The Offensive Line

Northland · Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 3138 Location: Ajax, Ontario

I am revisiting a much debated topic here, but after reading Bob Sturm's latest article I think it is important to discuss. Sturm's point is that we often blame Garrett and/or Romo for the offense's failings, but in reality we have to pin it on our mediocre line. Our offensive philosophy last year was overwhelmingly one of we have to mass protect so Romo doesn't get killed vs. we will attack and set the tone. Until the line play, especially the interior improves, we will continue to be overmatched against teams like the Giants, Eagles, and anyone else who is solid in their front seven/pass rush.

As an organization we have to improve our ability to draft lineman on both sides. It's fundamental to success.

Take a read and discuss.

http://sturminator.blogspot.ca/2012/06/how-offense-all-fits-together.html
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Northland

htfryar · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 10:21 am Post subject:

I've said it many times, given a full offseason under Mike Woicik, our young o-linemen will be better than last year. Add in the fact that Bill Callahan is an upgrade over Hudson Houck and you have another reason for optimism. I see the line shaking out like this on opening day...

Smith...Livings...Kowalski...Nagy...Free

That lineup will not last long though. After a couple of guys have had time to work their way into the lineup, I think it will look more like this...

Smith...Leary...Burnindeuce...Nagy...Free
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Northland · Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 3138 Location: Ajax, Ontario

I am being very cautious in any OL evaluation. I am not going to annoint them, nor will I denounce them until I see them in action. But I don't have that warm fuzzy feeling. I think we have taken a patchwork approach to something that is vital to the team's success.
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Northland

GeneralDissaray · Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 4529

I've heard so many on this forum and in the media say that the interior Oline has been "addressed". Like that's all you need to do is just sign somebody, and everything's fine. The blame will be on Romo, even when he gets killed up the middle. It's his responsibility as a leader to block for himself. I guess they felt it cheaper to sign Kyle Orton, than to draft or sign a quality interior Olineman.

The_Slamman · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 11669 Location: Las Vegas, NV

The_Slamman · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 11669 Location: Las Vegas, NV

htfryar · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 2:33 pm Post subject:

MonkeyBeast · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 2:52 pm Post subject:

who blames romo and garrett over the offensive line? it was pretty clear the offensive line was strait offensive last year. haha.

i for one am glad we got a big boy up front in livings. better than 270 lb nagy and costa getting pushed around like a rag doll. can't have three "athletes" in the middle of the line and expect to contend.

i think leary and arkin should be much better than nagy. just saying

(^^)
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Northland · Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 3138 Location: Ajax, Ontario

htfryar · Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 4:34 pm Post subject:

matt79511 · Joined: 10 Jul 2011 Posts: 2226

I think Nagy is the center. I don't get the vibe that Kowalski is even in consideration.
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Nextyearfordaboyz · Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 16250

I think Kowalski is a long-shot to start at center without some injuries happening ahead of him. I think Costa, Nagy, and Bernadeau are all more likely to start there.
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Rtnldave · Joined: 10 Feb 2008 Posts: 2354

It would be very easy to sit here and totally rank on the O line considering we started 4 rookies and a 2nd year man last year. (Smith, Kowalski, Nagy, Arkin and Costa-being the 2nd year man,) We also had the walking M*A*S*H Unit in Kosier. Free was asked to play a position over his head in LT. No offseason, an outdated O Line coach (yeah I know he was the mastermind behing the lines of the 90's) and stop-gags along the way.
With all that said, we had a RB rush for just under 900 yards in 7 games, A QB throw for over 4,000 yards and 2 recievers at or close to 1,000 yards.
We also missed the playoffs by 1 game really due to 2 monumental collapses that had NOTHING to do with the O Line (Detroit and NYG 1)
We also dropped a heartbreaker to ARIZ. (pure coaching blunder there)

So, I am not expecting this year's crop to be the second coming of the Hogs, but if they could at least duplicate the kind of production they allowed our offense last year and our defense steps up, we have a shot at the playoffs.
Of course I believe they will be improved this year, by how much remains to be seen, but that is the point. So let's AT LEAST give them the benefit of the doubt, shall we?

Superfluous · Joined: 09 Jun 2012 Posts: 13

Northland · Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 3138 Location: Ajax, Ontario