaction which is a recipe for disaster.

You do grant that he was bad at the early part of the year right? You do acknowledge that he was awful early in the year?

 

[xwalker]

Yes and I have watched Bernadeau execute that block and I expect a guy like Martin with good feet will be able to execute a reach block even in they cannot get infront of the LB. He is slow in speed and in reaction which is a recipe for disaster.

You do grant that he was bad at the early part of the year right? You do acknowledge that he was awful early in the year?

Tyron and the defender he was blocking were in the way of getting around on that block. His only option was to fire out forward which is not within the design of the zone stretch.

I recall him having some issues early in the season but I have not reviewed those games.

They liked him enough that Bern was on the bench when Waters was playing.

He was basically a redshirt NFL freshman. It would be shocking if he didn't have some issues early in the season.

 

[xwalker]

Leary blocks noone on the play and you are assigning the DT who lined up infront of him to the RB? That's nice. Just because Randle attempted to make the block does not mean that was his assignment.

It's more than announcers saying it. It's a central principle in football to not allow pressure right up the middle. Leary bit on the misdirection to the outside hard and blocked no one. If you at least do not consider that a lack of awareness then I do not know what to tell you.

And yes I am watching the end zone view.

That play was a common defensive strategy. If Leary had blocked the inside guy which was a LB, then the outside DL that dropped into coverage would have rushed. Then Randle has to block a DL instead of a LB which just makes his problem worse.

 

[starfrombirth]

I expect to hear that we are drafting a player with our 16th overall pick to play at a key position of need.

I would not say that I am surprised as much as I am disappointed. I mean, it's not as if we don't need a LG as well. We have a guy at the position that has a degenerative problem and can not stay healthy. I don't see why we would not consider playing Martin there. It's not as if he could not play the position. While we may project him to RG, it's pretty widely accepted that he could be a Pro Bowl type LG by most teams.

I don't think they have him locked in there. I truly believe that the best 5 will be on the field. There is also the possibility of Martin at LG and moving Leary to RG. Martin will be a starter, i'm sure, but I truly don't think it will be on the right side.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

That play was a common defensive strategy. If Leary had blocked the inside guy which was a LB, then the outside DL that dropped into coverage would have rushed. Then Randle has to block a DL instead of a LB which just makes his problem worse.

And had he blocked inside then Romo would have had a pocket to at least step into. Again. Leary blocked nobody and how you think that is not at least partially on him is baffling.

 

[starfrombirth]

Zach Martin may be the best OLiineman Dallas has on the Field.

That's a bit premature isn't it, considering we have an all-pro in Tyron?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Tyron and the defender he was blocking were in the way of getting around on that block. His only option was to fire out forward which is not within the design of the zone stretch.

I recall him having some issues early in the season but I have not reviewed those games.

They liked him enough that Bern was on the bench when Waters was playing.

He was basically a redshirt NFL freshman. It would be shocking if he didn't have some issues early in the season.

I invite you to watch the Lions game then. That is midseason. That first half is a clinic on why I do not want him playing LG.

Bernadeau was hurt from TC which presents its own problems as Leary's ability to stay on the field means quite a bit actually. He has gotten better but too often the opposition runs line stunts and misdirection nad he ends up blocking nobody for my taste. He and Fred both need to get a lot better in pass protection.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

That play was a common defensive strategy. If Leary had blocked the inside guy which was a LB, then the outside DL that dropped into coverage would have rushed. Then Randle has to block a DL instead of a LB which just makes his problem worse.

He does the exact same thing at 3:48 of the first quarter of the Oakland game. This time there is no RB that you can attribute his assignment onto. He is peaking over at Smith and just doesn't block his guy and let's Romo get hit. "Luckily'
the refs bailed us out on a roughing the passer call.

Now in fairness to the competition, Bernadeau brainfarts earlier and fails to recognize a LB blitzing but with Leary I see repeated mistakes and that is very troubling to me. I certainly can understand why they might want another guard.

 

[xwalker]

And had he blocked inside then Romo would have had a pocket to at least step into. Again. Leary blocked nobody and how you think that is not at least partially on him is baffling.

If he had blocked in, then that LB would have dropped and the DE that dropped would have rushed and Randle would have had an even bigger player to run over him.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

If he had blocked in, then that LB would have dropped and the DE that dropped would have rushed and Randle would have had an even bigger player to run over him.

If he had blocked in then the guy that actually hit Romo would have been blocked. The OLB would not have been accounted for had he not bailed but I like that matchup for Randle a lot better. Smith of course had the DE on lockdown.

 

[itsaboat]

I invite you to watch the Lions game then. That is midseason. That first half is a clinic on why I do not want him playing LG.

I don't have the all 22 right now but I do have access the DET game and uploaded it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ors5M3VDEi8


A few things I noticed while watching Leary:

02:23 - Leary lets #98 Fairley get to his inside shoulder, loses leverage, and gives up a QB hit
04:22 - #96 Fluellen grabs Leary as he is trying to pull which causes him to be a tick late in picking up #50 Lewis
05:28 - Leary gets an initial punch against #98 Fairley but Fairley gets his hands on him, pulls Leary down to the ground, and gets pressure on the QB
07:11 - There's a stunt by #98 Fairley and #79 Young. Instead of passing his man, Smith picks up #79 Young into the air. This causes Leary to bump into the two guys. #98 Fairley takes advantage, loops around, and gets a free shot at the QB
08:41 - Another stunt, this time with #94 Ansah and #98 Fairley, Smith and Leary do a better job picking it up
20:11 - Leary wiffs against #99 Mosley and gives up a QB hit

By my count Leary had two bad plays in the first half and three overall during the game. I may have missed some things but I can't agree with your comment, "That first half is a clinic on why I do not want him playing LG." After watching the game again I was impressed. Leary held his own against one of the better DT's in the league, #98 Fairley.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I don't have the all 22 right now but I do have access the DET game and uploaded it here:


A few things I noticed while watching Leary:

02:23 - Leary lets #98 Fairley get to his inside shoulder, loses leverage, and gives up a QB hit
04:22 - #96 Fluellen grabs Leary as he is trying to pull which causes him to be a tick late in picking up #50 Lewis
05:28 - Leary gets an initial punch against #98 Fairley but Fairley gets his hands on him, pulls Leary down to the ground, and gets pressure on the QB
07:11 - There's a stunt by #98 Fairley and #79 Young. Instead of passing his man, Smith picks up #79 Young into the air. This causes Leary to bump into the two guys. #98 Fairley takes advantage, loops around, and gets a free shot at the QB
08:41 - Another stunt, this time with #94 Ansah and #98 Fairley, Smith and Leary do a better job picking it up
20:11 - Leary wiffs against #99 Mosley and gives up a QB hit

By my count Leary had two bad plays in the first half and three overall during the game. I may have missed some things but I can't agree with your comment, "That first half is a clinic on why I do not want him playing LG." After watching the game again I was impressed. Leary held his own against one of the better DT's in the league, #98 Fairley.

He gives up 4 QB hits in a game despite Fairley not even playing half the game and you don't agree with my comment? Okey dokey. What is the cutoff in times a guy can let Romo get hit in a game before it becomes a problem? 6?

There is a reason why I said half. Fairley went out in the second quarter. Thank goodness because Romo was getting killed.

 

[itsaboat]

He gives up 4 QB hits in a game despite Fairley not even playing half the game and you don't agree with my comment? Okey dokey. What is the cutoff in times a guy can let Romo get hit in a game before it becomes a problem? 6?

There is a reason why I said half. Fairley went out in the second quarter. Thank goodness because Romo was getting killed.

Leary gave up 1 QB hit and a pressure against Fairley and another QB hit against Mosley.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Leary gave up 1 QB hit and a pressure against Fairley and another QB hit against Mosley.

Ahh I see you like playing the guess the assignment game. Leary and Smith failed on the line stunt you didn't bold and Leary shares a half a sack so to speak.

The point still stands. I think you have a very poor standard for interior line play. Even 3 pressures is on pace for 48 a season. That would be league worst for OG. Had Fairley stayed in, it would have been much worse.

 

[itsaboat]

Ahh I see you like playing the guess the assignment game. Leary and Smith failed on the line stunt you didn't bold and Leary shares a half a sack so to speak.

Leary was looking to pick up the DE but Smith had him up in the air. Smith should have let him go and picked up the DT. I guess it's technically a half a sack allowed on each player but it was on Smith. That's why I didn't mark it against Leary.

The point still stands. I think you have a very poor standard for interior line play.

I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion. I assume you're referring to:

After watching the game again I was impressed. Leary held his own against one of the better DT's in the league, #98 Fairley.

I was impressed because I was expecting a "clinic" on Leary but he only gave up a hit and a hurry in the first half.

Even 3 pressures is on pace for 48 a season. That would be league worst for OG.

Like I said earlier, I don't have access to the all 22 so I can't watch every game and count but according to PFF Leary gave up 3 QB hits and 27 pressures during the 2013 season. That averages out to be about 1.7 hurries a game. Not bad for his first year.

Had Fairley stayed in, it would have been much worse.

Fairley appeared to get injured at about the 8:30 mark in the 3rd quarter. He came back in with 3:12 left in the 3rd and played the rest of the game. He only missed about 4 plays not an entire half.