ST: Garrett said Holland's injury the reason for the line shuffle, more...

[CCBoy]

Garrett said Holland's injury the reason for the line shuffle, more possibly on the way





Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said right guard Montrae Holland's prolonged absence with a back injury was the foundation of the decision to move Kyle Kosier to the right side from the left.

Fourth-round pick David Arkin had been playing right guard next to rookie top-pick Tyron Smith at right tackle. The Cowboys wanted to break up the two rookies and put a veteran next to Smith for communication purposes.

"The initial thought is to address Montrae being out and Kyle [having] played the right side earlier in his career," Jason Garrett said Tuesday morning. "We think working him next to Tyron Smith can be helpful. Having a more veteran guy in there typically can help the younger player, really with the calls at the line of scrimmage. They happen quicker and they can get on the same page quicker before the play starts and hopefully you can see him play more decisively when the ball is snapped."



Read more: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2011/08/garrett-said-hollands-injury-the-reason-for-the-line-shuffle-more-possibly-on-the-way-.html#ixzz1UhxnOVqp

[VietCowboy]

with these issues, jerry does not want to bring in a vet? weird.

[stasheroo]

That might not be the end of the line shuffling. The Cowboys are waiting for Holland to get back. But what's also true is that they are not happy with the condition he came to camp in.

Look for the Cowboys to experiment with centers Andre Gurode and Phil Costa at guard when Gurode is cleared to practice. Gurode has been out since the start of camp following off-season knee surgery. If the Cowboys are comfortable with Costa at center, they could move the three-time Pro Bowler Gurode to guard, a position he played early in his career.

"We are looking at different combinations up there to see what works best for our offense line," Garrett said.

Here's a thought, sign another veteran and send Holland packing!

[realtick]

Fats McHolland

I looked for the pic, but can't find it. If you've seen Holland this training camp, he looks woefully overweight.

[EGG]

The train wreck potential for this offense is enormous,,, those guys are going to be seeing blitzes and stunts early and often.

[Hoofbite]

They're going to move guys around because Holland is too out of shape to participate?

[Idgit]

Here's a thought, sign another veteran and send Holland packing!







I agree, that's safest. But it'd be even better for the team if they think they could get Costa or Arkin ready to be a regular contributor this year. It would set us up great for next year's draft.

[stasheroo]

I agree, that's safest. But it'd be even better for the team if they think they could get Costa or Arkin ready to be a regular contributor this year. It would set us up great for next year's draft.

No doubt about that but I think it's too much to hope for in one season.

You're already trying to start a rookie at RT, a challenge in itself.

Then you want to put another rookie out there and hope for the best.

But you can't play Arkin on the right side as you can't have two rookies out there together.

So you move Kosier to RG and put Arkin on the left side, next to Doug Free, who is only entering his second year starting at LT himself.

Too many question marks for me.

[Doomsday101]

No doubt about that but I think it's too much to hope for in one season.

You're already trying to start a rookie at RT, a challenge in itself.

Then you want to put another rookie out there and hope for the best.

But you can't play Arkin on the right side as you can't have two rookies out there together.

So you move Kosier to RG and put Arkin on the left side, next to Doug Free, who is only entering his second year starting at LT himself.

Too many question marks for me.

As it was mentioned they can move Gurode to G, Costa to Center along with Koiser, Free and Smith.

As I have said I have no issue if Dallas looks outside and brings in an OL but right now that is not the case and coaches are looking at their options.

[dmq]

I'd rather have question marks than truth's I could have told you about our OL before the season started last year.

[stasheroo]

As it was mentioned they can move Gurode to G, Costa to Center along with Koiser, Free and Smith.

And would they not be putting another inexperienced player out there in Costa? Six of one, half dozen of the other...

And you'd be taking a Pro Bowl center out of his position and moving him back to a position where he's previously struggled as well.

As I have said I have no issue if Dallas looks outside and brings in an OL but right now that is not the case and coaches are looking at their options.

And as I have said, I don't like any of their 'options'.

The only one that makes sense to me is cutting the out of shape and completely unreliable Montrae Holland and signing Brian Waters to help stabilize the line. A line with enough question marks already.

[CCBoy]

As it was mentioned they can move Gurode to G, Costa to Center along with Koiser, Free and Smith.

As I have said I have no issue if Dallas looks outside and brings in an OL but right now that is not the case and coaches are looking at their options.

Target there...and expanding. That would stabilize a projection including both guards and center as well. It gives credability at center, with Gurode, Costa, and Arkin...not to mention Kowalski. Then guard has Kozier, Gurode, Arkin, and Holland. That smells like coverage and depth to this fan. And if Holland falls out of favor, which I think conditioning would resolve, he could well be gone by next season. Earlier if confidence through the Exhibitions Games is established by Arkin.

[Doomsday101]

And would they not be putting another inexperienced player out there in Costa? Six of one, half dozen of the other...

And you'd be taking a Pro Bowl center out of his position and moving him back to a position where he's previously struggled as well.



And as I have said, I don't like any of their 'options'.

The only one that makes sense to me is cutting the out of shape and completely unreliable Montrae Holland and signing Brian Waters to help stabilize the line. A line with enough question marks already.

Costa saw playing time last season and did well. No doubt he is a young player but this in my view a legit option for the Cowboys.

[Doomsday101]

Target there...and expanding. That would stabilize a projection including both guards and center as well. It gives credability at center, with Gurode, Costa, and Arkin...not to mention Kowalski. Then guard has Kozier, Gurode, Arkin, and Holland. That smells like coverage and depth to this fan. And if Holland falls out of favor, which I think conditioning would resolve, he could well be gone by next season. Earlier if confidence through the Exhibitions Games is established by Arkin.

I think Nagy has a future. I'm looking forward to seeing him get playing time this pre season.

[stasheroo]

Costa saw playing time last season and did well. No doubt he is a young player but this in my view a legit option for the Cowboys.

Don't get me wrong, I have high hopes for him and I hope he does well and develops into our next starer at center.

But I don't know why the team would do all of this juggling in some effort to justify keeping Holland.

He knew what was at stake and still came in overweight and unprepared. To me that's someone that Garrett and the Cowboys shouldn't want on their roster.

[stasheroo]

Target there...and expanding. That would stabilize a projection including both guards and center as well. It gives credability at center, with Gurode, Costa, and Arkin...not to mention Kowalski. Then guard has Kozier, Gurode, Arkin, and Holland. That smells like coverage and depth to this fan. And if Holland falls out of favor, which I think conditioning would resolve, he could well be gone by next season. Earlier if confidence through the Exhibitions Games is established by Arkin.

Hope springs eternal.

You sir are definitely an optimist.

[Stautner]

Garrett said Holland's injury the reason for the line shuffle, more possibly on the way




REALLY? Who knew?

[Doomsday101]

Don't get me wrong, I have high hopes for him and I hope he does well and develops into our next starer at center.

But I don't know why the team would do all of this juggling in some effort to justify keeping Holland.

He knew what was at stake and still came in overweight and unprepared. To me that's someone that Garrett and the Cowboys shouldn't want on their roster.

I don't think it is a given that they will keep Holland. I don't know if Garrett feels we need to get a 1 year OL player either and if we do then I don't know if that guy will be Waters or not there some other vet FA G still out on the market besides him.

[stasheroo]

I don't think it is a given that they will keep Holland. I don't know if Garrett feels we need to get a 1 year OL player either and if we do then I don't know if that guy will be Waters or not there some other vet FA G still out on the market besides him.

The only other decent option I saw out there was Pittsburgh's Trai Essex, but I think it's a significant dropoff from Waters to Essex.

[Deep_Freeze]

And would they not be putting another inexperienced player out there in Costa? Six of one, half dozen of the other...

And you'd be taking a Pro Bowl center out of his position and moving him back to a position where he's previously struggled as well.

And as I have said, I don't like any of their 'options'.

The only one that makes sense to me is cutting the out of shape and completely unreliable Montrae Holland and signing Brian Waters to help stabilize the line. A line with enough question marks already.

Well I do think Gurode is capable of the move to guard at this point, just couldn't as a young guy. All this is telling us is that Arkin really hasn't beaten out us starting Costa instead. If Arkin and Costa are this close of a race, its good for the team.

I do have issue when Holland gets better, then he beats both them out. That would say alot about these two if Holland comes back and gets the spot.

I don't know bout the question marks, only one position in the line is in question. In the 90's, we moved guys around alot on the line, we just haven't done it lately. It creates competition, which is a good thing.

[EGG]

Don't get me wrong, I have high hopes for him and I hope he does well and develops into our next starer at center.

But I don't know why the team would do all of this juggling in some effort to justify keeping Holland.

He knew what was at stake and still came in overweight and unprepared. To me that's someone that Garrett and the Cowboys shouldn't want on their roster.

I am pleased that the team is FINALLY making serious change to the OL even though their approach smacks of desperation and cap poverty,,, but it could also be that Garrett wants this first year to be about renewal, removing the dead weight and getting an accurate picture of what he's got. I would like to think it's the latter, though if it is the latter why on God's green earth would they depend on a player like Holland? That guy was shown the door in Denver for letting himself go every off season and he continued to do it here,,, and there was no supervision over the off season,,, OFF COURSE he was going to come in overweight and out of shape, sheesh!

[Doomsday101]

The only other decent option I saw out there was Pittsburgh's Trai Essex, but I think it's a significant dropoff from Waters to Essex.

Trying to be kind here :laugh2: You have an opinion I respect it. Jason Garrett has an opinion lets see how this plays out.

[stasheroo]

Trying to be kind here :laugh2: You have an opinion I respect it. Jason Garrett has an opinion lets see how this plays out.

Thanks, I respect yours as well.

And all we can do is sit back and watch things unfold.

[stasheroo]

Well I do think Gurode is capable of the move to guard at this point, just couldn't as a young guy. All this is telling us is that Arkin really hasn't beaten out us starting Costa instead. If Arkin and Costa are this close of a race, its good for the team.

Or they simply don't have a viable alternative. Don;t forget when they tried to sell us the dynamic duo of Torrin Tucker and Rob Petiti. I haven't.

I do have issue when Holland gets better, then he beats both them out. That would say alot about these two if Holland comes back and gets the spot.

Does his injury history not concern you? How can he be counted on in any role?

I don't know bout the question marks, only one position in the line is in question. In the 90's, we moved guys around alot on the line, we just haven't done it lately. It creates competition, which is a good thing.

Desperation is sometimes called competition as well. I would rather have plenty of good options if I needed them rather than few options and being forced to take a chance.

Especially when I had the opportunity to prevent it.

[CCBoy]

REALLY? Who knew?

:) ...

[Doomsday101]

Thanks, I respect yours as well.

And all we can do is sit back and watch things unfold.

I agree. I admit I'm looking forward to seeing some of these young OL players getting reps this pre season. To me we can't complain about not addressing the line and then be upset when young men are given the chance.

[stasheroo]

I am pleased that the team is FINALLY making serious change to the OL even though their approach smacks of desperation and cap poverty,,, but it could also be that Garrett wants this first year to be about renewal, removing the dead weight and getting an accurate picture of what he's got. I would like to think it's the latter, though if it is the latter why on God's green earth would they depend on a player like Holland? That guy was shown the door in Denver for letting himself go every off season and he continued to do it here,,, and there was no supervision over the off season,,, OFF COURSE he was going to come in overweight and out of shape, sheesh!

This is exactly the question I was going to ask you.

No player currently fits the 'dead weight' description better than Holland does.

[Deep_Freeze]

Or they simply don't have a viable alternative. Don;t forget when they tried to sell us the dynamic duo of Torrin Tucker and Rob Petiti. I haven't.

Does his injury history not concern you? How can he be counted on in any role?

Desperation is sometimes called competition as well. I would rather have plenty of good options if I needed them rather than few options and being forced to take a chance.

Especially when I had the opportunity to prevent it.

Yeah, but we are talking one spot that is open to competition right now....on the whole offense. Let em fight it out for a while, and see who comes out on top. Of course, if that person that wins is Holland, then we do need to pick up Waters.

In my mind, I'm hoping Arkin can win the spot.

[stasheroo]

Yeah, but we are talking one spot that is open to competition right now....on the whole offense. Let em fight it out for a while, and see who comes out on top. Of course, if that person that wins is Holland, then we do need to pick up Waters.

'One spot' that ultimately affects several others however.

In my mind, I'm hoping Arkin can win the spot.

Eventually, I am too.

I just think one set of inevitable rookie growing pains on the offensive line is enough for one season.

[ZeroClub]

My guess -- The Cowboys will pick up an aging veteran LG during Week 2 of the regular season.

[Deep_Freeze]

'One spot' that ultimately affects several others however.

Eventually, I am too.

I just think one set of inevitable rookie growing pains on the offensive line is enough for one season.

Yeah well most don't think starting 2 rookie OL is a good thing, the biggest thing is to let them compete for it for a while, and if its not working out, get Waters off his couch in a few weeks.

It is kinda disappointing that JG is even thinking about Arkin the same sentence as Costa though.

[stasheroo]

Yeah well most don't think starting 2 rookie OL is a good thing,

Count me among that group!

the biggest thing is to let them compete for it for a while, and if its not working out, get Waters off his couch in a few weeks.

I don't see the reason to wait. Het him in here and working with his new teammates and new playbook.

It is kinda disappointing that JG is even thinking about Arkin the same sentence as Costa though.

Either of those options is less appealing to me, and that's not a knock on either player.

[stasheroo]

My guess -- The Cowboys will pick up an aging veteran LG during Week 2 of the regular season.

Is that before or after we lose Romo?

:laugh2:

[Deep_Freeze]

Count me among that group!

I don't see the reason to wait. Het him in here and working with his new teammates and new playbook.

Either of those options is less appealing to me, and that's not a knock on either player.

Well, like i said earlier, if Arkin doesn't work out, then I go out and get someone else on the cheap (don't know if Waters would be cheap). Hopefully they can figure this out pretty quick.

I'm figuring we will see Arkin and Costa starting tonight without Gurode there. Should be interesting, and hopefully they make them play for a half instead of few series like the rest of the starters.

[stasheroo]

Well, like i said earlier, if Arkin doesn't work out, then I go out and get someone else on the cheap (don't know if Waters would be cheap). Hopefully they can figure this out pretty quick.

I'm figuring we will see Arkin and Costa starting tonight without Gurode there. Should be interesting, and hopefully they make them play for a half instead of few series like the rest of the starters.

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how these young guys handle themselves!

[BAT]

Hinging the state of the OL (really the season) on an out of shape, oft injured B player is like investing in pyrite. Makes no sense.

Just bite the bullet and sign a proven commodity and let's start this thing off right. Go get Waters already. Even a vet is going to need reps, learn the blocking schemes and develop chemistry. Nuff dragging *** on this.

[Stautner]

I don't see the reason to wait. Het him in here and working with his new teammates and new playbook.

.


I agree. You can't just assume Waters or someone else will still be around at some later date, and if we decide we need someone and they aren't there anymore, we will be in a world of hurt.

Well, like i said earlier, if Arkin doesn't work out, then I go out and get someone else on the cheap (don't know if Waters would be cheap). Hopefully they can figure this out pretty quick.

I'm figuring we will see Arkin and Costa starting tonight without Gurode there. Should be interesting, and hopefully they make them play for a half instead of few series like the rest of the starters.

Not sure how much of an upgrade a a last minute desperation cheap signing is going to be. If it gets down to that we may just have to accept that part of our O-line is going to suck.

[Deep_Freeze]

I agree. You can't just assume Waters or someone else will still be around at some later date, and if we decide we need someone and they aren't there anymore, we will be in a world of hurt.

Not sure how much of an upgrade a a last minute desperation cheap signing is going to be. If it gets down to that we may just have to accept that part of our O-line is going to suck.

Yeah, well I am assuming in this that Waters is still available for a decent price. Hopefully this evaluation time will be short so we know what we need. This isn't the only position we need, I'm still not sold on Olgetree (especially if there is an injury there).