What Dallas should do, but probably won't
by HutHut on Apr 11, 2011 12:46 PM CDT
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PrintBesides fire the GM.
The Cowboys need, above all else, to protect the QB. Give Romo time, Romo will shred defenses. Period.
So draft Tryon Smith right? Wrong. Nate Solder? Buzzzzzz. Wrong. Thanks for playing.
There are two positions generally agreed to have the easiest transition into the NFL. One of them is Cornerback. Will a CB help keep Romo on his feet? Nope.
The other is Running Back. What is a QB's best friend? Correct, a good running game. What is it that the Cowboys lack? A good running game. The O Line is underwhelming, we all agree. However, the RB's are even worse. Marion Barber celebrates after every 2 yard gain. Unfortunately that's about 21.6 celebrations per game. Felix Jones gets hurt just taking the hand off. Tashard Choice is a knucklehead. Ask yourself this: How many clubs would trade a first round pick for any of them... or all of them? Maybe Minnesota in 1989. Unfortunately Jerry's Flux Capacitor is on the fritz.
It has long been said that Emmitt was a product of his Offensive Line. Anybody could run for 1,500 behind that group. Really? I've got two words for that... Derrick Lassic. Look him up. I argue that Dallas' Pro Bowl offensive line was a product of Emmitt Smith. How many Dallas linemen of the era are legit HOF candidates? One. If the line was that great, at least two or three should be legit candidates. Green Bay of the ‘60’s had 5. Oakland of the ‘70’s had 3. C’mon.
Back to the near future. Dallas should draft Mark Ingram. He is a stud in a stud program. He is too slow. This explains his long runs and terrific production in college. Turns out his top end is slow, but his initial burst is the fastest in the entire draft. What gets you through the hole? Yup, initial burst. Remind you of anyone???
If Dallas gets a legit opportunity to trade down 3 or 4 slots, it should do so. But, not at the expense of missing out on Ingram. Ingram will immediately improve the Offensive Line by posing a legitimate threat running the ball. This will force the defense to respect the run, slowing the pass rush, and giving Romo the time to hit the open man and the opportunity to exploit the play action pass.
Here’s hoping Dallas improves it’s O Line by not drafting an O Lineman with it’s first pick.
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Yes and No
Yes, the running back can help the passing game and have the pass rush respect the chance of a run. However, it is not just the RB that does that, it is the playcalling and offense gameplanning…but perhpas most importantly, the effectiveness of the run game. Even if we had AP or Chris Johnson, if we don’t call running plays or get more than 3 yards a run, it won’t hlep the QB and the passing game.
Also, I think you underestimate how good Felix and Choice can be if we upgrade our OLine. Felix did pretty well during the 2nd half of the season when the OLine was blocking better, and as a result, Garrett called mroe running plays. The guy is averaging over 5 yards a carry for his career!
Once upon a time I would agree with you 100%, but in this new age of football on a team like the Cowboys who are stacked to have a dominant passing game and already has a 1st round RB and undervalued 3rd RB (soon to be 2nd), the biggest way to help our QB and overall effectiveness of our offense is to fix the OLine, not mask the weaknesses with a running back.
"I am a true believer. Anthony Spencer will have 7 or more sacks in 2011 and Stephen Bowen can ball!" - Kegbearer
"Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable."
- Tom Landry
This again?
The Cowboys can NOT ignore the OL anymore. They aren’t getting any younger, injuries are more frequent, and the whole world has a playbook on how to fool those 5 guys. No HOF skill player will help this OL anymore
No shock
But I agree 100 percent. Ol can be taken care of with our 2nd and whoever we trade withs pick/picks.
You have to hate to lose more than you love to win !
I wouldnt mind drafting Ingram actually, it would be smart to address the OL but adding a guy like Ingram would be sick
by Archie Barberio on Apr 11, 2011 1:21 PM CDT reply actions
True,
Ingram, first of all, is not in my mind a sure fire stud at RB. His 2009 season was good, don’t get me wrong, but I am neither a fan of his 2010 or 2008 production. The running back is responsible for the yardage after making it past the first 5 yards, however it is those first 5 yards we need to consistently produce. This can only be done through a dominant and physical o-line. The Dallas Cowboys running game is build around running towards the right side. We must address that side of the line, and at the same time provide protection for Romo. Therefore, we must at some point before the first snap of 2011 address that right side.
Proud Bandwagoner of the Binghamton Bearcats!
Tentative First Member of the Disciples of Terry - We're Gonna Terryfy you
Ingram at #40 I could live with (not that he will drop that far).
Ingram at #9 would have me turning off the draft.
If I had a nickel for every time the Eagles won the Super Bowl, I would have zero nickels
This is a joke right
You are worried about Felix’s injury proneness but not Ingrams. I would be esp when the opposing D line truck sticks him before he even gets the ball handed to him with no line to protect him. Cmon guy, really? Drafting a competent RT will open up our running game vastly without the need for Ingram. Nothing against him, but we don’t need him.
by ThrillRob on Apr 11, 2011 1:25 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
we cannot continue to ignore the OL draft after draft
I would select an OT in the first rd and selcect a guard with my 2nd rd chioce….I would be in favor of trading down from the 9th spot to accumulate another 2nd or 3rd
This is utter lunacy
I don’t care how great an RB is, if he’s hit behind the line of scrimmage virtually every time he’s not going to gain squat. Look at OJ’s early years in Buffalo. He couldn’t gain an inch until they drafted MacKenzie and the rest of the Buffalo OL that MADE OJ a HOFer.
Every great running back needs blockers to free him to use those God given natural talents. SO, wise up. We need an OL for both the running and passing game.
On top of that this offense is plenty good with the guys they got now
The only thing holding them back is the OL,
I have to admit
I was pretty impressed with Barron’s ability to put someone in a head lock. Not everyone can do that.
So pardon my disposition; why should I listen to a system that never listened to me?
Alex Barron . He is always good for a few laughs.
by Jonathan Stern on Apr 12, 2011 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
If this happens, there will be violence
On this Board. At my Home. In my Office.
by One.Cool.Customer on Apr 11, 2011 2:09 PM CDT reply actions
HAHAHA
I have been on the verge in recent years as it concerns the Cowboys, but this would send me over the top and it would be time for me to take anger management.
"I am a true believer. Anthony Spencer will have 7 or more sacks in 2011 and Stephen Bowen can ball!" - Kegbearer
"Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable."
- Tom Landry
I respectfully disagree
Even Mark Ingram (as good as he COULD be) would have a tough time running behind this current aging O-line. We need to address the offensive line and plug in younger players. The status quo can’t keep going as it is or Tony Romo is going end up paying the price.
It still amazes me that Jerry thought the current O-line could hold up after taking ass whooping in Minnesota.
Lol
Felix Jones gets hurt just taking the hand off.
Still, let’s see what Felix can do with a little less weight.
http://cowboysanalysis.blogspot.com/
Our Oline is in shambles
and you want us to take another 1st round RB. When RBs a dime a dozen. No, I just can’t see it. Jones stayed healthy last year and Choice did very good. We don’t need a RB, our running game was very good with Garrett.
by dallasgoesalltheway on Apr 11, 2011 4:21 PM CDT reply actions
Difference Maker
I believe Ingram is going to be more than just another RB. I’m not suggesting the O Line is fine as it is. However, I don’t see any prospects worthy of a top 15 pick.
I get it
You can type all you want about this but your wasting your time. I also think the same way and posted a very similar post a few days ago. What everyone is not understanding is we believe Ingram is special a game changer. To draft a RB in the first round is a very big gamble and i for one think it would be worth it for Ingram. Wisniewski in the second , Gilbert or love in the third. Boom Done!
You have to hate to lose more than you love to win !
The Cowboys don’t need any offensive linemen as they still have the 19th pick in the 2005 draft out of Florida State to start at right tackle. As everyone here knows he has been to several pro bowls and is widely considered to be one the best tackles in the league.
I have a mancrush on that guy,
as in I want to crush his skull every time he makes a bone-headed play
Proud Bandwagoner of the Binghamton Bearcats!
Tentative First Member of the Disciples of Terry - We're Gonna Terryfy you
You sure want to crush his skull a lot
I think he makes bone-headed plays standing on the sideline.
"Be great today" - Jason Garrett
Great 3rd round pick! Good call.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
I hope Ingram likes running to the left
Cause another year of Columbo means we’re playing with 1 arm tied behind our back again.
"Be great today" - Jason Garrett
in his defense....
Just because you draft Ingram doesn’t mean you do not find a replacement at RT….now I wouldn’t draft Ingram, but I think it is way over the top to act like the 1st pick has to be an OT
by death of the cool on Apr 11, 2011 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions
The first pick has to be an OL
Because that would signal to us that Jerry is actually serious about fixing the OL. Sure we MIGHT get lucky and hit on an OT in the 2nd round. But if we do that the chances of us getting a Stephen Peterman is higher than if we do it with the 9th pick.
That and productive RB’s can be found in any round.
"Be great today" - Jason Garrett
Was reasonable to ask ... if
you think Ingram is the next coming of the greatest NFL RB. He doesn’t look special to me.
Drawing a conclusion from Lassic is crazy (or Hambrick or Palmer or Sherman Williams). None of them would make today’s roster.
Do you think the Packers, Steelers, Bears, Jets and NE have better RB? Not me. Not all of these teams have a better OL. ALL of them have a better defense.
We should probably pick ALL defense, but Romo needs to stay healthy.
RB are a Dime a Dozen and you can pick up a solid one in the middle rounds, no point wasting a 1st round pick on a player wont put up great numbers due to a poor O line, why not waste a #1 pick on a Kicker
Nah bro
LS. A great long snapper could really give us the momentum we need to win the big one. With a great LS we can line up Romo 30 yards off the line of scrimmage and it won’t matter how bad our o-line is.
http://cowboysanalysis.blogspot.com/
Lets sign a Waterboy or a specialist holer
by LeedsCowboys on Apr 12, 2011 3:47 AM CDT up reply actions
With a good O-Line
Jones will have a better career than Ingram, in my opinion.
The kid is real good, but we have real good running backs…you just wouldn’t know it because of our horrible run blocking.
You aint been around in awhile, maybe you haven't heard........I don't shine shoes no more
Some know it despite the brutal blocking.
Though I only speak for myself.
Weltschmerzen.
My $.02's worth $.00.
+1
And for me apparently…Felix Jones is averaging over 5 yards a carry behind a struggling OLine. Imagine what he can do as a full time starter behind a rejuvenated OLine! He also has a better chance of taking Garrett’s favorite screen plays to the house (more so than Ingram)
"I am a true believer. Anthony Spencer will have 7 or more sacks in 2011 and Stephen Bowen can ball!" - Kegbearer
"Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable."
- Tom Landry
I will say the kid reminds me an awful lot of Emmitt
but of I’m thinking there will be better prospects where ever the Cowboys end up selecting in round one.
In Romo we Trust
Good point
Those are some important plays right there. Any good holders coming out this year with decent 40’s? If we get an athlete back there we might be able to run some decent trick-plays. No character concerns though, we want a Tebow type, the holder should be the leader of the team.
http://cowboysanalysis.blogspot.com/
ingram is nothing special
and certainly not a top ten pick
besides rbs are a dime a dozen and their careers are incredibly short. Talk about a bad investment.
Plus o-linemen have a lot to do with the running game and their careers are three years long.
Sean Lissemore = The next Bruce Smith
Your Frigging out of your Gourd Dude!
How many times last year did we have to thro to get 2 yards we needed? OL needs help!
Point to ponder Emmit went 17th!
Emmit was a product of a great line. They made a great (durable) back into the #1 rusher in NFL history. Would Payton, Sanders, TD, or Dickerson have done more behind that line? Arguably they would have, as all had more raw talent to work with and especially Sweetness and Sanders did it with below average lines and QB’s most of their careers. The argument that superior talent at RB elevates the line (Detroit and early 80’s Chicago) and QB (still rue playoffs losses to Eric Hipple and Dieter Brock) looks sound when you have a generational talent. Except it brings me back to the Rams with Dickerson, and what happened after he was shipped to Indy. With a line that had only Jackie Slater as HOF caliber, but was arguably the best in the league as a UNIT, you had castoffs like Charles White and Greg Bell keep their rushing offense at the top of the league with Brock and Senator’s son Jeff Kemp taking snaps.
Trade Down our 9th and 40th pick with NE to get their WR or pass rusher for the 17th, 33rd, 60th, 193rd (1850 and 1844 points) then if T Smith is not there at 17 either A)try to trade back again (maybe TB or KC) pick up another 4th and nab Carimi or Sherrod or B) go BPA at 17 then trade up from 33 for an OT or Pouncey or C) realize we have pressing needs at RT, DE, S, G, and if TNew is cut CB and play the odds that four picks in the first 71 should take care of 3 of those spots.
If the trade down is STL for two extra picks in the first four rounds (giving us 6) and Smith, Quinn, Bowers, Jordan, Prince, Watt are there you have to still like any of those along with a possible Cannon,Ijalana, Watkins, Wisniewski, or Gilbert early.
Emmitt went 17th, and another RB went 2nd overall that year!
Blair Thomas, RB out of Penn State went 2nd overall that year to the Jets, waaaay ahead of Emmitt. Thomas then spent six disappointing years in the NFL with five different teams, including a brief stint with the Cowboys.
Just goes to show you never know who The Guy will be. In this year’s draft, perhaps Mikel LeShoure is The Guy, perhaps a late round guy like Hawaii’s Alex Green.
by One.Cool.Customer on Apr 12, 2011 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Odds are NO cap again
If the latest mediation doesn’t lead to a deal, this season will likely be played under 2010 (no cap) terms. Under this scenario a unique opportunity exist for salary dumps (RW, MBIII, TNew, Bigg), renegotiation/extensions (Free & maybe TNew), and/or making trades for picks while eating accelerated pro-rated signing bonuses. So JJ can finagle future cap room, resign Free, sign the 2011 picks, and take advantage of the anticipated rookie pay scale to come with the eventual CBA agreement.
Agree with O.C.C. about LeShoure. I rank him behind Ingram, but think he would fit better. I also think Marecic, Taiwan Jones, Hynoski, Havili, Sherman, Royster and Allen Bradford along with Powell are worth a look late for various reasons.
I like Leshore alot
Reminds me of Steven Jackson.
Word of caution
EVERY YEAR some running back gets billed as “the next big thing” and is put up in at least the top 15 of an overall draft expert’s big board. It’s all hype. RB is a sexy position, so it needs to have a face on the NFL draft.
The last two years Ryan Matthews and Knowshown Moreno were labeled “LT-like”. How exactly have they been so far? Bottom line: RB is a skill position, and not a need for Dallas. The only place Dallas should be taking an offensive player that isn’t on the line is after the fourth.
2010 Fantasy Football champion for the BTB League on Yahoo!
With an extra pick
or two or three you can get a RB, slot WR, DT, or just plain BPA and still get the OL, DE, and secondary reinforcements.
Yeah, in all honesty...
and people are probably going to flame me for this…
I’d rather take Mallett if we are drafting a player we don’t need right now lol
You aint been around in awhile, maybe you haven't heard........I don't shine shoes no more
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