By Carlos Mendez
cmendez@star-telegram.com
IRVING -- Seventh-round pick Bill Nagy is on his way to becoming the second rookie to start at left guard for the Cowboys in as many preseason games, and center Andre Gurode has still not been declared ready for Sunday night's preseason game.
Nagy has been working with the first team for a week.
"We like what he's done," coach Jason Garrett said. "We're looking for opportunities to give him more chances to be part of our offensive line."
The Cowboys appear comfortable with the four other positions -- left tackle Doug Free, the All-Pro Gurode at center, right guard Kyle Kosier and right tackle Tyron Smith. But Garrett stopped short of dismissing the idea that Gurode might also work at guard.
"We'll just wait and see on that," Garrett said.
Garrett also didn't commit to Gurode, who had knee surgery before training camp, playing against San Diego.
"He's had a good couple days of practice," Garrett said. "He's got to get better and better, continue to get in good shape, continue to get comfortable with that knee."
The Cowboys like the way Nagy picked up the offense without the benefit of OTAs.
"He seemed to respond well to all of that, which goes to the point that he is a smart guy, has kind of a veteran nature, played at a big school [Wisconsin], doesn't seem to be in awe of the whole thing," Garrett said. "He's also athletic. He was used as a goal-line tight end a little bit in college. You put all those things together, you say, 'Huh, I think you've got a pretty good player here.' He's not an overly big, powerful guy, but he seems to play with good leverage."
Heat of the moment
The Cowboys and Chargers practiced at Valley Ranch in the 90-degree morning heat for a little less than two hours. After nothing but indoor practices for three weeks, the Cowboys knew immediately it was a big change.
"My chest was burning at first," linebacker Sean Lee said. "I trained outside all summer, but then you come back, and it was a little tough at first. But luckily, we had a nice breeze, so it wasn't too bad.... The pace was quicker, though. I think that was intentional."
The Cowboys have another Valley Ranch morning practice scheduled a week from today.
Garrett and Turner
Jason Garrett said Chargers coach Norv Turner "taught me how to play quarterback in this league."
Turner was the offensive coordinator with the Cowboys when Garrett was a rookie backup quarterback in 1993.
"He has such a great grasp of football, of offensive systems, of people, of how to coach," Garrett said. "For me to be a quarterback and be in a meeting room with him and Troy Aikman and Steve Beuerlein and Bernie Kosar and some of those guys each and every day was a great learning environment."
Turner, the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys' Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII championship teams, predicts success for Garrett.
"I know he's organized. I know the things he believes in. He's going to do great," Turner said.
Briefly
Jon Kitna (back) returned to practice. Mike Jenkins (stinger) stuck to individual work. Miles Austin (hamstring) did not practice, but was not ruled out of Sunday's game.
MRI results on kicker David Buehler's right hip revealed only a strain, but Buehler will miss today's practice against the Chargers as well as Sunday's exhibition game.
Norv Turner said the practice arrangement with the Cowboys is for this year only, but it will be considered on a year-to-year basis.
cmendez@star-telegram.com
IRVING -- Seventh-round pick Bill Nagy is on his way to becoming the second rookie to start at left guard for the Cowboys in as many preseason games, and center Andre Gurode has still not been declared ready for Sunday night's preseason game.
Nagy has been working with the first team for a week.
"We like what he's done," coach Jason Garrett said. "We're looking for opportunities to give him more chances to be part of our offensive line."
The Cowboys appear comfortable with the four other positions -- left tackle Doug Free, the All-Pro Gurode at center, right guard Kyle Kosier and right tackle Tyron Smith. But Garrett stopped short of dismissing the idea that Gurode might also work at guard.
"We'll just wait and see on that," Garrett said.
Garrett also didn't commit to Gurode, who had knee surgery before training camp, playing against San Diego.
"He's had a good couple days of practice," Garrett said. "He's got to get better and better, continue to get in good shape, continue to get comfortable with that knee."
The Cowboys like the way Nagy picked up the offense without the benefit of OTAs.
"He seemed to respond well to all of that, which goes to the point that he is a smart guy, has kind of a veteran nature, played at a big school [Wisconsin], doesn't seem to be in awe of the whole thing," Garrett said. "He's also athletic. He was used as a goal-line tight end a little bit in college. You put all those things together, you say, 'Huh, I think you've got a pretty good player here.' He's not an overly big, powerful guy, but he seems to play with good leverage."
Heat of the moment
The Cowboys and Chargers practiced at Valley Ranch in the 90-degree morning heat for a little less than two hours. After nothing but indoor practices for three weeks, the Cowboys knew immediately it was a big change.
"My chest was burning at first," linebacker Sean Lee said. "I trained outside all summer, but then you come back, and it was a little tough at first. But luckily, we had a nice breeze, so it wasn't too bad.... The pace was quicker, though. I think that was intentional."
The Cowboys have another Valley Ranch morning practice scheduled a week from today.
Garrett and Turner
Jason Garrett said Chargers coach Norv Turner "taught me how to play quarterback in this league."
Turner was the offensive coordinator with the Cowboys when Garrett was a rookie backup quarterback in 1993.
"He has such a great grasp of football, of offensive systems, of people, of how to coach," Garrett said. "For me to be a quarterback and be in a meeting room with him and Troy Aikman and Steve Beuerlein and Bernie Kosar and some of those guys each and every day was a great learning environment."
Turner, the offensive coordinator for the Cowboys' Super Bowl XXVII and XXVIII championship teams, predicts success for Garrett.
"I know he's organized. I know the things he believes in. He's going to do great," Turner said.
Briefly
Jon Kitna (back) returned to practice. Mike Jenkins (stinger) stuck to individual work. Miles Austin (hamstring) did not practice, but was not ruled out of Sunday's game.
MRI results on kicker David Buehler's right hip revealed only a strain, but Buehler will miss today's practice against the Chargers as well as Sunday's exhibition game.
Norv Turner said the practice arrangement with the Cowboys is for this year only, but it will be considered on a year-to-year basis.
