Cowboys Tackles Make Top 10 and Bottom 10 Lists In Pass Protection Rankings
by One.Cool.Customer on Jun 14, 2011 4:00 AM CDT
in Dallas Cowboys General
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PrintI don't think I'm giving away too much right at the start by revealing that Doug Free makes the top ten, while Marc Colombo ranks in the bottom ten in the pass protection rankings for tackles released by Pro Football Focus.
The basic idea behind pass protection is to keep the opposing defenses from making what NFL scouts call splash plays - plays that turn games around. The fewer of these an offensive lineman allows, the better. Splash plays include sacks, QB hits and QB hurries, and PFF combine these in a nifty little formula:
Sacks added to three quarters of Hits and Hurries, divided by the amount of snaps in pass protection multiplied by a 100. That's the Pass Blocking Inefficiency formula, or: (Sacks + (0.75 * Hits) + (0.75 * Hurries)) / Pass Protection Snaps * 100
We've long held that Doug Free was one of the best run-blocking left tackles in the league, but his pass protection numbers come as a slight surprise, as PFF ranks Free as the fifth best tackle in pass protection last year. Completely unsurprising is Marc Colombo's rank in pass protection: Colombo ranks as the sixth worst right tackle in pass blocking efficiency.
But there is one other pass protection ranking from PFF that does come as a surprise, the 2010 team pass protection rankings.
Before we get into the team numbers, you'll need to hold on really tight to your beer - or other beverage of choice - on this lovely Tuesday morning, because they may come as little bit of a surprise.
The Cowboys are ranked the seventh best team in PFF's pass protection rankings. Here's what PFF say about the 2010 Cowboys:
The at times predictable Dallas offense, didn’t shy away from leaving their tight ends into pass block, and with good reason. Marc Colombo desperately needed the help, and both Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett are among the best pass blocking tight ends around. With Jon Kitna helping to turn a whopping 23.86% of pressure into sacks, it was best keeping him free of defenders. At least Tony Romo and his 10.61% returns next year.
Clearly, the extensive use of tight ends and backs in blocking went a long way towards negating Colombo's -34.1 overall grade. And just as clearly, there's something to be said for a nimble and mobile QB as well.
For the sake of argument, let's assume that Tyron Smith is an immediate upgrade over Colombo at right tackle (granted, that's not much of an assumption). Couple that with backs and tight ends who do not need to stay in to pass protect anymore. Add in a healthy Romo, and this offense could go places.
Now if somebody could just fix the defense, please.
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This will probably be the best offense we've seen in Dallas in a while
And that includes ’07. With a healthy Dez and a revamped offensive line: look out! Romois going to reemerge in NFL circles as a candidate for elite-quarterback status.
I thought you were going all French on us :)
A healthy Dez is nice, but also don’t forget Demarco Murray … I think he’s worth every bit of a 3rd round pick.
Nice read, OCC … IMHO, it will be the competition at the guard spot that defines the O-line this year. I’m hoping Bigg either steps up or gets stepped over by some new blood.
Original Pet-Cats: Duane Thomas, Roger Staubach, Walt Garrison, Charlie Waters, Bob Lilly
Must be Wifi day in the Turkish prison.
Greetings, my friend. I’m with ya on Murray. He’s a rugged, driven runner. I hope this kid Tyron Smith is all he’s supposed to be. It would be surreal to have true protection on the edges. Free was such a relief. The Cowboys plan on eventually playing Smith at LT, what a strange and exciting new world it would be for us to have top 10 tackles on both sides.
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.
Ha ha. Nice
I can’t imagine even if he has typical rookie struggles he could be as bad as an injured Colombo. At least, that’s what I’m hanging my hopes for the season on…
Don't believe everything you think.
Lol
“you ever see the inside of a Turkish prison?”. “you ever seen a grown man…”?
Ich bin ein Berliner--JFK
by HudBaby on Jun 14, 2011 10:01 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The bar owner at Roxy is Turkish, but I'd hardly call that place a prison :)
Dunk’s gonna kill me, but it’s hard to resist having Murray as this year’s pet cat. He’s got the makings to be a stud in this league.
I also have high expectations for Tyron… I’m sure Romo would LUV a season with decent protection. It’d be his first. Two top-10 tackles seems almost surreal for this Cowboys team.
Original Pet-Cats: Duane Thomas, Roger Staubach, Walt Garrison, Charlie Waters, Bob Lilly
Didn't you know?
The torch has been passed to the Dunkerdude, who now sports the DPCC. (Dunkman Pet Cat Curse.) We have to keep him from fawning over any players. This is bigtime important. Support Murray as your discretion. But do not invoke the DPCC!
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.
I keep extra pitchforks and torches for just such an occasion. Gonna load up the truck, I’ll be right over and we’ll stop him at all costs.
Especially Smith and Murray AND ARKIN, Dunk! Will change face of our team if they stay healthy.
Give me UR calls! Give me highstepping by CBs and PRs entering the endzone! Give me screaming on the sidelines and headbutting! Give me Fortitude, Solidarity and VIOLENCE! Bring me CHAMPIONSHIPS!
Bring me Ridolin LOL! - B'nSB
by BlueNSilverBlood on Jun 16, 2011 2:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Well said
Demarco and Felix could really ignite what this team can do both on the ground and as mismatches out in the slot.
But most of all…
I’m hoping Bigg either steps up or gets stepped over by some new blood.
"I am a true believer. Anthony Spencer will have 7 or more sacks in 2011 and Stephen Bowen can ball!" - Kegbearer
"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control." - Tom Landry
If he doesn't step up
He’s as dumb as he is bad. He knows if he doesn’t get it together he’s out a big fat contract.
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.
How many offseasons have we heard this?
“2 TE offense will be unstoppable”
“3-headed monster at RB”
The offense should be good, maybe a top 12, but don’t expect much more. During the playoff run in ’09 it was the defense that got hot and caried the team-the offense was not really playing that well-except against the Eagles.
Dez Bryant should be a huge upgrade over the useless RW, but I think anyone (not you but others) who think a straight-ahead 3rd round RB is going to make a difference will be disappointed.
Hopefully DMuray will contribute on returns, but rookie RB’s don’t usually make big impacts, even the best ever.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
by Realist Larry on Jun 14, 2011 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Hate to break it to you
but the Cowboys were already top 12 last year, ranking 7th in yards and ppg.
So with an upgraded line and our starting QB back, we can’t expect more than being worse than we were before? Does not compute…
Adrian Peterson’s first season in the league: 1341 rushing yards.
LaGarrette Blount last year? 1007 rushing yards.
Nobody is arguing that Murray is going to step in and lead the league in rushing and make this the best rushing attack we’ve seen since Emmitt. They’re saying he’s going to breathe a bit of life into the offense and be one more tool.
by Admiral Dallas on Jun 14, 2011 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions
A rookie at RT, 3 OL who are now a year older up the middle (Free's fine of course)
As for Murray, we already have Felix Jones, and even Choice, who will be much better than Murray.
I doubt he’ll even get 100 touches this year and be more than a 3rd down option to fill in at times.
APeterson as a comparison? Please-he came in as a workhorse.
Here’s the rookie year for the best ever:
241 carries, 937 yards, 3.9avg. 24 Rec., 228 yards
If that’s Emmitt’s rookie year, why does anyone expect so much from Murray?
He’ll be a nonfactor except on SpTeams (I’m hoping he can be a good PR and/or KO returner), or excpet if they cut Barber and then one of the other guys gets hurt.
And they were Top 12 in some stats, but this team’s offense has been amazingly inconsistent under Garrett as OC (see the middle to end of 2009), so I’m going wait-and-see on this season.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
by Realist Larry on Jun 14, 2011 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Just two things here:
1.) Do you see the offense being better or worse? Smith may be a rookie, but I promise you he’s an improvement over Colombo. That, and there have been some rookie linemen who have done very well.
2.) Nowhere have I ever said that Murray will amass 1,000 yards, or even be the lead horse. Or even be number two on the depth chart. I don’t think it’s accurate to say he’ll be a “nonfactor”… not even close to accurate. He can be a sometimes-used explosive weapon, and that’s all he needs to be to improve the offense this year.
by Admiral Dallas on Jun 14, 2011 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
#2) Hmmm. your definition of a nonfactor is different than mine
And I don’t expect to many ‘explosive’ plays-he’s going to find the NFL is a bit harder than the Big 12.
His highlight reel looks good (of course – “highlight”!) but his overall rushing stats the last 2 years were unimpressive.
Let’s hope he contributes on SpTeams, though.
#1-I think it’s a wash-RT should improve-but that’s like saying Ball was better than Keith Davis at safety for me. He’ll still be a rookie, and with the trouble our line has had at picking up blitzes/stunts, and Mr. Leadfoot next to him, I don’t think he’s gonna be immediately great. The OLine is very weak up the middle to me-Kosier old and hurt, Davis older and fatter, and Gurode good and steady but not much more.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
by Realist Larry on Jun 15, 2011 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions
No, no, no OCC
I’ve been assured that the line was really quite good last season.
I’m not at all shocked that Dallas managed to sometimes protect Kitna by keeping the TEs in. But when you have JW as your TE, that’s like fighting with one arm tied behind your back.
Don't believe everything you think.
And the other arm...
Is tied behind your back if you consider all the 5 step drops that were removed from the playbook last season. It is a lot easier to protect your team from “splash plays” when you don’t let a QB take more than a 3step drop and you don’t wait for any deep routes to develop. The ranking says more about Garrett’s ability to compensate for poor OL play than it does our actual OLine performance in 2010.
"I am a true believer. Anthony Spencer will have 7 or more sacks in 2011 and Stephen Bowen can ball!" - Kegbearer
"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control." - Tom Landry
This is a good point as well
Especially when your WRs are not your Welker types. RW and Miles are taller WRs who need a little time and space to get into high gear and get separation. When Brady’s line faltered, he was able to find Welker because he could get open quickly. So, that exacerbates the problem.
Don't believe everything you think.
That was my thought when I saw that pick
that they must be thinking that they need that kind of outlet and haven’t had it. Murray is probably also that sort of idea when he releases.
Don't believe everything you think.
yup
Garrett adapted the playbook to account for Kitna’s and Colombo’s liabilities… more help from the RBs/TEs and very few downfield routes.
"When you want to win a game, you have to teach. When you lose a game, you have to learn."—Tom Landry
And then look what happens when you have a rookie fullback in to pass protect, and
he gets a little confused…
I have it on good authority
That anyone who thinks the o-line played poorly is a moron, and that includes me. Wait, huh?
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.
Hmmm
Well, Gurode was 4th best C, Kosier 18th best G, and Free 5th best LT. Colombo was the 6th worst, but Dallas used 2 of the best pass blocking TEs to help him out, which, as stated, led them to 7th best in the league at pass protection. Which led them to the #7 offense in scoring and yardage. I don’t know, maybe that’s not good to you, but it certainly isn’t bad to me.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 14, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
You are right, it wasn't bad (all things considered)
But, I would say that expectations were still higher and rightfully so.
Hopefully, the addition of Tyron Smith helps free up TEs to run routes or allows our QB to take more than 1 and 3 step drops without fearing for his life (due to suspect protection times). If this holds true, then we should see an even more exciting offense than we enjoyed statistically last year, maybe even prolific?!?!
For the season to be a success on the offensive side of the ball, I would also like to see the mental mistakes and penalties decrease dramatically.
Bottom line, we have many of the pieces on the team, now it is the time for them to start working together, consistently. This should help the defense get rest and have better field position until some of our younger players on the defensive side of the ball can grow into their potential.
focus comes up with some strange stuff
that do not pass the smell test. It was acknowledged that we went to 3 step drops and quick passes because of our O line problems. Free benefited this.
That O line was crippling.
For the sake of argument, let’s assume that Tyron Smith is an immediate upgrade over Colombo at right tackle (granted, that’s not much of an assumption). Couple that with backs and tight ends who do not need to stay in to pass protect anymore. Add in a healthy Romo, and this offense could go places.
Let’s hope so.
by Fernie67 on Jun 14, 2011 8:11 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Now you're just using logic.
You know that’s not allowed around here. ;)
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.
by White Wolf on Jun 14, 2011 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Please tell me a team that does not use backs or TEs to help in pass protection.
Because I have a feeling that even if Smith is all pro, Davis has the best season of his career, and the other 3 guys perform as well as they did last year, then you will still see RBs and TEs used in pass protection.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 14, 2011 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes, I watch football, too. This is still a bad line, and I'll just second the folks
who explained why elsewhere in this post. Given that the Cowboys drafted a tackle in the first round and were apparently looking to draft a guard higher than they did, I’ll just go with the obvious agreement on the part of Cowboys management that this is not a very good line.
We’re obviously going to have to agree to disagree on this issue.
It happens, just not with the frequency we saw from our team last year.
Max protect sets only allow for 2-3 players running routes. Granted this makes it hard to get to the QB, but also easier for the D to cover the few WR threats.
If we could limit our protection schemes to a guy helping here or there, it would allow 4-5 players running routes and demanding coverage. Witten being allowed to run routes more often helps alleviate double teams on Miles or Dez or anyone for that matter.
If our protection can improve with 5 or 6 guys, instead of 7, Romo will have more time to throw and more choices to throw to. If you were happy with the offense last year, an improved O Line should make you ecstatic with the possibilities of this offense in the 2011 season.
I agree with most on the blog
that the PFF formula is a little misleading.
I watched the Colts v Cowboys games yesterday (via NFL replay) and came away with a few things. The Oline almost gave away that game, anytime Kitna tried to take more than 2.5 seconds to find a receiver he had a guy or three in his face.
Also, Kitna can make most throws required in the NFL, but if you ask him to zip a pass into tight coverage 20 yards down field, you’re asking for trouble. I will welcome back Romo with open arms.
And last, I paid keen attention to Sean Lee whenever he was on the field and came away with two impressions. First, the kid is active… he flies everywhere at full speed, and mostly makes the correct decisions. Two, the kid needs to become best friends with Mike Woicik. He tackles like a speed bump. I’m not saying he needs to add 20 lbs of muscle. Speed and instincts is his game. But he doesn’t look like he has enough bulk to last 16 (or 18) NFL games in the middle at this point. Once he fills out his frame, Lee could become one of the better MLB’s in the game today.
"There are no traffic jams along the extra mile." ~ Roger Staubach
by TK19 on Jun 14, 2011 9:06 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
I watched that replay yesterday as well TK
And yea the line was appalling, but I paid particular attention to Lee as well (N Dez B4 the injury) but Lee has Pro Bowl potential as long as like u said he gets his frame filled out. I’m lookin forward to see what Bruce Carter can do in the next couple yrs. Our MLBs might be one of the better tandems goin into the future.
by Bermystar on Jun 14, 2011 9:20 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Wonder where Barron ranks.
Does the scale go that low?
So everyone is ignoring how well the team pass protected?
Has anyone on this board ever denied that Columbo struggled last year? But as the post says, the Cowboys did a great job at pass protection, even with a backup QB that had difficulty avoiding pressure.
Also, for a team fighting with one arm behind it’s back due to the TEs and RBs actually being asked to help block (thought that was part of their job, but I guess I was wrong), plus another arm due to their starting QB being out, plus maybe in a knee brace due to Dez Bryant being injured, they still were 7th in the league in offense and scoring.
Oh, and Witten, who stayed in to block every single down, had basically the exact same receiving stas that he has had every year. Martellus Bennett, also in to block every down, had almost as many receptions as his first 2 years combined. And the backs, in to block every down as well, had 83 receptions.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 14, 2011 11:43 AM CDT reply actions
Most receptions by the backs in the Tony Romo era.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 14, 2011 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Of course RBs and TEs block
it’s the frequency of being kept in to do that. But you already knew that.
The discussion above was the Garrett schemed around his line’s problems, so the offense was not as effective as it should have been. There have been many more analyses on this line, and most analysts conclude that Davis was as bad or worse than Colombo, and Gurode’s season was not stellar. And really, you just had to watch how the badly line protected until Garrett made his adjustments, or look at the stat where pressures that turned into sacks essentially doubles with Kitna, and Kitna is a pretty average pocket passer. Kosier is considered good and Free is the only one consistently considered a good lineman.
I think it’s safe to say when the OC has to truncate his playbook because of serious flaws in pass protection and run blocking, it’s pretty much the same thing as “a bad line”.
Don't believe everything you think.
Gurode was the 4th best C
As I noted above, Witten’s stats were the same, the backs had more catches than they have had in years, Roy Williams’ stats were basically the same, Dez Bryant had basically the same production as Crayton did the year before. The only guy whose stats went down was Austin, who also developed a case of the dropsies.
I think it’s pretty safe to say that when you have the #7 offense and were ranked #7 in pass protection, the line problems were vastly overstated. The team’s biggest problem last year was one of the worst defense’s in team history, plus bad coaching and management in the first half of the season. Colombo needed to be replaced, and was, but since the other 4 starters will be the same, it seems the coaches thought the line was decent, too.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 14, 2011 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Offense
We are not claiming that the offense didn’t put up points or yards, just that they did that despite bad OLine play, due to Garrett overcoming their bad performance by having quicker plays. We are saying this offense could be better with better OL play.
Consider this…
2010: 6.7 yards – Net yards/pass attempt
6.8. adjusted yards/pass attempt
5.6 yards per offensive play (including rushing)
2009: 7.3 NY/A
8.4 AY/A
6.3 yards/play
We were not a big play offense or one that really attacked downfield as much. We are saying this can improve with a better OLine. Not just better rushing, but better passing as well. PFF grades for the OLine are misleading because they don’t take into consideration that Garrett compensated for bad OLine play with shorter and quicker passes.
"I am a true believer. Anthony Spencer will have 7 or more sacks in 2011 and Stephen Bowen can ball!" - Kegbearer
"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control." - Tom Landry
None of that had anything to do with Romo being hurt?
I think Kitna was a bigger factor than the line in decreased yards per play. Despite what Marty B says, they are not equal in my opinion, not by a long shot.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 14, 2011 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
A bit, yes
But before Romo got hurt, his stat line for 2010 had his lowest Y/A and NY/A of his career and tied for worst NY/A.
Romo was facing the same kind of hurdles, but was better at creating some additional time than Kitna. But I thought Garrett started adjusting his playcalls before Romo got hurt.
"I am a true believer. Anthony Spencer will have 7 or more sacks in 2011 and Stephen Bowen can ball!" - Kegbearer
"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control." - Tom Landry
I think you are in a very, very small minority who think that this line was good.
In fact, your pooints essentially support my contention about the line. Backs caught more on wheel routes and dump offs. Why? Because the line couldn’t hold (except Barron, who is a holding savant). TEs also do relatively well when a team has to shorted up patterns. But how were Autsin’s numbers? That’s because they didn’t have time to let longer patterns develop. It was pretty evident just watching the games. First couple of games under Kitna, he just got killed. Over time, Garrett adjusted his playbook. So obviously, logically, adjustments that allowed Ktina some ability to complete passes are also going make the line look better, and improve offensive statistics. But seriously, you couldn’t watch this team and think, man this is a good offensive line.
Don't believe everything you think.
HAHAHA
Because the line couldn’t hold (except Barron, who is a holding savant).
And yes, at no point this year was I watching a game and thinking, man, this is a good OLine, or man, we are just dominating the trenches…even worse, we never dominated either side of the trenches.
"I am a true believer. Anthony Spencer will have 7 or more sacks in 2011 and Stephen Bowen can ball!" - Kegbearer
"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control." - Tom Landry
Backs caught like 6 more passes this year than last year
Witten had one less catch. Austin started dropping passes again and had 12 less catches than the year before. I think that some of that is regression and game planning by other teams as well after his ridiculously great 2009. Dez Bryant had more catches than Crayton the year before and missed part of the season.
Apparently the guys over at PFF thought they did pretty well based on their ratings? Even with some bad games where it looked like the entire team just quit, they were ranked 7th best in pass protection. Doesn’t every team make adjustments based on their personnel, or do you think that only the Cowboys did this?
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 14, 2011 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
In my mind, if you don’t take stats into context, they are almost meaningless. While Cowboys OLine ranked 7th, they were being protected by playcalling, while other teams were still trying to hit deep plays but let up a ton of sacks and QB hits (ala Packers and Steelers).
You also have to consider the source. If you look at Football Outsiders OL grades for 2010, they have the Cowboys ranked #12 in pass protection…with Packers and Steelers lower on the list. However, most would say Steelers and Packers had a much better passing attack (especially downfield) than the Cowboys this year.
"I am a true believer. Anthony Spencer will have 7 or more sacks in 2011 and Stephen Bowen can ball!" - Kegbearer
"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control." - Tom Landry
12th still isn't terrible, though.
It’s better than average. 7th ranked offense in scoring and yardage isn’t terrible, although I would love to see it better. It just seems that at some point, there is more at work here than Marc Colombo is the reason we started 1-7. Was the line a part of the problem? Absolutely, as were the backs, receivers, QBs, defense, and coaching. The line wasn’t even the biggest problem, because the defense hurt this team way more than the offense.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 14, 2011 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
The line wasn't a lot better in 2009 than 2010,
so good point. They tried, especially later in the season, to get the ball to backs to deal with the pressure being generated was too much for the line. You probably recall the Vikings game.
With a generqal decrease in offensive efficiency, you could point anywhere, but the Cowboys spent their first pick thinking O-line, and continued doing that throughout the draft.
Don't believe everything you think.
You guys are wasting your time.
He may spend a month beating this to death. This was a gooood line.
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.
Yes, I posted this article. I'm secretly OCC and run PFF.
Let me know when you can actually provide anything to a conversation besides childish mocking. For the record, I have said they weren’t as bad as they are treated on this site, where they are sometimes blamed for every mistake that our coaches, QB, receivers, backs, and even defense make.
I know it’s tough when the numbers don’t support what you are saying, but they are what they are.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 14, 2011 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Dang
all my secrets blurted out in one thoughtless headline.
by One.Cool.Customer on Jun 14, 2011 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions
When OCC = Thoughtless
I may just stop watching sports all together.
I'm not trying to mock you BP
You’ve always seemed like a reasonable guy. I’d probably react just the way you did if some jerk came along and told someone I was having a debate with to stop wasting their time. No offense intended. Okay? I’m sorry, that was out of line. Let me take a few minutes here, and try to explain, and it really doesn’t have anything to do with the good line/bad line conversation. It’s a little deeper than that.
For the last few days you’ve been stuck on this one topic. A good number of people have tried to reason with you, and you just keep data mining stats to support a position that certainly doesn’t meet with popular opinion. I can go to NFL.com or PFF and dig up stats to support my position too. It’s easy to dig up stats to support any point you want to make.
Honestly, I don’t have time in my life for that. I like to have a conversation with Cowboy fans with the little amount of time I have for it. One that doesn’t descend into an argument. I don’t know, maybe your personality type likes to debate. I do too, to a certain point. At that point it’s okay to agree to disagree, and move onto something else. You get it? Sometimes stats mean nothing because you see what happens on the field. At what point does anything revert to common sense, or the eye test?
I’d be happy to have any other conversation with you. Really. But hey, it’s your opinion, and you’re entitled to it. Just as you’re entitled to keep making it. Doesn’t it get tired though? You DO understand though, it’s pretty clear you’re not convincing anyone. Have at it though. As long as it takes you to get it out of your system. I’ll just pass your posts by until you get onto something else.
Peace out, bro.
If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.
The Cowboys did not draft a safety.
So they think it’s not a problem? They clearly think they have a pretty good team here in Dallas, including the OL, because they only drafted one player that is ready to start. If we are going by what they drafted, then they must think the RBs are a bigger part of why we can’t rush up the middle than the interior OL, cuz they went RB before picking G.
And I have acknowledged that Colombo was a problem, but also that they found ways to compensate for him and still pass protect. They might not have been stellar, but all of the stats say they were at least average and likely better than that. I think it’s obvious the whole team will be better next year just from Romo being back and healthy and a better coaching staff and work ethic.
If we are saying Colombo was terrible last year, then I absolutely agree, if we are saying the line as a whole, then I can’t agree because it appears that it was mostly one guy.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 14, 2011 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions
It is a risk/reward situation
There was not 1 Safety that had a high enough reward probability versus the risk the team would incur drafting. It was a piss poor class.
Even with a weak OT class, in terms of depth, there were still guys that were worthy of 1st Round selections.
Therefore, if you had a need in both positions, like the Cowboys, it would be far more prudent to draft a top rated OT rather than one of the “top rated Safeties” in the recent Draft.
It is also important to factor in the economical ramifications of Drafting/Signing a FA. Safeties are cheaper and more abundant than OT this year. Thus, drafting an OT was less Risk and more Reward than drafting a Safety. Especially since there is an abundance of FA Safeties and not so many FA OTs.
BPS, I understand what you are trying to say, but really?
Dez Bryant had basically the same production as Crayton did the year before.
This is not an indicator of success.
We can look at stats/rankings only so much, but no one who knows football would say the O Line played well. A few guys passed the eye test on a consistent basis. The right side of the line failed it miserably for most of the season.
im i the only one that noticed and agrees that
at times our offense was at times predictible??? Not to be a kill joy here but that was my knock on Jason Garret ..i am optimistic that we can be more diverse with him taking over but ..im going of what 2 years of him running our offense
You're right, but what choice did JG have with the OL
allowing limited time for plays to develop.
At times? Sitting around the table at my local sports bar, we played a drinking game, "pass or run".
Believe me, it was surprisingly easy to call pass or run before the play. Here’s how it works: each person takes a turn guessing the play. If he’s right, the rest of the table drinks. If he’s wrong, he drinks. You keep your turn when you are right. All of us could often keep our turn 2-4 times in a row. (We only played when Dallas was on offense. We took a break on defense to stay reasonably sober.)
- Formerly fan since '65.
i just hope this wasn't the injury that makes Romo hear the foot steps to early.
it has to effect the players game when there getting beat up over and over on the field then not to add in the injuries that landed Romo on the sidelines cant be good for the body over the long haul.
its probably more important then ever for this core of players to get off to a great start to the season to build some confidence & chemistry that was lost.
Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth!
I'm not sure that wouldn't be a good thing
Did I get my negatives right on that?
throwing the ball away maybe 2 or 3 times a game more, especially in the Red Zone, might be a good thing for him to learn. Both for the team and his own health as he gets older.
But we all hope the OL is better and the pressure less, although I’m not sure about one more year on Kosier’s and Bigg’s bodies and knees.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
by Realist Larry on Jun 14, 2011 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I think I followed that
Yeah, I think the days of Jerry enjoying the sight of Romo running around in circles looking for a WR between 300 pound rushers should be officially ended. It may be entertaining but it’s not a winning proposition. And yes, I worry a lot about the aging of this line too.
Don't believe everything you think.
This year we have a decent shot at the playoffs.
I just hope that we become consistent winners and not the up and down, yoyo team we’ve been over the last few years.
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