Sturm analysis suggest O-Line Isn't League Best

[windjc]

Interesting article:

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2015/05/cowboys-pass-protection-wks-1-4-sack-register.html/

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Bob Sturm: Legion of Room! Do Cowboys have best o-line in football?
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Bob Sturm Follow @sportssturm Email sturm1310@me.com
Published: May 28, 2015 9:57 am

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/files/2015/05/NS_04COWSLIONSVB52_41548863.jpg
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) fixes his chinstrap before making his way to the line of scrimmage during the first half of a playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, on Sunday, January 4, 2015. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)

As many of my esteemed colleagues offer worthy coverage of the OTA’s and the amusing things football players say in the last week of May, I will start a new series today that will bridge over the next few weeks to attempt to answer questions posed by many this spring.

Today’s will require a few days to work through. It is, “Is the Cowboys offensive line the best in the NFL?” As La’el Collins suggested, could they even become the best OL in the history of the NFL?

Now, let’s be clear. They are very good. So much so, that the Cowboys have allowed DeMarco Murray to walk away and their front office and fan base seem to have limited concerns about whether it will affect their product. The reason is that with all of the highly touted and selected draft picks that make up this line, surely there is no OL in football you would trade for the one right here in Dallas.

But, how good are they really? If we are going to discuss the best in the league (I will not even address the idea of being the best in NFL history until the 1st question is satisfied that they are really the best in 2014 or 2015), we are looking for a line that runs a game. One that can run block with great effectiveness and success and also one that can pass protect with the same effectiveness and success.

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[Donny Phoenix]

Interesting article:

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2015/05/cowboys-pass-protection-wks-1-4-sack-register.html/

Shots fired! Looks like dem boys better get to work then!

 

[daveferr33]

Good stuff. Put some flesh on the bones of something we already knew: They are a great run-blocking team, and a good pass protecting team that has room to improve.

And with an average age of about 24, they have plenty of time to become the best ever.

 

[erod]

Lot of issues with this article.

The focus is on the first three games. Were any of us aware how good this team would become at the outset of the season? Zack Martin was a fresh rookie. Romo didn't even have a preseason. Nothing had really gelled yet.

Look at the season from the Seattle game forward. THAT is when it had come together, and other than an Eagles game when Romo didn't take a shot of Toradol on a short week, a Commander game when he got hurt, and an Arizona game when he didn't play, the pass protection was good and the offense was dominant.

 

[windjc]

It seemed like they struggled with sacks early due to lack of cohesion, then fell apart during Commanders game, then fell apart again during playoffs. They struggled with stunts and misdirections. I think a lot of there issues in pass protection came down to inexperience individually and as a line. Martin was a rookie, Frederick in his 2nd year, Free dealing with movement issues.

However, when the line got in good position they were able to give Romo some 8+ seconds in the pocket highlights.
The best chance the defense had was to beat the line quickly off the snap.

I am fairly optimistic they can improve in this area. However if Collin wins a starting spot, they will be susceptible to this in 2015 as well.

 

[windjc]

Lot of issues with this article.

The focus is on the first three games. Were any of us aware how good this team would become at the outset of the season? Zack Martin was a fresh rookie. Romo didn't even have a preseason. Nothing had really gelled yet.

Look at the season from the Seattle game forward. THAT is when it had come together, and other than an Eagles game when Romo didn't take a shot of Toradol on a short week, a Commander game when he got hurt, and an Arizona game when he didn't play, the pass protection was good and the offense was dominant.

This article is just part 1. There issues continued in spurts throughout the season and playoffs especially.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Lot of issues with this article.

The focus is on the first three games. Were any of us aware how good this team would become at the outset of the season? Zack Martin was a fresh rookie. Romo didn't even have a preseason. Nothing had really gelled yet.

Look at the season from the Seattle game forward. THAT is when it had come together, and other than an Eagles game when Romo didn't take a shot of Toradol on a short week, a Commander game when he got hurt, and an Arizona game when he didn't play, the pass protection was good and the offense was dominant.

He is going to go through the entire season 4 weeks at a time. I know because he says as much in the article.

For the next few weeks, I am going to grab the 40 sacks of 2014 and try to sort through where this team is being attacked. In our heads, when there is a sack, we imagine someone just getting beat by a fierce pass rusher. But, when we look at these, I think you will find that the Cowboys were attacked by deception and schemes more than they were beaten straight up.

If they wish to be the best in the NFL in 2015, then the sacks will need to come down. They will be attacked in new and exotic ways to get Tony Romo on the turf and off the field on 3rd Downs. So, let’s start this week with the first month of the season and look at the 8 sacks that were surrendered in the first 4 weeks.

 

[perrykemp]

No surprises here -- nobody who watched them last year could claim they were a great pass blocking line -- although they were obviously well above average.

They gave up 10 sacks in just 2 playoff games -- although Romo certainly was responsible for some of them.

The good news is this -- they ARE the best run blocking OL in the NFL and they their ceiling is very high in terms of potential growth (with experience) in pass blocking.

 

[xwalker]

Lot of issues with this article.

The focus is on the first three games. Were any of us aware how good this team would become at the outset of the season? Zack Martin was a fresh rookie. Romo didn't even have a preseason. Nothing had really gelled yet.

Look at the season from the Seattle game forward. THAT is when it had come together, and other than an Eagles game when Romo didn't take a shot of Toradol on a short week, a Commander game when he got hurt, and an Arizona game when he didn't play, the pass protection was good and the offense was dominant.

He is going to look at all of the sacks for the season. He started at the beginning because, it's the beginning.

 

[mickswag]

Football Outsiders says we #1 in run blocking, but #16 in pass protection.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol

 

[RS12]

I seem to remember Romo holding on to the ball too long on many occasions in the Playoffs.

 

[Fletch]

This article is just part 1. There issues continued in spurts throughout the season and playoffs especially.

And erod already covered said issues.

 

[DFWJC]

I'm surprised he used the first three games when so many of the lineman were so young, or even a rookie.

But yes, saying Dallas has the best line is not a slam dunk by any means.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

One thing I noticed, I didn't see Martin or Frederick really come close to getting beat in any of those sacks. Most were on Free and Smith.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Lot of issues with this article.

The focus is on the first three games. Were any of us aware how good this team would become at the outset of the season? Zack Martin was a fresh rookie. Romo didn't even have a preseason. Nothing had really gelled yet.

Look at the season from the Seattle game forward. THAT is when it had come together, and other than an Eagles game when Romo didn't take a shot of Toradol on a short week, a Commander game when he got hurt, and an Arizona game when he didn't play, the pass protection was good and the offense was dominant.

Sorry but Romo was still getting beat up against stunts, delayed blitzes and the like against Seattle, TN, Commanders, and Eagles. Wagner gave him a shot to the ribs in particular that hurt him. We were not good at pass protection if it wasn't an individual matchup. Also our play-action execution stank. Teams picked off Romo far too easily sitting on routes out of it because we couldn't disguise.

In fact in the second half of the season, teams just ran line stunts on us constantly because we couldn't execute against them consistently in the run game or in pass protection. Some of that was Jeremy 'Derp' Parnell but all 3 interior guys would botch passing guys off and simply be unaware far too often.

 

[Satchel89]

So on some pass plays the O-Line made a few mistakes. Big deal. They are still the best to me. And look at the depth. Bernadeau is solid. They drafted Green and got a steal in Collins. I don't see who's better

 

[Corso]

Sorry but Romo was still getting beat up against stunts, delayed blitzes and the like against Seattle, TN, Commanders, and Eagles. Wagner gave him a shot to the ribs in particular that hurt him. We were not good at pass protection if it wasn't an individual matchup. Also our play-action execution stank. Teams picked off Romo far too easily sitting on routes out of it because we couldn't disguise.

In fact in the second half of the season, teams just ran line stunts on us constantly because we couldn't execute against them consistently in the run game or in pass protection. Some of that was Jeremy 'Derp' Parnell but all 3 interior guys would botch passing guys off and simply be unaware far too often.

I'm sorry, but I had to let you know I laughed heartily when I read that... "Derp" lol!
Too good!

 

[Risen Star]

I'm sorry, but I had to let you know I laughed heartily when I read that... "Derp" lol!
Too good!

We can take shots at him now. Ex-Cowboy and all.

 

[Corso]

We can take shots at him now. Ex-Cowboy and all.

You can say "Excuse me," after you burp all loud like that in the middle of everybody.
Really.

 

[Bleu Star]

Interesting article:

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***/2015/05/cowboys-pass-protection-wks-1-4-sack-register.html/

Does this mean "any RB" can't run behind it or does that debatable assertion still stand? Hrmmm