12 starting position changes next year

[ddh33]

I can't say what the staff is really thinking but I suspect they don't know yet for sure who will start on the interior. I hope they let them compete and the best win. And I pray we don't get significant injuries there this year.

Of course they should have an open competition, and I believe they will.

I just think that everyone is forgetting that Costa was clearly the best interior lineman in camp last year. Before Gurode was cut, it was assumed that Costa would start at guard to get the best lineman on the field at once.

I find it hard to believe that everyone else is going to make a big enough jump to overtake him this year, especially when he also has the benefit of being a guy who has been in some of the live battles.

As others have pointed out, as disappointed as we might have been in the play of Costa last year, the coaches never once indicated that they were preparing to move away from him to another player.

 

[Phoenix]

What about P, K, KR, PR?

 

[Vinnie2u]

I know he's no Mike Webster but I think Ya'll are to hard on Costa. Here are the facts. No training camp or off season conditioning last year. He's a Undrafted free agent. Gurode gets cut. He's thrown into the fire. If the organization felt like he's a weak link. Why was no center drafted? If Houck or Garrett felt he was no good or had no upside why is he our starter? If some one was better than him on the roster why aren't they starting. People around here want a pro bowler in every position. Let the guy come into camp compete for his job and let the best man win. I Trust Garrett and Callaghan will make the best decision.

 

[CaptainMorgan]

maybe if you've read anything on the cowboys this offseason, you'd know that Smith and Free were switching posiitons

I have a life outside cowboys football...

Besides, I havent seen anything written in stone that they were for sure switching only Garrett saying that is something they would take a look at.

 

[CaptainMorgan]

I wonder sometimes what some of you guys are watching when you watch our games.

I watched Free look like a turnstile most of the season, what exactly are you watching?

 

[The30YardSlant]

Two observations...

1: Hatcher played more than Spears did last year, so that isnt really a change.

2: I think people penciling in Carter as a starter at ILB are getting ahead of themselves. Connor has more experience and by most accounts played like Sean Lee-light much of last season. Carter is very fast and athletic, but as of right now not factoring in any improvements to be had this summer and TC, I'd start Connor.

 

[The30YardSlant]

I'll go on record here and say Costa will be our starting center as much as everyone hates to hear that. I think he suffered through some growing pains last season. According to many here Kowalski was so much better but apparently not enough in the coaches eyes to replace him, that should be enough to open some eyes.

On top of that I think Costa has a much better year.

Ok, let's say that's true. The fact of the matter is that mere improvement isnt enough for Costa. he was SO BAD last year that normal firs tto second year improvement will take him from the worst center in football to at best a mediocre backup.

The man has to make INCREDIBLE strides just to be a serviceable lineman in this league, let alone a quality starter. He also has to get stronger, grow longer arms and improve his quickness out of his stance.

I just don't see it. It would qualify as the most amazing player improvement I've ever seen at this level.

 

[Tabascocat]

As long as Costa keeps working on those snaps, I have no problem if he turns out to be our starting center. What I can't take is watching those same miss-snaps over and over again, that will drive me to the nuthouse early.

 

[RS12]

Two observations...

1: Hatcher played more than Spears did last year, so that isnt really a change.

2: I think people penciling in Carter as a starter at ILB are getting ahead of themselves. Connor has more experience and by most accounts played like Sean Lee-light much of last season. Carter is very fast and athletic, but as of right now not factoring in any improvements to be had this summer and TC, I'd start Connor.

I think they are going to do everything possible to make Carter the starter, and only him being totally inept will keep him out of there. High pick one year in the system needs to be out there producing now.

 

[The30YardSlant]

I think they are going to do everything possible to make Carter the starter, and only him being totally inept will keep him out of there. High pick one year in the system needs to be out there producing now.

I agree, but like I said Carter has to improve to make that happen because Connor was pretty solid last season and Carter didn't exactly set the world onf ire in his limited action.

 

[cowboy_ron]

I hope Frank is better than Phil.

:laugh2: