DC-Costa Could Remain Center, Depending On Guards Around Him

[jobberone]

IRVING, Texas – Center Phil Costa has been with the Cowboys three times as long as both guards who played next to him in 2012, yet evaluating Costa might be just as difficult as anyone on the line.

Costa played in only three games last season after back and ankle injuries, finishing only one of those three games fully. He left after the first series against the Giants in the opener and injured his ankle midway through the Panthers game in Week 7, never to play again the rest of the year.

The only game Costa played in its entirety came against the Ravens, when the struggling Cowboys rushing attack managed to break out for 227 yards on the ground. Owner Jerry Jones indicated that the restricted free agent could be the starter at center if the pieces around him are adequate.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...ound-Him/12a635c4-778c-48a9-9ee5-774ad26251cf

 

[TheSport78]

This is why Jonathan Cooper is the perfect fir at #18.

Cooper can slide in and play center incase Costa disappoints again, and he's also an upgrade at the guard position. Cooper needs to be the guy.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

This is why Jonathan Cooper is the perfect fir at #18.

Cooper can slide in and play center incase Costa disappoints again, and he's also an upgrade at the guard position. Cooper needs to be the guy.

Cooper would be a solid choice.

 

[burmafrd]

But that means that the dumpster diving guards we have now would have to be replaced.

poor jerruh.

and like all others they ignore the fact that Ngata was injured early in that game when they glow about Costa.

 

[Chuck 54]

Regardless of need, I just don't see us taking an OG at #18.

I do see at least one possible starter and one developmental OL in the draft, but only a RT will be taken that high, IMO. The draft is deep at those positions, and I just don't buy the argument that Cooper is the 18th best Player at any position in the draft.

 

[dantheman41]

Regardless of need, I just don't see us taking an OG at #18.

I do see at least one possible starter and one developmental OL in the draft, but only a RT will be taken that high, IMO. The draft is deep at those positions, and I just don't buy the argument that Cooper is the 18th best Player at any position in the draft.

Well obviously you haven't watched any film, or talked to anyone knowledgeable about the draft. Most of the top "draft" guys have Cooper as a top 5 guy in this draft. And many are moving him ahead of Warmack

 

[9darter]

I just don't buy the argument that Cooper is the 18th best Player at any position in the draft.

He's a top 10 player.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Well obviously you haven't watched any film, or talked to anyone knowledgeable about the draft. Most of the top "draft" guys have Cooper as a top 5 guy in this draft. And many are moving him ahead of Warmack

Every year the "gurus" tout a guard as being a top pick and they slide. Decastro is the first pure guard taken in the first round in years. There was hope that the other two recent first round guards, Watkins and Iupati, could both play RT.

Remember all the draftniks putting Levitre in the first round? How about Jeremy Zuttah before he went in the third?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Every year the "gurus" tout a guard as being a top pick and they slide. Decastro is the first pure guard taken in the first round in years. There was hope that the other two recent first round guards, Watkins and Iupati, could both play RT.

Remember all the draftniks putting Levitre in the first round? How about Jeremy Zuttah before he went in the third?

That's a valid point too.

 

[TheSport78]

Every year the "gurus" tout a guard as being a top pick and they slide. Decastro is the first pure guard taken in the first round in years. There was hope that the other two recent first round guards, Watkins and Iupati, could both play RT.

Remember all the draftniks putting Levitre in the first round? How about Jeremy Zuttah before he went in the third?

Cooper has more value to teams because of his ability to play guard AND center IMO.

 

[jobberone]

Regardless of need, I just don't see us taking an OG at #18.

I do see at least one possible starter and one developmental OL in the draft, but only a RT will be taken that high, IMO. The draft is deep at those positions, and I just don't buy the argument that Cooper is the 18th best Player at any position in the draft.

I'd almost always agree here but in this instance I see Cooper as an ok pick at 18. I think they should 'right now' be focusing on OT first as you suggest. But they may address that in FA (a journeyman RT is fine IMO) and that leaves open the opportunity to get a G/C in the draft. I might not be ok with Cooper at 18 if he couldn't play C. A G/C fits this team very well assuming we find a solution at OT.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Well obviously you haven't watched any film, or talked to anyone knowledgeable about the draft. Most of the top "draft" guys have Cooper as a top 5 guy in this draft. And many are moving him ahead of Warmack

Well obviously you haven't followed the draft that long, because every year I hear the same nonsense about some stellar, top-10 guard prospect, and every year guards fall. It's the distinction between talent and value that seems to confuse many fans.

 

[Idgit]

This is why Jonathan Cooper is the perfect fir at #18.

Cooper can slide in and play center incase Costa disappoints again, and he's also an upgrade at the guard position. Cooper needs to be the guy.

I like the idea of adding Cooper a lot, too. With Parnell elevated and Costa coming back, you'd have a chance to have upgraded three OL positions and only have added one new player (unless we also replace Free with a VFA OT with ties to Callahan--which I'd be looking hard to do).

I'd move Mack to C to backup Costa. Cooper's just taking some snaps at C to plant the seed in teams' minds that he's versatile and make a case to be the first OG taken. I don't think he's really a serious C option except in an injury situation. But the versatility doesn't hurt, and it gives teams options when putting together the active roster each week.

 

[burmafrd]

Well obviously you haven't followed the draft that long, because every year I hear the same nonsense about some stellar, top-10 guard prospect, and every year guards fall. It's the distinction between talent and value that seems to confuse many fans.

and as usual you are wrong. Outside of Last year and even THEN show me someone that thought Descatro would go in the top 10.

Show me the so called top 10 guards of the last 5 years.

 

[burmafrd]

It would be nice to have a center that does not need help. But I guess that is asking too much.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Really, I would just like to get a starting caliber right guard who could swing out to RT in a pinch. After that, I think we have a lot of versatility and options between MacKenzy and Costa both being able to start and center and/or backup center/guard combo, Leary able to back up both guard positions and Livings as solid starting caliber left guard, and Cook being the super-sub who can potentially backup every position but LT. I'm really more concerned about tackle and tackle depth. Mainly what we need is health and continuity. Having more than 1 RB on the roster who is NFL caliber would definitely help as well (particulary when that 1 RB is always injured).

 

[fatboygixxer]

Regardless of need, I just don't see us taking an OG at #18.

I do see at least one possible starter and one developmental OL in the draft, but only a RT will be taken that high, IMO. The draft is deep at those positions, and I just don't buy the argument that Cooper is the 18th best Player at any position in the draft.

yup..no guard at 18..just aint gonna happen. My guess is DE or OT.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

Really, I would just like to get a starting caliber right guard who could swing out to RT in a pinch. After that, I think we have a lot of versatility and options between MacKenzy and Costa both being able to start and center and/or backup center/guard combo, Leary able to back up both guard positions and Livings as solid starting caliber left guard, and Cook being the super-sub who can potentially backup every position but LT. I'm really more concerned about tackle and tackle depth. Mainly what we need is health and continuity. Having more than 1 RB on the roster who is NFL caliber would definitely help as well (particulary when that 1 RB is always injured).

Add in improved blocking from the TE position and I think you've got it.

I was really underwhelmed with Vickers but he's proven what he can do so I doubt he suddenly forgot how to block so I'd like to see him given another chance.

 

[Angus]

Draft Barrett Jones of Alabama at 18. He has won kudos at guard, tackle, and center, and can fill any of those holes like a champion. Moreover, he's a RKoG.

 

[jobberone]

If they can get an impact 3 DT, passrusher, or OT at 18 I'll fantasize about doing a backflip.