The biggest positive I've seen recently - the pass blocking has been spectacular

[perrykemp]

Looks like the OL has finally jelled as it has become what we all <expected> it to be coming into the season. Over the past couple of weeks they've looked like the best OL in the NFL.

I am particularly encouraged about the pass blocking. Cassel has had very little pressure on him. In fact, I'm often surprised that he is throwing it as quickly as he is -- he is often throwing when there is zero pressure on him to do so.

 

[Idgit]

Looks like the OL has finally jelled as it has become what we all <expected> it to be coming into the season. Over the past couple of weeks they've looked like the best OL in the NFL.

I am particularly encouraged about the pass blocking. Cassel has had very little pressure on him. In fact, I'm often surprised that he is throwing it as quickly as he is -- he is often throwing when there is zero pressure on him to do so.

Yeah. The pass blocking has seemed ahead of the run blocking all year, and the last two weeks the OL seems to have really come together. Collins is a rookie, but he's got a world of potential, and he can move and play well in space, too. It's been nice to see that unit be the asset I had just assumed it was going to be from the outset. And it's a good sign for the future, too, if we can ever get this damn thing headed in the right direction.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

The pass blocking has been really great for the past 3 seasons.

There was some weird criticism of the pass blocking after last year. They did have some weak games, but that appeared against really good defenses (i.e. Detroit) that presented some matchup problems for them. I remember the times that Romo had all day in the pocket to throw like the Giants game where he had something like 8 seconds in the pocket to throw a pass for a TD.

Outside of the Patriots game (and that was mostly on Leary), the pass protection has been excellent. They've cleaned up the problems they have had against good stunting teams.

I don't think the run blocking has been all that bad. I don't think Randle has helped and I think losing Hanna hurt them. I also don't think Witten (or Hanna) were very good run blocking yesterday. It also doesn't help that we are predetermined to run on 1st down and we always give away when we are running the ball on 3rd and short.

Even though I'm not happy with Free's play, I still see this as a top-3 O-Line even if Free plays badly. So, it's the least of my concerns and I would just like to clean up the RT position for next season.




YR

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

I thought Free struggled a lot, but he was going up against two of the best in Bennett and Irvin. But the rest of the line dominated

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Seems like other teams have All-World O-lines when we go up against them. Seattle was giving up 97 sacks a game before yesterday.

 

[Zordon]

Another thing that we're wasting. This oline along should be getting us 14 pts a game. They've been fantastic since the bye.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

The o-line has been playing well except for Free. That is, according to xwalker.

 

[xwalker]

Looks like the OL has finally jelled as it has become what we all <expected> it to be coming into the season. Over the past couple of weeks they've looked like the best OL in the NFL.

I am particularly encouraged about the pass blocking. Cassel has had very little pressure on him. In fact, I'm often surprised that he is throwing it as quickly as he is -- he is often throwing when there is zero pressure on him to do so.

Free had some issues. It's not as obvious when he gets bull-rushed into the QBs space as it would be if the pass rusher beat him on a speed rush but he did have some issues. I agree that overall Cassell had time on many plays but it seemed that he did get pressure on some of the most critical plays.

 

[xwalker]

The o-line has been playing well except for Free. That is, according to xwalker.

In a season where fans try to blame everybody on the team, I'm shocked that Free does not get more hate. One poster even tried to blame Bailey on the Harris Kick return TD because he didn't kick it though the end-zone.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The o-line has been playing well except for Free. That is, according to xwalker.

Free had some issues.

I really tried not to but couldn't help myself.

 

[xwalker]

The o-line has been playing well except for Free. That is, according to xwalker.

In a season where fans try to blame everybody on the team, I'm shocked that Free does not get more hate. One poster even tried to blame Bailey on the Harris Kick return TD because he didn't kick it though the end-zone.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Seems like other teams have All-World O-lines when we go up against them. Seattle was giving up 97 sacks a game before yesterday.

Seems like Hardy was the only guy in Wilson's zip code.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I really tried not to but couldn't help myself.

Everyone has a whipping boy; we all know who xwalker's is. Just messing with ya, x!

 

[punchnjudy]

I think it's been pretty solid all along. Tony is a guy who will always hold the ball until the last possible moment, whether the line is giving him 2.5 seconds or 5, so he's inevitably going to take some hits/sacks. Also, when he returns, I expect the run blocking to look a lot better as teams are forced to focus on the QB more, so the perception of those two areas will probably even out.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

In a season where fans try to blame everybody on the team, I'm shocked that Free does not get more hate. One poster even tried to blame Bailey on the Harris Kick return TD because he didn't kick it though the end-zone.

No one watches offensive line lol. You can't see it from the TV that's probably why he doesn't get more hate.

 

[perrykemp]

They did have some weak games, but that appeared against really good defenses (i.e. Detroit) that presented some matchup problems for them.

For the most part I agree with you, however, I thought their youth was exposed a bit in the playoffs vs Detroit and Green Bay who collectively had 10 sacks in the Cowboys 2 games.

The good news is for the most part the OL is more seasoned now and continues to improve.

 

[xwalker]

No one watches offensive line lol. You can't see it from the TV that's probably why he doesn't get more hate.

Yes, it's a combination of fans focusing on the skill position players and fans being heavily influenced by the media, especially the Cowboys own media guys like Broaddus. If the media is not pointing out the success or failures of OLinemen, then fans generally don't notice unless they give up a lot of sacks because the camera will show the OL on a sack but generally does not on just pressures.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Yes, it's a combination of fans focusing on the skill position players and fans being heavily influenced by the media, especially the Cowboys own media guys like Broaddus. If the media is not pointing out the success or failures of OLinemen, then fans generally don't notice unless they give up a lot of sacks because the camera will show the OL on a sack but generally does not on just pressures.

Yeah I already know most people form their opinion of the offensive line from Broaddus.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

For the most part I agree with you, however, I thought their youth was exposed a bit in the playoffs vs Detroit and Green Bay who collectively had 10 sacks in the Cowboys 2 games.

The good news is for the most part the OL is more seasoned now and continues to improve.

You have to remember that Romo holds onto the ball for longer and it was pretty apparent that he was growing more and more confident in the O-Line's pass protection, so he would hold onto the ball for even longer. I think they struggled against the Lions, which had an excellent run defense and a really good pass rush. Against the Packers, I never felt that their defense exposed anything and the sacks were more on Romo in that game.




YR

 

[robjay04]

Seems like other teams have All-World O-lines when we go up against them. Seattle was giving up 97 sacks a game before yesterday.

I think Seattle made it a point to get rid of the ball quick. Wilson did take some hits but he got the ball out of there fast enough to avoid sacks.