The main issue for Dallas -The Offensive Line

[DasTex]

Seriously, out of all the issue's this team has - The oline has to be #1.

If you give a QB time, it doesn't matter how simple the offense is, WR's and TE's on this team can get open.

If you can take care of your blocking assignments, it's doesn't matter how simple the offense is, the RB's on this team can make plays. You can wear down the defense and control the clock.

If you can learn how to not completely blow assigments and let guys free, it doesn't matter how simple the offense is, the QB can make plays and cut down on the turnovers.

It really all comes down to that.

Flo - was it his injury or was it getting paid?
Koiser - we just didn't know how important he was
Gurode - down year, or just dumb?
Davis - down year, or just dumb?
Columbo - best lineman this year, but what does that say?

The truth is, there is ALOT of money being tied up in the 5 above, and I can't see any of that changing over the next couple years. We're going to be stuck with these guys.

Can we make it work with the starters we have?

 

[irvin4evs]

I think our OL as a whole is really overrated.

I don't think the "GET BIG!" philosophy Jerry went with was a great idea. I think guys like Kosier are the new lineman. As defenses get faster, don't we expect our OLs to get faster?

I didn't want Flozell resigned because I thought he was overrated as a run blocker (I don't see good leverage and footwork from him--when he's successful it's just because of his monstrous strength) and a choker in general. I think players like him and Greg Ellis perpetuate our losing tradition.

I still like Leonard Davis and Colombo.

To a lesser extent, I like Gurode, but his lack of intelligence is crippling at times and I still think he should be a guard. His strengths are his pure blocking skills, not his intelligence or quickness. Why can't that translate to guard? I just don't get it.

I really hope Free can step up because he's exactly what we need on this line--mobility and technique. Raw power works when the defense doesn't blitz or stunt. That's the only time, just about.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Seriously, out of all the issue's this team has - The oline has to be #1.

If you give a QB time, it doesn't matter how simple the offense is, WR's and TE's on this team can get open.

If you can take care of your blocking assignments, it's doesn't matter how simple the offense is, the RB's on this team can make plays. You can wear down the defense and control the clock.

If you can learn how to not completely blow assigments and let guys free, it doesn't matter how simple the offense is, the QB can make plays and cut down on the turnovers.

It really all comes down to that.

Flo - was it his injury or was it getting paid?
Koiser - we just didn't know how important he was
Gurode - down year, or just dumb?
Davis - down year, or just dumb?
Columbo - best lineman this year, but what does that say?

The truth is, there is ALOT of money being tied up in the 5 above, and I can't see any of that changing over the next couple years. We're going to be stuck with these guys.

Can we make it work with the starters we have?

I agree 100% but who do you get rid of?

Flo - Just gave him a huge contract, and there is not a better choice out there in FA or draft. (For the now, maybe to develop)
Kosier - One of our role guys, who does he job well and doesnt have a huge salary.
Gurode - One of the better centers in the league, regardless of his shortcomings.
Davis - Just signed a huge contract last offseason. Produces fairly well.
Columbo - Just signed an extension, and only Olinemen we have with a nasty streak. You need players like him.

I would be in favor of upgrading, I just dont see it happening. I think that if our line could have stayed healthy this year, things would have been alot different. You can see the games where they just absolutely dominate their opponent. And when that happens....

 

[MWILL]

I agree 100% but who do you get rid of?

Flo - Just gave him a huge contract, and there is not a better choice out there in FA or draft. (For the now, maybe to develop)
Kosier - One of our role guys, who does he job well and doesnt have a huge salary.
Gurode - One of the better centers in the league, regardless of his shortcomings.
Davis - Just signed a huge contract last offseason. Produces fairly well.
Columbo - Just signed an extension, and only Olinemen we have with a nasty streak. You need players like him.

I would be in favor of upgrading, I just dont see it happening. I think that if our line could have stayed healthy this year, things would have been alot different. You can see the games where they just absolutely dominate their opponent. And when that happens....

Despite Dallas recent history on drafting lineman, we should draft atleast 2 good "O" linemen (I know it's not easy). Hopfully, it would make for some good competition

Have Kosier sleep in T.O.'s Hypo-Chamber every night. The line seems to be better when he's healthy.

Or just bring in a BETTER "O" line coach.

 

[PullMyFinger]

Despite Dallas recent history on drafting lineman, we should draft atleast 2 good "O" linemen (I know it's not easy). Hopfully, it would make for some good competition

Have Kosier sleep in T.O.'s Hypo-Chamber every night. The line seems to be better when he's healthy.

Or just bring in a BETTER "O" line coach.

Or just bring in a BETTER "O" line coach.

I really thought Houck could coach up them boys, man was I wrong.

 

[MWILL]

I really thought Houck could coach up them boys, man was I wrong.

Houck fooled me too.

 

[RoadRunner]

Replace Flozell with a more disciplined player, and watch the whole line get better. i agree with the poster a few posts back that Flozell is one of the guys who keeps our losing tradition going forward. I also believe his dumb play sets the tone for the whole line. Other guys see a guy lead the league in penalties, let rushers kill his QB, and doesn't run block well at all get paid huge dollars. It has to have a mental impact.

I'm also tired of everyone being afraid to let go of FLozell. I guarantee you that a lesser paid guy could be brought in here and would do a better job at LT. Sit his *** on the bench till 2010 where you can then dump his contract. I would rather go with a young guy wanting to get better than lazy *** Flozell. Been wanting Flozell gone since the Solomon Page days. He is your REAL cancer hre.

 

[skinsscalper]

I really thought Houck could coach up them boys, man was I wrong.

Houck fooled me too.

I'll chest thump a bit here (being the humble guy I am. lol). I didn't buy into the whole "Houck will make this line dominant" mantra one bit, and posted so on this board. All I heard about was the "skins" Houck had on the wall. Houck did a good job with, quite possibly, the most dominat O-line in the history of the game (90's Cowboys). Someof that was Houck, no doubt. Most of that was Erik Williams, Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton, Mark Tuinei, Ray Donaldson, and on, and on, and on. He did a decent jobin San Diego. Flopped in Miami. Houck was fortunate, he wasn't great. He said himself this year "I need better players to coach". What that really means is: without HOF caliber players, I'm just a guy. No **** Sherlock.

 

[HanD]

I was "fooled" by houck but i don't blame it entirely on him. i think we realized how valuable kosier is to this OL. procter was pretty much awful and just as holland got his groove, he got hurt. If we can keep the OL healthy, i don't see why they couldn't play as well as the previous year. that would be a big step for this offense.

 

[Big D]

I agree 100% but who do you get rid of?

Flo - Just gave him a huge contract, and there is not a better choice out there in FA or draft. (For the now, maybe to develop)
Kosier - One of our role guys, who does he job well and doesnt have a huge salary.
Gurode - One of the better centers in the league, regardless of his shortcomings.
Davis - Just signed a huge contract last offseason. Produces fairly well.
Columbo - Just signed an extension, and only Olinemen we have with a nasty streak. You need players like him.

I would be in favor of upgrading, I just dont see it happening. I think that if our line could have stayed healthy this year, things would have been alot different. You can see the games where they just absolutely dominate their opponent. And when that happens....

I'd start with Proctor. Our depth was the problem. When it was Kosier or Holland in the offense seemed to be doing just fine.