FWST: Callahan says team still have confidence in Arkin, who can be a backup at C/G

[WoodysGirl]

-- Carlos Mendez

David Arkin still has the confidence of the Cowboys’ coaches, who believe they can trust him to be a backup at guard or center if they need him.

“My hat goes off to him,” offensive line coach Bill Callahan said Thursday at Valley Ranch. “He took numerous repetitions in training camp. I think he ended up with the most reps of any offensive lineman. So he acquired some real good experience, which will afford us, if we do bring him up or make him active for a game, to have him in a backup role, not only at the guard spot, but at the center position as well.

“We’re trying to build our depth. There’s no better way to do that than to have him take advantage of the situation that occurred in Oxnard.”

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/cowboys/2012/09/callahan-says-cowboys-still-have-confidence-in-arkin-who-can-be-a-backup-at-center-and-guard.html

[BIGDen]

Well let's hope he's right because I have no confidence in Arkin. He looks Procteresque to me at this point.

[MichaelWinicki]

Arkin showed good movement skills.

Yeah, he needs more strength, but he at least looked like he knew what he was doing.

I think there's something to build on.

[Eskimo]

I don't know if Arkin will ever be ready but I am pretty sure he isn't ready right now.

If Cook were to go down we would be looking for a starter at Centre and not a backup.

I still think the best solution is to sign Holland, get a competition between Mack and Cook at Centre and the winner starts there with Holland at RG.

You can get the roster space by releasing the CB we just signed or trying to move Arkin onto the PS. I really doubt there is all that much interest in a guy who plays OL on skates.

[baj1dallas]

Arkin showed good movement skills.

Yeah, he needs more strength, but he at least looked like he knew what he was doing.

I think there's something to build on.

Yeah great, that's the guy you want hiking the ball to Romo every week. Face it he's not strong enough to stop any NT in the league. If he's starting, the game is over.

[BIGDen]

I don't know if Arkin will ever be ready but I am pretty sure he isn't ready right now.

If Cook were to go down we would be looking for a starter at Centre and not a backup.

I still think the best solution is to sign Holland, get a competition between Mack and Cook at Centre and the winner starts there with Holland at RG.
You can get the roster space by releasing the CB we just signed or trying to move Arkin onto the PS. I really doubt there is all that much interest in a guy who plays OL on skates.

AAAAAMEN!!!!! The idea that Dockery and Arkin are one injury away from starting is beyond disturbing. Holland should have been signed a while ago.

[jjktkk]

Arkin showed good movement skills.

Yeah, he needs more strength, but he at least looked like he knew what he was doing.

I think there's something to build on.


Yeah great, that's the guy you want hiking the ball to Romo every week. Face it he's not strong enough to stop any NT in the league. If he's starting, the game is over.

I'm looking at Winicki's post, and where exactly does he say that Arkin would be "hiking the ball to Romo every week"? Arkin is a prospect that is still raw, needs to get stronger, etc..., but dude, why rant and rave about him potentially starting? Hes a developmental backup. Chill out.

[Teague31]

I still don't get the Holland love. There are 31 other teams out there and not one has signed him.

[Eskimo]

I still don't get the Holland love. There are 31 other teams out there and not one has signed him.

Well we had him here last year and saw what he could do once he committed himself and got into shape.

I think he graded out as a top 10 OG in the league last year. He was very good run blocking and good pass blocking. He gives you a clean pocket because no one can push him back with his low center of gravity and tremendous ability to anchor. He also has good lateral agility in tight spaces. His weakness is getting out in space.

So I know what he can do and everyone else in the league ignoring him doesn't prove anything to me.

I know we are a better team with him. The team admitted as much when they worked out Loper, Dockery and Holland. The problem was they couldn't come to terms with him on a deal.

[Bullflop]

Maybe Arkin will gain a sufficient amount of strength in time and maybe he won't. I'd still prefer we draft another o-lineman early next draft, though. I wouldn't expect a staff member like Callahan to say anything other than to express confidence in his charges anyhow. What's he supposed to say; he's too weak and is developing at a snail's pace? Highly unlikely. I'll be quite disappointed if we don't draft another interior offensive lineman fairly early-on next year.

[jaybird]

I still don't get the Holland love. There are 31 other teams out there and not one has signed him.

Mee too, many Zoners think they know better than Callahan.

Am I'm happy with depth, no. But clumsy Holland is not the answer.

[BIGDen]

Mee too, many Zoners think they know better than Callahan.

Am I'm happy with depth, no. But clumsy Holland is not the answer.

Many of us expressed concern over our interior OL situation last year and wanted Waters (who wanted to come here), but I guess the Cowboys staff "knew better". Unfortunately, they don't always make the right call. Eskimo's post about why Holland would be a good signing explains why some of us are still hoping we sign him. Nobody thinks that the guy is All-Pro, but he is better than Dockery or Arkin. If you think that either of those guys are better than Holland, then you judge talent and ability very differently than I do. Holland would be on this team if the Cowboys agreed to include playing time incentives (which seem only fair for a guy who has proven to have the ability to start). Let us all pray that we do not suffer any more OL injuries this year, because the depth is not good.

[jaybird]

Many of us expressed concern over our interior OL situation last year and wanted Waters (who wanted to come here), but I guess the Cowboys staff "knew better". Unfortunately, they don't always make the right call. Eskimo's post about why Holland would be a good signing explains why some of us are still hoping we sign him. Nobody thinks that the guy is All-Pro, but he is better than Dockery or Arkin. If you think that either of those guys are better than Holland, then you judge talent and ability very differently than I do. Holland would be on this team if the Cowboys agreed to include playing time incentives (which seem only fair for a guy who has proven to have the ability to start). Let us all pray that we do not suffer any more OL injuries this year, because the depth is not good.

Again, you and others proclaim this with out knowing what kind of shape Holland is in or his readiness to compete. Like another poster pointerd out; Holl;and is still unemployeed, with many other teams having OLO depth issues-hmmmmm. With regards to Waters, this league does have salary cap limitations, you simply cant sign everyone you want. If so, the riches teams would remain at the top--See Yankees.... This year we put our largest egg, in the Carr basket. We can debate about that move if you choose. Carr vs. signing a top tier OL.. In defense of the Cowboys brass, we did suffer an excessive amount of OL injuries. I had High hopes for Nagy and Killa. But thats football.

[burmafrd]

last year was a text book example on what not to do on the O line.

Whoever thought Costa was a starting caliber player last year needed to go; hopefully that was Houck.

Whoever decided to pass on Waters was a MORON.

Holland was the only smart move they made during the season on the O line.

For those that somehow are blind he was quite good at Guard last year later in the season.

Now no one has come out and said he is not in shape; the word has been he wanted too much money. Which is up to him and no one else.

[stasheroo]

Again, you and others proclaim this with out knowing what kind of shape Holland is in or his readiness to compete. Like another poster pointerd out; Holl;and is still unemployeed, with many other teams having OLO depth issues-hmmmmm.

And none of them, save for New England, had the sense to sign Waters last year did they? Hmmmmmmm...

As for Holland? He was apparently in good enough shape to out-perform both Dockery and Loper when all three worked out - by a wide margin. His only 'sin' was wanting to get paid better than league minimum.

With regards to Waters, this league does have salary cap limitations, you simply cant sign everyone you want. If so, the riches teams would remain at the top--See Yankees.... This year we put our largest egg, in the Carr basket.

That's a load of bull. This team was in no way 'capped out' or unable to pay him what he wanted. They chose not to - wrongly. Save the revisionist history lesson.

We can debate about that move if you choose. Carr vs. signing a top tier OL.. In defense of the Cowboys brass, we did suffer an excessive amount of OL injuries. I had High hopes for Nagy and Killa. But thats football.

And what do 'high hopes' get you?

Nobody is suggesting having Pro Bowlers at every position, but there are better ways to deal with depth than 'hopes'.

[visionary]

I don't know if Arkin will ever be ready but I am pretty sure he isn't ready right now.

If Cook were to go down we would be looking for a starter at Centre and not a backup.

I still think the best solution is to sign Holland, get a competition between Mack and Cook at Centre and the winner starts there with Holland at RG.

You can get the roster space by releasing the CB we just signed or trying to move Arkin onto the PS. I really doubt there is all that much interest in a guy who plays OL on skates.

but callahan said he can be relied on and "took the most reps in TC"
so he must be ready :eek:

[jaybird]

Maybe Arkin will gain a sufficient amount of strength in time and maybe he won't. I'd still prefer we draft another o-lineman early next draft, though. I wouldn't expect a staff member like Callahan to say anything other than to express confidence in his charges anyhow. What's he supposed to say; he's too weak and is developing at a snail's pace? Highly unlikely. I'll be quite disappointed if we don't draft another interior offensive lineman fairly early-on next year.

This, next year OL should be #1 priority. Sorry, but Holland would not be an upgrade. He wiffs on blocks and falls on his face. I'm confident in the fact if he was an upgrade he would have been paid. I too am a little surprise Dockery still on the team, but I trust Callahan's judgement.
With that said, I am concern the OL or lack of depth will hold us back. Mark my words though Killa will help this team this year--eventually.

[visionary]

And what do 'high hopes' get you?

Nobody is suggesting having Pro Bowlers at every position, but there are better ways to deal with depth than 'hopes'.

i hope you are not suggesting the we actually plan for the future

that would be just crazy

[dboyz]

I don't know if Arkin will ever be ready but I am pretty sure he isn't ready right now.

If Cook were to go down we would be looking for a starter at Centre and not a backup.

I still think the best solution is to sign Holland, get a competition between Mack and Cook at Centre and the winner starts there with Holland at RG.

You can get the roster space by releasing the CB we just signed or trying to move Arkin onto the PS. I really doubt there is all that much interest in a guy who plays OL on skates.

I think it is too late to start shuffling the pieces around. Bern has not played a lot of center and is just settling down as guard for us. I think Cook is the center now, if Costa comes back we have competition. If Kowalski comes back we have more competition.

[stasheroo]

This, next year OL should be #1 priority.


No arguments from me here.

Sorry, but Holland would not be an upgrade. He wiffs on blocks and falls on his face. I'm confident in the fact if he was an upgrade he would have been paid. I too am a little surprise Dockery still on the team, but I trust Callahan's judgement.

I'm not confident. Not when all reports said that Holland was far and away the best of the three that worked out. His only 'sin' was in wanting incentives put into his deal if he actually played.

With that said, I am concern the OL or lack of depth will hold us back. Mark my words though Killa will help this team this year--eventually.

Even if you're right, that's 4 more weeks away - at best.

If anything happens to Cook within that time frame, we're in serious trouble.

It scares me that the team keeps pushing their luck at the center position.

[Zimmy Lives]

No arguments from me here.



I'm not confident. Not when all reports said that Holland was far and away the best of the three that worked out. His only 'sin' was in wanting incentives put into his deal if he actually played.



Even if you're right, that's 4 more weeks away - at best.

If anything happens to Cook within that time frame, we're in serious trouble.

It scares me that the team keeps pushing their luck at the center position.

Holland may or may not have had the "best" workout (we do not really know) but that did not mean he was the best candidate for this line. I do see your point, however, about taking risks and gambling that they have the right combination of players on the o-line.

O-line should be a priority in next year's draft but I do not think that pick needs to be a 1st-rounder.

[stasheroo]

Holland may or may not have had the "best" workout (we do not really know) All reports from everyone in attendance indicated this was the case.

but that did not mean he was the best candidate for this line.

It said enough to me. Most experience working here, starter for 10 games in 2010, obviously the best on-field performer of the group of he, Dockery, and Loper.

And trust me, this is coming from one of Holland's harshest critics. I was all over him when was a fat, lazy, unmotivated player cruising through his NFL caree. But when he was released last year, the light came on for him and he became a different player, one who worked to fulfill his potential.

I do see your point, however, about taking risks and gambling that they have the right combination of players on the o-line.

Yeah, I think that open roster spot would have been better used on O-line rather than a special teams player who has bounced around the league.

O-line should be a priority in next year's draft but I do not think that pick needs to be a 1st-rounder.


Agreed. I don't advocate 'locking in' on any position at this time, but I would like to see resources used on the offensive line next year.

[Zimmy Lives]

All reports from everyone in attendance indicated this was the case.

If this is true, it's possible he was not considered a good fit for the scheme Callahan wanted to run.

I do not know enough about Holland's abilities to critique him but I would imagine that he does not do something well enough in the running game to merit higher pay. I did think he was a good pass blocker last year so I don't think it was a question concerning pass blocking.

[burmafrd]

If this is true, it's possible he was not considered a good fit for the scheme Callahan wanted to run.

I do not know enough about Holland's abilities to critique him but I would imagine that he does not do something well enough in the running game to merit higher pay. I did think he was a good pass blocker last year so I don't think it was a question concerning pass blocking.

it was about the money. that was all it was about

considering the amount that Jerruh has thrown around in failures, it was stupid.

[Zimmy Lives]

it was about the money. that was all it was about

considering the amount that Jerruh has thrown around in failures, it was stupid.

If so, then it was "stupid." I think there was more to it than that but it does not matter. They are are going with what they've got with/without a backup plan.

[reddyuta]

Arkin was pretty bad and he will be playing a new position,that is a recipe for getting Romo killed.

[AbeBeta]

Well we had him here last year and saw what he could do once he committed himself and got into shape.

I think he graded out as a top 10 OG in the league last year. He was very good run blocking and good pass blocking. He gives you a clean pocket because no one can push him back with his low center of gravity and tremendous ability to anchor. He also has good lateral agility in tight spaces. His weakness is getting out in space.


Gee, with those numbers, you'd think any of the other 31 teams in the league would have had him in. If each team carries 4 guards, that would mean he's seen even a top 120 OG.

To me that is a far better statistic than whatever PFF puts out

[stasheroo]

Gee, with those numbers, you'd think any of the other 31 teams in the league would have had him in. If each team carries 4 guards, that would mean he's seen even a top 120 OG.

To me that is a far better statistic than whatever PFF puts out

Yeah, but conversely, nobody wanted Brian Waters last year until New England finally signed him.

And he only went to the Pro Bowl.

Just shows that nobody's perfect, or infallible.

[speedkilz88]

The only one that was stupid is Holland because now Dockery has a job and he doesn't.

[AbeBeta]

Yeah, but conversely, nobody wanted Brian Waters last year until New England finally signed him.

And he only went to the Pro Bowl.

Just shows that nobody's perfect, or infallible.

Brian Waters was a 5 time probowl player who wasn't sure if he wanted to continue his career. He wanted a perfect situation with a team that would either be very competitive or potentially a high paying gig with a team close to home.

Holland is a player with talent who has rarely put that talent to use on the field. When he does get a string of good games going, he seems to get hurt.

Also, I am pretty sure that in Callahan's system the RG needs to be someone who can block on the move. That's why we liked Bern in the first place. If Holland were here he'd be a better fit at LG, which is where Livings, who by all accounts has a heck of a time when he needs to go find someone to block, plays

[stasheroo]

Brian Waters was a 5 time probowl player who wasn't sure if he wanted to continue his career. He wanted a perfect situation with a team that would either be very competitive or potentially a high paying gig with a team close to home.

He definitely wanted the 'close to home' part. Yet another reason we look so bad in retrospect for not signing him.

Holland is a player with talent who has rarely put that talent to use on the field. When he does get a string of good games going, he seems to get hurt.

No argument on that. Up until his return last season, I was one of his most outspoken critics. But the guy I saw when he came back was a changed man. He got it.

Also, I am pretty sure that in Callahan's system the RG needs to be someone who can block on the move. That's why we liked Bern in the first place. If Holland were here he'd be a better fit at LG, which is where Livings, who by all accounts has a heck of a time when he needs to go find someone to block, plays

I'm not advocating having him replace a starter, but I certainly feel that he would be a better backup than Dockery. Any mobility questions you can make for Holland go double for Dockery. He struggles moving in the phone booth area of guard play.

[burmafrd]

Holland is worlds better than our current backup guard Dockery

[AbeBeta]

I'm not advocating having him replace a starter, but I certainly feel that he would be a better backup than Dockery. Any mobility questions you can make for Holland go double for Dockery. He struggles moving in the phone booth area of guard play.

Perhaps he is better than Dockery -- but not after not going through TC or pre-season or practice with the team. He's been on the couch since Christmas.

He clearly isn't motivated enough to come in and prove he's got it -- he only wants to play if he gets a certain amount of $. It is an odd move for someone who doesn't have many years left to play.

[stasheroo]

Perhaps he is better than Dockery -- but not after not going through TC or pre-season or practice with the team. He's been on the couch since Christmas.

He clearly isn't motivated enough to come in and prove he's got it -- he only wants to play if he gets a certain amount of $. It is an odd move for someone who doesn't have many years left to play.

Actually, from what I have heard, he is partnering with LeCharles Bentley at his sports clinic. The same one he went to to resurrect his own career.

They're currently working with former Panther Jeff Otah in resurrecting his own career (another player I'd like us to kick the tires on soon!)

I think Holland feels that unless the money is good enough, he'll just begin the next phase of his life that much sooner.

He has options.

[Denim Chicken]

Actually, from what I have heard, he is partnering with LeCharles Bentley at his sports clinic. The same one he went to to resurrect his own career.

They're currently working with former Panther Jeff Otah in resurrecting his own career (another player I'd like us to kick the tires on soon!)

I think Holland feels that unless the money is good enough, he'll just begin the next phase of his life that much sooner.

He has options.


I agree. I started following him on Twitter when he came and worked out with us. All he ever tweets about is that clinic, working out, and football.