The value of backups

[gimmesix]

OK, someone help me understand this:

Going into last season, media and fans were jumping off cliffs because of Dallas' apparent lack of backup linemen who could step in and not miss a beat.

Then, Doug Free shows the doomsaying wasn't necessary.

So now that the Cowboys showed they have a little depth, media and fans want the Cowboys to get rid of Flozell Adams, which would put Dallas exactly back in that same boat of having an apparent lack of backup linemen who could step in and not miss a beat.

Do we just like to have something to wring our hands over or what?

 

[Future]

I for one don't think that OLine depth was nearly as big a concern as a lot of people made it out to be. We had a good backup tackle in Free, and I think between Holland and Preston center and guard would have been ok.

No team is going to lose their starting LT or Center for a significant amount of time and not miss a beat. A key to a succesful OLine is a healthy OLine. You can't just have ten starting linemen on your roster and play them all whenever you feel like.

 

[peck-sicilyisland]

If some of you guys think the OL is set,then you could not have watch the Viking game.They Viking tore the Cowboys a new a** in that game. That whole line got problems. When the Cowboys were winning they had Newtons,Williams,and others,this ol anit half that good.They need help.

 

[casmith07]

No matter what happens, you will always have wailing and tooth-gnashing on CowboysZone over everything. We could win 10 Super Bowls in a row, and some clown here would complain that we need to upgrade the gunner position on the punt team because we had a punt returned for over 15 yards in week 4.

 

[gimmesix]

If some of you guys think the OL is set,then you could not have watch the Viking game.They Viking tore the Cowboys a new a** in that game. That whole line got problems. When the Cowboys were winning they had Newtons,Williams,and others,this ol anit half that good.They need help.

Getting help and youth for the line isn't the issue here. Getting rid of a veteran (thereby thinning the depth) is.

Some people want Free moved up and Adams cut, but that leaves us with Pat McQuistan and Robert Brewster as the backups. You comfortable with that?

Even if Dallas drafted a first-round OT, are you comfortable with Dallas cutting Adams until it sees if the first-round OT shows he's a keeper?

The idea of cutting any player on the roster without having an adequate replacement and backup on hand is just short-sighted.

 

[dadymat]

If some of you guys think the OL is set,then you could not have watch the Viking game.They Viking tore the Cowboys a new a** in that game. That whole line got problems. When the Cowboys were winning they had Newtons,Williams,and others,this ol anit half that good.They need help.

not saying the line doesnt need more depth ...but...that Viking game was only that bad because of injuries to Columbo and Flo...if Flo dont get hurt .I think we wouldve won that game...Free wouldve took over for Columbo and Flo wouldve been fine .....

 

[Screw The Hall]

OK, someone help me understand this:

Going into last season, media and fans were jumping off cliffs because of Dallas' apparent lack of backup linemen who could step in and not miss a beat.

Then, Doug Free shows the doomsaying wasn't necessary.

So now that the Cowboys showed they have a little depth, media and fans want the Cowboys to get rid of Flozell Adams, which would put Dallas exactly back in that same boat of having an apparent lack of backup linemen who could step in and not miss a beat.

Do we just like to have something to wring our hands over or what?

As much as I understand what you are saying, and your point is certainly valid, I think the first order of business is making sure you are playing your best players. To that end I think Free is one of our best 5 lineman right now. I also don't believe Flozell will operate well off of the bench so I'm inclined to cut him if he's not starting.

With that being said I think all of these decisions need to be put on hold until after free agency and the draft to see how things look at that point. Our depth might look completely different at that juncture and make it easier to consider such a move. I admit there is risk involved.

 

[gimmesix]

As much as I understand what you are saying, and your point is certainly valid, I think the first order of business is making sure you are playing your best players. To that end I think Free is one of our best 5 lineman right now. I also don't believe Flozell will operate well off of the bench so I'm inclined to cut him if he's not starting.

With that being said I think all of these decisions need to be put on hold until after free agency and the draft to see how things look at that point. Our depth might look completely different at that juncture and make it easier to consider such a move. I admit there is risk involved.

I think they need to be put on hold until near the end of training camp. That's when we'll have a better idea if we have the depth to do without Adams. It also might present an opportunity to get something for him if some team lacking in depth loses a starting tackle.

I'm not advocating keeping Adams if Free becomes the starting left tackle, because I agree that Adams would not likely take well to a demotion. But I think we're getting ahead of ourselves if we make a move before we've had a good chance of evaluating our depth.

 

[Screw The Hall]

I think they need to be put on hold until near the end of training camp. That's when we'll have a better idea if we have the depth to do without Adams. It also might present an opportunity to get something for him if some team lacking in depth loses a starting tackle.

I'm not advocating keeping Adams if Free becomes the starting left tackle, because I agree that Adams would not likely take well to a demotion. But I think we're getting ahead of ourselves if we make a move before we've had a good chance of evaluating our depth.

I think Flozell is due a roster bonus in June. I suspect if we cut him it will be by whenever that date is.

 

[gimmesix]

I think Flozell is due a roster bonus in June. I suspect if we cut him it will be by whenever that date is.

Considering it's an uncapped year, I think it's worth it to pay the bonus and see what happens.

You're just taking a big chance injurywise, etc., by letting go before you establish that you have the depth to do so. Free goes down the first day of camp, I'd much rather have Flozell on hand than to turn to Pat McQuistan, Robert Brewster or a rookie. (We do have Leonard Davis on hand, but I don't prefer him at LT over Adams.)

 

[ShiningStar]

No matter what happens, you will always have wailing and tooth-gnashing on CowboysZone over everything. We could win 10 Super Bowls in a row, and some clown here would complain that we need to upgrade the gunner position on the punt team because we had a punt returned for over 15 yards in week 4.

Once I seen the Giants have that problem and not really lose a step with it, it irked me. It also irked me Phillips wouldnt take advantage of it, so it really worked well with our opponents, im not saying every time, or with every opponent, but i know the GIants Oline didnt falter much when their back up had to go in.

I dont know how it worked for the Skins, but thats another matter, but I also find it dis heartening when other teams have the problem and its not a huge deal. When it happens to Dallas we stall, plain and simple.