Spagnola: This Guy (Leary) On The Cowboys Offensive Line Radar

[Risen Star]

That's a fair comment.

Specifically I don't think Garrett is ignoring the offensive line and the need to improve it.

Keep in mind that Jason Garrett is the first Cowboy's coach since Tom Landry to draft an offensive lineman in the first round and he's done it twice now.

Just dwell on that a moment...

Actually, I won't. Because Jason Garrett didn't dictate those picks.

Now looking more "globally" at the Cowboys, I think there are three units on the team that are as talented as they've been in a long, long time:

Wide Receiver
Tide End
Corner

And that is meaningless on Sundays when you can't block and get off blocks. Particularly the cornerbacks. They're lamps without light bulbs.

In conjunction I think the situation at QB, LB and RB is good.

Well, we have a franchise QB. That's a big plus. Our RBs are really a projection. Murray hasn't been durable since high school and Randle hasn't played a snap. There isn't a 3rd RB worth talking about.

You can say the same thing for our LBs. The two studs haven't been able to stay on the field. Maybe they will this year and your statement will be true. Maybe even an understatement. But maybe they won't and we'll start to wonder about the long term future with either of those players.

Safety is a question mark.

Anyone outside of this fan base would call it a weakness.

The defensive line needs depth and a the offensive line needs a couple more players to step up but overall, top-to-bottom, this team does have some talent.

The offensive and defensive lines need a serious influx of talent. Too many marginal players sandwiched around stiffs. This is where we are weakest on both sides of the ball. You can't win this way and I can't ignore it as a fan. We are undermanned on the OL and marginal and aging on the DL.

And I think the coaching staff is the perhaps the best they've assembled in a long time. That's another feather in Garrett's cap.

I like the staff but I'd go with the Jimmy staff or the Parcells staff over this one. Why? Because the head coach actually commanded his own locker room. The environment for coaching was much more sound.

Now lets go back to the offensive line since this is what this thread is about, do think this offensive line will rank at the end of the season as compared to the offensive line that finished 2012? And why will it rank where you think it will?

I don't care about rankings. They mean nothing to me. They aren't concrete proof of anything. I'd imagine only someone who doesn't understand the game would need to look and rely on such things.

What I believe is the OL still isn't good enough. We still won't run the ball when we need to against defenses waiting for it. We still won't give the QB a clean pocket with any regularity. It'll improve simply because of Tyron's maturation as a LT and Frederick replacing the make a wish kid, but it won't be nearly where we need it to be to maximize the talent at the skill positions.

The get by philosophy there has cost us another season and another year of Tony Romo's career. That's what I think. I'd bet money that I'm right.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Actually, I won't. Because Jason Garrett didn't dictate those picks.



And that is meaningless on Sundays when you can't block and get off blocks. Particularly the cornerbacks. They're lamps without light bulbs.



Well, we have a franchise QB. That's a big plus. Our RBs are really a projection. Murray hasn't been durable since high school and Randle hasn't played a snap. There isn't a 3rd RB worth talking about.

You can say the same thing for our LBs. The two studs haven't been able to stay on the field. Maybe they will this year and your statement will be true. Maybe even an understatement. But maybe they won't and we'll start to wonder about the long term future with either of those players.



Anyone outside of this fan base would call it a weakness.



The offensive and defensive lines need a serious influx of talent. Too many marginal players sandwiched around stiffs. This is where we are weakest on both sides of the ball. You can't win this way and I can't ignore it as a fan. We are undermanned on the OL and marginal and aging on the DL.



I like the staff but I'd go with the Jimmy staff or the Parcells staff over this one. Why? Because the head coach actually commanded his own locker room. The environment for coaching was much more sound.



I don't care about rankings. They mean nothing to me. They aren't concrete proof of anything. I'd imagine only someone who doesn't understand the game would need to look and rely on such things.

What I believe is the OL still isn't good enough. We still won't run the ball when we need to against defenses waiting for it. We still won't give the QB a clean pocket with any regularity. It'll improve simply because of Tyron's maturation as a LT and Frederick replacing the make a wish kid, but it won't be nearly where we need it to be to maximize the talent at the skill positions.

The get by philosophy there has cost us another season and another year of Tony Romo's career. That's what I think. I'd bet money that I'm right.

It's always easiest to take the negative slant... always, because you're going to be right far more often than you are wrong. If I wanted the instant "feel good" I'd take the negative slant every time also.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Actually, I won't. Because Jason Garrett didn't dictate those picks.

Oh so you give Garrett all of the blame and none of the credit. Makes sense.

You should watch 12 angry men. Who was the decision maker in that room?

As if during the entire process Garrett couldn't have exerted any influence into needs?

Your view of the world is so black and white. You're like a stop light without yellow.

 

[TheSport78]

Actually, I won't. Because Jason Garrett didn't dictate those picks.



And that is meaningless on Sundays when you can't block and get off blocks. Particularly the cornerbacks. They're lamps without light bulbs.



Well, we have a franchise QB. That's a big plus. Our RBs are really a projection. Murray hasn't been durable since high school and Randle hasn't played a snap. There isn't a 3rd RB worth talking about.

You can say the same thing for our LBs. The two studs haven't been able to stay on the field. Maybe they will this year and your statement will be true. Maybe even an understatement. But maybe they won't and we'll start to wonder about the long term future with either of those players.



Anyone outside of this fan base would call it a weakness.



The offensive and defensive lines need a serious influx of talent. Too many marginal players sandwiched around stiffs. This is where we are weakest on both sides of the ball. You can't win this way and I can't ignore it as a fan. We are undermanned on the OL and marginal and aging on the DL.



I like the staff but I'd go with the Jimmy staff or the Parcells staff over this one. Why? Because the head coach actually commanded his own locker room. The environment for coaching was much more sound.



I don't care about rankings. They mean nothing to me. They aren't concrete proof of anything. I'd imagine only someone who doesn't understand the game would need to look and rely on such things.

What I believe is the OL still isn't good enough. We still won't run the ball when we need to against defenses waiting for it. We still won't give the QB a clean pocket with any regularity. It'll improve simply because of Tyron's maturation as a LT and Frederick replacing the make a wish kid, but it won't be nearly where we need it to be to maximize the talent at the skill positions.

The get by philosophy there has cost us another season and another year of Tony Romo's career. That's what I think. I'd bet money that I'm right.

Real talk.

 

[Zordon]

Oh so you give Garrett all of the blame and none of the credit. Makes sense.

You should watch 12 angry men. Who was the decision maker in that room?

As if during the entire process Garrett couldn't have exerted any influence into needs?

Your view of the world is so black and white. You're like a stop light without yellow.

If u know RS, he is generally very forgiving of Garrett. His vitroil is aimed squarely at the two buffoons running this organization. Hate him or love him he is consistent when it comes to lying blame for the destruction of this franchise.

 

[Stash]

It's always easiest to take the negative slant... always, because you're going to be right far more often than you are wrong. If I wanted the instant "feel good" I'd take the negative slant every time also.

It's not a negative slant, it's calling it like you see it rather than how you would like it to be.

Without the hopes and dreams factored in.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

It's not a negative slant, it's calling it like you see it rather than how you would like it to be.

Without the hopes and dreams factored in.

We need to invest in the OL! We haven't invested in the OL!

Oh we spent 2 1st rounders in 3 years and paid 8M a year for the hottest FA tackle right before that.....and have a ton of competition at the other two interior lineman spots?!?

Whatever....we need to invest in the OL! We haven't invested in the OL!

This really is the height of stupidity.

 

[burmafrd]

It's always easiest to take the negative slant... always, because you're going to be right far more often than you are wrong. If I wanted the instant "feel good" I'd take the negative slant every time also.

Hah. If its right more often then wrong that is the way you should go. And in the last 15 years that has been OVERWHELMINGLY the correct point of view.

You can be a shill like Mickey all you want. Means nothing.

 

[burmafrd]

We need to invest in the OL! We haven't invested in the OL!

Oh we spent 2 1st rounders in 3 years and paid 8M a year for the hottest FA tackle right before that.....and have a ton of competition at the other two interior lineman spots?!?

Whatever....we need to invest in the OL! We haven't invested in the OL!

This really is the height of stupidity.

well the Russian communist faithful believed in the process for 70 years. What did it get them?

Have to laugh at someone falling in love with a process that shows NO PROGRESS.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Hah. If its right more often then wrong that is the way you should go. And in the last 15 years that has been OVERWHELMINGLY the correct point of view.

Sorry, but it's not like we're talking about the worst team in the NFL over the last 15 years.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

You have not seen the improvement in talent on this roster? You have not seen how some of our best players are now young guys that people are concerned with locking up full time? You haven't seen development of players on this roster? You have not noticed the improved drafting and player accountability? Where are all the knuckleheads? You haven't seen the talent we are able to attract in position and assistant coaches? And if you haven't been paying attention we have played for the division two years in a row. A bounce here or there and who knows where we are.

Where's the improvement on the field? We had talent when Parcells came in and ran a few drafts for us as well, and with that talent we got to the postseason finally and, hey, actually won a postseason game.

Now, im ok with saying we certainly have some talented young players on this roster right now.. and that is awesome.

Now its time to see some tangible on field results.. that's where we are in this process. He's got another year or two at the most.. hopefully we see some kind of improvement on the field now, because there hasn't been much of that to this point from the "Cupcake Era".

Btw.. i like alot of things about JG, as well. Im also rooting for him, but not going to be unrealistic about things. This year we have the best chance so far to see some real improvement on the field. However, if we don't see it this season, im not sure we're going to see it.

 

[Rack]

It's always easiest to take the negative slant... always, because you're going to be right far more often than you are wrong. If I wanted the instant "feel good" I'd take the negative slant every time also.

Exactly what was "Negative" about his post?

Name one thing.



Or are you mistaking "Realism" with being negative? Just because you don't jump on the Jerrah koolaid drinking bandwagon doesn't make someone "Negative".

 

[Eskimo]

Where's the improvement on the field? We had talent when Parcells came in and ran a few drafts for us as well, and with that talent we got to the postseason finally and, hey, actually won a postseason game.

Now, im ok with saying we certainly have some talented young players on this roster right now.. and that is awesome.

Now its time to see some tangible on field results.. that's where we are in this process. He's got another year or two at the most.. hopefully we see some kind of improvement on the field now, because there hasn't been much of that to this point from the "Cupcake Era".

Btw.. i like alot of things about JG, as well. Im also rooting for him, but not going to be unrealistic about things. This year we have the best chance so far to see some real improvement on the field. However, if we don't see it this season, im not sure we're going to see it.

You have to remember Parcells inherited the team with Flo about to hit his peak and Gurode who he removed from Center where he belonged. There were about 7-8 Pro Bowls right there. He also had Larry Allen who he dumped who went on to play at a Pro Bowl level for SF for a couple of years to finish out his career. He did good to steal Kosier in FA and after multiple tries finally lucked into resurrecting Colombo off the scrap heap but he was also the guy who wasted all that money on Rivera. I also don't think any of the OLs under Parcells was great.

Now also remember that Parcells drafted Jacob Rogers and Al Johnson in consecutive drafts in the second round and basically busted on both. Rogers was an epic bust who didn't even make the team after his second preseason. He drafted Stephen Peterman in the 3rd and then dumped him the next year only to have him become a solid OG for the Lions for a decade.

BP was far from some OL saviour. He started with way more talent than Garrett who got only a bunch of overpaid, degenerating vets that he had to cut at the cost of tons of dead money on the cap (Bigg, Colombo, Gurode, Kosier). There were no backups off the 2010 team worth much and Costa is the only one that is still around. So the cupboard was bare - no vets, no developing prospects and no money to go out and buy the players he needed and no offseason to work on fixing the problems.

I do think Garrett has recognized the problem. Jerry went 20 years without drafting an OL in the 1st round and then does it twice in three years - it sounds to me like Garrett has gotten through to Jones on this. If it weren't for Rob Ryan we may not have made that idiotic trade with the Rams to draft Mo. I don't have anything bad to say about the player but we could have gotten a decent CB later and at the time of the pick we still had OScan, Jenkins and Carr under contract so it wasn't a gigantic immediate need. He just over-values CBs and Ryan was whispering into his ears about delivering a top defense so long as he had the CBs to implement his "scheme". Well he got his CBs and they were healthy but the defense still disappointed. Now with Ryan gone we wisely invested OL again although it was a shame the run on OL made us miss out on Jon Cooper and led us to draft Frederick in the first instead of the second where most mockers had placed him but I don't mind the pick. It is crucial to give Romo more protection and to fix the running game.

I think we mostly now just need a bit of time and health and continued gradual investments in the OL to elevate the unit and continue its development into a strength on the team. No matter what Garrett did it was going to take some time to fix the problems on the OL given the minimal resources and those resources focused mostly on the CB position. I do think there are enough good pieces in place to put out an average OL to above average OL this year so long as we have health. One more addition to the unit either by development of a prospect or adding another premium pick should be enough to propel us into the much above average category if Tryon, TFred and Parnell develop as I expect them to.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Exactly what was "Negative" about his post?

Name one thing.



Or are you mistaking "Realism" with being negative? Just because you don't jump on the Jerrah koolaid drinking bandwagon doesn't make someone "Negative".

He said the offensive line still isn't good enough.

How do you know that's realistic? I mean really how do you know?

 

[CF74]

We need to invest in the OL! We haven't invested in the OL!

Oh we spent 2 1st rounders in 3 years and paid 8M a year for the hottest FA tackle right before that.....and have a ton of competition at the other two interior lineman spots?!?

Whatever....we need to invest in the OL! We haven't invested in the OL!

This really is the height of stupidity.

Stop, you're making too much sense....:laugh2:

 

[TwoDeep3]

This stopped me quick as I read.

Does he actually think that the folks who brought us a decade of futility and ineptitude are 'snickering' about anything?

Who exactly do they 'know better' than?

Amazing that this paid mouthpiece can think that anyone outside of his money masters believe this.

Stash - what Spags was meaning is the team is snickering at those that have pointed out the lack of upgrade on this line. The team knows better.

I wonder if Jerry sent an email to Mickey or passed him in the hallway at VR and suggested this article.

 

[speedkilz88]

Stash - what Spags was meaning is the team is snickering at those that have pointed out the lack of upgrade on this line. The team knows better.

I wonder if Jerry sent an email to Mickey or passed him in the hallway at VR and suggested this article.

Mickey has been mentioning this on talkin cowboys (not the snickering part) since the rookie camp.

 

[5Stars]

Stash - what Spags was meaning is the team is snickering at those that have pointed out the lack of upgrade on this line. The team knows better.

I wonder if Jerry sent an email to Mickey or passed him in the hallway at VR and suggested this article.

:laugh2:

 

[NEODOG]

I'm going to say that Leary will be the surprise of the team this year. I actually thought he'd play more last year...doesnt mean I think we missed on sure fire lineman the last 2drafts though

 

[5Stars]

I'm going to say that Leary will be the surprise of the team this year. I actually thought he'd play more last year...doesnt mean I think we missed on sure fire lineman the last 2drafts though

People forget about the practice squad...