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Taylor: Bad drafts have left Cowboys with no offensive line depth
07:56 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Column by JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News | jjtaylor@dallasnews.com
Jean-Jacques Taylor
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The Cowboys have virtually no depth on their offensive line. They have no real competition for the any of the starters, and that includes left tackle Doug Free.
The reason: The Cowboys stink when it comes to drafting offensive linemen.
In the last seven seasons, the Cowboys have drafted nine offensive linemen. Doug Free and Stephen Peterman, a starter with Detroit, are the only ones who aren't busts or appear headed that way.
Of course, it's too early to tell about Sam Young, a sixth-round pick this year.
But there's not much debate on the others.
The Cowboys used a third-round pick on Robert Brewster in 2009 and James Marten in 2007. Brewster is the epitome of a project, and Marten was awful.
Pat McQuistan, a seventh-round pick in 2006, is just a guy.
Until the Cowboys start drafting better linemen, and using some premium picks on linemen, then their offensive line is going to be an issue.
You can't keep spending on free agents to make up for poor draft picks – not when an owner like Jerry Jones loves acquiring stars - because it reduces the pool of money available to pay other players.
07:56 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Column by JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News | jjtaylor@dallasnews.com
Jean-Jacques Taylor
Archive | Bio | E-mail
The Cowboys have virtually no depth on their offensive line. They have no real competition for the any of the starters, and that includes left tackle Doug Free.
The reason: The Cowboys stink when it comes to drafting offensive linemen.
In the last seven seasons, the Cowboys have drafted nine offensive linemen. Doug Free and Stephen Peterman, a starter with Detroit, are the only ones who aren't busts or appear headed that way.
Of course, it's too early to tell about Sam Young, a sixth-round pick this year.
But there's not much debate on the others.
The Cowboys used a third-round pick on Robert Brewster in 2009 and James Marten in 2007. Brewster is the epitome of a project, and Marten was awful.
Pat McQuistan, a seventh-round pick in 2006, is just a guy.
Until the Cowboys start drafting better linemen, and using some premium picks on linemen, then their offensive line is going to be an issue.
You can't keep spending on free agents to make up for poor draft picks – not when an owner like Jerry Jones loves acquiring stars - because it reduces the pool of money available to pay other players.