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Posted by jellis at 7/14/2009 5:32 PM CDT on truebluefanclub.com
Last season the Cowboys learned the hard way how important left guard Kyle Kosier was to the stability of their offensive line.
Some had considered Kosier the one potentially weak link in the front five - and there was some thought he was being pushed for a starting spot last year during training camp. But as it turned out, the Cowboys couldn't consistently run the ball and protect Tony Romo without him.
Now Kosier's expected to be healthy again, though he'll be challenged for a job by Montrae Holland. Whoever starts, the Cowboys will probably be better off than they were last year, with a sort of revolving door in that spot - first Cory Procter, then Kosier back for a game, then Procter again, back to the seemingly-healthy Kosier, then Holland, and finally Procter once more.
Continuity can't be undersold, at any position. This team was very fortunate to have limited injuries on the line in 2006 and 2007. But my question is this - of the starting five, and we'll just assume Kosier is the starting left guard - who's hardest to replace in the event of an injury?
You know the depth chart, of course, and maybe you've kept an eye on the likes of Doug Free and Pat McQuistan during preseason games. Free's probably the backup to left tackle Flozell Adams, and McQuistan could probably play right tackle or right guard if a starter was hurt.
Obviously Andre Gurode would be hard to replace. His primary backup is Procter, though Holland's been snapping some as well.
Despite the frustration some have with his false starts, Adams is probably the one guy the Cowboys really can't afford to lose. Free has been impressive on occasion, but the left tackle spot is so important to the entire offense. It would be crippling to try to replace a five-time Pro Bowl honoree with a third-year player who has no game experience.
What do you guys think?
-Josh Ellis
Last season the Cowboys learned the hard way how important left guard Kyle Kosier was to the stability of their offensive line.
Some had considered Kosier the one potentially weak link in the front five - and there was some thought he was being pushed for a starting spot last year during training camp. But as it turned out, the Cowboys couldn't consistently run the ball and protect Tony Romo without him.
Now Kosier's expected to be healthy again, though he'll be challenged for a job by Montrae Holland. Whoever starts, the Cowboys will probably be better off than they were last year, with a sort of revolving door in that spot - first Cory Procter, then Kosier back for a game, then Procter again, back to the seemingly-healthy Kosier, then Holland, and finally Procter once more.
Continuity can't be undersold, at any position. This team was very fortunate to have limited injuries on the line in 2006 and 2007. But my question is this - of the starting five, and we'll just assume Kosier is the starting left guard - who's hardest to replace in the event of an injury?
You know the depth chart, of course, and maybe you've kept an eye on the likes of Doug Free and Pat McQuistan during preseason games. Free's probably the backup to left tackle Flozell Adams, and McQuistan could probably play right tackle or right guard if a starter was hurt.
Obviously Andre Gurode would be hard to replace. His primary backup is Procter, though Holland's been snapping some as well.
Despite the frustration some have with his false starts, Adams is probably the one guy the Cowboys really can't afford to lose. Free has been impressive on occasion, but the left tackle spot is so important to the entire offense. It would be crippling to try to replace a five-time Pro Bowl honoree with a third-year player who has no game experience.
What do you guys think?
-Josh Ellis
