Arkin - Has his opportunity passed?

[Verdict]

I wasn't able to watch the entire game on Friday. I am reading that Berny got the start at right guard. Did Arkin play? If so was he any better than last game? If not my guess is barring injuries to other guards that he is on his way out. Any info is appreciated.

 

[jobberone]

Haven't rewatched it but reports are he got into trouble a few times. Not sure it's technique and/or strength. As long as there aren't other answers he gets to keep on trying. Sure would like to see Ski get into the fray.

 

[Echo9]

Berny was slated to be the starter from the beginning. He just got back from Injury this week, so he took his spot.

Arlin has progressed, but expecting him to be able to start was still a stretch. The question is whether he progressed enough to be a viable back up this year and challenge next year. If he's good enough to be the 6 or 7th best lineman, he sticks. If not, then he's gone.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Arkin, Kowalski and maybe even Costa are on the bubble.

 

[Echo9]

Arkin, Kowalski and maybe even Costa are on the bubble.

Add Livings to that bubble as well.

 

[Verdict]

Anyone evaluate his play specifically?

 

[honyock]

Anyone evaluate his play specifically?

No, I was going to review the entire OL again for this game, including Arkin, but I got Time-Warnered and missed almost the entire thing.

 

[LarryCanadian]

During the game, it sounded like Arkin was at fault (or one of two players possibly at fault - according to something else I read) for the blocked field goal against Bailey.......
Stuff like that doesn't help a guys chances either!

 

[CowboyStar88]

He is still pretty young I am though curious if the team is ready to move on. At this point I am hopeful the team is ready to either IR livings or kick him to the curb.

 

[Vanilla2]

Arkin sticks

Cook
Kowalski
Livings

Say bye bye.

 

[Verdict]

I think

Arkin sticks

Cook
Kowalski
Livings

Say bye bye.

I think Cook is a goner, but Killa and Livings will probably stick for very different reasons. I would rather keep Killa as a player that has more upside and versatility and a lower cap number.

 

[jterrell]

Let's see who is healthy come final countdown before we start cutting guys.
Reveling in cutting guys is silly.
We may well need them to win games and right now they are Cowboys.

Arkin is improved although he had a pretty low bar coming in.
All this work in the pre-season can't hurt him.
He isn't starting caliber but the guy does stay available and in shape so there's something to be said for that.
As an 8th or 9th OL he has a place on the roster.

 

[LarryCanadian]

Not sure the team can "afford" to develop Arkin for another year - but oline can take time - and he's "durable" compared to others for sure, and he keeps going out there trying to do whatever he is asked - so maybe if a guy deserves one more year, he does. Some guys are slow to develop the power needed - I think it is pretty much a pure strength issue for the guy......I hear/see him get bulled more than I do hear that he is off balance or whiffing on contacting the guy he is supposed to block - he just doesn't get the push/seal he needs consistently......
I just think the team will run out of patience and be forced to go another direction - and we need the 4th RB, 3rd QB, 5th TE, 6WR, etc - so won't carry 10 oline.....

 

[xwalker]

The problem for Arkin is that the coaches are highly unlikely to consider starting him next to 2 other players that have never played in a real NFL game (Frederick and Leary). If the Cowboys had 4 entrenched veterans on the OLine, then he might have a chance to earn a starting job, but it won't happen with the 2 inexperienced guys already starting at LG and OC.

If they sign Waters, I think that Livings could get cut or put on the designated for return IR.

I had high hopes for Kowalski, but he didn't look too good in the Blue/White scrimmage and he can't stay healthy. Also, Arkin is now bigger and has much better arm length than Kowalski.

 

[honyock]

The problem for Arkin is that the coaches are highly unlikely to consider starting him next to 2 other players that have never played in a real NFL game (Frederick and Leary). If the Cowboys had 4 entrenched veterans on the OLine, then he might have a chance to earn a starting job, but it won't happen with the 2 inexperienced guys already starting at LG and OC.

If they sign Waters, I think that Livings could get cut or put on the designated for return IR.

I had high hopes for Kowalski, but he didn't look too good in the Blue/White scrimmage and he can't stay healthy. Also, Arkin is now bigger and has much better arm length than Kowalski.

Agreed on all points. That's my thinking too, that signing Waters would probably mean that Livings is the odd man out. I just don't think they'll trust his knees to be an adequate backup. After his knee injury late last season, he lost whatever lateral mobility he had. Leary and Waters starting with Bern the primary backup and Arkin as the fourth guard makes some sense.

 

[cowboyz]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2013/8/11/4611472/per-fergies-request-pre-season-ol-observations

Saw this posted on another site

Pretty interesting talking about Arkins lack of lower body strength

 

[Verdict]

Let's see who is healthy come final countdown before we start cutting guys.
Reveling in cutting guys is silly.
We may well need them to win games and right now they are Cowboys.

Arkin is improved although he had a pretty low bar coming in.
All this work in the pre-season can't hurt him.
He isn't starting caliber but the guy does stay available and in shape so there's something to be said for that.
As an 8th or 9th OL he has a place on the roster.

I don't think anyone on this board is suggesting we cut any player until we have to. It is always best to keep guys as long as you can, unless you find someone better than him to take his place (whether that be at a player's position, or another position) on the roster

 

[Verdict]

I know it takes time for offensive linemen to develop. I'm not saying cut Arkin just for the sake of cutting him, but realistically, if you keep him around for another season, what exactly is the purpose of doing it? I think you have to make a realistic projection about how good he can actually be. Are you going to keep him around hoping he will eventually be good enough to be a BACKUP? That would seem to be a waste of a roster spot.

If you think he is going to eventually be good enough to be starter ..... he is closing in on the end of his contract. Are you going to develop him and then let him go play somewhere else? Or are you going to extend the contract of a guy who has never taken meaningful snaps? If so, the ceiling better be astronomically high to do that, and you had better guess right.

It is possible that Arkin may eventually turn out to be a starter. But he has taken up a roster spot for two years already and has contributed NOTHING. There is also an opportunity cost to keeping him around. If we keep him around as a non starter... and someone who can't help us this year ...... then they must really think his upside is tremendous.

Personally, I think he is a goner..... but that's just my opinion. That and $5 will get you a cup of coffee at starbucks.

 

[Verdict]

Not sure the team can "afford" to develop Arkin for another year - but oline can take time - and he's "durable" compared to others for sure, and he keeps going out there trying to do whatever he is asked - so maybe if a guy deserves one more year, he does. Some guys are slow to develop the power needed - I think it is pretty much a pure strength issue for the guy......I hear/see him get bulled more than I do hear that he is off balance or whiffing on contacting the guy he is supposed to block - he just doesn't get the push/seal he needs consistently......
I just think the team will run out of patience and be forced to go another direction - and we need the 4th RB, 3rd QB, 5th TE, 6WR, etc - so won't carry 10 oline.....

I'm not really sure you can call a player "durable" when he hasn't played enough to get hurt. That is like saying I should be the next Cowboys' QB because I have NEVER thrown an interception in the NFL ..... which is true, because I have never played in the NFL.

 

[xwalker]

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2013/8/11/4611472/per-fergies-request-pre-season-ol-observations

Saw this posted on another site

Pretty interesting talking about Arkins lack of lower body strength

I don't see anything at that link about Arkin's lower body strength. Did I overlook something?