AsthmaField
Outta bounds
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Pro Bowls are just popularity contests these days - particularly since they let fans start voting. Dallas is the most popular team in America and quite often fans vote in guys that shouldn't be there. It is only my opinion, but saying there were 3 pro bowlers on that 2007 line pulls absolutely no weight with me. I watched every snap of every game they played and while that line was good... it wasn't that good. Romo bailed them out quite a few times. Leonard Davis, for example, would crush a guy one play and on the next, completely miss him.
As for the comparison between the two lines:
Smith is better than anyone on that 2007 line. He is going into his 4th season in the NFL and he just turned 24. He still has several years before he's even peaked.
I'd take Leary or Bernadeau over Kosier. Both are stronger and are simply better players. I did like Kosier and he was better than he got credit for, but he wasn't as good as either of these guys.
Frederick is currently a better center than Gurode was in 2007, and he will only continue to get better. Gurode didn't even make the line calls. Frederick is very smart. Frederick is just as much of a mauler as Gurode was but he moves way better. The sky is the limit for the beard. IMO, his smarts and toughness are the key to this very good line.
Martin is just a rookie, but he sure looks like a true blue chip guard. There really is no comparison in movement skills. Davis just couldn't move very well. Davis was strong, for sure, but even in 2007 he whiffed on a lot of blocks. A lot. Really, all Davis had going for him was size and strength. He wasn't mobile at all and he was no tactician. Martin has great technique, moves like a guy half his size, plays smart, and is still plenty strong. I will take Martin any day over Davis. Sure he's a rookie but he has already shown that he is going to be a very good player. With the really good OL that come into the league, you can tell right away that they have it. They instantly look like they belong and they just get better from there. That is Martin. Everyone from the coaches and players, to the media and fans could tell immediately that Martin was the genuine article. Frankly, I don't remember any coaching staff or group of players being as impressed by a rookie player except for maybe Emmitt Smith, Larry Allen, and ..... maybe Darren Woodson. Not saying Martin is a hall of famer... just that I only remember those guys having as little doubt about their trajectory as a rookie just coming in.
I really did like Colombo, and I loved his attitude. However, he just couldn't move around that well. He played smart and mean and that got him by, but his mobility was gone by '07. Free has been playing well and has had a really good camp. He has some flaws but he has good mobility, plays smart and has turned into a really solid RT. Colombo might be the only one at his position that I would take from the 2007 group... but frankly, I'm not sure I would. I like Free and so does the team.
All of that is without even taking into consideration that the '07 group was on its way downhill fast. The 2014 line is just scratching the surface of its ability. They are very good now but will get better each year for the next several seasons.
It is only my opinion... but to me, it isn't even close. This group is on another level from that group.
As for the comparison between the two lines:
Smith is better than anyone on that 2007 line. He is going into his 4th season in the NFL and he just turned 24. He still has several years before he's even peaked.
I'd take Leary or Bernadeau over Kosier. Both are stronger and are simply better players. I did like Kosier and he was better than he got credit for, but he wasn't as good as either of these guys.
Frederick is currently a better center than Gurode was in 2007, and he will only continue to get better. Gurode didn't even make the line calls. Frederick is very smart. Frederick is just as much of a mauler as Gurode was but he moves way better. The sky is the limit for the beard. IMO, his smarts and toughness are the key to this very good line.
Martin is just a rookie, but he sure looks like a true blue chip guard. There really is no comparison in movement skills. Davis just couldn't move very well. Davis was strong, for sure, but even in 2007 he whiffed on a lot of blocks. A lot. Really, all Davis had going for him was size and strength. He wasn't mobile at all and he was no tactician. Martin has great technique, moves like a guy half his size, plays smart, and is still plenty strong. I will take Martin any day over Davis. Sure he's a rookie but he has already shown that he is going to be a very good player. With the really good OL that come into the league, you can tell right away that they have it. They instantly look like they belong and they just get better from there. That is Martin. Everyone from the coaches and players, to the media and fans could tell immediately that Martin was the genuine article. Frankly, I don't remember any coaching staff or group of players being as impressed by a rookie player except for maybe Emmitt Smith, Larry Allen, and ..... maybe Darren Woodson. Not saying Martin is a hall of famer... just that I only remember those guys having as little doubt about their trajectory as a rookie just coming in.
I really did like Colombo, and I loved his attitude. However, he just couldn't move around that well. He played smart and mean and that got him by, but his mobility was gone by '07. Free has been playing well and has had a really good camp. He has some flaws but he has good mobility, plays smart and has turned into a really solid RT. Colombo might be the only one at his position that I would take from the 2007 group... but frankly, I'm not sure I would. I like Free and so does the team.
All of that is without even taking into consideration that the '07 group was on its way downhill fast. The 2014 line is just scratching the surface of its ability. They are very good now but will get better each year for the next several seasons.
It is only my opinion... but to me, it isn't even close. This group is on another level from that group.
