ESPND: Jerry: Montrae Holland deserves game ball

[WoodysGirl]

Oct 23
8:19
PM CT

Email (http://sendtofriend.espn.go.com/sendtofriend/SendToFriend?URL=http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4685575/jerry-montrae-holland-deserves-game-ball&title=Jerry:%20Montrae%20Holland%20deserves%20game %20ball)
Print (http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/print?id=4685575)
Comments (http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4685575/jerry-montrae-holland-deserves-game-ball#comments)[/URL]
By Tim MacMahon

ARLINGTON, Texas – Montrae Holland (http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4685575/jerry-montrae-holland-deserves-game-ball#comments) took full advantage of his second chance to make a first impression.

Holland had the kind of game in Sunday’s win the Cowboys hoped they would get out of the guard when they made the decision to release Leonard Davis (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/2550/leonard-davis). It came six games into the season, days after the veteran the Cowboys released in early September re-signed with the team, which was desperate with rookie guard Bill Nagy (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14096/bill-nagy) out for the season with a broken ankle and veteran Derrick Dockery (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/4539/derrick-dockery) not ready to return from a sprained MCL.

The spotlight will rightfully shine on rookie running back DeMarco Murray (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/14005/demarco-murray) after he broke Emmitt Smith’s franchise record with 253 rushing yards. Holland, however, gets a big share of the credit from the front office.

Read the rest: [URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4685575/jerry-montrae-holland-deserves-game-ball

[8FOR!3]

Holland played really well, it's worth acknowledging. But if anybody deserves a game ball it'll be the man who broke Emmitt Smith's franchise rushing record. I can't even break 253 in MADDEN and running the ball in MADDEN is easy money.

[5Stars]

:starspin

That's what I'm talking about. He looked like a big nasty. Looking for a job.

;)

[Mansta54]

JG cutting Holland was the best thing for him. He was humbled and hurt and now realizes that it can be over at anytime if you don't dedicate yourself to the game and work and play hard. Holland makes a HUGE difference on our oline..

[roughneck266]

“I don’t want it,” Holland said. “If it goes to me, it’s going to go to the offensive line, the whole offensive line. We all came together. There’s nobody bigger.”

Very classy. Cudos Mr Holland. PLEASE keep it up. I would love nothing more than to be able to say our line is finally becoming a complete unit.

[Future]

Holland played really well, it's worth acknowledging. But if anybody deserves a game ball it'll be the man who broke Emmitt Smith's franchise rushing record. I can't even break 253 in MADDEN and running the ball in MADDEN is easy money.
Agree that Murray get's the game ball. No doubt about that imo.

But it's no coincidence that when Holland came back the running game vastly improved (fiametta's return and playing the Rams also helped).

Also, turn your difficulty up :laugh2:

[realtick]

But weren't we told that Nagy was the better player by some of the higher ups here?

[ThreeSportStar80]

Yes he does....

[CooterBrown]

In my opinion, up until this year, Holland was satisfied to be on a roster and getting veteran pay. He didn't need to push a starter, or play when he was sore or hurting. When he was cut and out of work, he realized he needed the game more than the game needed him. He is smaller, and played a whole game, and played well, without getting injured.

[baj1dallas]

JG cutting Holland was the best thing for him. He was humbled and hurt and now realizes that it can be over at anytime if you don't dedicate yourself to the game and work and play hard. Holland makes a HUGE difference on our oline..

While that's true it's not like he's a lazy bum, he was hurt and couldn't stay in shape over the offseason.

[Arch Stanton]

JG cutting Holland was the best thing for him. He was humbled and hurt and now realizes that it can be over at anytime if you don't dedicate yourself to the game and work and play hard. Holland makes a HUGE difference on our oline..

This ain't cupcake!

[Doomsday101]

But weren't we told that Nagy was the better player by some of the higher ups here?

I think to start the year Nagy was graded higher because the lack of conditioning Holland came into camp with an a history of coming in out of shape.

As was mentioned in this thread maybe the best thing that could have happened to Holland was getting cut. Sometimes you take for granted what you have until it is gone. I was really proud of the play of Holland and hope he continues

[stasheroo]

Very happy for both he and the Cowboys, and this is coming from someone who ripped him to shreds during the preseason.

As was mentioned, hopefully his release was a wake-up call to him that he was on the verge of losing his career and so far it looks like he 'got it'.

Good for him, good for the Cowboys.

[adbutcher]

I think to start the year Nagy was graded higher because the lack of conditioning Holland came into camp with an a history of coming in out of shape.

As was mentioned in this thread maybe the best thing that could have happened to Holland was getting cut. Sometimes you take for granted what you have until it is gone. I was really proud of the play of Holland and hope he continues

:hammer:

Lack of conditioning can make a coward out of anyone.

Alas, instead of praising the effort from Holland the peanut gallery has to spike the good punch with it's obligatory negativity and spiteful commentary.

[TheCount]

JG cutting Holland was the best thing for him. He was humbled and hurt and now realizes that it can be over at anytime if you don't dedicate yourself to the game and work and play hard. Holland makes a HUGE difference on our oline..

When Holland has played, he's played well. That's never been the problem.

The problem was that he would get injured and that he showed up out of shape.

Somewhat unrelated, but if Holland is THIS much better than Nagy, who was so much better than Arkin. What does that say about Arkin? I'm having a hard time believing he's THAT far off.

[Doomsday101]

When Holland has played, he's played well. That's never been the problem.

The problem was that he would get injured and that he showed up out of shape.

Somewhat unrelated, but if Holland is THIS much better than Nagy, who was so much better than Arkin. What does that say about Arkin? I'm having a hard time believing he's THAT far off.

I have a lot of hope for both Nagy and Arkin. I think a full off season in the weight and conditioning sessions will be a big help to both of them.

[Deep_Freeze]

It will be interesting to see who will start once Dockery gets back. They are both basically the same age, and both have shown something when they played. Its actually a good problem to have, the best man plays.

[stasheroo]

It will be interesting to see who will start once Dockery gets back. They are both basically the same age, and both have shown something when they played. Its actually a good problem to have, the best man plays.

I don't think it's close.

I thought Holland played great yesterday right out of the gate while I saw nothing noteworthy from Dockery other than two consecutive false start penalties.

[Deep_Freeze]

I don't think it's close.

I thought Holland played great yesterday right out of the gate while I saw nothing noteworthy from Dockery other than two consecutive false start penalties.

Probably true, although we probably were playing against a different level of competition at the time when Dockery did play. At least its nice to at least think about having some veteran depth in there.

[stasheroo]

Probably true, although we probably were playing against a different level of competition at the time when Dockery did play. At least its nice to at least think about having some veteran depth in there.

Very true.