The Comparison poll

by DallasPalace on Jan 18, 2012 8:58 PM CST

TK19 had an interesting fanpost titled "David DeCastro and the Yuglies', where he makes a good argument for the Cowboys to draft David DeCastro, guard, in the 1st round of the upcoming NFL draft.

And of course, watching the teams offensive line disintegrate against the Giants again, fans are left with no opposition to the Cowboys continuing to beef up the Oline, and give Tony the protection he's always deserved

But then, several hours later, 5Blings publishes his fanpost "season wrap-up part 3- six for six", where he asserts that guard is not the most pressing need with the Cowboys Oline, but that center is, and states that he believes that the Cowboys should draft Wisconsin's Peter Konz, the top center in the upcoming draft.

I'm sure one could make a compelling argument that the Cowboys should also use the 1st round pick on DE, OLB, CB, or even another ILB. But that is not what this fanpost is about. We all know the Cowboys cannot afford to ignore the defense again this year, and they won't. But we all want to see the Cowboys continue to build a strong OLine. So the issue is IF the Cowboys find it that the best value is to draft Oline with the first pick, what would be the best position?

It's not that we all, as fans, don't want to see an upgrade at the guard position, because we all do. TK's point is valid, and Decastro would be a good pick. But would guard be the best value at 14, even if it was DeCastro? We all now see the growing pains of the Oline, and want to see even more improvement. So this now becomes a legitimate topic for Oline improvement, and the direction the Cowboys should go in IF the first pick is Oline.

Poll

If the Cowboys draft Oline in the upcoming Draft, what Oline position should be addressed?

TK19 is right- draft DeCastro with the first pick, go after C in FA or in later rounds

28 votes

5Blings is right, draft Konz with the first pick, go after G in FA or in later rounds

23 votes

Both are wrong- we need to draft defense in the first round

43 votes

94 votes | Poll has closed

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

can I abstain from voting?

I think that since FA actually begins Before the draft this year, that what happens there will naturally alter Dallas’ plans in the draft.

If Dallas is Able to get a premier Pass rusher and/or CB that makes getting DeCastro more likely…and vice versa….

this is one reason why I am waiting to start looking at the draft, and trying to focus on my Position Outlook Series. Also I tend to focus on the combine and Proday results in my research to help narrow down who I want to look at….

Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT

Now, if somebody doesn’t agree with that, that’s cool. I also don’t agree with the fact that I don’t have $10 million in my bank account. But the fact that I don’t agree with it doesn’t make it any less true.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 23, 2010 12:00 AM PST

by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 18, 2012 9:15 PM CST reply actions

No you can't abstain Ironman!

Just kidding bud- of course you can.

But be forewarned- the Cowboys did not do much in FA last year. Let’s hope they do something this year.

This poll comes from the perspective of needing to build the Oline through the draft.

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Jan 18, 2012 9:20 PM CST up reply actions

well I think that the abbreiviated FA season had an affect on that

plus while there were a bunch of FA’s last year there wasn’t really anybody outside of maybe 5-10 players that I would had gone after….

Where as this year you are going to have upwards to 20 + top tier FA’s plus a bunch of 2nd tier guys…..

by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 18, 2012 9:29 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah but

We really shouldn’t be building our Oline through FA. I thought Jerry would have learned this by now.

I wouldn’t mind getting someone at the right price. We need help on the Oline just as much as the D.

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Jan 18, 2012 9:36 PM CST up reply actions

no oline in FA

There is no real options in FA for oline, accept Chris Myers, OC, Houston and Houston wants to resign him but money is an issue, Grubbs no doubt will be resigned. Carl Nicks, OG, N.O. might be an option, he is in the same boat as Myers but there are at least 5 CB’s and Dallas should be able to come away with 2 and let Jenkins compete for his starting job. Resign Elam, I believe he can improve, make a run at Myers, I think we might be able to convince him to move up to Dallas. Deware94 pointed out that Kory lichtensteiger, OG/C is available, I know this guy, would be a good, solid guard (or at least better that what we have) but back up center only. I have read some grumblings about Spencer and thought I would share this with you.

but a comparative analysis of the top 12 strong side OLB34’s in the league shows Spencer to rank 1st in total tackles, tied for 5th in sacks, tied for 1st in fumbles forced, tied for 2nd in QB hits and tied for 1st in tackles for loss – what more do you want, another DeMarcus Ware? Sacks are indeed a sexy stat, but QB pressure has to come from more than just the outside . . .

This is from Draftek sports information. So, we have added CB’s, resign Elam, MILB Bruce Carter should step up and take B. James spot. That leaves Spears. There is only one DE in FA worth considering and that is Cliff Avril. He plays DE on a 4-3 and have no idea if he would be a good fit but since we have no depth on this team maybe Coach Ryan could find a use for him.

It is simple to me, if we do not get Myers to play center then we have to take a shot for Knoz. OC, good ones just do not grow on trees and there is a great one this year up for grabs but I agree that the #14 spot is to high, drop down to the 22 spot (if browns would be interested) According to the, “Trade Value Chart” , we would be able to get a 3rd and 4th round pick and I do not think it improable that we could just get a 2nd round. My targets would be Konz/Ingram, if Konz is gone, for me, Ingram is just to good to pass up to replace spears. if both are gone there is still alot of talent that will be there both Offense and defense plus 2 second round picks.

by strider on Jan 19, 2012 10:12 AM CST up reply actions

They could have done 2 things

I like Elam, but they could have done better in regards to safety.

We all saw the mess at CB, and Jonathan Joseph should have never been allowed to join the Texans. Especially since the Cowboys drafted Josh Thomas, then lost him to Baltimore. You can;t go looking throught the bargain basement bin looking for premium players. Sometimes you get lucky, but more often, you don’t. Now, the Cowboys have to face the Fiddler and pay him.

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Jan 18, 2012 9:51 PM CST up reply actions

I agree with you on Joesph

and about Thomas, who was actually claimed by the Panthers. Dallas should have kept him and dropped Ball instead.
However really other than one or two other players, there really wasn’t that much to choose from…though I would have liked Dallas to get Nick Barnett(signed a 3 year 11.5 million dollar deal with the Bills) who would have been a great compliment to Sean Lee and was a big Playmaker for the Bills (130 combined tackles with 3 INTs and 5 PD’s)
here are the Contract details:

7/31/2011: Signed a three-year, $11.5 million contract. The deal contains $6 million guaranteed, including a $1.5 million signing bonus, all of Barnett’s first-year base salary, and $1.5 million of his second-year salary. 2011: $2 million (+ $1 million roster bonus), 2012: $3 million (+ $500,000 roster bonus), 2013: $3.5 million, 2014: Free Agent

Yet we rolled with Brooking and James(though I don’t think anybody thought James would drop off like he did) SMH

by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 18, 2012 10:30 PM CST up reply actions

Interesting post . . . some facts to consider

I’m not participating in the poll, just adding data . . . the 2012 draft class is much deeper at OG than center, and there is a severe drop-off in talent after Konz, as Jones and Brewster are 3rd/4th round talents at best and then you get into 5th/6th round prospects. After DeCastro are Osemele, Washington, Glenn, Zeitler, Nix, Silatolu and Kelemete — the first 6 grade in the first 3 rounds, last 2 in the 4th, plus any number of OT prospects who get shoved inside due to questionable footwork.

From the hometown of Bob Lilly,

by Long Ball on Jan 18, 2012 9:21 PM CST reply actions

hey Long

I have been meaning to ask you…what’s going on with the ODS? the draft order is all screwed up, which is making it difficult to get an accurate mock….

I know that that isn’t your area , but if you could get in touch with the guys that run it it would be greatly appreciated

by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 18, 2012 9:24 PM CST up reply actions

Try it again Friday morning . . .

We’ve been so busy chasing underclassmen declarations of intent that we have not updated the ODS . . . that will happen this afternoon/evening with the current info from our latest CMD.

From the hometown of Bob Lilly,

by Long Ball on Jan 19, 2012 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

thanks...will do

by I am Ironman!!! on Jan 20, 2012 12:11 PM CST up reply actions

So basically Long Ball

it looks as if the draft is deeper at getting a good guard in the draft, even in the 2nd round possibly, and not so good regarding centers after Konz.

Interesting. I haven’t voted in my own poll yet, so believe it or not, that does affect my decision.

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Jan 18, 2012 9:25 PM CST reply actions

But your poll says get a FA C which is probably the best of both worlds by getting DeCastro too.

"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo

by thebigham on Jan 19, 2012 7:27 AM CST up reply actions

Then Bigham, would you say....

continuing to buid Oline is as important as restocking the D, or no? Is restocking the D more important? We won’t get top shelf Oline talent after 2nd round of draft. I think what Blings said, and get Campbell from Arizona in FA makes more sense, or no?

Save FA for D, and go after Oline in draft. That’s what I’m beginning to believe.

"Amongst the enemy's Lair, there will always be a DallasPalace!"

by DallasPalace on Jan 19, 2012 12:32 PM CST up reply actions

You can do it all

A FA center would be cheap still leave plenty of room for a stud pass rusher or cb in FA.

Draft DeCastro and use the rest of the draft for defense/BPA.

"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo

by thebigham on Jan 19, 2012 12:37 PM CST up reply actions

Not to pee on your Post Toasties . . .

But here’s the list of FA centers . . . which one would be BOTH cheap AND an improvement over Costa/Kowalski?

1. Scott Wells, Packers, Age 31
2. Nick Hardwick, Chargers, Age 30
3. Chris Myers, Texans, Age 30
4. Dan Koppen, Patriots, Age 32
5. Samson Satele, Raiders, Age 27
6. Matt Birk, Ravens, Age 36
7. Jeff Saturday, Colts, Age 37
8. Todd McClure, Falcons, Age 35
9. Will Montgomery, Redskins, Age 29
10. Casey Wiegman, Chiefs, Age 39
11. Mike Pollak, Colts, Age 27
12. Dan Connolly, Patriots, Age 29
13. Scott Mruczkowski, Chargers, Age 30
14. Fernando Velasco (RFA), Titans, Age 27
15. Andre Gurode, Ravens, Age 33
16. Brett Romberg, Falcons, Age 32

From the hometown of Bob Lilly,

by Long Ball on Jan 19, 2012 3:14 PM CST up reply actions

If you want to have a great OL, you actually need both

Cowboys need to acquire a very good center and guard and that can be accomplished either through FA or the draft.

Either way, one of the top priorities this off season is to significantly upgrade both positions.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jan 19, 2012 10:30 AM CST reply actions

this is a very though question

i would love either decastro, nicks and konz, even kelechi osemele would be nice, maybe draft konz but trading down at least 3 or 4 spots ans snatch an extra third round pick

by ratware on Jan 19, 2012 11:56 AM CST reply actions

even the best OLs cant hold a defense back for very long.

the key to the game is the QB position & the counter to that is getting pressure on him imo. no matter who Dallas lands on that OL its not going to stop the pressure by defenses, especially facing the Giants or Eagles.
protecting a QB is a need but the amount of $ you put into that is the question.

Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.

by DCNation73 on Jan 20, 2012 12:25 PM CST reply actions