What if the O-Line gets hurt

[USMarineVet]

I've been reading all these posts about how DeMarco had a great year due to the fact we have a very good Offensive Line. Some say he should have done more as a result of this line. Some say anyone could run through the holes that said line provided. There's truth in all of this. But what if, and it's a big what if, one or two of our blue chip O-Linemen go down with injury. We all know it's common.

So ask yourselves, what kind of back would you prefer in this case scenario? Are you now interested in a power back who can bull through traffic or are you looking for a finesse back who can tip-toe through smaller holes or break outside?

In DeMarco's defense, he did very well breaking outside this season; stiff-arming his opponents to pick up A LOT of extra yardage.

Now I really do understand everyone's concern about the cost of his contract and the inevitable decline of RB's as they go on in years. I also understand the need to invest money into upgrading our Defense. BUT, with a prepare for the worst and hope for the best mentality, if the former occurs next season, how will we be prepared? If a Tyron Smith, or a Travis Frederick or Zack Martin go down, or God forbid 2 of the 3, we're in one heap of a mess. Let's say DeMarco isn't resigned, AP certainly isn't a given. Other teams will be hunting for his services as well, which will increase the money we'll have to throw at him for at least a 2 year stint.

My point is, we take for granted that our O-Line is young and healthy, (knock on wood) but shouldn't we have a backup plan in the event our worst nightmare happens? IMO we're going to need a big, strong power back like Murray, who proved to be a workhorse this season, to be available to us if those big holes we saw this year suddenly close.

In summation, whether Murray is retained or not, I hope we have an array of backs that we actually UTILIZE this year, who can add their skill sets to any potential scenario. A power back, such as Murray, is what we need if we get bit with the injury bug on the line. With that in mind, do we meet him on middle ground even if we overpay a bit? Or take our chances with Randle, Dunbar, Williams, Draft Pick, FA signing? Neither Murray nor AP will come cheap, and we DO need to consider the possibility of the O-Line taking a hit.

Thoughts?

 

[jrumann59]

Offensive line with the 3 "studs" we have is pretty easy to fill holes for short term. Yes Lose Tyron/Fred/Martin the replacement may be lesser talent wise but you change the scheme up a little to try and cover the major warts the replacement brings. I think the Tryon is the hardest to fill, then Fred, I like Martin but if he were to go down I think Berny could hold the spot and be 80-85% as effective as martin.

 

[xwalker]

I've been reading all these posts about how DeMarco had a great year due to the fact we have a very good Offensive Line. Some say he should have done more as a result of this line. Some say anyone could run through the holes that said line provided. There's truth in all of this. But what if, and it's a big what if, one or two of our blue chip O-Linemen go down with injury. We all know it's common.

So ask yourselves, what kind of back would you prefer in this case scenario? Are you now interested in a power back who can bull through traffic or are you looking for a finesse back who can tip-toe through smaller holes or break outside?

In DeMarco's defense, he did very well breaking outside this season; stiff-arming his opponents to pick up A LOT of extra yardage.

Now I really do understand everyone's concern about the cost of his contract and the inevitable decline of RB's as they go on in years. I also understand the need to invest money into upgrading our Defense. BUT, with a prepare for the worst and hope for the best mentality, if the former occurs next season, how will we be prepared? If a Tyron Smith, or a Travis Frederick or Zack Martin go down, or God forbid 2 of the 3, we're in one heap of a mess. Let's say DeMarco isn't resigned, AP certainly isn't a given. Other teams will be hunting for his services as well, which will increase the money we'll have to throw at him for at least a 2 year stint.

My point is, we take for granted that our O-Line is young and healthy, (knock on wood) but shouldn't we have a backup plan in the event our worst nightmare happens? IMO we're going to need a big, strong power back like Murray, who proved to be a workhorse this season, to be available to us if those big holes we saw this year suddenly close.

In summation, whether Murray is retained or not, I hope we have an array of backs that we actually UTILIZE this year, who can add their skill sets to any potential scenario. A power back, such as Murray, is what we need if we get bit with the injury bug on the line. With that in mind, do we meet him on middle ground even if we overpay a bit? Or take our chances with Randle, Dunbar, Williams, Draft Pick, FA signing? Neither Murray nor AP will come cheap, and we DO need to consider the possibility of the O-Line taking a hit.

Thoughts?

They had some depth this past season. Bern is a good backup Guard/Center. Parnell was a very good backup OT.

Bern will be back but both Parnell and Free are free agents. I'm certain one returns which just leaves backup OT as the top question. They have 3 guys they seem to like but all are unproven (Weems, Hawkins, Hills).

 

[MagicMan]

You can't build your team anticpating injury to a every position, and you won't have great players backing up every posiition. But I think Dallas has some capable backups for short term losses due to injury along the OL. You can always try to upgrade those backups if possible through FA or the draft.

But the elephant in the room is who will back up Romo----he is who I would be most concerned with and more likely to get hurt based on past history and the hazards of the QB position. That we do not have a capable backup for short term much less long term. Weedman is not to be trusted. The entire season could go downhill if that happened.

 

[Hook'em#11]

Next player steps up.. Not much else they can do.

 

[dwreck27]

This has to be the dumbest threads ive seen in awhile....

The offseason B.S of lets make a thread with all kind of What if's is in full swing....

 

[USMarineVet]

Dumb until it happens dwreck.. Then who's dumb?

 

[CF74]

I hate to see us lose the guy but we are on a budget. I would give him $5.5Mill per for 3-4 years, he can probably get 6 or 6.5 elsewhere...

 

[BigStar]

We had great depth this past season but hope the team invests in a T in the top 4. I just feel an athletic tackle with some strength from a big school could compete with Free/Parnell or be the depth if need be. Free should be let go to continue with smart FO decisions in cutting bait @ the right time. Go young there (can't have money EVERYWHERE) Bern is a great 3rd G albeit more expensive than you would like for a backup.

 

[BigStar]

I hate to see us lose the guy but we are on a budget. I would give him $5.5Mill per for 3-4 years, he can probably get 6 or 6.5 elsewhere...

Way too much considering the market (that's probably what AP is signed for). 3-4/yr tops I would hope. Randle looks just fine behind this OL...I know 2 seems insulting but that is really what he should be signed for considering everything, etc.

We have to remember that RBs are lucky to run behind this OL. Don't pay that privilege...this was his contract year and tossed away the playoffs. No vision..no breakaway speed. Pay this man? There is better talent to exaggerate this OL. We just hit the tip Loved the 1,700 ( I know, feel simple saying it...where was this running game in the playoffs???) We got side tracked with the lack of Dez attempts but really, the running game failed the team BIG TIME and NO ONE is talking about it? No way I pay Murray for THAT in the playoffs.

 

[jobberone]

Weems is your guy right now. I don't think they will address tackle IF they resign Parnell and Free.

 

[Frozen700]

Demarco had 1 great year, yay.

He's a decent running back. That is it, nowhere near elite, despite the numbers.

We sit here and cry about the refs 24/7 and a damn catch. When this bum, fumbled away the game in a win or go home situation.

 

[dallasdave]

Demarco had 1 great year, yay.

He's a decent running back. That is it, nowhere near elite, despite the numbers.

We sit here and cry about the refs 24/7 and a damn catch. When this bum, fumbled away the game in a win or go home situation.

Well said and like that picture too.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Offensive line with the 3 "studs" we have is pretty easy to fill holes for short term. Yes Lose Tyron/Fred/Martin the replacement may be lesser talent wise but you change the scheme up a little to try and cover the major warts the replacement brings. I think the Tryon is the hardest to fill, then Fred, I like Martin but if he were to go down I think Berny could hold the spot and be 80-85% as effective as martin.

We have been doing that for years, how's it worked out?

 

[Dave_in-NC]

This has to be the dumbest threads ive seen in awhile....

The offseason B.S of lets make a thread with all kind of What if's is in full swing....

Why is a legit question dumb? Just curious because I happen to think it's a good topic to discuss.
The We should all boycott the Superbowl topic is floating around if you prefer.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

People aren't giving Murray enough credit for helping our O line look great, It works both ways.
If you ever listened to interviews from the SB 90s teams they all praised Emmitt for helping them look good.
Oh and Emmitt's hold out were lost games. Not every one could run behind that O line.
And I would put that one up against this one any day of the week every week of the year.

 

[jrumann59]

We have been doing that for years, how's it worked out?

We have to very good back ups in Parnell and Berny, NFL starting Experience not all world but better than Arkin, Costa, etc. I think OL is the one area that is easier to cover injuries. You lose Dex the Offense become 1 dimensional, lose a starting RB the same, DL is a rotational unit so it would be easy, LB would be tough, sam with defensive backfield.

 

[thunderpimp91]

If the Cowboys lose lets say Smith and Fredrick for the year it probably wont matter who the RB is, the season probably isn't very pretty at that point. Our o line depth is much better than it has been in recent years, but depth at any position can only be so good in a salary cap league. Honestly the best thing we could for do for a worst case o line situation is beef up the defensive talent to better control the field position battle, and turnover battle.

 

[thunderpimp91]

We have to very good back ups in Parnell and Berny, NFL starting Experience not all world but better than Arkin, Costa, etc. I think OL is the one area that is easier to cover injuries. You lose Dex the Offense become 1 dimensional, lose a starting RB the same, DL is a rotational unit so it would be easy, LB would be tough, sam with defensive backfield.

I agree to an extent. There is a huge difference in covering for Doug Free and covering for Tyron Smith though. You lose one of your major players and now all of a sudden your keeping extra guys such as Jason Witten for pass protection.

 

[Wood]

I've been reading all these posts about how DeMarco had a great year due to the fact we have a very good Offensive Line. Some say he should have done more as a result of this line. Some say anyone could run through the holes that said line provided. There's truth in all of this. But what if, and it's a big what if, one or two of our blue chip O-Linemen go down with injury. We all know it's common.

So ask yourselves, what kind of back would you prefer in this case scenario? Are you now interested in a power back who can bull through traffic or are you looking for a finesse back who can tip-toe through smaller holes or break outside?

In DeMarco's defense, he did very well breaking outside this season; stiff-arming his opponents to pick up A LOT of extra yardage.

Now I really do understand everyone's concern about the cost of his contract and the inevitable decline of RB's as they go on in years. I also understand the need to invest money into upgrading our Defense. BUT, with a prepare for the worst and hope for the best mentality, if the former occurs next season, how will we be prepared? If a Tyron Smith, or a Travis Frederick or Zack Martin go down, or God forbid 2 of the 3, we're in one heap of a mess. Let's say DeMarco isn't resigned, AP certainly isn't a given. Other teams will be hunting for his services as well, which will increase the money we'll have to throw at him for at least a 2 year stint.

My point is, we take for granted that our O-Line is young and healthy, (knock on wood) but shouldn't we have a backup plan in the event our worst nightmare happens? IMO we're going to need a big, strong power back like Murray, who proved to be a workhorse this season, to be available to us if those big holes we saw this year suddenly close.

In summation, whether Murray is retained or not, I hope we have an array of backs that we actually UTILIZE this year, who can add their skill sets to any potential scenario. A power back, such as Murray, is what we need if we get bit with the injury bug on the line. With that in mind, do we meet him on middle ground even if we overpay a bit? Or take our chances with Randle, Dunbar, Williams, Draft Pick, FA signing? Neither Murray nor AP will come cheap, and we DO need to consider the possibility of the O-Line taking a hit.

Thoughts?

what if we get invaded by ET, what if we switch to metric system, what if Kim Kardashian starts making good tv. Get my point...its ridiculous to worry about something that hasn't even happened.