Offensive Line vs Tony Romo vs Team Economics

[The_Slamman]

For the TLDNR crowd, Jerry tells us what to expect regarding the OL this offseason (FYI this is not a critical examination of Jerry so feel free to keep reading).

Don't expect major changes to the OL. There may be one new player at G or C, but expect the "improvement" to come through scheme and coaching or players within the organization already. The reason there will not be wholesale change is team economics. Romo, Witten, Miles and Dez account for 30% of the salary cap in 2013. Jerry says that if there is going to be an "acceptable" deficiency on the team... it's best to have the deficiency on the OL due to Romo's ability to avoid pressure. That there is a conscious trade off in favor of skill players rather than protection.

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For everyone else who is really interested in the current state of the cowboys affairs, here are Jerry's actual quotes (of course, this could be smoke screen but I really doubt it. Why? Because he admits the team will look add a guard/center type either through FA or the draft... in other words, it's not much of a smoke screen to make people think we will not draft OL when Jerry admits we will likely be serious about adding a G/C type).

First, here's what we should expect (according to Jerry)...

[Kenny3000]

it's possible to have an inexpensive, good offensive line. a good offensive line and good skill players AREN'T mutually exclusive.

it comes down to (competent) college scouting so you don't have to pay the likes of livings and bernadeau and marco rivera and leonard davis and whoever huge money when a middle/late round pick would do just as well. although when jerry drafts o-linemen, he just culls the herd for the other teams.

i guess jerry doesn't take that into account?

if forced to choose, i would (and i'm sure romo would as well) rather have a great offensive line. why? because it also helps in the run game and wears out the defense.

it shouldn't be an acceptable loss. why settle?

[The_Slamman]

[Kenny3000]

if it's what romo wanted, then i'd be confused. does he like having instant pressure up the middle 40% of his pass attempts? does he like being saddled with the worst rushing attack in the league?

why is romo forced to choose? why can't jerry just draft some - good offensive line.

second, why do you trust jerry is relaying correct information from romo? what's jerry going to say: "romo disagrees with nearly every decision i've made for the franchise since he became starting quarterback." no. he's going to stroke his ego.

i'm sure romo believes he can make it work with anyone if he's given the time/running game. witten, murray, austin, laurent, crayton, etc. weren't glamour acquisitions and they have proven (to an extent) to be perfectly capable.

if i were romo, i'd tell jerry i will refuse to re-sign unless three of the first four picks in the draft are offensive linemen. he holds all the power. i'd love to see jerry's surgically enhanced face when he doesn't have romo to cover up all of his shortcomings.

[CT Cowboy Fan]

This is so dumb that its gotta be smoke. I mean even Helen Keller knows that a great team is built in the trenches.
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[Texas_OutLaw7]

I could believe it. I could see Romo being more exhausted with the constant poor or wrong routes - with always having to explain what is going on in a play after he calls it. I could believe that with his quick release and his mobility he'd rather have skilled position players and he will make due with whats in-front of him. That's a very destructive idea.
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In Redball I Trust!
The price of progress is trusting the process.
Heart. Leadership. Passion. Will.

[Northland]

The great skill position players have not been able to overcome the terrible offensive line have they? Great individual stats, but ultimately the team fails. Invest in the o line. Become balanced not only in play calling but in execution as well.

I hope this is a smokescreen from Jerry.
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Northland

[matt79511]

I find it interesting how both DCRA and DCOA post articles with quotes that support their cases, and the other side either turns a blind eye or maintain that it's garbage. DCRA posts articles with Jerry saying he's happy with the OL as proof that he's delusional, while DCOA maintains that he would never bash his guys, he would never show his hand heading into FA and the draft. Meanwhile, DCOA posts articles with Jerry saying that Garrett makes all of the decisions on the coaching staff and roster as proof that there's no emasculation or authority issues, while DCRA maintains he's just saving face, he's lying.

I wish both sides would accept that these guys are trained in the art of being coy with the media, and that everything they say needs to be taken with a gallon of salt, but I doubt it
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[buckwild]

[Matts4313]

[MaddHatter]

It is interesting when you go to the NFL Comp forum and do a "Who has the worst OL in the NFL" you get a slew of fan bases claiming the award, including some of the most recent SB Winners just prior or just after they won (Packers, Steelers, etc).
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Ware Stat Tracker: 27 Pressures, 9 Hits, 10 sacks, 4 FF, 7 TFL (thru 8 games)

[plan9misfit]

[Matts4313]

[Desperado82]

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-NickEatman/Jones-Said-Cowboys-Can-Get-Under-Cap-Without-Romo-Deal-/a0ffd2d6-50a7-4d1c-aa30-62c68d82bcd1

[plan9misfit]