Gimme's Game 1 observations

Here's one on Arkin too, from musiccitynorm. It seems pretty accurate from what I recall. Arkin just had two or three plays or so where he didn't make at least an OK block. (Again, the rest of this is from Blogging the Boys.)

Run behind Arkin, Arkin drives Ty Warren three yards straight back and plants him in the turf. WOW that’s pretty darn impressive for your first play as a pro. I think Ty Warren is a pretty good player too.

Drop back pass, Ty Warren lines up a full yard off the ball and gets a running start for an attempted bull rush, Arkin gives a step on contact but holds and wins the block.

Shotgun Pass,, Arkin and Costa double the DT, never gets off the line of scrimmage.

Run behind Arkin, Arkin turns Warren inside, possible hold it is very close you can see it here
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2011...x-jones-big-run-and-the-blocks-that-sprung-it

Arkin’s block is the one that gets Felix through the line of scrimmage.

Run off right side, DT slants inside Arkin,, Arkin drives him into a pile of people.

Screen left, The entire O-line sells the screen with great patience, including Arkin, Arkin shows great agility and some speed getting out to the screen and getting to the corner where he dives at the corners feet. I really don’t like this, Arkin is from what I’ve seen so far a mauler, why not just kill the corner? I don’t know. It works though and the corner is out of the play.

Run off left tackle, Arkin starts out blocking a DT it looks like he is trying to get to the linebacker but never gets off the DT, The DT Arkin is blocking makes the tackle all the same at the line of scrimmage. Not a good play for Arkin.

Shotgun pass, Arkin stones the DT at the line of scrimmage,

Shotgun pass, Arkin goes up against Robert Ayers the speedy DE from Denver, Ayers pushes Arkin up field with his speed and tries to slap Arkin past using his momentum against him, Arkin did not budge, he was well balanced and ready for the slap move.

Kitna in, drop back pass right, Arkin gives ground to a bull rush but so does the entire line, I think the blocking scheme may have allowed the line to flex or give some. It did form a pocket.?

Kitna drop back pass, Arkin gives ground again on a bull rush but his man is not close to making a play.

Kitna drop back pass, Broncos bring 7, It’s impossible to tell who blocks who but Costa, Arkin, and Lotuli stone the middle and they are outnumbered.

Run behind Arkin, Arkin very slow to get out of stance, Warren blows Arkin up and makes tackle two yards deep into backfield, I think he just missed the snap count.

Shotgun pass, Arkin stones the DT at the line of scrimmage

McGee in, Bootleg right, Arkin has no one to block, Broncos bite on bootleg fake,

Draw play, I think Arkin may have screwed this play up all by his lonesome, After two strong pushes by the Broncos, Red calls a draw, the perfect play, Arkin does not allow his man to bull rush him instead firing off the line (the only lineman to do so) into the DT, it screwed the whole thing up, if he had sold the draw Miller would have had some holes to choose from I would think.

Run right, Arkin cuts his man off making the block, another block I just don’t see Big making.

Drop back pass, Arkin stones his guy at the line of scrimmage.

Two minute drill, Shotgun, The DT slaps Arkins hands out of the way and slips by him, Costa picks him up but Arkin whiffs on the block.

Shotgun, Arkin gives ground on bull rush,

Shotgun Arkin gives up to much ground, DT in the face of McGee on int. I didn’t realize it until now but McGee might have been able to hold the ball a half second longer if Arkins man wasn’t pushing him into the pocket, and that may have been a huge play. I think Arkin is tired
 
RS12;4049108 said:
So are you on record as saying Costa is a starting NFL center (guard) and that he should take Gurodes place (I am not his biggest fan but he is all they have). Serious question, not looking to start something.

What you quoted is from Blogging the Boys. Those comments aren't mine.

I do think Costa has a decent shot at being a starting center. He plays with good leverage to hold his ground or move DTs, despite his short arms. He's good at getting out on the second level. He gets by more on his knowledge of the position, making up for a lack of superior size or strength.

I do think he might have trouble going one-on-one with nose tackles, so that's a question that needs to be answered. And if he can't, I could see some 4-3 teams trying to isolate him and take advantage. (Of course, a lot of centers need help taking on nose tackles, which is what 3-4 defenses want, we just happen to have one in Gurode who doesn't.)

I don't think Costa would succeed at guard, where he'd face more one-on-one battles, though. But I could be wrong about that.

At this time, I don't think there's enough evidence to go on record about Costa starting, but he was solid as the starting center Thursday and he played the position well as a backup last preseason.
 
RS12;4049108 said:
So are you on record as saying Costa is a starting NFL center (guard) and that he should take Gurodes place (I am not his biggest fan but he is all they have). Serious question, not looking to start something.

For what it's worth, here's what Jerry Jones has to say about it:

"Costa is going to play a lot for the Cowboys . . . now. Now!" Jones said with emphasis. "I don't know how that works, but I'm glad we've got him. At this juncture, I don't know if anyone has had a better preseason than he's had. I put him right there at the top from my perspective with preseason work and how impressed we've been with him."

"I wouldn't go that far," Jones said of Costa starting instead of Gurode. "...But [Costa]'s certainly played well enough to give us enough confidence. And I have addressed that directly with the coaches and they feel the same way."
 
According to ESPN Dallas, Costa will start at left guard against San Diego. So I guess we'll get a chance to see if he can handle it.
 
gimmesix;4049136 said:
For what it's worth, here's what Jerry Jones has to say about it:


Yes. I'm so loving this. I just read it on DallasCowboys.com.

Phil Costa is only 24, and he is young, athletic, and smart. He seems strong enough, too. I'm loving this. I watched the game, and I watched Tyron most of the time. I'm glad Costa is developing and is looking like a current starting player.

If the Cowboys have indeed hit on both Costa and Arkin, that is going to be huge.

Now, I have Costa and Arkin who can keep Holland off this offensive line. I'm so loving this.

Great thread, by the way. I've been reading it.
 
gimmesix;4049164 said:
According to ESPN Dallas, Costa will start at left guard against San Diego. So I guess we'll get a chance to see if he can handle it.

Well that should show us something at least. That's good imo, I want to find out about this guy. I like his athleticism and think he is a technically good blocker, but I don't see him moving anybody on his own, despite what the recap says. Turning a guy is a good start but not the whole thing for an interior guy. I do like Costa but I think he is nowhere near as good as Gurode, not yet anyway.
 
gimmesix;4049164 said:
According to ESPN Dallas, Costa will start at left guard against San Diego. So I guess we'll get a chance to see if he can handle it.


I wonder if this says more about Costa or Arkin? I thought Arkin played pretty well in the first preseason game, but maybe the coaches just want to give Costa a shot starting at guard as well.
 
7footer;4049188 said:
I wonder if this says more about Costa or Arkin? I thought Arkin played pretty well in the first preseason game, but maybe the coaches just want to give Costa a shot starting at guard as well.

Based on Jones' comments and this, I think it's possible Costa is the reason Jones has said we're not going to bring in a guard.

I do think he's shown well whenever I've seen him at center, but I can't say it makes me feel satisfied with the offensive line depth.

I think Arkin will prove to be a better guard option than Costa, but I'm willing to be proven wrong.
 
gimmesix;4049206 said:
Based on Jones' comments and this, I think it's possible Costa is the reason Jones has said we're not going to bring in a guard.

I do think he's shown well whenever I've seen him at center, but I can't say it makes me feel satisfied with the offensive line depth.

I think Arkin will prove to be a better guard option than Costa, but I'm willing to be proven wrong.

I think its Costa based on JG comments in his PC today. JG really likes Costa and is very impressed with his intelligence and physical play. He spoke on him for awhile and was very direct. I think JJ is getting his info from JG and that's exactly how it should be. I can see JG going with Costa if he likes him that much, Costa is a veteran. Holland my lose his spot to Costa...
 
41gy#;4049165 said:
Phil Costa is only 24, and he is young, athletic, and smart. He seems strong enough, too. I'm loving this. I watched the game, and I watched Tyron most of the time. I'm glad Costa is developing and is looking like a current starting player.

If the Cowboys have indeed hit on both Costa and Arkin, that is going to be huge.

Now, I have Costa and Arkin who can keep Holland off this offensive line. I'm so loving this.

I still think Costa is a lot like Mark Stepnoski in that he's a great fit for center and not much else. Stepnoski didn't have the size to hold up at guard, but was a great tactician who knew how to use leverage to his advantage at center, where he was protected somewhat by the guards. Costa doesn't have the arm length to handle the guard position, but is a great tactician who knows how to use leverage to his advantage at center.

Right now, DTs have to loop into him at center if they are trying to shoot the gap between guard and center. At guard, they can attempt to bat his hands away and loop around him with the tackle occupied by the DE. Even against 3-4 NTs, he's usually going to have guard help to keep them from looping around him.
 
Mansta54;4049210 said:
I think its Costa based on JG comments in his PC today. JG really likes Costa and is very impressed with his intelligence and physical play. He spoke on him for awhile and was very direct. I think JJ is getting his info from JG and that's exactly how it should be. I can see JG going with Costa if he likes him that much, Costa is a veteran. Holland my lose his spot to Costa...

Didn't hear Garrett's comments, but Jones sort of referenced them in his comments.

I don't really think Holland's spot is in jeopardy, since Dallas just paid him a $500,000 roster bonus, but I do think Costa could be the reason Dallas feels comfortable with its interior depth.

I'm not, but maybe Costa will make me.
 
gimmesix;4049222 said:
Didn't hear Garrett's comments, but Jones sort of referenced them in his comments.

I don't really think Holland's spot is in jeopardy, since Dallas just paid him a $500,000 roster bonus, but I do think Costa could be the reason Dallas feels comfortable with its interior depth.

I'm not, but maybe Costa will make me.

I'm not so sure about that, JG and the staff is pissed that he showed overweight and out of shape. I don't think JG gives a darn about the bonus they paid him and that wasn't a lot of money at all. Holland is definitely in the doghouse..
 
Mansta54;4049227 said:
I'm not so sure about that, JG and the staff is pissed that he showed overweight and out of shape. I don't think JG gives a darn about the bonus they paid him and that wasn't a lot of money at all. Holland is definitely in the doghouse..

Since they've said nothing about him being in the doghouse, I'm not going to assume he is.

Right now, based on how they started camp, it would appear the starting job is Holland's to lose. I'd love to see a quicker player, like Costa or Arkin, take it from him, but Garrett and Jones have said Holland has played well whenever he's been in the game (which is true), and that appears to be the reason they were comfortable getting rid of Davis.

I'm willing to panic because of Holland's inability to stay healthy due to his weight issues, but it appears Dallas isn't because of the young depth. But I don't think that means Garrett is close to letting Holland go because of that depth.

Now, if he continues to be sidelined by injury, that might change. But then I would expect someone like Brian Waters to be brought in.
 
gimmesix;4049239 said:
Since they've said nothing about him being in the doghouse, I'm not going to assume he is.

Right now, based on how they started camp, it would appear the starting job is Holland's to lose. I'd love to see a quicker player, like Costa or Arkin, take it from him, but Garrett and Jones have said Holland has played well whenever he's been in the game (which is true), and that appears to be the reason they were comfortable getting rid of Davis.

I'm willing to panic because of Holland's inability to stay healthy due to his weight issues, but it appears Dallas isn't because of the young depth. But I don't think that means Garrett is close to letting Holland go because of that depth.

Now, if he continues to be sidelined by injury, that might change. But then I would expect someone like Brian Waters to be brought in.

Holland being in the doghouse was mentioned on "Talkin Cowboys" or the "Break". I think it was Mickey but I'm not sure but they spoke about the coaches being angry about his weight and shape because they were counting on him after cutting Bigg. I would definitely call that the doghouse. No need to panic though, I think Costa or Arkin can get the job done. I prefer Costa since he's a vet and is probably more comfortable. JG knows what he's doing and what he wants...
 
Mansta54;4049247 said:
Holland being in the doghouse was mentioned on "Talkin Cowboys" or the "Break". I think it was Mickey but I'm not sure but they spoke about the coaches being angry about his weight and shape because they were counting on him after cutting Bigg. I would definitely call that the doghouse. No need to panic though, I think Costa or Arkin can get the job done. I prefer Costa since he's a vet and is probably more comfortable. JG knows what he's doing and what he wants...

OK, we'll see where they go with that one, but I think Holland's job is relatively safe.

Also, to everyone who's participated in this thread, I just want to say thanks for the discussion. I've been kind of down on this site of late because of the outlandish negativity/doom-and-gloom that has seemed to dominate threads. This has been an enjoyable football conversation, even if we all don't see eye to eye on everything. I guess it has a lot to do with us having seen some actual football to talk about.

All right, let's sing one round of "Kumbaya" and get back to it.
 
gimmesix;4049261 said:
OK, we'll see where they go with that one, but I think Holland's job is relatively safe.

Also, to everyone who's participated in this thread, I just want to say thanks for the discussion. I've been kind of down on this site of late because of the outlandish negativity/doom-and-gloom that has seemed to dominate threads. This has been an enjoyable football conversation, even if we all don't see eye to eye on everything. I guess it has a lot to do with us having seen some actual football to talk about.

All right, let's sing one round of "Kumbaya" and get back to it.

You just gotta tune them out sometimes but I know it's tough. It's just a few and they're easy to spot, their post are extremely consistent. I'm just happy we've got football again and we're good thru February... Yeauh!! :mchammer:
 
I will say this about Holland, Mansta: He certainly doesn't fit in with the direction Dallas is going with the offensive line.

I think they want to have him around for one more year because he's a known quantity, but it's clear the Cowboys want the line to be quicker than it used to be, with players who can get out to the second level and actually hit people. (I think that's a necessity with all the movement and blitzing defenses do now, and because the league is more pass-heavy, so you need more movers than maulers.)

For that matter, Gurode doesn't fit that mold, either.
 
gimmesix;4049220 said:
I still think Costa is a lot like Mark Stepnoski in that he's a great fit for center and not much else. Stepnoski didn't have the size to hold up at guard, but was a great tactician who knew how to use leverage to his advantage at center, where he was protected somewhat by the guards. Costa doesn't have the arm length to handle the guard position, but is a great tactician who knows how to use leverage to his advantage at center.

Right now, DTs have to loop into him at center if they are trying to shoot the gap between guard and center. At guard, they can attempt to bat his hands away and loop around him with the tackle occupied by the DE. Even against 3-4 NTs, he's usually going to have guard help to keep them from looping around him.


Good points about technique and using leverage...Jerry Jones was bragging about Costa's technique and smarts. Stepnoski was a great one. That is for sure. He wasn't big at all, either.

You are probably right about Costa's best position being center; I see him as potentially Gurode's successor now. I didn't feel that way last year, but he has clearly improved from where he was last year. He had a great block on Felix Jones' screen. Costa was running really good on that play and had a great block down the field. Costa is listed at 6-3, 316. I like his athleticism and youth. He fits the profile for Garrett. It looks like there is a legit option behind Gurode at center now.

If Costa could turn out to be like Scott Wells of Green Bay (a seventh round pick from Tennessee), that would be great. Tennessee hasn't produced a center better than Scott Wells, either. I don't recall one, anyway.

I think David Arkin will probably be the better guard, too. Arkin sure has been impressive, and after a year of weight training, he has a chance to be a really good guard. I really like his athleticism. I still think he could start this year if they needed or wanted him to do it.

Anyway, it should be fun watching LG play out. If they go with Costa at LG to break him into the starting lineup, I'll like that, too. Dallas needs to get younger on that interior, and if Garrett thinks Costa can do a good job at LG, I'll support that move.

Always good to talk offensive line, because the offensive line is the life-blood of your team. Dallas has great skill players on offense, but the heart needs blood to live, and the blood is the offensive line.

Jason Garrett is not messing around with getting much younger, stronger, and much more athletic up front.

I wonder if Jeremy Parnell could kick to right guard down the road. Parnell and Nagy played well according to Broaddus
 
41gy#;4049342 said:
I wonder if Jeremy Parnell could kick to right guard down the road. Parnell and Nagy played well according to Broaddus

I thought they played well, too. But I don't see Parnell playing guard. He's tall (6-8) and lanky, not a real good combination for inside.
 
gimmesix;4049391 said:
I thought they played well, too. But I don't see Parnell playing guard. He's tall (6-8) and lanky, not a real good combination for inside.



Bottom Line ... Parnell has shown to have more than Young.
 

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