Nightshade;4008580 said:
I kinda see Hos's point. Our problem is we don't draft O-linemen high enough. Not we don't develop them Well enough. Not sure why we dont spend higher pics on them more often when they're obviously breaking down and getting older ie Colombo, Bigg, Kosier. I think it's Jerry's own personal bias. Just Jerry. I hope T Smith is the beginning of a new trend. A Jerry revelation.
ala "Wow. We really need to have high quality offensive and defensive linemen on the Cowboys. I thought we could get by just drafting low and developing these guys but NO. That philosophy slowly erodes the quality of the team overall. I've learned the error of my ways."
Now wouldn't that be great if he started drafting like the Steelers, Giants and the Packers, etc.. from the inside out? instead of vice versa?
Very good post, here.
In baseball, one had one of two approaches to success. One either built his foundation upon pitching or hitting. During the steroid times, pitching suffered. But today, it is a good way to the playoffs and beyond. Atlanta stuck with pitching. Had a great and long run, and now has returned.
In the NFL, it seems that it is either a top rated offense, or a stick in the mud defense. Dallas chose with the offensive production and building up first, the skill players to mount a high scoring return.
Right now, the surplus of offensive and special skills players is maximized. With a new element of development added to the receiver's group.
This season, there seems to be a cap and and positional void on the defensive side. This paired with age and cap room values causes a problem in the offensive line as well.
Naturally, the focus is upon the offensive line and the defense. The need was so pointed, as Burma noted, that the Cowboys, and Jerry just could not ignore it.
The draft is somewhat of a target of opportunity affair. But when reviewing it, one goes to what affect is brought into the team.
Change today, is limited by cost effectiveness as well as player value, in transitioning.
The most stability for an offensive line, is on the outside, the tackles. Dallas has on the onset, solved that deficiency. Having both Doug Free and Tyron Smith solves that, and at a very cost effective manner for the quality of talent there.
Inside, with Andre Gurode at center, and possibly Kyle Kosier at left guard, the interior stability is preserved. At the least, Montrae Holland preserves an interior stability and actually is pretty strong as a collective group here.
This allows for more cost effective and younger players to rise up and develop up to pressure for time at these positions as well. David Arkin, Bill Nagy, and Travis Bright look to have much more practice time. Then with the Exhibition Games, much more molding in game conditions. This is at the least, a respectable group for depth.
The view now shifts to that of the defense. As things stand right now, there is an up the middle weakness shown. Dallas is missing both starting quality safeties. Then it has a need of no less than two defensive ends to provide an ability to defend and keep from being abused up the gut of their own defense.
There are right now, four positions of high need to the success of this year's team. That is two defensive ends and two safeties.
Above that, an defineable quality added to cornerback is shown as well. As the two junior members, Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins, have not to date shown they can handle the task. Without a strong set at the corners, the strength of a supportive pair of safeties is diminished.
This provides a pretty wide group and number of players that have to be shorn up right now.
Two defensive ends and a safety may well return and be resigned. But that still leaves a cornerback and safety that well would be needed to field an adequate defense to balance what should be a strong offense.
This is where Jerry Jones, the GM, is at present. Attempting to forge these strengths for his team, in the midst of chaos and deep flows of money and advantages. This is a crucial part for Jerry to succeed at, and gain the six players needed for his team....here, and now.
