DC.com: Guard/Center Spots Could Get Facelift

[CCBoy]

Interior Re-Design?
Guard/Center Spots Could Get Facelift
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=511EFCA1-B982-02D6-DCF69CF90661CD17




These two positions - guard and center - could have an entirely different look next year, although it doesn't mean all of the pieces will be removed.

A lot will hinge on the draft at the end of this month. Unlike other years, the draft will come before not only free agency, but also the decisions that are made about the current roster as well.

So if a key player is taken at either guard or center, it might affect what the Cowboys do in regards to players such as Leonard Davis and Kyle Kosier. The future of last year's starting guards remains questionable. Kosier will be an unrestricted free agent when the lockout is over and Davis might be a salary-cap casualty, assuming of course that a new cap is included in the next CBA. Considering Davis was benched early last year for Montrae Holland, who returns with a year left under his contract, it was the first signal that the Cowboys might be looking past Davis in the future. Although let's not forget that when the team decided to put more of an emphasis on the run in the second half of the season, Davis' play did improve. His huge contract would be tough for the Cowboys to absorb if he is released or even traded.

While Andre Gurode has made five straight Pro Bowls, his future at center isn't set in stone. If the Cowboys were able to acquire a young, talented center, the option of moving Gurode out to one of the guard spots is always possible. Remember, the Cowboys were close to drafting center Max Unger in the second round in 2009, so the idea of sliding Gurode out to guard was considered two years ago...

 

[yentl911]

RT is much more of a concern IMO. I would have liked seeing Sam Young get some playing time late in the season to see how he stacked up but obviously that did not happen. I think Davis can still play. Maybe JG can motivate him to raise his level of play.

Kosier has been solid.

 

[burmafrd]

RT is the RED FLAG.

But Guard IS a concern very soon.

And center is in sight.

 

[big dog cowboy]

RT is much more of a concern IMO. I think Davis can still play. Maybe JG can motivate him to raise his level of play.

No doubt ROT is priority one. But my faith in Davis is all but gone. That Tennessee game was just down right awful last year. Getting benched did send a message but his play never rebounded to his 2009 level. Considering his pay, and if his play doesn't improve, I'm ready to move on.

 

[kevinhickey]

I have to agree that the Centre and guard positions are becoming a concern. We need to look to the future at Centre. Jerry needs to draft a guard and possibly sign a guard in free agency when ever the issues with the CBA get resolved. Does anyone else think Jerry projects Sam Young as our future RT? :bang2: I think if we pass on a OT in either of the first 2 rounds; I will have my answer.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I thought Gurode had one of his better seasons last year. I thought Davis was awful. Hell, they benched him in the middle of games for cryin' out loud. You usually don't see that on the O-Line, particularly at guard.

While I like what Gurode did last year, he's usually good for 2 awful games each year and I think that's a problem if it's your center. It would be really nice if Costa is good enough to be a solid starter





YR

 

[Hostile]

It is bad form to use the word facelift in anything Cowboys related. I thought it was about Jerry and was all confused that it was about draft picks.

 

[dmq]

I am still miffed that we didn't use the last few games to evaluate the other Offensive Linemen on our roster.

 

[casmith07]

Going into last season, the Cowboys were most concerned about the RT position.

I would not be upset to see them attempt to upgrade the interior line as well, however. I also think that some hard work in the off-season and training camp would help a guy like Leonard Davis return to form.

We'll see, though. I still think Montrae Holland is underrated.

 

[Aven8]

I am still miffed that we didn't use the last few games to evaluate the other Offensive Linemen on our roster.

Garrett couldn't afford to as HE was trying to win a job. But, I agree with you.

 

[speedkilz88]

If the Cowboys don't draft an OT in the first, maybe they could draft a one of the players who can play RT or G (at 40)so they can hedge on if Sam Young can be the RT.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Garrett couldn't afford to as HE was trying to win a job. But, I agree with you.

Yeah, guess my problem with the Philly game was JG probably had the job anyway. We really could've seen some of the young guys in that game for evaluation in a real game situation.

Celebrating that we won that game reminded me of when Jimmy and Jerry were celebrating winning preseason games and then we went 1-15.

 

[Stautner]

RT is the RED FLAG.

But Guard IS a concern very soon.

And center is in sight.

I like the way you put this. It's how I see it.

 

[john van brocklin]

Interior Re-Design?
Guard/Center Spots Could Get Facelift
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=511EFCA1-B982-02D6-DCF69CF90661CD17




These two positions - guard and center - could have an entirely different look next year, although it doesn't mean all of the pieces will be removed.

A lot will hinge on the draft at the end of this month. Unlike other years, the draft will come before not only free agency, but also the decisions that are made about the current roster as well.

So if a key player is taken at either guard or center, it might affect what the Cowboys do in regards to players such as Leonard Davis and Kyle Kosier. The future of last year's starting guards remains questionable. Kosier will be an unrestricted free agent when the lockout is over and Davis might be a salary-cap casualty, assuming of course that a new cap is included in the next CBA. Considering Davis was benched early last year for Montrae Holland, who returns with a year left under his contract, it was the first signal that the Cowboys might be looking past Davis in the future. Although let's not forget that when the team decided to put more of an emphasis on the run in the second half of the season, Davis' play did improve. His huge contract would be tough for the Cowboys to absorb if he is released or even traded.

While Andre Gurode has made five straight Pro Bowls, his future at center isn't set in stone. If the Cowboys were able to acquire a young, talented center, the option of moving Gurode out to one of the guard spots is always possible. Remember, the Cowboys were close to drafting center Max Unger in the second round in 2009, so the idea of sliding Gurode out to guard was considered two years ago...

Gurode really struggled at guard when he played there is the past.. I remember a lot of false starts....

 

[Stautner]

Gurode really struggled at guard when he played there is the past.. I remember a lot of false starts....

Parcells actually said in a press conference tha Gurode would never play OG for him again. Of course Parcells is the one that moved him to center.

 

[baj1dallas]

I thought Gurode had one of his better seasons last year. I thought Davis was awful. Hell, they benched him in the middle of games for cryin' out loud. You usually don't see that on the O-Line, particularly at guard.

While I like what Gurode did last year, he's usually good for 2 awful games each year and I think that's a problem if it's your center. It would be really nice if Costa is good enough to be a solid starter

IMO anybody that thinks the Cowboys are gonna draft a rookie in the 3rd or 4th round who would be better than Gurode is just a nincompoop. Yes he has some bad plays or a bad game but when he is on, he is quite good.

 

[noshame]

This lock out really ticks me off, I was dying to see what the new S&C coach could do with Davis, Gurrode, and Holland with a full off season.

 

[TheCount]

lol, guard, center and tackle spots all need facelifts.

 

[burmafrd]

Gurode was never as good at Guard as he was at center. BP tried to make him into one- and though he played both at Colorado- it seems clear that he was a lot better at center.

 

[RS12]

IMO anybody that thinks the Cowboys are gonna draft a rookie in the 3rd or 4th round who would be better than Gurode is just a nincompoop. Yes he has some bad plays or a bad game but when he is on, he is quite good.

Havent heard that in a while. Anyway the wild card here is free agency. Usually FA shapes the draft, this year vice versa. Bottom line right side of OL needs upgrading. Center looks like it will have to wait.