Who Do You Choose?

I strongly disagree about Williams and offer two words against him — Jim McNally.

McNally is one of the best OL coaches in the NFL. He’s taken lines that had great talent and made them dominant (Cincinnati in the late 80’s, with Anthony Munoz and Max Montoya), lines with young inexperienced guys and made them instant winners (Carolina in the mid ‘90s) and most recently, he took a Giants line with a bunch of new, no-name players and helped them reach the Super Bowl in 2000. There were many that year saying McNally was the team’s MVP.

He’s been Williams’ line coach the last two years in Buffalo, and yet we continue to hear the same complaints about Williams — overweight, out of shape, unmotivated.

Williams couldn’t keep a starting job.

I have the upmost respect for Parcells, but he’s not the only good coach in the league. If you can’t produce for Jim McNally, I suspect you can’t do it for anybody.

Parcells is going to take the guy whose last name ends in a vowel…he loves those big Italians!

Eric R:

Congratulations on the nice blog post. Sounds like you did your homework on these guys. Thanks for the information!!

I kind of have to agree with Rafael on this Williams issue. I know you are all for giving players second chances and finding that diamond in the rough. Maybe Williams is that kind of player, and I wish him well with his next team (as long as they aren’t in the NFC East). You can’t coach size, and he sounds like a behemoth of a man…but he also sounds like he is a sloth.

Last year this team could excuse the poor tackle play because of Flozell’s injury and a rookie and backup being forced to start. Not many of us truly expected to go to the Super Bowl last season anyway, although I admit around Week 10 I started believing it was truly possible.

Next season there will be no excuses. Next season should be…will be, the real title run. I don’t want the Cowboys to gamble on the tackle position in free agency this season. I want to see an OT who can come in and do the job, period. I think Fabini, Runyan, and Ashworth can get the job done. I’m not sure about Barry or Williams.

Good job on the info, Eric. Thanks.

pretty simple for me, just using a process of elimination:Runyan is too expensive, Williams too risky (good point about his coaching-since when have our current OLine coaches gotten anything out of “raw young talent”??, Barry too unproven-we already have that! So, give me either of the other two and I’m happy, hopefully whoever’s younger……

Great write Eric,
I would have to lean towards Ashworth but I think Fabini is headed here, not liking another thirty plus Lineman though. Williams has the talent but I dont know if anyone can get his heart and head in the right place, if someone could and he was to get in shape and take some pride in his job, he could be something, but I dont think it will be in dallas if it ever does.I thought he was a sure fire probowl player for ten years when he came out of college.

Anyone have any combine information? Any early stories?

Think LA can inspire Williams?
He’s gotten more vocal lately. and with the G’s and LT we have it could inspire some commitment. I mean, would you have any heart if you got stuck playing in Buffalo with that offense?!

LOL

boysfan:

I’ve been pretty underwhelmed by the Combine coverage on NFL Network thus far. I’m going to call my cable company next week and cancel that package.

So far it has been interviews with NFL coaches and players, and a few interviews with the top 5 guys. They have shown a lot of press conferences with the potential top draft picks. Those were interesting because a few of them have had to answer some tough questions about their backgrounds and stuff like that.

The one with Marcus Vick (one of the few non-first round players they’ve aired) was somewhat amusing because he was trying to explain his recent indiscretions. Pretty lame explanations. He’s a really cocky kid, you can tell by his vocal tone and the way he addresses others so cavalierly that he has little regard for them. Butch Davis said he personally would never draft him if he was in a position to, but predicted that some team will take a chance on him in the 6/7th round.

In contrast, I think the other players handled themselves very well. The one that impressed me the most was D’Brickashaw Ferguson. You can tell by his manners and the way he speaks that he is a highly intelligent man, very responsible, well spoken, and will be a strong leader. I thought Matt Leinart and Vince Young both acquitted themselves like confident and poised leaders. Leinart really impressed me with how mature and comfortable he is with himself and his future.

Jay Cutler came off sounding a bit cocky and a tad insecure, IMHO. He seems very eager to prove himself, which is good that he’s competitive…but it came off to me like he’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Evidently he really put on a show in the weight room with the 225 bench presses and impressed a lot of scouts with his strength and conditioning. Physically he sounds like he’s there, and I like his hunger, but I think he might need to relax a bit to keep his head in the NFL.

Reggie Bush was very impressive too.

Here’s how I rate the tackles:

1. Ashworth — Not the best of this bunch, but a solid player, nonetheless. Probably the most athletic. Still young, with upside. Should come at a reasonable price. Could be bigger, and at 6’6, might still be able to gain some weight without losing his quickness.

2. Fabini — Tough player. Solid. Can play either side. Durable (except for last season). Getting up there in years (32 in August), but probably won’t break the bank. Most likely choice, given his history with Parcells.

3. Runyan — Probably the best OT available. But, he’ll be 33 in November and will command a large signing bonus.

4. Barry — We have enough backups at offensive tackle. At least he’s young, and can also play guard.

5. Phil Pozderac — No, he’s not on the list. He’s been retired for about 18 years, and is pushing 50. He may also be the worst offensive tackle to ever start more than 20 games for the Cowboys. Still, I’d rather have him than the next guy.

6. Williams.

Just playing with you a little, Eric. Good effort!

EricR,

Shame on me for not mentioning that you offer great profiles on these guys.

Now that I’ve said why I don’t think Mike Williams makes the cut, I’m going to wuss out and say it will be either Ashworth or Fabini.

It comes down to which skill you value more. Ashworth is the better pass protector and he’s younger. Fabini is a better run blocker and he’s older.

I just read a summary of a Ranch Report story that says the Cowboys were “in love” with Lions OT Jeff Backus, who was franchised.

He’s higher rated than Ashworth, but I found an interesting crumb researching him. Assuming the report was true, I think it tips the scales slightly in Ashworth’s favor:

Backus is 6’6", 305 lbs.; Ashworth is 6’5" 305 lbs.

Backus is seen as a very good pass protector and a good but not great run blocker. Ashworth is seen as a good pass protector with very good feet who needs to add some muscle to improve his run blocking and ballast against big bull rushing ends.

Backus is a five year vet. Ashworth is a four year vet.

If Backus was the Cowboys’ top FA OT target, it seems keeping Drew Bledsoe upright takes precedence over a mauler who could help spur the running game.

In that case, I put Ashworth at the top of my list.

Eric,

Nice work. I would say younger would be better and given our experience with Rivera, I doubt we go into Runyan.

Williams sounds interesting. Fabini has the ole BP connection but is he going to decline in his age.

I wonder how much will depend on the C position also. You know another option is what if they saw a solution at G and moved LA to RT. We know it was a thought…….he is making T pay…….so it could still happen. Draft a G, or perhaps Gurode or a player to be named later…..

I know it is the numero uno priority on Offense……and arguably on the team overall. I think we need continuity and teamwork and attitude on that o line…..along with some fresh blood.

Peterson is an FA I read…..and with the DC Cap news….isn’t Levar likely to join the list…….Abraham may be highly coveted…..but you take a look at JP or LA and I see guys that could fit with Bill and make that Bryan Cox like improvement with Parcells, Zimmer and Pasquolini coaching the position.

Go for the young guy. Ashworth could be a 10 year guy for us.

Hey guys thanks for the support.

Up until he got franchised, I thought Backus was easily the best option. Parcells has had good success at signing younger linemen off of other teams before the reached their peak. Backus was a prime candidate for that. He has been good, but not great … yet.

While Williams has had a good line coach, the guy on top struggled to gain the players there. What is hard for me to see is how far Williams stock has fallen. From what I rememeber he was physically dominant, and was abusing defenders even on the NFL level early on in his career. With that much potential, has he really fallen that far down?

Yet come Thursday, I also think Parcells will sign Fabini, and sign him quickly. He fills a need, has been consistantly solid, and plays injured. I can’t see the Cowboys entering the draft with the question of starting RT still looming.

Tom ashworth is a good solid blocker however with our backups having the experience that they have thanks to next year i do expect fabini to come aboard beinig that he’s a better run blocker and our run game sucked last year ..he’s good for about 2-3 year and by that time petitti, peterson, will be ok .imo