Reality Check---The OL is already better than last year.

[Verdict]

If we have two new starters and one gets hurt, aren't we still one guy ahead of the game?

Stop using complicated math. It really makes the natives here very restless. Lol.

 

[gimmesix]

Let's see Leary play in an actual game before we get over confident in him. Not trying to be the Debbie downer here but the reality of the situation is that we have no idea what we have in him yet. Livings was by no means good last year but he wasn't so bad that Leary can't be worse.

While I agree, I can't help enjoying what I saw from him and Frederick, when Fred was at center, on Sunday. It was better than anything we saw from those interior positions last year, even if it was just the first preseason game.

 

[DC Cowboy]

One injury and this is last year's line. But if the past is any indication - and one pre-season game is not the final word - this line could fall on its face pretty easily.

I might have thought different is Moore had be enticed to play for this team. That day isn't done as yet since money talks and BS walks.

But if you are judging this line on the underwear Olympics and one meaningless pre-season game and professing this will be better, there is still a lot of football to play before they start playing real football.

So thanks for your reply, but I am not stupid.

Which gives me hope that this line will be better than last year's line.

 

[Hoofbite]

Was there any doubt that they would be?

I mean, serious. After watching how terrible the OL was last year could anyone actually foresee that things wouldn't be better?

 

[burmafrd]

better by how much is the question. Slightly better means Romo is still running for his life and our rush game sucks.

 

[Stash]

I'll gladly say 'so far, so good'. Happy with what I saw in the first preseason game - especially the running game - but concerned again about he injuries.

I think just adding Fredrick to he mix is an improvement, as is a motivated and more comfortable Doug Free, and another year for everyone in Callahan's system.

If they manage to finally bring in Brian Waters, I will be genuinely excited about the upcoming season.

 

[TheCount]

I'm gonna go ahead and wait till live fire before any proclamations as to the quality of the line - for better or worse.

 

[ThreeandOut]

If Smith and Free are better this year, then the OL will be better

 

[CyberB0b]

I think the commitment to the ZBS will help hide some problems with the line.

 

[Hoofbite]

If Smith and Free are better this year, then the OL will be better

I agree.

If all 5 guys on the OL play better than last year, I think the OL will be better.

 

[ThreeandOut]

I agree.

If all 5 guys on the OL play better than last year, I think the OL will be better.

I say that because we tend to forget about the OT's in this discussion and there's a good chance both Smith and Free will be better. Smith was playing LT for the first time last year so he should be better. Free seems to be more comfortable in the scheme this year, at least so far.

 

[Sasquatch]

If we have two new starters and one gets hurt, aren't we still one guy ahead of the game?

Unless the one player's absence, for example Frederick or Smith, impacts how the entire line plays beyond simply subtracting 1 from the equation. By my point isn't to be negative as it's clear the line is better at this point in the year, but rather to temper that enthusiasm with justifiable caution.

 

[Rockport]

Rookies struggle, expecially offensive centers so we'll be worse at that position at least the first part of the season. Leary is basically a rookie also having spent most of last year inactive. Bernadeau is bad whether healthy or injured. Something was wrong with Free mentally last year. Not sure what it was but unless he pulls his head out, he won't be any better this year. Smith did not make the improvement his second year that he should have. We all hope that they will be better, but only time will tell because based on all of this, the odds aren't too good. We can only hope that the change in play calling and offensive strategy with the emphasis on the 2 TE set will improve our red zone production. Romo's sheer talent and will allowed us to move the ball easily between the 20's. Once in the red zone, you've got to be able to effectively and consistently run the ball to be productive. That's where the offensive line hurt us tremendously last year.

 

[boysfanindc]

Unless the one player's absence, for example Frederick or Smith, impacts how the entire line plays beyond simply subtracting 1 from the equation. By my point isn't to be negative as it's clear the line is better at this point in the year, but rather to temper that enthusiasm with justifiable caution.

I agree with justifiable caution, we have seen 1 preseason game and the starting tackles played for one series, but based on that very limited view, there seems to be some hope of optimism being around the corner relative to them being improved. Still way to early to tell if improved and if improved by how much and secondarily will it be enough to win. I think most people got excited from what they saw from the running game, cause we are going to have to be able to run to win.

This offense with a consistent and for a good average running game, could make this offense explosive, especially if we can have play action actually scare some one.

Let's hope tonight shows us even more reason for optimism and with a hopefully fit and ready to go Brian Waters waiting for us in Dallas, we might have something.

At least until further notice.

 

[gambit187]

I know there is a lot of teeth knashing over the perceved hole at right guard. Yes, that sucks. BUT that hole existed last year too. The good news is it looks like Leary will upgrade his guard spot over what we trotted out there last year. We are also better at center with Frederick over Cook, et. al. So we have already improved. We will see if it makes any difference in the overall functionality of our line in a few weeks.

I agree with you 100%...I also feel with Callihan being more involved in the offense its going to help the o-line.

 

[xwalker]

I know there is a lot of teeth knashing over the perceved hole at right guard. Yes, that sucks. BUT that hole existed last year too. The good news is it looks like Leary will upgrade his guard spot over what we trotted out there last year. We are also better at center with Frederick over Cook, et. al. So we have already improved. We will see if it makes any difference in the overall functionality of our line in a few weeks.

Agree. The addition of Frederick alone is a huge upgrade. Everybody complains about the Guards, but Cook was the worst run blocker on the team.

Also, the scheme has changed since last season based on the 1 preseason game. The Zone Blocking Scheme is in full affect this year. Just count the number of "cut" blocks this year compared to last year.