Is Phil Costa a Keeper? - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**WoodysGirl** · 01-30-2013

By Dan Graziano | ESPN.com

ESPNDallas.com is running a series on Dallas Cowboys free agents, and one of their recent entries addressed the case of restricted free agent Phil Costa, who has shown flashes but not consistent strength or health:

Why keep him: The coaches like his smarts and his ability to fight and the offense went pretty well in his limited action. He can also play guard, and you can't overlook that versatility with gameday roster spots so precious.

Why let him go: In order to keep him, the Cowboys would have to tender him a deal worth $1.323 million or agree to a lower deal. He will never be a dominating player and will get pushed back more than you would like.

The Cowboys need to improve on the line, but their issues at tackle and guard are likely to play out as more important than center, where they have options. Costa is one of those options, and while I haven't liked much of what I've seen from him in his limited action, I also don't think he's delivered enough of a sample size on which to base an opinion that he can't be the answer for them at center.

More: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post...cowboys-keeper

AbeBeta · 01-30-2013

He'll be relatively cheap to hold on to. He really showed something in the 1.5 games he played last year. 1.3 mill for another year to look at him isn't much. If he earns a starting job, that is really cheap.

theogt · 01-30-2013

It all depends on his health. Back issues for a lineman aren't a good thing.

burmafrd · 01-30-2013

not worth $1.323 million to find out

Cowboy from New York · 01-30-2013

He's a journeyman skilled player, find another just like him without the bad back. Did anyone forget his getting fooled half a dozen times in one game into snapping the ball early? Not exactly a zen master.

SilverStarCowboy · 01-30-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by burmafrd

not worth $1.323 million to find out

didn't want to think coasta was in over his head but if you can't stay healthy.... he should've tried deer antler velvet.

erod · 01-30-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by theogt

It all depends on his health. Back issues for a lineman aren't a good thing.

He came back from the back issue. Then he broke his ankle.

Yes, you keep Costa. Good, solid backup interior lineman that can play well in a pinch.

erod · 01-30-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboy from New York

He's a journeyman skilled player, find another just like him without the bad back. Did anyone forget his getting fooled half a dozen times in one game into snapping the ball early? Not exactly a zen master.

Against Baltimore, he was dominating, and Dallas had its best rushing game of the season.

xwalker · 01-30-2013

The Cowboys must find some proven options at Center before they let anybody leave.

**Idgit** · 01-30-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by theogt

It all depends on his health. Back issues for a lineman aren't a good thing.

I agree. Though he had compound health problems last year. The back thing freaks me out.

We'll keep him, though, for this season, for sure. And we should. I hope he pans out, and I'm bummed we didn't get a larger sample this season. It stinks going into the offseason again with a question mark at OC. With the exception, maybe, of Kowalski, I don't believe the other guys on the roster are even potential long term starting-quality Cs in the NFL.

theogt · 01-30-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by erod

He came back from the back issue. Then he broke his ankle.

Yes, you keep Costa. Good, solid backup interior lineman that can play well in a pinch.

I believe he had back issues too after he came back. I could be wrong.

RS12 · 01-30-2013

If they go DL in round one, Frederick out of UW in two or Schwenke out of Cal in three would be huge upgrades and they will cost less than Costa.

xwalker · 01-30-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by RS12

If they go DL in round one, Fredericks out of UW in two or Schwenke out of Cal in three would be huge upgrades and they will cost less than Costa.

My fav OC is Khalad Holmes.

Cowboy from New York · 01-30-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by erod

Against Baltimore, he was dominating, and Dallas had its best rushing game of the season.

I know I referenced the skins game but he has a bad back now and was by no means an upper tier center to start with. If he comes back for depth, fine. But in no way would I make him a priority.

Gaede · 01-30-2013

need an upgrade at center, and I don't keep Costa as a backup

Not reliable enough so far, and can't play anything other than C. At least w/ Bernie, he can backup at both G and C.