we got a mean right-side of the line

[Bob Sacamano]

w/ the 370lb mountain of a man Leonard Davis lining up at RG, who mauls people, and the meanest lineman this side of Jon Runyan lining right next to him at RT in Marc Colombo, and by all accounts, Colombo's understudy, James Marten, is a mean SOB too, hell, he got into a fight in one of his 1st camps, I think Marion Barber is going to enjoy running to that side, and hopefully our right side running game will be just as strong as our left-side last year, I also hope that big Leonard shows the consistency that he's shown so far in camps, but throughout the season

it's been a long time since we've had a dominant line, hopefully this is the year that we possess one, alot of things have to go right for that to happen, but still, I see some hope

 

[LatinMind]

now the question is can flozell stay healthy for the left side? if not, then i'd like to see Free get a shot. sooner or later they're going to have find out if these guys can play.

 

[cowboyjoe]

All counts and purposes, I have heard that Free is being groomed at OG and C, at least for this year. McQuistan will take over at OLT for Flozell is need be. I still think Free is our future star at OLT, and McQuistain will be a star at LOG. Slowly, easing out Kosier, or letting Kosier be our backup OT and OG.

 

[dargonking999]

I think Marion Barber is going to enjoy running to that side,

Way to slide your agenda into a almost good thread.

So sad, you almost had me impressed

 

[LatinMind]

All counts and purposes, I have heard that Free is being groomed at OG and C, at least for this year. McQuistan will take over at OLT for Flozell is need be. I still think Free is our future star at OLT, and McQuistain will be a star at LOG. Slowly, easing out Kosier, or letting Kosier be our backup OT and OG.

i havent heard anything about free working at guard. i've heard they wanted mcQ to pay guard, then played him at T when flo didnt go.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I really like the potential of our young OTs, either Free or McQ could make great guards if they develop properly

 

[cowboyjoe]

yeah, it was in one of the mini camps, where they did want McQuistan at OG, but with Flozells injury, they had to play McQuistan at LOT< so they were playing Free at OG and center some, joe

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Way to slide your agenda into a almost good thread.

So sad, you almost had me impressed

what agenda? have you ever seen me shill for Marion? no, I just thought he would make for a cool sig, I'm just putting 2 and 2 together, the right-side of the line looks mean, and Marion runs like he wants to kill someone, that is all, just trying to get you all to picture Marion running behind those 2, punishing the opposing defense

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think Marion Barber is going to enjoy running to that side

So will Julius.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

So will Julius.

oh my, fine, Julius will too

didn't know I needed to disclaim that I'm not pimping Barber over Julius

 

[theogt]

now the question is can flozell stay healthy for the left side? if not, then i'd like to see Free get a shot. sooner or later they're going to have find out if these guys can play.

I'd rather it be later than sooner. Free isn't strong enough to step in immediately. He needs some work.

 

[stealth]

what? tyson thompson can't run to that side now?
JEEZ!!!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

everyone go to hell

 

[DallasEast]

everyone go to hell

That's not nice, Bob. Just for that, I'm coming to get you.

 

[BouncingCheese]

Columbo is good but he isn't a world-beater... then again neither is Runyan.

Both are good though. I hope we run on the right side 60 percent of the time, at least between Gurode and LD.

Kosier is too weak.

 

[theogt]

Columbo is good but he isn't a world-beater... then again neither is Runyan.

Both are good though. I hope we run on theright side 60 percent of the time, at least between Gurode and LD.

Kosier is too weak.

Dude, what the hell? Kosier isn't weak. Julius and Marion both ran much better to the left in '06. And that's not simply because Rivera sucked. Julius averaged 5.5 YPC and Barber averaged 4.3 YPC behind the left side of the line. Kosier was the most consistent player on the line last year.

 

[BouncingCheese]

Dude, what the hell? Kosier isn't weak. Julius and Marion both ran much better to the left in '06. And that's not simply because Rivera sucked. Julius averaged 5.5 YPC and Barber averaged 4.3 YPC behind the left side of the line. Kosier was the most consistent player on the line last year.

Gurode was helping Kosier alot last year from what I remember.

Kosier can still be consistent but still be weak comparatively; I never questioned Kosier's consistency. (But saying Kosier was consistent is a relative term) I never thought this line was settled throughout the season and we could see that most of the time Romo went back to pass. The lineman never hit their equilibrium at the same time with Columbo playing very well early on and then so-so and then Gurode being shaky at time throughout. Rivera needs no explanation and Flo is a rehash because we know his limitations.

Besides LD is much stronger than he is.

I think Kosier is a good lineman, but I think he is fit for a zone scheme that can use his superior athleticism and speed for his size. IMHO I think he is a bit out of place on this line since the other guys are huge and more fit to mash the ball inside.

Consistent or not I still say run it between LD and Gurode/Columbo

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Yea....for sure....the OL has depth

 

[sago1]

I think we all need to sit back and take a deep breath. We really don't know how our OL will do this year but obviously we all hoping for the best.

The major question starts at LT with Adams. How well he plays will depend on if we re-sign him. It's should be obvious Jerry is hoping either McQuistan or Free show they can be a legit starting LT so he doesn't have to pay out the big bucks for a 32 year old, somewhat inconsistent Adams, who still probably a top 10-15 player. While Free might be our future starter at LT, he lacks the experience/strength to replace Adams this year if Adams not healthy so McQuistan is the primary backup.

In the meantime time, if McQuistan can beat out Kosier at some point that is fine but doubtful. I do think Kosier could play even better this year after participating in our weight conditioning program and his increased familiarity with his OL teammates & system. After all, I think it will be the first time he has spent 2 consecutive years at the same position.

As for Gurode, he beat out Johnson for the first time as our starting center & 06 was the first year he got the chance to play every game at the same position. Entering his 2nd season at center should improve his play.

Davis is a newcome and has the physical skills to play RG position well. He'll be playing along a hard nosed tough SOB in Colombo & Gurode also a tough kid. New environment which differs markedly from Cardinal situation should provide big uptick to his performance but he has to show he can play motivated. Helps a guy to be on a winning team of the stature of the Cowboys (even without a playoff win in 10 years) & playing in front of his family (particularly mommy) at every home game.

As for Colombo, 06 was his first season as a starter & also first time he played a whole season. He's now one year further removed from his 02 very serious injury which he didn't really recover end of 05/beginning of 06 offseason. Hopefully he improved his strength in the offseason weight conditioning program & familiarity with this sytem can only help his play.

We've got a pretty good stable of backups in McQuistan, Free & Marten. I do believe McQuistan is primary OT backup with his experience & better phsyical condition. Free & Marten both have talent and both have reputation as hard working, tough and smart kids. All we can hope for this year is that both get some time at OT positions which allows them to develop & show they have the talent we hope for. It's even possible Jerry wants the option as Marten as his RT starter to save cap money rather then pay Colombo a big check. On other hand, I'd be very concerned about both Free & Marten as our starting OTs next year. So I'd expect we re-sign Colombo & Marten becomes his primary backup. Of course a battle between McQuistan, Free & Adams (if they keep him another year) might be real interesting.

As for OG, Proctor appears to be the primary backup. If he can cement backup center job, we'll only keep 9 OL. If not, we'll also keep a real backup center. Should be a real battle cause I doubt Cowboys will take a chance if they aren't sure about Proctor.

I think our starters (don't know about Adams) will step it up but TC should be real interesting. Hopefully the OL will mesh together and it might be interesting that all our starters (except Adams) are around the 27/28 year age group.

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't doubt we have O-linemen who are physically gifted but do they play smart? What I mean by that is can they pick up the stunts? can they pick up the blitz? I also think guys being able to work together as a unit is critical