Video: Mayock talks Tackles and Iupati

[Randy White]

And for good reason. His biggest flaws are easily correctable with the proper coaching. Which he will get with Houck.

Honestly speaking, I don't trust Houck to coach and develop young linemen. His history with the Cowboys and Dullphins is just not that good in that department. He might have been able to do that way back when in Seattle and with the Rams, but other than Larry Allen, I can't think of any other superstars he's developed. Sure, he absolutely had influence in FLO and Gurorde's careers, but if I remember correctly, FLO wasn't too thrilled with his teaching methods when he first came aboard. Let me see if I can find the article that uncovered that " conflict ".

Houck is always been more confortable with older players over younger players and other than those 3 ( Allen, Flo, and Gurode ) nobody else developed under his watch, despite the Cowboys spending countless of draft picks on offensive linemen.

 

[Eskimo]

Honestly speaking, I don't trust Houck to coach and develop young linemen. His history with the Cowboys and Dullphins is just not that good in that department. He might have been able to do that way back when in Seattle and with the Rams, but other than Larry Allen, I can't think of any other superstars he's developed. Sure, he absolutely had influence in FLO and Gurorde's careers, but if I remember correctly, FLO wasn't too thrilled with his teaching methods when he first came aboard. Let me see if I can find the article that uncovered that " conflict ".

Houck is always been more confortable with older players over younger players and other than those 3 ( Allen, Flo, and Gurode ) nobody else developed under his watch, despite the Cowboys spending countless of draft picks on offensive linemen.

Houck had little to do with the development of Gurode since he was elsewhere when he arrived. Houck didn't come back here until 2008 and he has developed Free. The others are really just a bunch of JAGs. Brewster lost his season due to his pec injury.

I wouldn't discount a 25+ year history of developing multiple Pro Bowlers on the OL (during his first stint with the Cowboys he took guys to another level - most notably with Erik Williams, Stepnoski, Larry Allen, Nate Newton and Ron Stone were guys he helped turn into Pro Bowlers).

It also isn't just one location in the league where he has had success. He has had it everywhere he has been. He has had success with veterans and success with JAGs. We just need to give him some more guys to mould into players.

 

[Randy White]

I don't have too much doubt about Free being our future LT. If we find someone better, that's okay because we can just move Free over to RT where we know he can also play well.

I do think it is important to have the RT of the future on the roster by the end of this draft so he can have at least one full year of grooming before being thrown out there.

I believe we already have that RT in Brewster. For the life of me, I don't know how people can dismiss him before the guy has even set foot on the field of a pre-season game.

Now, that doesn't mean I'm opposed to bringing in either competition for him ( or Free ) if a Tackle falls to our spot at #27, or even later in the draft.

 

[Randy White]

Houck had little to do with the development of Gurode since he was elsewhere when he arrived. Houck didn't come back here until 2008 and he has developed Free. The others are really just a bunch of JAGs. Brewster lost his season due to his pec injury.

You're right. Gurode was drafted in '03, and he wasn't in Dallas.

Well, there are ALOT of JAGs on that list. If I remember correctly left after the 2001 season when Bruce Coslett was hired in 2002 to coach the offense and brought with him another O-line coach. Before then, he was the O-line coach for the Cowboys from 1993 to 2001 and in all that time, only 2 O-linemen, that were drafted, became pro-bowlers ( Larry Allen and Flo ). Cowboys spent 14 draft picks in linemen during that time period.

I wouldn't discount a 25+ year history of developing multiple Pro Bowlers on the OL (during his first stint with the Cowboys he took guys to another level - most notably with Erik Williams, Stepnoski, Larry Allen, Nate Newton and Ron Stone were guys he helped turn into Pro Bowlers).It also isn't just one location in the league where he has had success. He has had it everywhere he has been. He has had success with veterans and success with JAGs. We just need to give him some more guys to mould into players

Step and Big E were already Pro Bowlers when Houck was hired and Nate was on his way. Ron Stone became a player AFTER he left the Cowboys.

I'm not doubting his coaching abilities, he obviously knows what he's doing, it's just that it seems like he does better with established players than with players he has to develop.

 

[CF74]

1) If you don't believe in Free being able to play LT ( which I completely disagree with, but more on that in a bit ), then how can you be confident that either this front office, who drafted Free, can identify a capable LT AND/OR this coaching staff, who's been grooming Free for 4 years, can properly develop that LT ?

However, what makes you think that Free, who's been groomed to take over the LT position since he was drafted, is not ready ? That he did a wonderful job at the RT position is just another PLUS for his resume.

It's quite possible the coaching staff is going a different direction with our tackles that we aren't aware of and that might be footwork/quickness over power/strength. Free imo is better suited playing the right side. He is also capable of "Filling in" for a few games on the LT side but I don't think he has the legs or the strength to play LT for a full season. Pure opinion based on observation.

In short he's no Flozel/Erik W. Also we have had a changing of the guards since Free was originally drafted so we don't know what the mindset currently is.

As for the coaches well there's nothing I can do but constructively critique, so why bother going there? Either the scouts give us good intel on tackle prospects or they don't but to not even try is double failure..

I believe we already have that RT in Brewster. For the life of me, I don't know how people can dismiss him before the guy has even set foot on the field of a pre-season game.

Now, that doesn't mean I'm opposed to bringing in either competition for him ( or Free ) if a Tackle falls to our spot at #27, or even later in the draft.

Based on what exactly? We haven't seen Brewster do anything but I'm not even concerned about him nor am I dismissing him, he's simply an unknown. My concern is time.. And that the longer you wait to bring in a solid tackle, the quicker our window closes. I just don't understand the mindset of wait and see, I believe in hedging my investments. O-line quality is killing our shot at glory right now and tomorrow, the vapor is even less visible. Bringing in one more tackle is paramount in the future of this franchise no matter how you slice it and dice it...

 

[Randy White]

It's quite possible the coaching staff is going a different direction with our tackles that we aren't aware of and that might be footwork/quickness over power/strength. Free imo is better suited playing the right side. He is also capable of "Filling in" for a few games on the LT side but I don't think he has the legs or the strength to play LT for a full season. Pure opinion based on observation.

I'm not aware of any change of directions from the coaching staff and highly doubt that's the case. This staff is going to be together now entering their 3rd consecutive season, so I don't see them chaning their core value or philosophy.

Once again, Free was being prepared, and is prepared, for the LT position. That was his main priority entering last season. I don't see why the coaches would change their minds only because he showed he could play RT.

In short he's no Flozel/Erik W. Also we have had a changing of the guards since Free was originally drafted so we don't know what the mindset currently is.

While Big E started his first 3 games as a LT, he was a right Tackle. The Cowboys moved him there after his rookie season until he was cut.

As far as the coach change from Sparado to Houck, it's Houck who keeps saying that Free is ready for the LT position.

As for the coaches well there's nothing I can do but constructively critique, so why bother going there? Either the scouts give us good intel on tackle prospects or they don't but to not even try is double failure..

I've never said not to draft one. I'm saying that to draft one because " we have to ", is not necessarily the case. Whomever we draft at that position will be a project just like Brewster is right now. The question would then be: how advance that player is coming into camp ? Going by history, the greater probability is that he wouldn't be ready and therefor will have to spend time developing, which then puts him in the same situation that Brewster is right now.

Based on what exactly? We haven't seen Brewster do anything but I'm not even concerned about him nor am I dismissing him, he's simply an unknown.

Exactly, which is the same thing whomever we're going to draft is: unknown.

My concern is time.. And that the longer you wait to bring in a solid tackle, the quicker our window closes. I just don't understand the mindset of wait and see, I believe in hedging my investments.

One problem is this: who, for sure, is going to be a " solid tackle " ? Do you know ? Nope. Does anybody in the entire world knows ? Nope. Hence why we have to " wait and see ". Any of us can make an educated guess as to whom is going to be what, which is what the draft is all about, but we really don't know.

O-line quality is killing our shot at glory right now and tomorrow, the vapor is even less visible. Bringing in one more tackle is paramount in the future of this franchise no matter how you slice it and dice it...

Although O-line was the main culprit in the Vikings debacle, it wasn't the only factor. We also have needs at S, perhaps ILB, maybe DE ( depending on what we do with our restricted FAs ) and we need to find out if the LBs we drafted last year are players or not. In short, there's more than one area were we could use help from the draft so let's " wait and see " what happens.

 

[CF74]

While Big E started his first 3 games as a LT, he was a right Tackle. The Cowboys moved him there after his rookie season until he was cut.

What? I know the 90's were a blurr for me but I always remember Big E playing left tackle. So who played the left? Tuinei???

As far as the coach change from Sparado to Houck, it's Houck who keeps saying that Free is ready for the LT position.

Really? Got a link?

I've never said not to draft one. I'm saying that to draft one because " we have to ", is not necessarily the case. Whomever we draft at that position will be a project just like Brewster is right now. The question would then be: how advance that player is coming into camp ? Going by history, the greater probability is that he wouldn't be ready and therefor will have to spend time developing, which then puts him in the same situation that Brewster is right now.

Yes we've already established this ad naseum but again that's not the point. The point is to get somebody to groom and challenge the starters now and for future replacement..

One problem is this: who, for sure, is going to be a " solid tackle " ? Do you know ? Nope. Does anybody in the entire world knows ? Nope. Hence why we have to " wait and see ". Any of us can make an educated guess as to whom is going to be what, which is what the draft is all about, but we really don't know.

This entire part is pointless. You draft prospects that can eventually become starters and every now and then there's a guy who can start immediately. Shall I say you don't want to draft a tackle even though you've already said you're not opposed to it? Pointless...

Although O-line was the main culprit in the Vikings debacle, it wasn't the only factor.

You mean like failing to score more than 3 points?

All those positions you listed on defense would be a luxury, not a necessity. This team struggles to win games on the offensive side of the ball and it's not even debatable anymore. O-line depth and kicker are the greatest needs...

 

[Hostile]

What? I know the 90's were a blurr for me but I always remember Big E playing left tackle. So who played the left? Tuinei??

Erik Williams never played LT he was a RT his whole career, and yes, Tuinei was our LT in those days.

 

[khiladi]

Erik Williams never played LT he was a RT his whole career, and yes, Tuinei was our LT in those days.

Beautiful days prior to the accident. He was just mad dominant, and a total beast, with a nasty streak. He use to just abuse Reggie White...

 

[casmith07]

I don't think we have the ammunition.

Besides, after the RW debacle, it is going to be hard for Jerry not to get taken to the cleaners by every GM who hears his phone ring. They know he will buckle under pressure if he has developed an infatuation with a player.

Besides, I'm not convinced we need to trade up anyway because Free can play LT (6' 6", long arms, great feet) so we can try and find a RT guy in the second round.

Attempting to stick the Roy Williams trade of over a year ago into this discussion for the sake of making your point is pretty sad. It's clear that we don't have the right amount of stuff to trade up, regardless of what you think about Jerry Jones getting "taken to the cleaners."

It was cute, but unnecessary.

 

[Eskimo]

Attempting to stick the Roy Williams trade of over a year ago into this discussion for the sake of making your point is pretty sad. It's clear that we don't have the right amount of stuff to trade up, regardless of what you think about Jerry Jones getting "taken to the cleaners."

It was cute, but unnecessary.

Many franchises in sports find they have a hard time executing trades after a particularly bad one. It has to do with the expectation that the other party can be taken advantage of. I'm not implying that Jerry will accede to outrageous demands against draft value charts for a move up into the first round but rather that it may be harder than in the past to get an equitable trade.

The Mets FO is notorious for this in baseball, for example. They are always the bridesmaid to the Yanks and have a history of desperation moves - it is just often tough for them to make equitable trades with that history.

Anyhow, we just don't have enough to move up very far. We may choose to move down if all the guys we give first round grades to are gone from the board which is a pattern Jones has had over the years. This may be the best move this year if there are a few Guards and Safeties that will be around in the top of the 2nd. If we want to go Tackle, we may need to move up 5-10 spots to get someone.

 

[diehard2294]

And I'll say this again: Where we are drafting, we have a possible shot at the top guard in the draft. Tackles go off the board a lot faster, so we might be looking at the fourth-, fifth-, sixth-best player at that position when we draft.

I think you've got to take the best of what's given to you, and that's more likely to be a guard than a tackle.

Of course, I wouldn't mind Dallas looking at someone like Florida's Maurkice Pouncey, who can start at guard or center. He could start off at guard and possibly switch to center to replace Gurode in a few years.

I would not mind Pouncey,solid smart football player

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

LT should be addressed in the 1st round this year.

 

[burmafrd]

Jerruh had been talking about getting Roy for quite a while so the Lions knew they could work him. This would be a totally different case considering Jerruh likes to move around on draft day. Only morons would think they could get away with anything otherwise.

 

[Randy White]

What? I know the 90's were a blurr for me but I always remember Big E playing left tackle. So who played the left? Tuinei???

Big E, ironically, started his career at LT replacing an injured Tuini, where he got killed against AZ. Eventually Tui came back and he was switched to RT where he played the rest of his career.

Really? Got a link?

Best I can do on short notice:

Will the Cowboys draft a left tackle?

06:46 PM CST on Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The DMN's Todd Archer writes ...

If Flozell Adams isn't the Cowboys' starter in 2010, then Doug Free will be, in my mind. There will not be an offensive lineman in free agency that would be viewed as a starting left tackle over Adams or Free for the Cowboys.

The draft offers some interesting candidates that could be there around the 27th pick or might require a move up or down – Mike Iupati (Idaho), Bruce Campbell (Maryland), Charles Brown (Southern Cal), Vladimir Ducasse (UMass).

But can any of them come in and start? That's a lot to ask a rookie.

Yes we've already established this ad naseum but again that's not the point. The point is to get somebody to groom and challenge the starters now and for future replacement..

That's one of the points you're missing. You just don't go out and draft somebody who can challange the starters ( at tackle ), like you go out and buy a gallon of milk. This team's last two #1 picks didn't do that even though they eventually became starters. A team should consider itself VERY fortunate if it finds somebody like that in the draft.

This entire part is pointless. You draft prospects that can eventually become starters and every now and then there's a guy who can start immediately.

If you're VERY fortunate..

Shall I say you don't want to draft a tackle even though you've already said you're not opposed to it? Pointless...

No, you may not because that's NOT what I said. I said we " don't have to " draft a tackle, and we don't, which is VERY different than " not wanting " to draft a tackle.

You mean like failing to score more than 3 points?

Which is why they were, and I guess I have to repeat it again: the main culprits, but not THE only ones.

All those positions you listed on defense would be a luxury, not a necessity. This team struggles to win games on the offensive side of the ball and it's not even debatable anymore. O-line depth and kicker are the greatest needs...

You are wrong. Safety is not a " luxury ". Depending on what happens with the DE that are scheduled to be free agents, that position might NOT be a " luxury ".

This team is not a back up offensive lineman or two away from a Superbowl and, once again, the probabilities of drafting a starting O-lineman are extremely low. But even if we're fortunate and we do get one of those, that still doesn't solve the other problems, or potential problems we have or might have.

 

[Woods]

"The draft offers some interesting candidates that could be there around the 27th pick or might require a move up or down – Mike Iupati (Idaho), Bruce Campbell (Maryland), Charles Brown (Southern Cal), Vladimir Ducasse (UMass).

But can any of them come in and start? That's a lot to ask a rookie."


============================================

IMO, there's no way any of these guys will be able to start at LT as a rookie. In fact, I don't think any of them will be able to start at any OL position on the Cowobys to begin the season.

Iupati probably would have the best shot to start as a rookie - maybe towards the end of the regular season.

Guys like C Brown are probably at least 2 years away. He weighs under 300 lbs and still is developing his strength.

B Campbell only has about 17 college starts at Maryland. He's going to need a lot of work.

As for Ducasse, I think he'll probably start off as an OG and maybe later in his career moves to RT.

And I think M Iupati will definitely start as an OG. Again, down the line, he may be a very good RT as well.

The best option outside of Flo for 2010 for the Cowboys is D Free - unless JJ somehow engineers a massive trade or something. But I don't expect that.

 

[CF74]

That's one of the points you're missing. You just don't go out and draft somebody who can challange the starters ( at tackle ), like you go out and buy a gallon of milk. This team's last two #1 picks didn't do that even though they eventually became starters. A team should consider itself VERY fortunate if it finds somebody like that in the draft.

White noise. It's almost as if you're saying not to draft a tackle even though you've already stated you're not opposed to it. If a good tackle is there you take him, if not trade down or go BPA. Drafts picks at any position can be failures, you're not saying anything new here...