- Messages
- 11,877
- Reaction score
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Currently on roster
Phil Costa (age 24, signed through 2012)
Kevin Kowalski (age 23, under contract)
Kyle Kosier (age 33, signed through 2013)
Montrae Holland (age 31, Unrestricted Free Agent)
Derrick Dockery (age 31, Unrestricted Free Agent)
Bill Nagy (age 24, signed through 2014)
David Arkin (age 24, under contract)
Tyron Smith (age 21, signed through 2014)
Doug Free (age 28, signed through 2014)
Jermey Parnell (age 25, Exclusive Rights Free Agent)
Centers – Phil Costa was a glaring weak spot for the Cowboys in 2011. If it wasn’t bad snaps it was getting manhandled and shoved back into Romo’s face. I’ve always felt he wasn’t starting caliber and after watching him all year, I’m not sure he’s even back-up caliber. Fans pined for Kevin Kowalski, and he played well in limited snaps. I’m just worried that despite Costa’s awful play, the coaching staff still felt Costa was a better option than Kowalksi. Both are under contract and there should be competition for the starting job in training camp.
Guards – Another weak spot. Kosier got a 3-year deal and was moved over to the right side to help protect the 20-year old Tyron Smith. If we upgrade at center and the other guard spot I’m okay with Kosier returning. If he’s our top interior offensive linemen, we are in trouble. Left Guard was a revolving door. First up was the overmatched Bill Nagy. He showed almost no strength at all and actually stood out (in a bad way) more than Costa. Derrick Dockery brought bulk and experience but was hurt after one game. Montrae Holland was given a second chance and played decent enough to stay there. Fourth-round pick David Arkin was never considered throughout the 16-game regular season and that states a lot about him. Holland and Dockery could be brought back but if the Cowboys upgrade through Free Agency that would allow younger players like Nagy and Arkin time to develop as reserves.
Tackles – Doug Free got a big money contract and then flopped. The Cowboys are now considering flip-flopping him to the right side. My hope is that blow to his ego will inspire him to play harder and stop letting speed rushers take free shots at Romo. Tyron Smith was the best of a bad bunch and showed flashes of being a dominant tackle for years to come. The staff seems high on swing tackle Jermey Parnell and at age 25 and being an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, we should expect him back.
Free Agent possibility? Absolutely. Cowboy fans everywhere are screaming for Carl Nicks from the Saints or Ben Grubbs from the Ravens. Neither will be cheap. I’ve mentioned before that we should look at Chilo Rachal from the 49ers. He lost his starting job in 2011 but was the 2nd rated run blocking guard in 2010. He’s only 25, will be significantly cheaper than Nicks or Grubbs, and offers a lot more than Bill Nagy or David Arkin. The names of Free Agent Centers are not that appealing but the team has to consider upgrading from Costa.
Draft possibility? Again, absolutely. Pick #14 would be an ideal landing spot for Stanford’s David DeCastro (6’5”, 312) but he may not last that long. Plus, we might be focused on defensive players this off-season. Peter Konz (6’5”, 315) from Wisconsin is another first round possibility but 14 may be too high for him. Some players that may be available round two or later are Georgia’s Center Ben Jones (6’3”, 316), Ohio State’s Center Michael Brewster (6’4”, 305) and Wisconsin Guard Kevin Zeitler (6’4”, 318). I think the Cowboys are shifting away from 350-pound guys and going with more athletic offensive linemen. We could also look for a 4th tackle later in the draft. Virginia Tech’s Blake DeChristopher (6’4”, 312) is a versatile player who started 51 games for the Hokies.
Phil Costa (age 24, signed through 2012)
Kevin Kowalski (age 23, under contract)
Kyle Kosier (age 33, signed through 2013)
Montrae Holland (age 31, Unrestricted Free Agent)
Derrick Dockery (age 31, Unrestricted Free Agent)
Bill Nagy (age 24, signed through 2014)
David Arkin (age 24, under contract)
Tyron Smith (age 21, signed through 2014)
Doug Free (age 28, signed through 2014)
Jermey Parnell (age 25, Exclusive Rights Free Agent)
Centers – Phil Costa was a glaring weak spot for the Cowboys in 2011. If it wasn’t bad snaps it was getting manhandled and shoved back into Romo’s face. I’ve always felt he wasn’t starting caliber and after watching him all year, I’m not sure he’s even back-up caliber. Fans pined for Kevin Kowalski, and he played well in limited snaps. I’m just worried that despite Costa’s awful play, the coaching staff still felt Costa was a better option than Kowalksi. Both are under contract and there should be competition for the starting job in training camp.
Guards – Another weak spot. Kosier got a 3-year deal and was moved over to the right side to help protect the 20-year old Tyron Smith. If we upgrade at center and the other guard spot I’m okay with Kosier returning. If he’s our top interior offensive linemen, we are in trouble. Left Guard was a revolving door. First up was the overmatched Bill Nagy. He showed almost no strength at all and actually stood out (in a bad way) more than Costa. Derrick Dockery brought bulk and experience but was hurt after one game. Montrae Holland was given a second chance and played decent enough to stay there. Fourth-round pick David Arkin was never considered throughout the 16-game regular season and that states a lot about him. Holland and Dockery could be brought back but if the Cowboys upgrade through Free Agency that would allow younger players like Nagy and Arkin time to develop as reserves.
Tackles – Doug Free got a big money contract and then flopped. The Cowboys are now considering flip-flopping him to the right side. My hope is that blow to his ego will inspire him to play harder and stop letting speed rushers take free shots at Romo. Tyron Smith was the best of a bad bunch and showed flashes of being a dominant tackle for years to come. The staff seems high on swing tackle Jermey Parnell and at age 25 and being an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, we should expect him back.
Free Agent possibility? Absolutely. Cowboy fans everywhere are screaming for Carl Nicks from the Saints or Ben Grubbs from the Ravens. Neither will be cheap. I’ve mentioned before that we should look at Chilo Rachal from the 49ers. He lost his starting job in 2011 but was the 2nd rated run blocking guard in 2010. He’s only 25, will be significantly cheaper than Nicks or Grubbs, and offers a lot more than Bill Nagy or David Arkin. The names of Free Agent Centers are not that appealing but the team has to consider upgrading from Costa.
Draft possibility? Again, absolutely. Pick #14 would be an ideal landing spot for Stanford’s David DeCastro (6’5”, 312) but he may not last that long. Plus, we might be focused on defensive players this off-season. Peter Konz (6’5”, 315) from Wisconsin is another first round possibility but 14 may be too high for him. Some players that may be available round two or later are Georgia’s Center Ben Jones (6’3”, 316), Ohio State’s Center Michael Brewster (6’4”, 305) and Wisconsin Guard Kevin Zeitler (6’4”, 318). I think the Cowboys are shifting away from 350-pound guys and going with more athletic offensive linemen. We could also look for a 4th tackle later in the draft. Virginia Tech’s Blake DeChristopher (6’4”, 312) is a versatile player who started 51 games for the Hokies.