RT and C biggest problems on OL.

[Chuck 54]

Let's say Tucker improves and holds the fort till Adams returns, remembering that Tucker has had no experience at LT until being moved there late this year...Let's also assume Adams comes back strong, not a liability all next year.

Let's assume Larry Allen stays at his current level at least and that Rivera plays better next year having had a season to recover from his back problem and a new system and team.

Clearly, IN pass protection, RT is our biggest problem...Pettitti doesn't have the athletic ability or the technique yet...maybe he gets better in time, but only fools would count on him at RT next season...we desperately need to bring in a veteran RT in FA.

However, having watched him more closely in recent weeks, I have no doubt that the biggest problem with our running game is our Center. Johnson needs to be replaced...period. He is the worst run blocker on our OL...He cannot reach a DT without being driven into the running lane. From what I've seen, we actually block pretty well at the point of attack, but our RB either gets pulled down from behind by someone overpowering Johnson in the middle or our RB has no cutback lane because Johnson almost never seals anyone off without them getting into our backfield.

I know we're all concerned with the pass protection and our OTs...that's a given, but I'm convinced we won't significantly improve our running game until we bring in a better Center. Gurode can be that better center, but clearly he still doesn't have the brains or recognition to make the correct line calls. The fumble we gave up against Washington to start the 2nd half wasn't completely poor blocking by him, but as Parcells said, he made the wrong line call and then couldn't make the block.

I'd love to bring in a legit Center if possible, a veteran RT, and leave Gurode as an option at Guard.

 

[Big Country]

you forgot to mention Johnson's habit of the once a game fumbled snap exchange...

Rob P. is what he is... a 6th round rookie.

 

[theogt]

Absolutely. I would go with Bentley at C and a 2d rounder at RT. Someone mentioned a while back at the idea of cutting Allen and moving Tucker to LG. Not a bad idea.

 

[Doomsday]

Lets assume the whole line needs to be scrapped and go from there, 25 sacks the last 5 games is nuts. Bledsoe was sacked more then anyone in the league but Carr and Dallas was 30th in ypc average. Looking at those 2 numbers its really easy to see how Dallas went from 7-3 to 9-7. Assuming that they could develop a RT and assuming that Johnson would improve or Gurode would get it together is what got this team where it is right now. They need to assume that LA's seen his best days, that Rivera's back will act up and that Adams might not return to form and go from there to do whatever it takes to fix the Oline. Dallas has alot of CAP room and no one of any consequence is a FA, so the Oline has to take priority over everyting else in my opinion.

 

[Sarge]

There are a lot of people on this board that see something in Al Johnson. I don't know what they see, the guy is atrocious, I agree.

I supported the guy for as long as I could, he does nothing for me - or the team for that matter.

Not a fan.

 

[Ashwynn]

There are a lot of people on this board that see something in Al Johnson. I don't know what they see, the guy is atrocious, I agree.

I supported the guy for as long as I could, he does nothing for me - or the team for that matter.

Not a fan.

I would have to agre. I see AL getting pushed back on almost every pass play. I cant recall once this year where he stood his guy up at the line, let alone drove them backwards. I am thinking hes just to small for that position. Or he just really has no idea what a centers supposed to do in the grand scheme of the Offensive scheme.

 

[Sarge]

I would have to agre. I see AL getting pushed back on almost every pass play. I cant recall once this year where he stood his guy up at the line, let alone drove them backwards. I am thinking hes just to small for that position. Or he just really has no idea what a centers supposed to do in the grand scheme of the Offensive scheme.

I saw him get pushed back way too many times this year. He's simply not strong enough for that position in this league, at leasat not at this point.

 

[Natedawg44]

We've spend
Three 2nd rounders
Al Johnson
Jacob Rogers
Andre Gurode
One 3rd Rounder
Peterman
One 6th Rounder
Petitti
A 9 Million dollar signing bonus FA Guard in Rivera

And what do we have to show for it?
(Chris Farley Voice)
JACK SQUAT!!!!

 

[ghst187]

Absolutely. I would go with Bentley at C and a 2d rounder at RT. Someone mentioned a while back at the idea of cutting Allen and moving Tucker to LG. Not a bad idea.

I'm not for cutting Allen yet.
Ever since we moved Tucker from G to T, I've been screaming that we should move him back, doesn't quite have the footwork to play T.
Bentley is a must-have.
AJ can't get it done blocking or snapping. The snap exchange is still delayed even in the 16th game of the season. He gets blown up trying to block, esp in the run game. Next center please.
I like Gurode, just not at C.

 

[Natedawg44]

Can Jamar Martin gain 20 lbs and snap the ball between his legs?

 

[Natedawg44]

Bentley is a pipe dream
A lock to be franchised

 

[TheHustler]

I think Pettiti can improve. Johnson, I'd like to see as a backup.

 

[big dog cowboy]

25 sacks the last 5 games is nuts. Bledsoe was sacked more then anyone in the league but Carr and Dallas was 30th in ypc average. Looking at those 2 numbers its really easy to see how Dallas went from 7-3 to 9-7.

Hard to imagine how we got to 7-3 looking at those numbers.

 

[Hiero]

New RT = Marcus McNeill 6'9 340
New C = Kyle Young 6'4 320

 

[Hiero]

There are a lot of people on this board that see something in Al Johnson. I don't know what they see, the guy is atrocious, I agree.

I supported the guy for as long as I could, he does nothing for me - or the team for that matter.

Not a fan.

ya same here. I'd had enough. he was supposed to be a vicious mean physical grinder and turns out he's a soft fumbling snap telling center who can't do much. I kept hearing about how mena and physical he was, but that was so far from the truth.

 

[trueblue1687]

Needs: Johnson out or relegated to back-up status (may be a solid back-up, not much more without another 30 lbs)
Allen floating with the rest of the hippos in a pond somewhere, but not in a Cowboys uniform (sorry LA lovers- he's only average now)
Gurode to guard (seems to do a nice job when thinking isn't so important and certainly has the physical make-up)
SEE what Tucker looks like at guard (but NOT at ANY tackle position, maybe a good back up to guard)
Adams stays put if he can come back ok from the knee thing (not always a given)

I agree Bentley would be a good pick-up, but I don't think he makes it to Dallas....Keep looking.

 

[jbsg02]

How would this look

LT - Flo
LG - LA
C - Bentley
RG - Rivera(unless Gurode shows somethin)
RT - Marcus McNeill

 

[Mr Cowboy]

I would not mind at all if the only 1 that stays is Flozell. LA is average at best, Rivera was a huge mistake. Johnson is another of our 2nd round OL mistakes and Petiti regressed as the season moved along, and should be no more than an Arena League player.

Not only wast his line bad, they were abused by average D-Lines. They played with no emotion and absolutely no pride.

If we can fix the O-Line problems, we should be on our way to the 6th trophy.

 

[cowboy4life]

Let's say Tucker improves and holds the fort till Adams returns, remembering that Tucker has had no experience at LT until being moved there late this year...Let's also assume Adams comes back strong, not a liability all next year.

Let's assume Larry Allen stays at his current level at least and that Rivera plays better next year having had a season to recover from his back problem and a new system and team.

Clearly, IN pass protection, RT is our biggest problem...Pettitti doesn't have the athletic ability or the technique yet...maybe he gets better in time, but only fools would count on him at RT next season...we desperately need to bring in a veteran RT in FA.

However, having watched him more closely in recent weeks, I have no doubt that the biggest problem with our running game is our Center. Johnson needs to be replaced...period. He is the worst run blocker on our OL...He cannot reach a DT without being driven into the running lane. From what I've seen, we actually block pretty well at the point of attack, but our RB either gets pulled down from behind by someone overpowering Johnson in the middle or our RB has no cutback lane because Johnson almost never seals anyone off without them getting into our backfield.

I know we're all concerned with the pass protection and our OTs...that's a given, but I'm convinced we won't significantly improve our running game until we bring in a better Center. Gurode can be that better center, but clearly he still doesn't have the brains or recognition to make the correct line calls. The fumble we gave up against Washington to start the 2nd half wasn't completely poor blocking by him, but as Parcells said, he made the wrong line call and then couldn't make the block.

I'd love to bring in a legit Center if possible, a veteran RT, and leave Gurode as an option at Guard.

You are right on point with your assessments. Several times last night, Al Johnson was flat on his back and not positively helping the play. We need a veteran option at the center position, ASAP.

 

[Sarge]

You are right on point with your assessments. Several times last night, Al Johnson was flat on his back and not positively helping the play. We need a veteran option at the center position, ASAP.

Al Johnson has been shoved around like a rag doll the entire year. I remain amazed at the number of supporters this numnuts still has.