2011 NFL Draft: 10 Players Who Could Keep Tony Romo Upright in 2011

Who’s ready for a little speculation, huh? You know the type of speculation that keeps oil prices high? Well that’s the type of conjecture we plan to practice with the Dallas Cowboys offensive line. There are so many offensive line prospects Jerry and his kids could go after it’s a little sickening.

The offensive line has been a sore spot for the ‘Boys since about 2007. Remember that playoff game against the Giants when New York’s defensive line broke down the Cowboys line and Romo lost it because he had no time to throw the ball? Yeah, well the line has needed a serious rehaul ever since that point. Maybe even before then.

At any rate here’s Jerry’s shot to fix what’s wrong with the Cowboys offense. Well, besides the balance issues, but maybe Garrett has fixed that problem.

Here are 10 players who could keep the quarterback upright if the fullback can’t.

Tyron Smith, USC

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LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans throws a pass as Tyron Smith #70 blocks Jesse Feagin #98 of the Washington State Cougars during the second quarter of the college football game at the Los Angeles Memorial C

Smith’s name has been called a lot recently as the ‘Boys search for who to pick in the ninth slot of the first round. Tyron is raw, only starting two years at SC and needing a little more time to develop.

But with Colombo in serious decline, double J has to do something or Romo may be road kill again next season.

Mike Pouncey, Florida

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MIAMI - JANUARY 08: Mike Pouncey #55 of the Florida Gators reacts after a play against the Oklahoma Sooners in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Pouncey is versatile; he can play more than one position on the line and if he’s anything like his brother Maurkice, the Cowboys really can’t go wrong.

Remember the speculation surrounding the Steelers offensive line when Pouncey went down in the AFC chip game? He’s just that important to their success and his twin brother Mike could do the same for the Cowboys.

Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi #68 of the Wisconsin Badgers warms up prior to playing the TCU Horned Frogs in the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Okay, one of my main reasons for liking Carimi is his size. He’s 6'7" inches, 314 pounds, and is just plain imposing. Now I know his size may not scare someone like Julius Peppers, but if his mean streak is as large as his size, then we have something to work with.

Carimi started 49 of 52 college games and he’s labeled as an excellent power blocker. In regards to the way he pass blocks, homeboy has a reach of 35 inches, son! If anything, double J at least needs to take a look at this giant from Wisconsin.

Anthony Castonzo, Boston College

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Dave Shinskie #15 of the Boston College Eagles passes the ball in overtime as teammate Anthony Castonzo #74 blocks against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on September 26, 2009 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachus

Another behemoth standing at 6'7" inches tall, Castonzo is a pretty smart guy as he was notorious for recognizing blitz packages.

Tony has a set of quick feet and is suited to play the right tackle position in the National Football League, a spot the Cowboys need to replace. He can susceptible in run blocking but that’s nothing a little development can’t fix, right?

Marcus Cannon, TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 28: Marcus Cannon #61, Kyle Dooley #72 and Alonzo Adams #81 of the TCU Horned Frogs raise the Mountain West Regular Season Championship trophy at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronal

Strong would be the word I would use for a guy like Cannon. He can bench press over 500 lbs and can be a wall in run blocking. Apparently Cannon has a strong work ethic and a Larry Allen/Flozell Adams type of nasty streak.

But with every prospect there is always a downside. Cannon isn’t great in blocking downfield and according to more than a few pundits; he could stand to lose some of his midsection.

Nate Solder, Colorado

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BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 04: Brian Orakpo #98 of the Texas Longhorns rushes against Nate Solder #78 the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on October 4, 2008 in Boulder, Colorado. Texas defeated Colorado 38-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Nasty Nate is what they call him! Okay, maybe that’s just me, but maybe he can morph into that nickname. Solder has a 35-inch reach and like many of the top offensive line products in the first round, Solder has a pair of tap shoes for feet; they are quick.

Nasty Nate may not be the best fit for the Cowboys as it seems his weaknesses may outweigh his strengths, but if does eventually develop into one of the league’s top linemen, then mission accomplished.

Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 15: J.C. Brignone #70 and Derek Sherrod #79of the Mississippi State Bulldogs get ready on the line of scrimmage during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 15, 2008 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Sherrod is about 305 pounds and helped to lead the way for Anthony Dixon, one the SEC’s best rushers. Probably a second-round pick but if the ‘Boys can find Sherrod this low then I believe they will fill a deep void on the line.

Joseph Barksdale, LSU

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GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 11: Offensive lineman Joseph Barksdale #78 of the LSU Tigers sets to block against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 11, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

315 pounds and 6'5" inches, Barskdale played for a man who goes by the name of Les Miles. Miles eats grass before each game and any guy who plays for Les is alright with me. He’s a patient blocker, durable and has a set of long arms.

My love for Joseph is with Miles, I just hope he doesn’t eat the turf before each Cowboys game.

DeMarcus Love, Arkansas

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks huddles his team against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Get

Love is projected to be a project as his draft stock has plummeted to at least the fourth round, maybe a little lower. What works in his favor is that he was first team All-SEC in 2010 and he blocked for projected first-round pick, quarterback Ryan Mallett.

While offensive linemen aren’t know for their times in the 40-yard dash, they are known for their quickness. Love ran a 5.07 at his pro day, which was a vast improvement from his combine result, a 5.18.

James Brewer, Indiana

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 9: Quarterback Ben Chappell #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers passes against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Brewer’s name isn’t usually called when talking about offensive line prospects in the NFL but he has the potential and the size to compete in the league.

His downfall is that he was injured a lot at Indiana and durability has been an issue as of late with the Cowboys offensive line. Not sure if Jerry’s kids want to take the change on an oft injured offensive lineman.