Broaddus Breakdown: Guards/centers

[cowboyjoe]

Broaddus Breakdown: Guards/centers
June, 27, 2010 Jun 2711:48PM CTEmail Print Comments By Bryan BroaddusSixth in a series breaking down the Cowboys by position (previous entries):
http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys
Roster locks: Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Kyle Kosier

Good bets: Montrae Holland, Travis Bright

On the bubble: Pat McQuistan

Long shots: Phil Costa

[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
Center Andre Gurode has been selected to the last four Pro Bowls.The Pro Bowlers need to perform better than they did last season, when unheralded Kyle Kosier was the most consistent player in the group.

Andre Gurode failed to secure his man too many times. He failed to get to the second level too many times. He didn’t finish his block too many times. You’re always going to have mental mistakes and consistency issues with him. I see guys running through and making plays on him. I see guys getting off blocks and making plays. He shouldn’t have been a Pro Bowler last season.

Leonard Davis is extraordinarily strong, but he struggles in space and against quick players. If you bull-rush him, he’s going to beat you. If you make him move and get to his outside shoulder, he’s going to have problems. In the San Diego game, when the Cowboys couldn’t punch the ball in from the 1-yard line, Davis was a significant part of the problem because he did a poor job of adjusting to the run-through linebacker. The longer he has to hold his block, the harder it is because he doesn’t have the athletic ability to sustain blocks. He has to grab and hold. The weakness of the offensive line is center and right guard.

Kyle Kosier doesn’t have great size for a guard, but he has tremendous desire and determination. He knows how to finish blocks and is consistent down after down, run or pass. He does a nice job of tying up his man in the running game and is effective when he pulls. He’s good in space and very good in combination blocking, working well with the tackles.

The plan is for Kosier to slide over to center if Gurode goes down, but Kosier has never played center. This presents an opportunity for Bright, a guard who focused all offseason on learning the center position. He’s been in the Cowboys’ program for a year and has a chance to prove that he deserves a roster spot this preseason. He could be the guy that bumps Pat McQuistan off the roster.

Montrae Holland is an expensive insurance policy again. He’s a short-area, phone-booth type of player. He’s not quick or agile. He doesn’t offer much other than strength.

 

[Stash]

The weakness of the offensive line is center and right guard.

Shocking that he would come out and say this so clearly.

The two big-money players on the line.

I think both guys are on notice this season that a repeat of 2009 won't be tolerated and will earn either guy a ticket out of town.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Shocking that he would come out and say this so clearly.

The two big-money players on the line.

I think both guys are on notice this season that a repeat of 2009 won't be tolerated and will earn either guy a ticket out of town.

i totally agree with what broaddus said,and Hostile said some of the same things and so have some other media writers.

 

[Stash]

i totally agree with what broaddus said,and Hostile said some of the same things and so have some other media writers.

I'm not disagreeing, far from it.

I'm just surprised that anyone in the media would say it so clearly.

I think both guys got fat, lazy, and complacent last season.

They knew they had no competition and played like it.

I hope that they both get a wakeup call and learn from it.

Better for them and better for the team.

 

[cowboyjoe]

I'm not disagreeing, far from it.

I'm just surprised that anyone in the media would say it so clearly.

I think both guys got fat, lazy, and complacent last season.

They knew they had no competition and played like it.

I hope that they both get a wakeup call and learn from it.

Better for them and better for the team.

yeah what bothers me about that, somebody put a post that some media writer made about the players weight, and most players were underweight, but leonard davis and gurode were fatter best i remember than last year.

 

[Stash]

yeah what bothers me about that, somebody put a post that some media writer made about the players weight, and most players were underweight, but leonard davis and gurode were fatter best i remember than last year.

Well I think that they've both gotten a wake-up call behind the scenes, along with offensive line coach Huson Houck.

Each is among the highest-paid at his respective position and the results of late haven't matched the investment.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I am GLAD someone stopped this Leonard Davis love fest. I watch the guy...and I have said it before. Never before have I seen a man that big and strong end up on the ground after he makes contact with people. When he is moving, he lunges at people. Take 2 more steps and get in someone's chest and put them on the ground. First of all, he needs to do this because that is playing to his strengths. If Leoanrd Davis would PUNISH his man early and often in games...all the speed and quickness will be taken out of his man later in the game. He must understand even on routine plays he MUST bring pain. That should be his game. It will make his job easier as the game goes on.
Lastly, I seriously think Gurode was moving to Guard had the Cowboys not missed on that Center 2 years ago that Seattle scooped up. He is not enough of a technician for me at Center. He is a mauler. I know people will bring up the fact that Parcells said he was better at Center than at Guard. But I disagree. Just because Parcells said it does not make it true. Parcells also has also carried McQuistan forever because he claims other teams would snap him up. He also force fed Rob Pettiti to us. But I digress. Both Davis and Gurode are about to become way TOO expensive to keep them around. I don't care what the Pro Bowl voters say, they have been unimpressive 2 years in a row as far as I am concerned. And I am glad they are being called on it.
I am one of the fans who are not worried about Doug Free at ALL. I think he will be one of our better OL next year. Age and weight are starting to catch up with some of our "Pro Bowl" lineman....and their inability to move and be agile is hurting this OL. Hopefully Free is the first step towards a youth movement on the OL. Then we might see Brewster next year. And maybe even Barron.

 

[Zaxor]

I am GLAD someone stopped this Leonard Davis love fest. I watch the guy...and I have said it before. Never before have I seen a man that big and strong end up on the ground after he makes contact with people. When he is moving, he lunges at people. Take 2 more steps and get in someone's chest and put them on the ground. First of all, he needs to do this because that is playing to his strengths. If Leoanrd Davis would PUNISH his man early and often in games...all the speed and quickness will be taken out of his man later in the game. He must understand even on routine plays he MUST bring pain. That should be his game. It will make his job easier as the game goes on.
Lastly, I seriously think Gurode was moving to Guard had the Cowboys not missed on that Center 2 years ago that Seattle scooped up. He is not enough of a technician for me at Center. He is a mauler. I know people will bring up the fact that Parcells said he was better at Center than at Guard. But I disagree. Just because Parcells said it does not make it true. Parcells also has also carried McQuistan forever because he claims other teams would snap him up. He also force fed Rob Pettiti to us. But I digress. Both Davis and Gurode are about to become way TOO expensive to keep them around. I don't care what the Pro Bowl voters say, they have been unimpressive 2 years in a row as far as I am concerned. And I am glad they are being called on it.
I am one of the fans who are not worried about Doug Free at ALL. I think he will be one of our better OL next year. Age and weight are starting to catch up with some of our "Pro Bowl" lineman....and their inability to move and be agile is hurting this OL. Hopefully Free is the first step towards a youth movement on the OL. Then we might see Brewster next year. And maybe even Barron.

:signmast: said the same thing myself also said it dating back to that Giant debacle in 2007...he wiffs on too many blocks. Romo makes that line look way better than it is I am glad to see free in there would like to see others who are more mobile get their shot too than just the maulers...I think they may be the way of the dinosaur...with every defense going to quicker d-lineman you need an olineman that can block in space

 

[Idgit]

Shocking that he would come out and say this so clearly.

The two big-money players on the line.

I think both guys are on notice this season that a repeat of 2009 won't be tolerated and will earn either guy a ticket out of town.

This has been the case the last two seasons. For some reason, the media didn't notice it. They'll pick up on it this season, though, and cover it in exhausting detail for us.

 

[Stash]

This has been the case the last two seasons. For some reason, the media didn't notice it. They'll pick up on it this season, though, and cover it in exhausting detail for us.

In my opinion, I think their play is every bit as vital to the team's ultimate success as any of the others more frequently mentioned, like left tackle, free safety and kicker.

I think if this line - specifically Gurode, Davis, and Colombo (and Hudson Houck as well) - falter, all of the other pieces won't much matter.

 

[Idgit]

In my opinion, I think their play is every bit as vital to the team's ultimate success as any of the others more frequently mentioned, like left tackle, free safety and kicker.

I think if this line - specifically Gurode, Davis, and Colombo (and Hudson Houck as well) - falter, all of the other pieces won't much matter.

The interior line problems are what killed us at the end of '08. It's been the main problem with our short yardage problems the last two years, and we haven't done anything of note to upgrade either position the last two years.

I'm more concerned about it than I am about left tackle and safety, that's for sure. We're flapping at kicker, too, though.

 

[Stash]

The interior line problems are what killed us at the end of '08. It's been the main problem with our short yardage problems the last two years, and we haven't done anything of note to upgrade either position the last two years.

And I just got done dry-heaving after watching the 2009 game against San Diego. Amazing how our 'maulers' inside got neutered by a clearly inferior group.

I'm more concerned about it than I am about left tackle and safety, that's for sure. We're flapping at kicker, too, though.

I'd rank it above kicker because I still think there's a vet or two who should be available if 'The Buehlenator' struggles to get the job done.

On the other hand, I'm not as sure that 1-800-nfl-gard will have the same selection once the season starts.

 

[cowboyjoe]

And I just got done dry-heaving after watching the 2009 game against San Diego. Amazing how our 'maulers' inside got neutered by a clearly inferior group.



I'd rank it above kicker because I still think there's a vet or two who should be available if 'The Buehlenator' struggles to get the job done.

On the other hand, I'm not as sure that 1-800-nfl-gard will have the same selection once the season starts.

the kicking situation still worries me somewhat, but not the guard, we have holland in reserve and i think after this year, bright might even beat out gurode next year at center, and bright can play guard too, he is one of the or close to one of the strongest players on the team.

 

[Idgit]

And I just got done dry-heaving after watching the 2009 game against San Diego. Amazing how our 'maulers' inside got neutered by a clearly inferior group.

I'd rank it above kicker because I still think there's a vet or two who should be available if 'The Buehlenator' struggles to get the job done.

On the other hand, I'm not as sure that 1-800-nfl-gard will have the same selection once the season starts.

We're in the same place. Beuhler get's all the reps until we decide whether or not he can be relied on. If we need to, we go get a retread. At that point, I'll officially grip harder about the interior line than I do about kicker.

I do like some of our guard prospects, though they're developmental guys. The cupboard's empty at center, though. One of these days it's going to bite us hard.

 

[Zaxor]

We're in the same place. Beuhler get's all the reps until we decide whether or not he can be relied on. If we need to, we go get a retread. At that point, I'll officially grip harder about the interior line than I do about kicker.

I do like some of our guard prospects, though they're developmental guys. The cupboard's empty at center, though. One of these days it's going to bite us hard.

I think you may be selling Bright a bit short there I think he will do very well

 

[21Savage]

Kosier must be the reason we had one of the best rushing attacks in the leauge . Surely Gurode and Davis have nothing to do with the fact that we're one of the offensive lines defensive linemen hate going up against the most and they have to stunt, blitz and cheat to avoid our interior line getting their hands on them.


What happened when Kosier was getting rolled over like a drag doll against Kevin Williams in the playoff game?

The way people talk about Gurode and Davis these days you will think they were bums. Really worthless piece by Broadus. Wasn't this suppose to be a break down? What things did they do right Broadus? Sounded more like a jilted fan.

Those guys' inconsistencies can induce hair pulling but acting like their worthless or that they're not part of what makes this line great when their on is senseless.

I implore anyone to put on the Baltimore game from 2008 and look at Gurode molesting Haloti Ngata. That's all you need to know and why he'll be the starting Center for the next 4 to 5 years in Dallas despite the incessant hand wringing.

 

[Stash]

Kosier must be the reason we had one of the best rushing attacks in the leauge . Surely Gurode and Davis have nothing to do with the fact that we're one of the offensive lines defensive linemen hate going up against the most and they have to stunt, blitz and cheat to avoid our interior line getting their hands on them.


What happened when Kosier was getting rolled over like a drag doll against Kevin Williams in the playoff game?

And I'm sure Gurode and Davis were beyond reproach in that game, right? Sorry, every one of them struggled that day.

The way people talk about Gurode and Davis these days you will think they were bums. Really worthless piece by Broadus. Wasn't this suppose to be a break down? What things did they do right Broadus? Sounded more like a jilted fan.

They're far from 'bums' and I don't see anyone calling them that. Underachievers is a perfectly apt adjective if you're looking for one. Neither guy is as good as he can be.

Those guys' inconsistencies can induce hair pulling but acting like their worthless or that they're not part of what makes this line great when their on is senseless.

I implore anyone to put on the Baltimore game from 2008 and look at Gurode molesting Haloti Ngata. That's all you need to know and why he'll be the starting Center for the next 4 to 5 years in Dallas despite the incessant hand wringing.

And I'll counter with both of them struggling against a 2009 San Diego defensive line that was struggling with injuries.

And I'll take that bet about Gurode lasting 4 years, much less 5. If he doesn't rebound from a disappointing 2009 season, he might not be here for 2011.

When these two guys are 'on', the Cowboys have a dominant line and running game, when they're not, we don't.

And both need to be 'on' more than they have been.

 

[RS12]

The way people talk about Gurode and Davis these days you will think they were bums. Really worthless piece by Broadus. Wasn't this suppose to be a break down? What things did they do right Broadus? Sounded more like a jilted fan.

Kinda of overlooking the fact that Broaddus as he mentioned several times on DCF radio still talks regularly to contacts at VR. Besides his own observations, this is what insiders are telling him. He said this on multiple occasions. Doubt he would make this up. Davis particularly needs to play better based on what he makes or become an ex-Cowboy.

 

[21Savage]

And I'm sure Gurode and Davis were beyond reproach in that game, right? Sorry, every one of them struggled that day.

They handled their men way better than Kosier could handle his man. Do you even know how most of the pressure came in that game? First, Columbo gettig beat. Second, Kosier getting beat. Third, the Vikes running game through Kosier's gap because he was really concerned with helping out on Jared. Don't believe me? Go watch the game again and focus on the interior line. Gurode and Davis barely got beat.


They're far from 'bums' and I don't see anyone calling them that. Underachievers is a perfectly apt adjective if you're looking for one. Neither guy is as good as he can be.

You just read a freaking BREAK DOWN of their skills and their play in 2009 and barely a good thing to read about those guys but Kosier was made to look like a God. You don't see anything biased or incomplete in the break down? Please tell me who had the 2nd most yardage total in the league again last year? Quite the feat this useless Oline right?



And I'll counter with both of them struggling against a 2009 San Diego defensive line that was struggling with injuries.

How short sighted can you be? Yeah Davis, Gurode and Barber struggled in the short yardage stuff. There were also some bad play calls, like Kosier pulling and a defensive player shooting his gap to make the play. But if they gave the kind of protection and ran the ball the way we did against that line throughout that game every game then we'll be one of the best offensive lines of the decade. It's funny how 4 plays can cloud the judgement of the average fan when throughout that game we ran roughshod over that line. We had a drive from our end zone to their end zone where we only threw the ball once for Christ's sake

And I'll take that bet about Gurode lasting 4 years, much less 5. If he doesn't rebound from a disappointing 2009 season, he might not be here for 2011.

What are the stakes? Call the 2nd most yards in the league a disapointment all you want but the coaches know what they see. Those guys are not perfect, don't get me wrong. But their a huge part of what we do. They force D lines to bring an extra guy up, force them to do stunts and add other things to their game plans. I'll venture to say that a combination block from Gurode and Bigg has got to be the most devastating in the league right now.

When these two guys are 'on', the Cowboys have a dominant line and running game, when they're not, we don't.

And both need to be 'on' more than they have been.

jkldkadjkl;dajkl;

 

[21Savage]

Kinda of overlooking the fact that Broaddus as he mentioned several times on DCF radio still talks regularly to contacts at VR. Besides his own observations, this is what insiders are telling him. He said this on multiple occasions. Doubt he would make this up. Davis particularly needs to play better based on what he makes or become an ex-Cowboy.

I'm sorry but when I'm reading a breakdown from a scout on our players I'm kind of expecting to see things they did good and what they did bad. Can you explain to me how we managed to rack up the 2nd most yards in the league when that's predominantly the scouting report on 2 of our most important interior line players?

I mean people are forgetting that earlier this offseason, Kosier was mentioned with Flozell as players they really have to weigh what they're getting from them. Just go watch the Minnesota game please.