FWST: Gurode returns, Costa to G

[dbair1967]

Costa to work at guard
Phil Costa, who started Thursday’s preseason game at center, will get some work at guard. Andre Gurode returned to practice Saturday, prompting the Cowboys to give Costa work elsewhere.

“He had an opportunity to play some guard last year,” coach Jason Garrett said of Costa. “He’s just a good football player. He’s smart and tough. He battles. He knows what to do. He knows how to do it. Some of the guys he’s going to play against as a guard are bigger than he is, but he’s shown that he can play with leverage, and the more he plays there, the better he’s going to get at it.”

Garrett said the Cowboys will work on different combinations to see what works best in their offensive line. Gurode also has experience at guard.

Costa has a bright future, whether it is at guard or at center.

“I thought Costa took every advantage of his opportunity for the snaps," owner Jerry Jones said. "And he really played well. Costa is going to play a lot for the Cowboys. Now, I don’t know how that works, but, boy, I am glad we’ve got him. I don’t know if anyone has had a better preseason than he’s had. I put him right there at the top, from my perspective, of preseason work and how impressed we’ve been with him."

The Cowboys are missing starting guard Montrae Holland, who is out with a back injury. Rookie David Arkin started at left guard against the Broncos and performed well in his first game.

"He sure is impressive," Jones said of Arkin. "He’s aware enough, and you add that to the fact that he certainly is the player at this juncture that we thought we saw when we drafted him, so he’s having a good camp."



Read more: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2011/08/costa-to-work-at-guard.html#ixzz1UwTxIGpv

 

[theogt]

Was going through and watching the preseason game again. First offensive play. Costa gets hammered and pushed back by a linebacker. I mean it was brutal. So I went and looked up who this beast of a linebacker was and the guy, I kid you not, is 5'11" tall. No interior offensive lineman in the NFL should get pushed back like that by a 5'11" linebacker.

 

[Cr122]

Gurode also has experience at guard.

I know some of us mentioned this before. I say keep Costa at C then play Gurode at G.

Free, Gurode, Costa, Kosier, Smith then just let Holland fill in when needed. I don't want Holland starting.

 

[Cr122]

Was going through and watching the preseason game again. First offensive play. Costa gets hammered and pushed back by a linebacker. I mean it was brutal. So I went and looked up who this beast of a linebacker was and the guy, I kid you know, is 5'11" tall. No interior offensive lineman in the NFL should get pushed back like that by a 5'11" linebacker.

lol There goes the idea of Costa being at center.

 

[jiggyfly]

Was going through and watching the preseason game again. First offensive play. Costa gets hammered and pushed back by a linebacker. I mean it was brutal. So I went and looked up who this beast of a linebacker was and the guy, I kid you not, is 5'11" tall. No interior offensive lineman in the NFL should get pushed back like that by a 5'11" linebacker.

So how did you feel about Witten getting destroyed by a safety on blitz pickup?

I payed extra attention to Costa and Arkin and Costa did not blow anybody off the ball but he got movement and stayed on his blocks and shielded his man, he looks like a good versatile backup who could start in a pinch.

Arkin needs some serious weight room work but he looked good on the move.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Was going through and watching the preseason game again. First offensive play. Costa gets hammered and pushed back by a linebacker. I mean it was brutal. So I went and looked up who this beast of a linebacker was and the guy, I kid you not, is 5'11" tall. No interior offensive lineman in the NFL should get pushed back like that by a 5'11" linebacker.

Funny, because last season, I saw a pulling Davis, get rocked and have his helmet come off by a player that was also 5'11 and gave up 80 lbs. to Davis. Costa is a scrapper.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

lol There goes the idea of Costa being at center.

Man do you ever hold firm to a position? .

 

[dbair1967]

Was going through and watching the preseason game again. First offensive play. Costa gets hammered and pushed back by a linebacker. I mean it was brutal. So I went and looked up who this beast of a linebacker was and the guy, I kid you not, is 5'11" tall. No interior offensive lineman in the NFL should get pushed back like that by a 5'11" linebacker.

Its just one play. Overall he looked pretty good.

But despite the clamoring of some, I still dont think he's anywhere near as good as Gurode. And apparently the coaches see it the same.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Gurode is a good player but he's not cerebral enough to remain at C.

 

[Cythim]

Gurode is a good player but he's not white enough to remain at C.

Fixed!

 

[peplaw06]

“I thought Costa took every advantage of his opportunity for the snaps," owner Jerry Jones said. "And he really played well. Costa is going to play a lot for the Cowboys. Now, I don’t know how that works, but, boy, I am glad we’ve got him. I don’t know if anyone has had a better preseason than he’s had. I put him right there at the top, from my perspective, of preseason work and how impressed we’ve been with him."

I've never seen Jerry say anything like that. "He's gonna play a lot... But I don't know how that works."

Does he mean that he doesn't know how Costa is going to fit in the OL lineup with Gurode, Kosier,, Arkin/Holland, or does he mean he's not going to have the input he may have once had? Guess the wishful thinking in me is hoping to read more into this comment than there is.

 

[boozeman]

I've never seen Jerry say anything like that. "He's gonna play a lot... But I don't know how that works."

Does he mean that he doesn't know how Costa is going to fit in the OL lineup with Gurode, Kosier,, Arkin/Holland, or does he mean he's not going to have the input he may have once had? Guess the wishful thinking in me is hoping to read more into this comment than there is.

Do not get too excited.

This other comment from Jamie Aron suggests Jones is still exercising input:

"I wouldn't blink or lose any sleep over Costa starting a game for us," Jones said. "He certainly has played well enough to give us a lot of confidence. I have addressed that directly with the coaches and they feel the same way."

 

[jiggyfly]

Do not get too excited.

This other comment from Jamie Aron suggests Jones is still exercising input:

It could be that he was asking did he need to start looking for depth on the O-line and the coaches said they were happy with the play of Costa.

My point is that nobody knows what he meant and it does not mean he is calling the shots of who is going to play.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Jerry said Garrett would have final say about who is on the roster, but that's about it. I'm sure he will still exercise his GM duties when it comes to that Jason Garrett-made roster.

 

[dbair1967]

Jerry said Garrett would have final say about who is on the roster, but that's about it. I'm sure he will still exercise his GM duties when it comes to that Jason Garrett-made roster.

I dont think Jones has much input at all anymore. Garrett is doing everything here.

 

[Clutch88]

Costa to work at guard
Phil Costa, who started Thursday’s preseason game at center, will get some work at guard. Andre Gurode returned to practice Saturday, prompting the Cowboys to give Costa work elsewhere.

“He had an opportunity to play some guard last year,” coach Jason Garrett said of Costa. “He’s just a good football player. He’s smart and tough. He battles. He knows what to do. He knows how to do it. Some of the guys he’s going to play against as a guard are bigger than he is, but he’s shown that he can play with leverage, and the more he plays there, the better he’s going to get at it.”

Garrett said the Cowboys will work on different combinations to see what works best in their offensive line. Gurode also has experience at guard.

Costa has a bright future, whether it is at guard or at center.

“I thought Costa took every advantage of his opportunity for the snaps," owner Jerry Jones said. "And he really played well. Costa is going to play a lot for the Cowboys. Now, I don’t know how that works, but, boy, I am glad we’ve got him. I don’t know if anyone has had a better preseason than he’s had. I put him right there at the top, from my perspective, of preseason work and how impressed we’ve been with him."

The Cowboys are missing starting guard Montrae Holland, who is out with a back injury. Rookie David Arkin started at left guard against the Broncos and performed well in his first game.

"He sure is impressive," Jones said of Arkin. "He’s aware enough, and you add that to the fact that he certainly is the player at this juncture that we thought we saw when we drafted him, so he’s having a good camp."



Read more: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2011/08/costa-to-work-at-guard.html#ixzz1UwTxIGpv

"And, well, you know, in my mind, from what we've seen, there just needs to be a better, a better evaluation of the...players we need to win, and, as you know, as I've said before, a total reevaluation of things... personnel-wise...

...And that could mean, as I've said, in my mind, me jumping off a bridge."-Jerry Jones