DMN Blog: What should Cowboys do at left guard?

[Mr Cowboy]

10:28 AM Mon, Aug 25, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
With Kyle Kosier expected to miss the first month or so of the season, the Cowboys have a difficult decision to make.

The simple solution would be to just give the job to Joe Berger, who has been the left guard with the backup O-line all preseason. But Berger was active for only three games last year, a clear sign that the Cowboys believe other backup linemen are better.

Pat McQuistan and Cory Procter are the two backup linemen that were active for every game. They both have some experience at guard, although McQuistan is primarily a right tackle and Procter primarily a center. They worked some at guard during training camp, so it wouldn't be surprising if either got a shot to replace Kosier.

Backup LT Doug Free could move inside, but he's a guy considered better in the passing game than the running game. The other option is James Marten, the 2007 third-rounder who has been working at right guard, but he's probably the team's 10th-best OL at this point.

We'll ask Wade Phillips what he thinks about filling the hole at left guard this afternoon.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

10:28 AM Mon, Aug 25, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
With Kyle Kosier expected to miss the first month or so of the season, the Cowboys have a difficult decision to make.

The simple solution would be to just give the job to Joe Berger, who has been the left guard with the backup O-line all preseason. But Berger was active for only three games last year, a clear sign that the Cowboys believe other backup linemen are better.

Pat McQuistan and Cory Procter are the two backup linemen that were active for every game. They both have some experience at guard, although McQuistan is primarily a right tackle and Procter primarily a center. They worked some at guard during training camp, so it wouldn't be surprising if either got a shot to replace Kosier.

Backup LT Doug Free could move inside, but he's a guy considered better in the passing game than the running game. The other option is James Marten, the 2007 third-rounder who has been working at right guard, but he's probably the team's 10th-best OL at this point.

We'll ask Wade Phillips what he thinks about filling the hole at left guard this afternoon.

If Marten is the worst OL on the team, we can't wait on him much longer. It does not seem like he is getting better. His problems are defintiley physical and we just flat out missed on this one. He is simply not strong enough to play in the NFL.

 

[Stash]

I'd look for outside help.

Berger is the only candidate who has looked as good as 'solid' during this preseason.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

If Marten is the worst OL on the team, we can't wait on him much longer. It does not seem like he is getting better. His problems are defintiley physical and we just flat out missed on this one. He is simply not strong enough to play in the NFL.

I have to agree.

There's no need to cut him at this point, but I'm afraid he's not ever going to work out.

 

[zrinkill]

If Marten is the worst OL on the team, we can't wait on him much longer. It does not seem like he is getting better. His problems are defintiley physical and we just flat out missed on this one. He is simply not strong enough to play in the NFL.

Really?

He was drafted last year.

I think it just might be a little early to call him a bust.

Gurode did not "get it" till his 5th year

 

[YosemiteSam]

Clone BIGG Davis.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Really?

He was drafted last year.

I think it just might be a little early to call him a bust.

It's never to early to call anyone a bust!

 

[WoodysGirl]

Really?

He was drafted last year.

I think it just might be a little early to call him a bust.

Gurode did not "get it" till his 5th year

Nuh uh! I've seen people called busts after only three weeks of preseason...

 

[Yeagermeister]

Bring back Nate

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Nuh uh! I've seen people called busts after only three weeks of preseason...

Big Deal! I've seen people called busts during minicamp! Top That!!!

 

[WoodysGirl]

Big Deal! I've seen people called busts during minicamp! Top That!!!

rookie minicamp or regular minicamp? That makes a differnce.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Really?

He was drafted last year.

I think it just might be a little early to call him a bust.

Gurode did not "get it" till his 5th year

Even if he is the worst OL on the team? I mean were any of the other back ups drafted on the 1st day? Is it too much to ask that a back-up OL drafted on the 1st day NOT be the worst OL on the team. It is not about me being negative...it is about reality.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Big Deal! I've seen people called busts during minicamp! Top That!!!

I've seen them declared bust before they were even drafted.

You've been beaten.

 

[superpunk]

But Berger was active for only three games last year, a clear sign that the Cowboys believe other backup linemen are better.

Your logic is a fail, Mr. McMahon.

 

[zrinkill]

Even if he is the worst OL on the team? I mean were any of the other back ups drafted on the 1st day? Is it too much to ask that a back-up OL drafted on the 1st day NOT be the worst OL on the team. It is not about me being negative...it is about reality.

You got that info from Tim MacMahon

This guy http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/sportssay/bios/bio_tmacmahon.html



...... I doubt the coaches would say that.

 

[sago1]

Marten was a 3rd round pick last year. First round OL picks are usually expected to start either in their first or 2nd years so why do we expect a 3rd rounder to replace a starter in his 2nd year. Doesn't make sense to me. Too many people on this board want to throw away players much too soon. Marten gets at least another year which should enable him get even stronger & improve his techniques, etc & OL play is all about doing both.

BTW: I would certainly expect to see the Cowboys draft a WR, ILB, OL & another need position with their first 4 picks in next year's draft. We've also got 2 4th round picks to help even more in addressing some other needs. We also can't rule out trading our first & probably one of our 2 3rd rounders for a proven quality WR. Remaining 2 picks probably address OL & ILB needs.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

You got that info from Tim MacMahon

This guy http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/sportssay/bios/bio_tmacmahon.html



...... I doubt the coaches would say that.

?????

 

[Mansta54]

Go with Berger or McQ until Kosier gets back and we'll be just fine. Our O is way too good to let one position stop us from getting the job done. HH will have either of them ready.

 

[gbrittain]

I think Roudy could have randomly picked offensive lineman out of a hat on draft day and duplicted this success.

Outside of Gurode it has been slim pickings.

Since Flozell Adams:

Kelvin Garmon
Solomon Page
Char-ron Dorsey
Matt Lehr
Tyson Walter
Andre Gurode
Justin Bates
Al Johnson
Stephen Peterman
Jacob Rogers
Rob Petitti
E.J. Whitley
Pat McQuistan
Doug Free
James Marten

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

I think Roudy could have randomly picked offensive lineman out of a hat on draft day and duplicted this success.

Outside of Gurode it has been slim pickings.

Since Flozell Adams:

Kelvin Garmon
Solomon Page
Char-ron Dorsey
Matt Lehr
Tyson Walter
Andre Gurode
Justin Bates
Al Johnson
Stephen Peterman
Jacob Rogers
Rob Petitti
E.J. Whitley
Pat McQuistan
Doug Free
James Marten

and this my friends is why Jerry had to make Leonard Davis one of the highest paid Cowboys in the history of the franchise..and I am sure he cringed doing that for an interior OL....It would not shock me at all if Davis is asked to play RT next year if Columbo is deemed unaffordable.