Who would you replace to fix this team's blocking? Offensive line? Fullback? Coach?

TruBlueCowboy

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Pretty easy thread. The poll will allow you to vote for more than one player. If you were in Jerry and Bill's position, who would you replace? I even included some of the biggest backups on the team right now and the fullback and offensive line coach. Except for the kicker, I think this was the most obvious weakness on our team this year. We went from a high-powered offense to the Campo era offense. This team can't block worth a damn, Bledsoe is getting killed, Julius isn't running, who do you think is the most to blame?

LT Flozell Adams
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Folks dogged him for his technique and relaxed attitude, but it sure looks like we missed him.

LT/RT Torrin Tucker
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Had some admirable games as the starter but probably a better backup.

LG Larry Allen
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He's getting up there in age, so you can't take a chance with a lot of vets surrounding him, but he might have been the best lineman on this team this year.

C Al Johnson
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Al gets dogged a lot on the forums but of all the young guys playing for the team, he seemed to have the least amount of problems.

C/G Andre Gurode
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Looks like the Gurode years are over if he doesn't re-sign for cheap.

RG Marco Rivera
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Some think he might go down as the worst free-agent signing in the Parcells era.

LT/RT Rob Petitti
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Struggled mightily his rookie year, probably going to the bench if he doesn't show some dramatic improvement.

FB Lousaka Polite
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Cowboys still have yet to see a true blocking fullback worth a damn since Moose. One magic year with our hybrid FB Richie Anderson was the only exception.

Offensive Line Coach Tony Sparano
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He looked good as the tight ends coach in Parcells first two years but the guy who is labeled as the offensive line coach and running game coordinator doesn't seem to be his doing job this year. (BTW, if you fire him you also probably lose your next best NFL Films candid camera coach after Parcells and Zimmer. :D )

Bledsoe/Julius/Witten (i.e. problems are from holding ball too long, poor running, etc.)
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Bledsoe holds on to the ball too long, Julius looked like he lost a step, Jason Witten is a better receiver than blocker, vote for this if you think all these factors contribute just as much as a weak spot on the line.
 

sago1

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Didn't vote re Bledsoe, Jones & Witten cause I believe significant upgrade on OL, addition of 1 potentially good WR, FB who can block & getting Witten to focus on his blocking would go long way towards giving this team a playoff caliber offense. Poor run blocking has hurt our running game the whole season, even when Adams was in there. Our RBs get tackled too often in the backfield, etc. Some of this is due to poor blocking from Witten & Polite but OL certainly main culprit. I also may be in minority but I believe Bledsoe holds the ball too long many times cause we don't have a lot of WRs who can get open. Glenn is the only one we have & when he's double-teamed, we are in trouble. Love Keyshawn & he does make occasional good plays but he just doesn't get open enough. Bledsoe holds on to the ball sometimes to long cause if Glenn isn't open Bledsoe has to look for Keyshawn & Witten & both are possession receivers not the big WR we need. AND Crayton either doesn't get on the field enough or he also has trouble getting open.
 

lspain1

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Put my votes on Tucker, Petitti, and Sparano. The problems pretty much came from outside the whole time after Flo went down. Not that our inside was great but the tackles were worse. Tucker was bad against upper end talent pass rushers the whole time he was in there and he made a lot of false start penalties on the road.

My problem with Sparano was the line never seemd to gel as a unit. There always seemed to be miscommunication and confusion against rushes all the time.
 

burmafrd

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Line coach just did not impress me. We did a better job of blocking last season with less talent.
 

JakeCamp12

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It was a combination of things that killed the running game, poor O-line play, JJ being hurt...but do not rule out a very important aspect that I have seen over and over again. Witten/Campbell do not hold their backside blocks long enough for the play to develop. Witten is the main culprit that I have picked up on in reviewing games, but Campbell whiffs on occassion also. When guys have been tackled in the backfield, it is usually the backside blocking that has not done its job. Just my 2cents..
 

big dog cowboy

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I didn't vote because I don't think you can point the finger at any one person. I'm not sold on Sparano and that worries me because I know there will be some big rebuilding this offseason.
 

DallasDomination

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You cant point fingers at any one person?

hmmm yes you can....

I point my finger at none other than-----> Rob PEttiti, Oline Coach and Torrin Tucker.Thats three major problems we have to fix in order to even be competitive.

But with out a doubt in my mind the biggest problem on this team is.....
"Rob no balls Pettiti!" :clubbed:
 
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