Are the young offensive linemen as good as advertised?

[Awakened]

I'm hearing good things about Costa, Nagy, and Arkin. Are these guys really all three potentially solid NFL offensive linemen? Or are the Cowboys just trying to be optimistic about a troubling situation? Serious analysis from guys who aren't happy fans would be appreciated.

If all three of these guys are really good, that would indicate a new philosophy in drafting offensive linemen. Maybe they studied the Patriots and Giants approach and learned some lessons?

 

[baj1dallas]

I'm hearing good things about Costa, Nagy, and Arkin. Are these guys really all three potentially solid NFL offensive linemen? Or are the Cowboys just trying to be optimistic about a troubling situation? Serious analysis from guys who aren't happy fans would be appreciated.

If all three of these guys are really good, that would indicate a new philosophy in drafting offensive linemen. Maybe they studied the Patriots and Giants approach and learned some lessons?

Mostly hype. Costa looks like an able backup at center and we should find out about guard. That would make him really versatile and useful, which is how Kosier got here. Arkin is at least a year away. Nagy will be forgotten in 2 years time.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'll just say there looks to be some promise in these young guys that I was not seeing in the past with other rookie lineman we have brought in.

 

[Stautner]

Too early to tell. 1st preseason game was encouraging though.

 

[dallasfan4lizife]

the future looks very bright with arkin and smith...that being said, i think many people are confusing smith's "actual" performance with his potential..great potential from what we saw in the game but his performance was average. (he's only 20 so im sure he'll be very good one day)

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Aside from Tyron, who is HOF bound, none are that good.
Jerra and Houck are doing lots of spin because jerra brought us here and Houck has to hope for the best.

 

[Stautner]

the future looks very bright with arkin and smith...that being said, i think many people are confusing smith's "actual" performance with his potential..great potential from what we saw in the game but his performance was average. (he's only 20 so im sure he'll be very good one day)

I sgree - Smith showed some good things and showed a little inexperience and wasn't in the best positioin a few times. He also showed tremendous athleticism for the position - enough that I'm very encouraged about his future.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I watched these guys a lot when I was at camp watching the team. Smith natual ability is something to watch in person, he is just fluid at the tackle position. He will be one of the best in the league in the next few years. I would not have an issue if Costa was our starting center today. He is very capable. His he a pro bowler, nope but he can do the job and would. Arkin, needs more upper body strength. He could start and we could hide his issues with scheme for sure. I think he needs one or maybe two years in the weight program before he reaches his full strength.

I think the boys hit on all 3 of these lineman and all will be starters for us one day down the line and very good players.

 

[Cowboys22]

I think all three are very good compared to what the team has had in the 6th-10th OL in the recent past. I think all three could play in a pinch and you would not get destroyed like in years past when backup OL had to play. All three have lots of room to get better and I think project to possible future starters which is much better than we've seen in the past with the Proctors, McQuistens, Brewsters, and such.

 

[Kangaroo]

Aside from Tyron, who is HOF bound, none are that good.
Jerra and Houck are doing lots of spin because jerra brought us here and Houck has to hope for the best.

I disagree I think Akrin and Costa can both become solid NFL contributors with Akrin having a higher ceiling. Please do not use 4th round as a lack of talent because Free was a 4th round pick and is a steal at LT.

I am not expecting Costa to be all world but he has a chance to hit a Kosier level as a linemen in football solid and unspectacular linemen. Will he maybe but saying it is all smoke is hyperbole. Costa filled in at guard last year for a game and did ok for his first start.

Time will give the full story

 

[SDCowboy]

Too early to tell. 1st preseason game was encouraging though.

You think so? Romo didn't have a clean pocket the entire drive.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

How does anyone know yet? Costa is the only one who has played at all in a real game, and he's an undrafted guy.

Now Smith, I can buy that he has great potential and should be very good for us. Costa and Arkin, who knows if they'll actually be any good or not. Being better than Robert Brewster and Cory Procter isn't really saying much.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Not sure. Smith could be because he has all the physical tools to be as good as he wants to be. Arkin and Costa, we'll have to wait and see.

 

[NextGenBoys]

I was not able to watch the Broncos game, nor have I seen any of TC, so I have no idea how they have looked....only going off reports, which can be on and off.

 

[morasp]

If Gurode is coming back that's good. But if Smith and Arkin are starting on opening day, it's going to be a learning experience when they face regular season game speed. Hopefully they are quick learners because all it takes is one missed assignment to kill a drive.

 

[TD-33]

don't know how good they are but what matter is; are they a big upgrade over what Dallas had last year?

 

[TheCount]

No, they weren't. Hopefully having Gurode back helps but they weren't blocking much of anything when Romo was in there.

 

[tayloner]

OL of the FUTURE:

Free - Nagy - Costa - Arkin - Smith

Dreaming, but hopeful. Gurode and Kosier still very solid players, can carry us into next generation of our starting interior linemen, as we've got tackles set for some time.

 

[sonnyboy]

Good answers in the thread.

I also think that our lack of good young OL in recent years has perhaps lowered the bar and made it a little easier for our management to be optimistic.

But I also believe there's something there with Arkin and Costa.

It seems like every year a handful of rookie lineman selected below round 3 come in and earn a starting spot in their first camp. Or find themselves starting early on via injury to a starter and end up playing real well.

It's really not all that an uncommon occurance.

It just has been for this franchise. So maybe we're due, maybe it's our turn to hit on one of these right out of the gate.

 

[SDCowboy]

No, they weren't. Hopefully having Gurode back helps but they weren't blocking much of anything when Romo was in there.

Exactly. Not sure what some are seeing but the starting oline looked horrid. They'd completely collapse the second the ball was snapped.