Projected 2014 starters: Dallas Cowboys

[CATCH17]

I am not at all sure that they want him at RT. It's possible but he projects better to LG then he does RT. I think the team has not closed the book on Free either. Depending on the contract he might sign, they may intend to bring him back. At any rate, even if they do eventually play him at RT, our Guard situation is far from adequate IMO. We need two upgrades to Guard right now. I don't see the logic in simply penciling him in at RG when the idea should be to have competition for both starting Guard spots and playing the best two. It makes no sense to me to just pencil one in because really, your penciling two in when you say Martin is going to play RG. That means that Leary is the default LG and Bern is IDK. Bern is not quick enough or mobile enough to play LG IMO. If he ends up there, that's weakening the position by playing a player who is not as talented. That logically suggest that Leary is the guy and he was no great shakes at LG IMO. He didn't give you much upside there. I don't like that plan. Should be competition and the best players play IMO.

I agree with that but im not as down on Leary as you.

I would love to get a quicker guy over there but I think he does a solid job at the point of contact.

What Dallas will struggle with is blocking guys at the 2nd level which is why I think we'll need a good fullback.

They tried to go up and get Trai Turner. I wish we could've got the deal done.


OVerall though I think the line will be pretty good.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I agree with that but im not as down on Leary as you.

I would love to get a quicker guy over there but I think he does a solid job at the point of contact.

What Dallas will struggle with is blocking guys at the 2nd level which is why I think we'll need a good fullback.

They tried to go up and get Trai Turner. I wish we could've got the deal done.


OVerall though I think the line will be pretty good.

I think he's just OK. I think that ideally, Leary really should be a RG but because of his injury, he has been unable to gain the necessary strength to play at RG. I think he's very limited at LG and since the condition is one that will deteriorate over time, it's simply a a matter of time. It would seem to me that the best thing to do for Leary is to put as little wear and tear on him as is necessary. Allow him to strengthen the knee as best he can and use him to back up both Guard positions. I think we may see another Guard signed but IDK.

 

[xwalker]

I think he's just OK. I think that ideally, Leary really should be a RG but because of his injury, he has been unable to gain the necessary strength to play at RG. I think he's very limited at LG and since the condition is one that will deteriorate over time, it's simply a a matter of time. It would seem to me that the best thing to do for Leary is to put as little wear and tear on him as is necessary. Allow him to strengthen the knee as best he can and use him to back up both Guard positions. I think we may see another Guard signed but IDK.

Leary is one of the strongest player on the OL.

Jonathan Vilma was diagnosed with the same knee condition as Leary back in High School. He has since played 4 years in college and 10 years in the NFL. It's not really a degenerative condition. It either pops or it doesn't.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Leary is one of the strongest player on the OL.

Jonathan Vilma was diagnosed with the same knee condition as Leary back in High School. He has since played 4 years in college and 10 years in the NFL. It's not really a degenerative condition. It either pops or it doesn't.

Not really. Watch him. He does not get a lot of push and he gets overpowered by bigger stronger players.

As to Vilma, yeah, so? They are different players playing different positions. You also have no reference point as to where each player is in their respective injuries or conditions. It is degenerative so it's going to progressively get worse. Because one player had the same kind of condition does not suggest anything other then the fact that a player who played football also had OCD. The condition is one that basically causes blood flow to the vital joint area to be inhibited. This, in turn, effects the bones, the cartiladge and ligaments to stop getting the very necessary blood flow to stay strong and healthy and to recover from damage. It's also crucial to diagnose the condition early and you don't really know any of the history of that with either Vilma or Leary. The positions each played is also very relevant to the condition. Interior OL is going to demand that you do a lot more high stress weight training around the knee so that's going to effect things as well. The sheer amount of trauma that you get playing interior OL is more severe then LB so there are just a multitude of factors that go into each players specific situation.

How long Vilma was able to play with it is not proof that Leary will enjoy the same kind of success.

 

[xwalker]

Not really. Watch him. He does not get a lot of push and he gets overpowered by bigger stronger players.

Do you really think I have not watched him in great detail? He does not get overpowered.

Somebody might question his awareness or quickness, but getting overpowered is not a problem for Leary.

As to Vilma, yeah, so? They are different players playing different positions. You also have no reference point as to where each player is in their respective injuries or conditions. It is degenerative so it's going to progressively get worse. Because one player had the same kind of condition does not suggest anything other then the fact that a player who played football also had OCD. The condition is one that basically causes blood flow to the vital joint area to be inhibited. This, in turn, effects the bones, the cartiladge and ligaments to stop getting the very necessary blood flow to stay strong and healthy and to recover from damage. It's also crucial to diagnose the condition early and you don't really know any of the history of that with either Vilma or Leary. The positions each played is also very relevant to the condition. Interior OL is going to demand that you do a lot more high stress weight training around the knee so that's going to effect things as well. The sheer amount of trauma that you get playing interior OL is more severe then LB so there are just a multitude of factors that go into each players specific situation.

How long Vilma was able to play with it is not proof that Leary will enjoy the same kind of success.

There is rarely proof of anything when it comes to projecting the future of players.

Vilma is an example that a player can have a long NFL career despite the condition.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Do you really think I have not watched him in great detail? He does not get overpowered.

Somebody might question his awareness or quickness, but getting overpowered is not a problem for Leary.

I suppose no more so then you assume others do not watch either. He does get overpowered and he does have problems getting overpowered. If you don't agree with that, that's fine. I do see it and I believe that it's because he can not train the way he probably should. I believe he's a RG playing on the left side. I believe that if he did not have the issue with the knee, he would be a RG.

There is rarely proof of anything when it comes to projecting the future of players.

Vilma is an example that a player can have a long NFL career despite the condition.

Vilma is an example but it should not be considered proof that Leary will be successful because Vilma was. The one thing that can be stated as proof is that the condition will worsen over time and the more you subject the knee to the abuse the position calls for, the worse the condition will become.


Vilma was a very productive player for a period of 6 seasons or so. After that, he kinda fell off the map. I suspect it is because of OCD. He went from averaging just under 123 tackles a season for 6 seasons to 54 in 2011, 37 in 2012 and 1 in 2013.

 

[JackWagon]

It is not going to be one on name recognition that is for sure.

If Crawford is what they say he is, Lawrence is able to contribute as the speed rusher, Melton returns to form and we hit on the seventh rounders and Coleman, there is a chance it can be okay.

A lot of ifs though.

nice pipe dream ... You and i both know that all has to happen and it wont ... *sigh*