Will Connor Williams return as starter?

[Chuck 54]

I think so. Yes, he needed to clean it up, but refs were also watching him too closely due to reputation. We all saw quite a few holding calls on him that are not called on others. I’m sure he was also frustrated.

I think the Cowboys were both sending him a message and protecting his psyche, giving him a chance to regroup. I think he may have been reinserted after McGregor’s terrible first start, but with Hocali’s crew, decided it was a bad time. Connor is not a strong, power player, but he is much more mobile and athletic than McGregor. We are missing his teamwork with Tyron, his pulling, his getting to the second level, and especially his movement on our screens, which have suffered without him.

Like Biadasz and Steele, he struggles with the best power players, but McGregor has shown me nothing.

Unless Collins is struggling with his surgically repaired hip, I’m more than ready to see the line go back to Smith-Williams-Biadasz-Martin-Collins. We need more power paired with Martin, along with Williams’ mobility.

I also think Pollard needs more and more opportunities, not because Zeke isn’t still good when healthy, but because Zeke is a power back running behind a mostly finesse OL, and that’s not working unless we are overpowering the DL.

Thoughts?

 

[nightrain]

The Cowboys seem to think the OL is like a hockey line. Put back the original 5 from week one and use the depth as needed to replace guys that can't play. The Collins push is a miss.

 

[CATCH17]

If they trusted Tyron Smith I think La’el Collins would be at guard right now.

 

[Ranching]

He's good with Tyron..

 

[Zman5]

I think that ship has sailed unless McGovern starts to play like Chaz Green.

 

[glimmerman]

He gets shoved back in pass protection. Crazy they don’t let them block the same way whether pass or run. When in pass mode I guess they have to step back and be like a cushion and run they are blocking like they are running it themselves and being aggressive. I remember this O-Line being so vicious in run mode. They would eat. Different players and coaches I guess.. I just want them to eat. But defenses now just stack the line and send the house. Hard to run against that. And your QB that won’t use his legs anymore. That little tidbit could kill this team..

 

[Bullflop]

As long as Zeke has a bad knee, his effectiveness won't be what it was before that problem. The same might be said regarding Dak's calf. I'm sure he's been advised by the staff to keep his running to a minimum, at least, for the time being. Football, unfortunately, is a game of attrition. That's something many fans won't allow for, hereabouts.

Troy Aikman was correct, however, about this team's fans. They are largely fans of winners, as opposed to being diehard fans who pull for their team, no matter what. Well, that's life, in Cowboys' Country. GM Jerry doesn't help matters, either. He'll rock along and do whatever pleases him, win or lose. It's, quite frequently, not quite enough. Some things never change.

 

[Risen Star]

Not with the offensive line playing so well.

Don't rock the boat.

 

[nightrain]

As long as Zeke has a bad knee, his effectiveness won't be what it was before that problem. The same might be said regarding Dak's calf. I'm sure he's been advised by the staff to keep his running to a minimum, at least, for the time being. Football, unfortunately, is a game of attrition. That's something many fans won't allow for, hereabouts.

Troy Aikman was correct, however, about this team's fans. They are largely fans of winners, as opposed to being diehard fans who pull for their team, no matter what. Well, that's life, in Cowboys' Country. GM Jerry doesn't help matters, either. He'll rock along and do whatever pleases him, win or lose. It's, quite frequently, not quite enough. Some things never change.

I have been a fan for quite some time and enjoyed the success of the 70s and early 90s. What have they done the past 1/4 century to classify them as winners?

 

[America's Cowboy]

Connor Williams needs to start again. Connor McGovern absolutely has stunk starting at Left Guard. What a colossal failure. Put McGovern back to playing FB during the Hulk run packages. That's it.

If not, move La'el Collins to Left Guard, keep Terence Steele at Right Tackle.

 

[Bullflop]

I have been a fan for quite some time and enjoyed the success of the 70s and early 90s. What have they done the past 1/4 century to classify them as winners?

Ever since Jerry and Stephen took over for what Jimmy Johnson had to offer, things haven't been the same. It's an ongoing curse.

This FO simply aren't football guys and never will be. They've sorely needed to hire a capable GM for over two decades. No soap!

 

[TequilaCowboy]

It seems like there is always a weak link somewhere on this chain, so does it matter where it breaks?

 

[Bullflop]

Connor Williams needs to start again. Connor McGovern absolutely has stunk starting at Left Guard. What a colossal failure. Put McGovern back to playing FB during the Hulk run packages. That's it.

If not, move La'el Collins to Left Guard, keep Terence Steele at Right Tackle.

It reminds me of the old motto, "if it ain't broken, don't fix it." But they tried.

It's early yet. It may get worse before it gets better. Let's hope not, tho.

 

[MarcusRock]

No. Give McGovern his chance and stop panicking. If you're going to make that call (and almost everyone around here was in favor of it), go full throttle until McGovern proves he's truly not ready yet. Williams has had forever to "get stronger" as his defenders have been saying.

And no, refs aren't "watching him more" nor are they calling things on him that they aren't calling on others. What they're watching is defensive linemen getting whiplash from having their jerseys yanked by Williams.

 

[Bullflop]

The Dallas FO has taken bold steps to correct a situation that developed with Williams at LG that went awry over several years. Now, we have a situation on the OL that might take time to get resolved. We'll see in the next few games (or more) if McGovern is able to make these adjustments. If that's not forthcoming, other actions will be in order. Here's hoping better judgment overcomes our mistakes of the past. Should we learn soon? Yes, please!

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

I think so. Yes, he needed to clean it up, but refs were also watching him too closely due to reputation. We all saw quite a few holding calls on him that are not called on others. I’m sure he was also frustrated.

I think the Cowboys were both sending him a message and protecting his psyche, giving him a chance to regroup. I think he may have been reinserted after McGregor’s terrible first start, but with Hocali’s crew, decided it was a bad time. Connor is not a strong, power player, but he is much more mobile and athletic than McGregor. We are missing his teamwork with Tyron, his pulling, his getting to the second level, and especially his movement on our screens, which have suffered without him.

Like Biadasz and Steele, he struggles with the best power players, but McGregor has shown me nothing.

Unless Collins is struggling with his surgically repaired hip, I’m more than ready to see the line go back to Smith-Williams-Biadasz-Martin-Collins. We need more power paired with Martin, along with Williams’ mobility.

I also think Pollard needs more and more opportunities, not because Zeke isn’t still good when healthy, but because Zeke is a power back running behind a mostly finesse OL, and that’s not working unless we are overpowering the DL.

Thoughts?

McGovern has been a bit of a mess in his two starts. The Williams penalties are crippling, but I honestly have to believe he can't possibly keep up the pace he was on all season. With Tyron in there Williams is the better player. I really hate how much we are shifting this offensive line around. We were trotting out different combinations each series in the first quarter of the Raiders game! Continuity is just as important as health on the Oline and we need to just set it and forget it.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

Williams will only play in case of injury. He’s history in the off-season. Dude just never developed the strength needed to play in this scheme.

 

[Captain-Crash]

williams is the leader of the offensive line.