ESPND: Phil Costa could start at guard

[viman96]

ARLINGTON, Texas -- If there was just one good thing that came out of Thursday's preseason opener against Denver for the Dallas Cowboys, it was the play of center Phil Costa.

While backing the injured Andre Gurode, who returned to practice Saturday, Costa made a case for more playing time. He can play both guard positions and most likely will get a shot at starting as the left guard alongside left tackle Doug Free.

Jerry Jones said he expects to see Costa play now.

Rest of story (http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4682048/phil-costa-could-start-at-guard)

[viman96]

The article does not mention Arkin. I thought he (Arkin) played well and the reports have been positive.

[tomson75]

The article does not mention Arkin. I thought he (Arkin) played well and the reports have been positive.

I did too. I thought he played at least as well, if not better than Costa....particularly on the first series.

[burmafrd]

I did too. I thought he played at least as well, if not better than Costa....particularly on the first series.

Costa's short arms do not hurt him as much at center as they would at guard; he had trouble last year when he was at guard. Now he is very strong; which is Arkin's one weakness. But then again this is BSPN so take it with a grain of salt.

[The Realist]

Free Arkin Costa Nagy Tyron

That's what I'm hoping for after Gurode and Kosier ride off into the sunset.

It would be huge for our drafts and cap if we don't have to draft any more OL 1-3 in the next 3-5 years.

[VACowboy]

Free Arkin Costa Nagy Tyron

That's what I'm hoping for after Gurode and Kosier ride off into the sunset.

It would be huge for our drafts and cap if we don't have to draft any more OL 1-3 in the next 3-5 years.

That would be nice.

As I posted elsewhere, Costa's performance kind of went unnoticed. He moves well and provides a nice punch. Why play him anywhere but center, though?

[jazzcat22]

I think they are saying this more due to a veteren starting. We already have a rookie in Smith starting. And then comes time for real game action to where they actually game plan defensive schemes. and we have 2 rookies starting. So maybe Costa gets the start and Arkin takes over when he is ready. Maybe mid season or so. If it does not happen by gamr 10 to 12, then I would expect Costa stays in.

Just my early preseason thoughts from game 1 and radio / news pundits.

[Manwiththeplan]

Free Arkin Costa Nagy Tyron

That's what I'm hoping for after Gurode and Kosier ride off into the sunset.

It would be huge for our drafts and cap if we don't have to draft any more OL 1-3 in the next 3-5 years.

I hope not. It would be nive if we hit on all 3 interior guys but it;s such a long shot it just seems like a disaster. IMO, I'll be happy if Costa and Nagy can just provide depth.

[VACowboy]

I hope not. It would be nive if we hit on all 3 interior guys but it;s such a long shot it just seems like a disaster. IMO, I'll be happy if Costa and Nagy can just provide depth.

You really hope we don't get three OL starters out of the last draft? That's, uh, well, I guess everyone has an opinion.

:confused:

[burmafrd]

considering how horrendous we have been at drafting O line for the last 15 years, I think its more a case of total disbelief that we suddenly hit the lottery.

[Manwiththeplan]

considering how horrendous we have been at drafting O line for the last 15 years, I think its more a case of total disbelief that we suddenly hit the lottery.

Yeah, that's more what it is. I'd love it if all 3 were all pro players for the next 10 seasons, but I doubt that's the case.

All in all, if this is our interior line in 2015, I think we'll be in trouble. I think Arkin is a hit. Costa could be, but Nagy is nothing but a pipe dream right now.

Not to mention this probably means OL wasn't addressed in any of the next few drafts which is very risky

[VACowboy]

I'll wait and see. You never know. I certainly don't wanna stop drafting OL.

[Chocolate Lab]

It's one thing to start; it's another to actually be good. Alan Ball started at safety last year.

[CATCH17]

I'll wait and see. You never know. I certainly don't wanna stop drafting OL.

Me either.

I hope collecting quality OL is the Cowboys new hobby.

[ThreeSportStar80]

I wouldn't be mad if Costa started at LG, he can move in space.

[Eskimo]

LG spot looks like a 3-man race between Holland, Arkin and Costa. Holland will probably get the nod at the start of the year if he is ready to go but I don't think he will last very long.

I think Arkin will wiin the competition with Costa in the end. Costa is setting himself up for the inside track on Gurode's position. I wouldn't be surprised if this is Gurode's last year with the way his knees seem to be deteriorating.

[Idgit]

Costa's short arms do not hurt him as much at center as they would at guard; he had trouble last year when he was at guard. Now he is very strong; which is Arkin's one weakness. But then again this is BSPN so take it with a grain of salt.

Costa played fine at OG last year. Not sure why people want to think he was a problem. It was actually a bright spot that he held up as well as he did as a relatively unknown rookie.

His arm length isn't going to be a problem, either. He's probably going to end up starting this season at LG at some point. We're getting a lot younger along the OL.

[RS12]

I hope not. It would be nive if we hit on all 3 interior guys but it;s such a long shot it just seems like a disaster. IMO, I'll be happy if Costa and Nagy can just provide depth.

This.

[Risen Star]

It's one thing to start; it's another to actually be good. Alan Ball started at safety last year.

Exactly. I'm not all that encouraged by the thought of him starting.

[SilverStarCowboy]

WTH-Jebus sakes Chris! - OBVIOUSLY Jerry Jones is still running this team, Costa is a natural fit for Dallas at Center not Gaurd.

[big dog cowboy]

I'll wait and see. You never know. I certainly don't wanna stop drafting OL.
Neither do I but I'm starting to feel much better about our future OL.


It's one thing to start; it's another to actually be good. Alan Ball started at safety last year.
Ball started last year, but he was clearly out of position.

[InmanRoshi]

Jerry tends to overly gush about what a great camp a great camp a young guy is having when he doesn't want to spend money bringing in a veteran. He did the same thing with Alan Ball last year.

[Idgit]

Jerry tends to overly gush about what a great camp a great camp a young guy is having when he doesn't want to spend money bringing in a veteran. He did the same thing with Alan Ball last year.

I don't remember anyone gushing over Ball, but you're right, Jerry does do this.

By all accounts, though, Costa's having a pretty good camp.

[viman96]

So Koiser is RG then for the season/future?

[Mansta54]

WTH-Jebus sakes Chris! - OBVIOUSLY Jerry Jones is still running this team, Costa is a natural fit for Dallas at Center not Gaurd.

You may think differently after you listen to JG presser from yestereday. He spoke highly of Costa and that's where I think JJ is getting his info from.. Just a thought!!

[Idgit]

You may think differently after you listen to JG presser from yestereday. He spoke highly of Costa and that's where I think JJ is getting his info from.. Just a thought!!

People are just making this up because they naturally resist the idea of low round or undrafted players starting. It's the same impulse that had half the board saying Doug Free was better fit for RT.

[burmafrd]

People are just making this up because they naturally resist the idea of low round or undrafted players starting. It's the same impulse that had half the board saying Doug Free was better fit for RT.

Our record is not good with low round players. Simple fact. Free is the only one we have starting that we drafted lower than the second round. This team has STUNK drafting O line period for almost 15 years and you are amazed people are skeptical?

[Mansta54]

Our record is not good with low round players. Simple fact. Free is the only one we have starting that we drafted lower than the second round. This team has STUNK drafting O line period for almost 15 years and you are amazed people are skeptical?

My trust and faith is in JG. I could care less about what was done in the past. I believe the work ethic, desire, discipline, focus, and physical play that JG demands from these players including the oline will go a long way in developing them. It's a new day at Valley Ranch under JG's watch and that isn't hard to see unless you just don't want to see it.. If JG likes Costa or Arkin or whoever then thats fine with me. He sees them work every day..

[InmanRoshi]

I don't remember anyone gushing over Ball, but you're right, Jerry does do this.

After the 2010 draft Jerry said that he was still looking at getting some free safety help through free agency. When asked about it in camp, he said free safety was no longer a concern because Alan Ball was having such a great camp.

Jerry is always a salesman selling his product, first and foremost.

[burmafrd]

My trust and faith is in JG. I could care less about what was done in the past. I believe the work ethic, desire, discipline, focus, and physical play that JG demands from these players including the oline will go a long way in developing them. It's a new day at Valley Ranch under JG's watch and that isn't hard to see unless you just don't want to see it.. If JG likes Costa or Arkin or whoever then thats fine with me. He sees them work every day..

Every coach is going to be wrong about some players; its a fact. Blindly saying that whatever JG wants is OK is just burying your head in the sand.

[Mansta54]

Every coach is going to be wrong about some players; its a fact. Blindly saying that whatever JG wants is OK is just burying your head in the sand.

No it's NOT bury my head in the sand at all. I feel that as HC he has the ability to set the stage and tempo for our young players to be successful and that includes the oline. How's that bury my head in the sand? Any football team I played on, midget league, HS, or college, the HC set the tone for success in all aspects..

[MichaelWinicki]

We're finding out why Jerry said the team wasn't interested in signing another guard.

Costa is showing a lot, as is Arkin.

I think the knock about Costa's arms being short is overblown.

If he was playing tackle, I'd be more concerned.

[Mansta54]

We're finding out why Jerry said the team wasn't interested in signing another guard.

Costa is showing a lot, as is Arkin.

I think the knock about Costa's arms being short is overblown.

If he was playing tackle, I'd be more concerned.

I agree and I like it. Those guys are young and promising. I'm watching the game again now and both Costa and Arkin are physical and get to the second level well. JG knows what he has in those guys..