It may be time for a new type of offensive line...

Additionally, even with our huge monsters on the OL, we don’t seem to get that much of a push from them in short yardage situations. I just think that they don’t get off the ball quickly enough.

and I tend to agree. I still like big strong guys on the inside, such as Gurode and Davis, but the speed rushers are simply too good for tackles who can’t move their feet. Free is a perfect example, he’s not big (comparitively speaking) but has the feet to match up against the speed guys. He’s average in the run game, but if you have some beef in the middle you should be able to make up for that.

I don’t know if Free is ready to take over either tackle spot for a full season yet, which is why I hope we bring back both Flo and Columbo for training camp and see if Free can beat them out (Free hasn’t shown me enough to hand him a starting job yet). But drafting another athletic tackle to groom and a big strong interior lineman is my hope for this year’s draft.

I’ve been thinking that myself.

since the edge rushers nowadays have such speed and agility to get after the QB. On the inside of the line though, I still appreciate having a lot of beef since they are going to be the ones tasked with beating guys like Kevin Williams and Albert Haynesworth.

I’ve been thinking this for a few years now and Dallas’ last few drafts makes me think that they think the same way.

All the Tackles they’ve drafted lately have been considerably smaller than Flow. Doug Free was a very mobile Tackle who is now playing at about 315 pounds. Even bust Jacob Rogers was about 305. James Marten was also around 309.

Even Brewster, who seems to be headed to Guard not Tackles, looks like he’ll play around 320 which is very big but it’s certainly not a Bigg Davis 350+ (or Nate Newton 330+).

They’ve also shown a tendency to let falling huge Olineman like Herman Johnson, Duke Robinson and Max Jean Gilles slip right past them even when we could have definitely used some Oline help. I think that’s a clear sign they’re attempting to move away from the mammoth Olineman. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not going small, and Brewster is an example but they’re looking for big guys (not huge guys) who can move too.

This is also why Mike Iupati is such an interesting prospect. He officially weighed in at 6’5" 325. That’s almost exactly what Brewster weighed in at. If the Cowboys are looking for an interior Olineman he appears to fit their mold nicely as a big guy who can move well. If he makes it to #27 it’s like an instant upgrade to your starting offense putting him at LG.

Great post.

Athleticism. We’re still suffering from Parcell’s “Globe” theory. Size is good, but not at the expense of speed-
everywhere!
Except maybe FB…..but who has one anymore?

Not saying you want a bunch of 5’8" CB’s or WR’s, but quickness is king, not size

so they still like their lineman big.

But you really should have used a better example than Bushrod.

but I am not sure size is simly the issue. Having said that, the 3 best pass-blocking tackles in the league are Willie Colon, Joe Thomas and Jake Long, all under 320 pounds (all also under the age of 30).

Never really thought about it, but since you brought it up it makes sense. Good stuff!

I’m already sold on Free, but I often feel blind when anticipating the Cowboys desires for Oline players. Obviously they have a trend towards big, but I never anticipate their offensive line picks right. While what they like in defensive players, and skill players is a little more concrete, they do seem to flail in random directions along the Oline.

I’d certainly agree that better pass protection is a must; and whats lacking the most in our losses. For years Indy has been racking up wins while having great pass protection and less great run blockings

I really appreciate how you bring new insight into the debate here. I’d never even thought about this, and it’s one of the nice things about this blog that I learn something new every day (often, but not always, football related :-).

just kidding! great work as always ScarletO. Rec’d.

Great Post!

God Bless Hudson Houck and all he has done for the Dallas Cowboys, but I would also like to see Jerry find perhaps an Asst. OL Coach that can bring some new ideas and philosophies into the mix.

Our guys continue to struggle against stunts, blitzes, and dogs… and of course these are designed to create pressure, but I think our guys do a poor job identifying and adjusting to these packages, leaving Romo running for his life. Is coaching to blame? I think Houck needs to take some of the blame.

Aside from Dummerville, Flo held his own this season against several speed rushers…. and he was holding his own against All-Pro Mullet Allen before the injury sidelined him.

Colombo is the best RT the Cowboys have had since Erik Williams. However, he plays too high, doesn’t have enough bend, and loses leverage way too often. In my opinion, he was not physically ready for that Viking game and I was disappointed that the Cowboys didn’t go back to Free after a so-so performance from Colombo in the Eagles game. As it turns out, it didn’t matter after Flo’s injury because Free had to play the LT position.

If you watched what the Saints did against the Vikings, you realize how important that RT position is. On a fairly high percentage of passing plays, Sean Payton moved the pocket to the right to utilize Brees feet and get away from Allen. The only way that you can do this is too set the edge with your RT (with some help – generally TE chip). I was disappointed that Garrett didn’t do this more often, however, given Colombo’s struggles, it might have been difficult to trust him to keep Ray Edwards out of the backfield.