Investment in the lines

IF there is one thing we can learn from watching that ass kicking last night is that Dallas has invested wisely in both their offensive and defensive lines and it makes everything else work.

There was a stat last night that Dallas has 33% of their salary cap invested in its O Line alone. They have a great line and their TE's can block, makes Elliot's job pretty easy.

They commit to running the football and it makes Dak's job easier as well, creating passing lanes.

Our offense lacks balance right now. I think Shurmur needs to get Jones under center more. I think it suits both our O Line and young QB. Shotgun and the RPO is great and all but it shouldn't be run as often. Barkley still needs to be the focal point of the offense until Jones learns to protect the football better. It is the play calling and formations that are the main issue with the offense and that is squarely on Shurmur as both the HC and OC.

Lawrence and Quinn are the highest paid DL along with Having Jaylon Smith well paid, and those guys are the field tilters on their defense. Their play makers are getting paid and making plays. That is how it should be.

Our highest paid LB is Ogletree and he not only is out of position but he maybe the worst tackler on the team. He tackles very high and it is not a physical player at all. Jenkins is our highest paid DB and there were several times when he made a weak arm tackle.

In fairness to Bettcher, he has a ton of rookies playing and we don't have a force mulitpier to make up for the inexperience on the field. Guys are playing hard but that isn't enough.

The defense needs a cornerstone player in each unit. at leat 1 elite pass rusher, one elite LB and 1 elite DB. Right now we have average at best and the DC can't make the best call every play with no elite talent to make it happen.

Our lines are not as bad as they look. The coaching has not put them in a position to succeed. Upgrades are needed no doubt. The investment needs to continue this offseason and the rest of this season should be used to determine who is going to be here next year.