Arkin is Already Better Than Costa

[CowboyMcCoy]

Watch the tape. This guy played very well for his first game. I think a lot of you who are saying this guy is PS bound are forgetting this is his first real preseason. And he really is holding his own. If you watch the tape, and I have twice now focusing on a few things, he does a really good job at keeping his man away from Romo.

I'm impressed with this guy. I think he may be our solution after all.

 

[tunahelper]

Good point OP. Arkin has never played center as well. There are going to be some technique issues, but the guy does look good considering everything.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Arkin is Already Better Than Costa

How do you know?

What footage have you seen since training camp started of Costa to compare the two?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Costa anchors better just going by the end of last season but Arkins ceiling is much higher assuming he hasn't maxed out his strength. He's just more athletic.

 

[poost]

This is a good problem to have. Even is Costa is a better OC, that means Arkin can play all three interior line positions. I just hope Costa gets some preseason time in to effectively evaluate his play vs Arkin. All about getting the best 5 OL together.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I hear people saying Arkin really impressed and I don't disagree. But everyone is making it sound like it's gonna come down to Arkin and Costa for the center job. I think Arkin might be able to win a guard job but I wouldn't say he's ready to become the full time center. I really think we need a veteran center to compete for the job. I'm actually extremely satisfied with the talent and depth we have at guard. It's real deep with Livings, Bernadaeu, Leary and Arkin. I don't think we even need to go after a guy like Holland (which people are suggesting). We really just need a veteran who is an actual center and not try to move a guard to center. Romo needs another vet to connect with. People underestimate how important that position is.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Arkin had issues when they started putting the NT right at the zero and plowing into him. He couldn't anchor and that led to the holds and pressure. He did everything else rather well I thought.

 

[Clove]

I don't know who's better or not, but I absolutely loved the way he played the game for his first time at center. The shotgun snaps were crisp and on the money, the way he kept the middle clean, moved around was pretty impressive for someone who's never done it.

All I care about is cleaning up the interior of our offensive line. I have no favorites, just anyone who can get the job done and as far as I'm concerned, he did a great job.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I really think the versatility of Arkin might make Leary expendable. I know people were high on Leary, especially as a UDFA, but I haven't heard much about him seizing any opportunities. And he had many opportunities considering everyone else was injured.

 

[jaybird]

Is everyone convientely forgetting all the Arkin penaltys? A good indication he's struggling. Our only hope is that Costa is an improved player. I like Arkins' future, but he's not ready for prime time.

 

[Chuck 54]

Wow...how quickly opinions can change in one week with one average performance.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Wow...how quickly opinions can change in one week with one average performance.

Well... yeah.

 

[burmafrd]

Arkin is not yet strong enough.

And center is a position you need time to master. NOT while playing it in the NFL.

But next year IF they keep him at center I would not be surprised to see him start there. He certainly is a much better athlete then Costa.

Though supposedly he was mostly penciled in at guard

 

[Boys122]

Yeah, he looked better, but he still has a long way to go. I'm on the fence still.

I think the future center for this team isn't on the roster yet, but I've been wrong about my opinions regarding players before.

Talk to me about it after week 2 or so of the regular season.

 

[Shinywalrus]

I get that he played better than in his first game, but what's with the headline? You don't actually make any arguments supporting him being better than Costa.

I'm proud of what Arkin has done and feel like he probably already made the squad at Guard, but better than Costa? I don't think Arkin's anywhere close to being an average center yet.

 

[Boys122]

Did Arkin snap the ball over Tony's head yet?

That's impressive enough to me. Now let's wait it out to see how well he blocks these next couple of games.

 

[Rack]

My 3 legged dog is a better center than Costa. Saying Arkin is better isn't much of a complement.


That said, Arkin was still below average on Saturday. He's got a LONG way to go.

 

[Vinnie2u]

I really don't see how anybody in this board is qualified to say Arkin is better than Costa.. Unless your at practice every day.. Watch Game film and hit the weight room with them. All you are doing is giving a opinion.. And one with out all the facts.. I trust that the coaching staff will put the best 5 out there..

 

[marchetta]

The fact that Arkin can keep his guy at the LOS, instead of being constantly pushed back into Romo's lap (ala Costa), already puts him head and shoulders above Costa. The only time I saw him being pushed back was on one play where the NG immediately gets into his body at the snap, forces him back, and just collapses him into the ground. That was the only bad play of his entire night (I'm not buying the ticky-tack penalties). I'll continue to watch him, hoping this wasn't an anomaly and that he continues to improve.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

If Arkin ends up as better than Costa then that would be great! But, Costa was supposed to be a step up from Gurode this time last season and boy were there ever some setbacks there.

Costa getting back and having some real competition would be a good thing.