Holland over Proctor?

[DaBoys4Life]

This is the first time I've been on the site since the game, so take it easy on me. Does anyone know if Montrae Holland will be ready to play this week over Cory Proctor? It was so obvious where the weak link was on the offensive line, and we were very lucky it wasn't against a really great pass rushing team.

I would even prefer giving Doug Free a shot at RG before putting Proctor in there again. If this is the best we got in our interior backup spot, we know where to target in the 2009 NFL draft. We have to do better than what we have now.

Phillips announced that proctor would be starting =/

 

[jjktkk]

Maybe we WERE watching a different game, because in the game I watched, Shaun Rogers looked like an All-Pro on several occasions. He was all over the field, creating havoc. Sure, there were many times he was shut down, but that was only because the other OLs were doing so well, they could afford to give Proctor help.

I am not the only person who believes that our interior backup support is in need of an upgrade. Even when Kosier is in there, HE is the weakest link. We need to not get to the point where we say, "Oh, well, 4 out of 5 aint bad". We need to find someone better than Kosier, then find a backup better than Proctor.

I though Proctor did a solid job against Cleveland. Although he did get bullrushed a couple times, Proctor did a good job considering that he is a backup linemen. In fact Proctor reminds me of Kosier somewhat. They both are very similar players, body size and talent wise. They get the job done using sound technique and smarts, rather than possessing huge size and strength. Also Rogers, when motivated, can perform at a all-pro level. He can overpower alot of O-linemen, hence the reason Cleveland traded for him. As far as replacing Kosier, you can't pay huge money or have a all-star at every single position. A combination of Kosier, Proctor, and Holland should be able to do a solid job this year.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I thought Proctor played good.......what did I miss?

 

[YosemiteSam]

In this case knowledge is better than power. (Proctor knows the system) Proctor starts per Wade.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I thought Proctor played good.......what did I miss?

From someone who analyzed it closely, Proctor played soundly with lots of help from Dre and Adams, but was overmatched (bulled over) on several occasions by Rogers.

 

[burmafrd]

Holland will take the job by midseason at the latest. Unless Kosier really cranks it up.

 

[Wood]

Proctor will be an asset against eagles blitzing scheme. Look for philly to not have as much success with Proctor helping out with identifing who will be blitzing. Then bring in the fat body the next week.

 

[slotshot]

It's nice to have competition at the LG postion, that's all I can say!

 

[Zimmy Lives]

From someone who analyzed it closely, Proctor played soundly with lots of help from Dre and Adams, but was overmatched (bulled over) on several occasions by Rogers.

Shaun Rogers tends to overmatch a lot of people.

Proctor did as well as the Cowboys staff expected and that's the important thing to remember.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Proctor will be an asset against eagles blitzing scheme. Look for philly to not have as much success with Proctor helping out with identifing who will be blitzing. Then bring in the fat body the next week.

Great point!

I expect the pressure to come from the outside rather than anything up the gut.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

I though Proctor did a solid job against Cleveland. Although he did get bullrushed a couple times, Proctor did a good job considering that he is a backup linemen. In fact Proctor reminds me of Kosier somewhat. They both are very similar players, body size and talent wise. They get the job done using sound technique and smarts, rather than possessing huge size and strength. Also Rogers, when motivated, can perform at a all-pro level. He can overpower alot of O-linemen, hence the reason Cleveland traded for him. As far as replacing Kosier, you can't pay huge money or have a all-star at every single position. A combination of Kosier, Proctor, and Holland should be able to do a solid job this year.

It's called the NFL draft. It comes around every year around my birthday. (April 26, for those who would like to send gifts ). Both of the current starters who were drafted by Dallas, (Flo & Gurode), were taken in the second round of the draft. That's not big money. You can get a top quality OG in the second round of next year's draft without paying out big time FA money. If they play up to or exceed their potential, then pay them what they're worth.

As far as the quality of Proctor's play, here is an excerpt from an article in DC.com today. (Sorry, I couldn't get it into a link:



In Guard We Trust
Cowboys Need Procter's Best Game MondayJosh Ellis - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 10, 2008 7:00 PMChange Font SizeAAAA

Romo needs to be able to trust Procter to stop his guy. ord=Math.random()*10000000000000000; document.write(''); document.write(' '); OTHER RECENT NEWS•People's Choice 9/10•Barber Has Full Participation; Newman Limited 9/10•Excited Bollinger Ready To Start Learning 9/10•Notes: Eagles Getting Boost From 2nd-Round Pick 9/10•Mick's Mail: Wednesday, September 10, 2008•Ellis, Defensive Teammates Make Small Sacrifices 9/9•It's Easy To Forget Defense On This Team 9/9•Here Are The Philadelphia Eagles 9/9•Notes: Cowboys 'D' Provides Test For Eagles 9/9•Mick's Mail: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
IRVING, Texas - "Stubble hid the remains of 13 stitches and a scar on Tony Romo's chin, and a bandage covered a splint on his left middle finger Wednesday afternoon.
The quarterback doesn't like to talk about pain, and he was pretty good at concealing the sting he must have felt in the third quarter Sunday when three Browns combined on the hit that earned him those tough-guy badges of honor.
The ball left Romo's hand just before he was rocked on the play. Blitzing linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and Willie McGinest beat the Cowboys tackles around the outside. Normally Romo is able to avoid that type of pressure by stepping up into the pocket, but there was nowhere to run on this play. Veteran defensive tackle Robaire Smith supplied a quick rush up the middle, using a swim move to get by the Cowboys' Cory Procter with ease.
Romo needs to be able to trust Procter to stop his guy. McGinest made the hit, but Procter is also responsible for the biggest bump of Tony Romo's pro career. Romo had virtually all day to throw throughout the Browns game, but the lasting impression will be No. Nine lying on the ground, wincing. With their franchise quarterback at the mercy of his offensive line, one blocker's mistake could essentially end the Cowboys season.
Continuity is an offensive line's best friend. The Cowboys offensive line only missed two starts to injury the last two seasons, and whenever a backup has been forced to play during that time, it has been Procter.
He started two games as a center a year ago, but this was the first action at left guard of Procter's NFL career, filling in for the injured Kyle Kosier (foot). Overall, the Cowboys were pretty pleased with his work. Romo wasn't sacked at all, and Procter cleared the way for Marion Barber's second touchdown run, pulling left. But Procter had his struggles as well - he was beaten a few times by nose tackle Shaun Rogers, and was guilty of an ugly holding penalty in the second quarter, chasing behind Rogers while grasping his jersey. At 6-4, 350-pounds, Rogers provides a stiff test for any offensive lineman, but particularly Procter, the smallest of the Cowboys unit at 6-4, 308-pounds. Procter made up for the 42-pound advantage Rogers had with determination.
"It was harder on (Procter), I think, because of his size, when (Rogers) got on him some," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "But he fought him every play. Every play he was on him he fought hard. He's going to have some physical battles, certainly. He's not the biggest guy, but he will battle you."
In his second week starting at left guard, Procter may actually have a tougher test. Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has a well-known penchant for bringing extra pressure to get after opposing quarterbacks. Sometimes it seems like the Eagles blitz on every play, in fact. They piled up four sacks in Week One.
It's not hard to figure out where Johnson's defense will try to attack the Cowboys on Monday night. His blitzers will have to get through a front five that consists of three returning Pro Bowlers and another guy, right tackle Marc Colombo, who has started every game the last two years and only rarely allowed a sack.
Procter, naturally, is the unproven one of the bunch.
And while Philadelphia doesn't have a Goliath-type mauler like Rogers, the Eagles will run games inside, twisting starting tackles Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley, two former first-round picks. Johnson will also stunt defensive end Trent Cole inside, he of the 12.5-sacks last season.
"I think their down linemen . . . they're more active than the ones we played last week," right guard Leonard Davis said. "They're smaller, but quicker and faster also.
"It's just neutralizing those guys, opening up holes and protecting the quarterback."
When the Eagles came to town last Dec. 16, they were able to stop the running game, forcing the Cowboys into obvious passing situations and making their blitz all the more effective. While some blame Jessica Simpson's attendance for Romo's struggles that day - the 36.1 percent completion rate and three interceptions - Philadelphia's defense and the pressure they created probably had more to do with it.
Romo was sacked four times in the game, and three times on Christmas Day 2006, when the Eagles came to town and Romo turned in another poor outing. The Cowboys had just 83 rushing yards in the 2006 home game against Philly, and only 53 in 2007.
Getting the running game going will open up the passing game. Otherwise the Eagles can tee off on Romo.
"They're not going to let the quarterback sit back there and hold the ball," Romo said. "They're a very disciplined chaos."
With all the confusion up front, plus linebackers bringing the heat, Philly will throw everything but the kitchen sink at Procter, schematically. But that approach may actually play right into Procter's hands. While he's played less than a half against Philadelphia during his Cowboys tenure, finishing a game for the injured Andre Gurode last season, he has seen the Eagles on film plenty during his four years in Dallas. As tricky as Johnson's front seven is, it actually hasn't changed too much over the years, and Phillips doesn't expect anything new for this game.
"They run a lot of the same things year after year with different players," Phillips said. "I think they disguise it well. They give you one look and then they blitz from the other side or they give you a blitz look and then they come out of it."
Phillips praised Procter's smarts and his ability to make the calls, a responsibility he tackled while serving as the primary backup to Gurode. If he can successfully identify the blitzers Monday, the offense could be in for a big night.
"I think anytime a team wants to get after you, you feel that your opportunities will be there for big plays," Romo said, no-doubt considering the possibility of slants to Terrell Owens, quick throws to Jason Witten, or even a flat pass to the slippery Felix Jones.
"Really the Giants and the Eagles are very similar," Romo said. "They're not going to let you sit there and read it all out. You've got to work fast and teams that do that also give you a chance to create big plays if you know their personnel, or if you know what to try and hope for."
Romo is confident he can hold up his end of the bargain if his offensive line and running backs can do their part by blocking the blitz. If Procter can do his, he may hold off the newly-acquired Montrae Holland for the starting job until Kosier can return in a few weeks.
Holland, who the Cowboys got from Denver in a trade the last week of the preseason, said he knows 70-75 percent of the playbook and is receiving some one-on-one tutoring from offensive line coach Hudson Houck. Since Holland has been in Dallas, Phillips hasn't seemed committed to Procter as the fill-in starter, calling Holland "more of an anchor." Come Monday, Procter will have the chance to prove he should remain the starter, which may only add to the pressure of protecting Romo against the vaunted Philadelphia defense. But if nothing else, he has his chance, about all a career backup, utility interior lineman can ask for. Romo and the team's coaches, players and fans need to be able to trust that Cory Procter will take advantage of that chance - maybe this week more than ever."

You tell me if we can do better, or if this is the VERY BEST we can do. Because the Dallas Cowboys, in my eyes, should ALWAYS find a way to have the VERY BEST. That's what makes them America's Team.

 

[dmoore]

Procter was fine. I'm not worried about him at all. I'd like to see Holland once he knows the playbook, because I think he'd be a nice fit on our o-line. When the rest of the line plays like it did sunday, it's completely acceptable to have one guard play only "average".

 

[jjktkk]

It's called the NFL draft. It comes around every year around my birthday. (April 26, for those who would like to send gifts ). Both of the current starters who were drafted by Dallas, (Flo & Gurode), were taken in the second round of the draft. That's not big money. You can get a top quality OG in the second round of next year's draft without paying out big time FA money. If they play up to or exceed their potential, then pay them what they're worth.

As far as the quality of Proctor's play, here is an excerpt from an article in DC.com today. (Sorry, I couldn't get it into a link:



In Guard We Trust
Cowboys Need Procter's Best Game MondayJosh Ellis - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 10, 2008 7:00 PMChange Font SizeAAAA

Romo needs to be able to trust Procter to stop his guy. ord=Math.random()*10000000000000000; document.write(''); document.write(' '); OTHER RECENT NEWS•People's Choice 9/10•Barber Has Full Participation; Newman Limited 9/10•Excited Bollinger Ready To Start Learning 9/10•Notes: Eagles Getting Boost From 2nd-Round Pick 9/10•Mick's Mail: Wednesday, September 10, 2008•Ellis, Defensive Teammates Make Small Sacrifices 9/9•It's Easy To Forget Defense On This Team 9/9•Here Are The Philadelphia Eagles 9/9•Notes: Cowboys 'D' Provides Test For Eagles 9/9•Mick's Mail: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
IRVING, Texas - "Stubble hid the remains of 13 stitches and a scar on Tony Romo's chin, and a bandage covered a splint on his left middle finger Wednesday afternoon.
The quarterback doesn't like to talk about pain, and he was pretty good at concealing the sting he must have felt in the third quarter Sunday when three Browns combined on the hit that earned him those tough-guy badges of honor.
The ball left Romo's hand just before he was rocked on the play. Blitzing linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and Willie McGinest beat the Cowboys tackles around the outside. Normally Romo is able to avoid that type of pressure by stepping up into the pocket, but there was nowhere to run on this play. Veteran defensive tackle Robaire Smith supplied a quick rush up the middle, using a swim move to get by the Cowboys' Cory Procter with ease.
Romo needs to be able to trust Procter to stop his guy. McGinest made the hit, but Procter is also responsible for the biggest bump of Tony Romo's pro career. Romo had virtually all day to throw throughout the Browns game, but the lasting impression will be No. Nine lying on the ground, wincing. With their franchise quarterback at the mercy of his offensive line, one blocker's mistake could essentially end the Cowboys season.
Continuity is an offensive line's best friend. The Cowboys offensive line only missed two starts to injury the last two seasons, and whenever a backup has been forced to play during that time, it has been Procter.
He started two games as a center a year ago, but this was the first action at left guard of Procter's NFL career, filling in for the injured Kyle Kosier (foot). Overall, the Cowboys were pretty pleased with his work. Romo wasn't sacked at all, and Procter cleared the way for Marion Barber's second touchdown run, pulling left. But Procter had his struggles as well - he was beaten a few times by nose tackle Shaun Rogers, and was guilty of an ugly holding penalty in the second quarter, chasing behind Rogers while grasping his jersey. At 6-4, 350-pounds, Rogers provides a stiff test for any offensive lineman, but particularly Procter, the smallest of the Cowboys unit at 6-4, 308-pounds. Procter made up for the 42-pound advantage Rogers had with determination.
"It was harder on (Procter), I think, because of his size, when (Rogers) got on him some," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "But he fought him every play. Every play he was on him he fought hard. He's going to have some physical battles, certainly. He's not the biggest guy, but he will battle you."
In his second week starting at left guard, Procter may actually have a tougher test. Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has a well-known penchant for bringing extra pressure to get after opposing quarterbacks. Sometimes it seems like the Eagles blitz on every play, in fact. They piled up four sacks in Week One.
It's not hard to figure out where Johnson's defense will try to attack the Cowboys on Monday night. His blitzers will have to get through a front five that consists of three returning Pro Bowlers and another guy, right tackle Marc Colombo, who has started every game the last two years and only rarely allowed a sack.
Procter, naturally, is the unproven one of the bunch.
And while Philadelphia doesn't have a Goliath-type mauler like Rogers, the Eagles will run games inside, twisting starting tackles Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley, two former first-round picks. Johnson will also stunt defensive end Trent Cole inside, he of the 12.5-sacks last season.
"I think their down linemen . . . they're more active than the ones we played last week," right guard Leonard Davis said. "They're smaller, but quicker and faster also.
"It's just neutralizing those guys, opening up holes and protecting the quarterback."
When the Eagles came to town last Dec. 16, they were able to stop the running game, forcing the Cowboys into obvious passing situations and making their blitz all the more effective. While some blame Jessica Simpson's attendance for Romo's struggles that day - the 36.1 percent completion rate and three interceptions - Philadelphia's defense and the pressure they created probably had more to do with it.
Romo was sacked four times in the game, and three times on Christmas Day 2006, when the Eagles came to town and Romo turned in another poor outing. The Cowboys had just 83 rushing yards in the 2006 home game against Philly, and only 53 in 2007.
Getting the running game going will open up the passing game. Otherwise the Eagles can tee off on Romo.
"They're not going to let the quarterback sit back there and hold the ball," Romo said. "They're a very disciplined chaos."
With all the confusion up front, plus linebackers bringing the heat, Philly will throw everything but the kitchen sink at Procter, schematically. But that approach may actually play right into Procter's hands. While he's played less than a half against Philadelphia during his Cowboys tenure, finishing a game for the injured Andre Gurode last season, he has seen the Eagles on film plenty during his four years in Dallas. As tricky as Johnson's front seven is, it actually hasn't changed too much over the years, and Phillips doesn't expect anything new for this game.
"They run a lot of the same things year after year with different players," Phillips said. "I think they disguise it well. They give you one look and then they blitz from the other side or they give you a blitz look and then they come out of it."
Phillips praised Procter's smarts and his ability to make the calls, a responsibility he tackled while serving as the primary backup to Gurode. If he can successfully identify the blitzers Monday, the offense could be in for a big night.
"I think anytime a team wants to get after you, you feel that your opportunities will be there for big plays," Romo said, no-doubt considering the possibility of slants to Terrell Owens, quick throws to Jason Witten, or even a flat pass to the slippery Felix Jones.
"Really the Giants and the Eagles are very similar," Romo said. "They're not going to let you sit there and read it all out. You've got to work fast and teams that do that also give you a chance to create big plays if you know their personnel, or if you know what to try and hope for."
Romo is confident he can hold up his end of the bargain if his offensive line and running backs can do their part by blocking the blitz. If Procter can do his, he may hold off the newly-acquired Montrae Holland for the starting job until Kosier can return in a few weeks.
Holland, who the Cowboys got from Denver in a trade the last week of the preseason, said he knows 70-75 percent of the playbook and is receiving some one-on-one tutoring from offensive line coach Hudson Houck. Since Holland has been in Dallas, Phillips hasn't seemed committed to Procter as the fill-in starter, calling Holland "more of an anchor." Come Monday, Procter will have the chance to prove he should remain the starter, which may only add to the pressure of protecting Romo against the vaunted Philadelphia defense. But if nothing else, he has his chance, about all a career backup, utility interior lineman can ask for. Romo and the team's coaches, players and fans need to be able to trust that Cory Procter will take advantage of that chance - maybe this week more than ever."

You tell me if we can do better, or if this is the VERY BEST we can do. Because the Dallas Cowboys, in my eyes, should ALWAYS find a way to have the VERY BEST. That's what makes them America's Team.

Thinks for the info on this thing called a draft. Who knew. I just assumed the Cowboys braintrust just went around the local whataburgers and picked out the biggest dudes and signed em up. Maybe you haven't noticed the Cowboys recent history of drafting Offensive linemen has been pathetic to say the least. My post was based on the current group of o-linemen the Cowboys have. I want to see what Holland can do and Kosier, once he comes back from injury. If the LG position doesn't improve this year, then yes lets see if the Boys can finally hit on drafting a OL prospect in next years draft.

 

[skinsscalper]

It's called the NFL draft. It comes around every year around my birthday. (April 26, for those who would like to send gifts ). Both of the current starters who were drafted by Dallas, (Flo & Gurode), were taken in the second round of the draft. That's not big money. You can get a top quality OG in the second round of next year's draft without paying out big time FA money. If they play up to or exceed their potential, then pay them what they're worth.

As far as the quality of Proctor's play, here is an excerpt from an article in DC.com today. (Sorry, I couldn't get it into a link:



In Guard We Trust
Cowboys Need Procter's Best Game MondayJosh Ellis - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
September 10, 2008 7:00 PMChange Font SizeAAAA

Romo needs to be able to trust Procter to stop his guy. ord=Math.random()*10000000000000000; document.write(''); document.write(' '); OTHER RECENT NEWS•People's Choice 9/10•Barber Has Full Participation; Newman Limited 9/10•Excited Bollinger Ready To Start Learning 9/10•Notes: Eagles Getting Boost From 2nd-Round Pick 9/10•Mick's Mail: Wednesday, September 10, 2008•Ellis, Defensive Teammates Make Small Sacrifices 9/9•It's Easy To Forget Defense On This Team 9/9•Here Are The Philadelphia Eagles 9/9•Notes: Cowboys 'D' Provides Test For Eagles 9/9•Mick's Mail: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
IRVING, Texas - "Stubble hid the remains of 13 stitches and a scar on Tony Romo's chin, and a bandage covered a splint on his left middle finger Wednesday afternoon.
The quarterback doesn't like to talk about pain, and he was pretty good at concealing the sting he must have felt in the third quarter Sunday when three Browns combined on the hit that earned him those tough-guy badges of honor.
The ball left Romo's hand just before he was rocked on the play. Blitzing linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and Willie McGinest beat the Cowboys tackles around the outside. Normally Romo is able to avoid that type of pressure by stepping up into the pocket, but there was nowhere to run on this play. Veteran defensive tackle Robaire Smith supplied a quick rush up the middle, using a swim move to get by the Cowboys' Cory Procter with ease.
Romo needs to be able to trust Procter to stop his guy. McGinest made the hit, but Procter is also responsible for the biggest bump of Tony Romo's pro career. Romo had virtually all day to throw throughout the Browns game, but the lasting impression will be No. Nine lying on the ground, wincing. With their franchise quarterback at the mercy of his offensive line, one blocker's mistake could essentially end the Cowboys season.
Continuity is an offensive line's best friend. The Cowboys offensive line only missed two starts to injury the last two seasons, and whenever a backup has been forced to play during that time, it has been Procter.
He started two games as a center a year ago, but this was the first action at left guard of Procter's NFL career, filling in for the injured Kyle Kosier (foot). Overall, the Cowboys were pretty pleased with his work. Romo wasn't sacked at all, and Procter cleared the way for Marion Barber's second touchdown run, pulling left. But Procter had his struggles as well - he was beaten a few times by nose tackle Shaun Rogers, and was guilty of an ugly holding penalty in the second quarter, chasing behind Rogers while grasping his jersey. At 6-4, 350-pounds, Rogers provides a stiff test for any offensive lineman, but particularly Procter, the smallest of the Cowboys unit at 6-4, 308-pounds. Procter made up for the 42-pound advantage Rogers had with determination.
"It was harder on (Procter), I think, because of his size, when (Rogers) got on him some," Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said. "But he fought him every play. Every play he was on him he fought hard. He's going to have some physical battles, certainly. He's not the biggest guy, but he will battle you."
In his second week starting at left guard, Procter may actually have a tougher test. Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has a well-known penchant for bringing extra pressure to get after opposing quarterbacks. Sometimes it seems like the Eagles blitz on every play, in fact. They piled up four sacks in Week One.
It's not hard to figure out where Johnson's defense will try to attack the Cowboys on Monday night. His blitzers will have to get through a front five that consists of three returning Pro Bowlers and another guy, right tackle Marc Colombo, who has started every game the last two years and only rarely allowed a sack.
Procter, naturally, is the unproven one of the bunch.
And while Philadelphia doesn't have a Goliath-type mauler like Rogers, the Eagles will run games inside, twisting starting tackles Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley, two former first-round picks. Johnson will also stunt defensive end Trent Cole inside, he of the 12.5-sacks last season.
"I think their down linemen . . . they're more active than the ones we played last week," right guard Leonard Davis said. "They're smaller, but quicker and faster also.
"It's just neutralizing those guys, opening up holes and protecting the quarterback."
When the Eagles came to town last Dec. 16, they were able to stop the running game, forcing the Cowboys into obvious passing situations and making their blitz all the more effective. While some blame Jessica Simpson's attendance for Romo's struggles that day - the 36.1 percent completion rate and three interceptions - Philadelphia's defense and the pressure they created probably had more to do with it.
Romo was sacked four times in the game, and three times on Christmas Day 2006, when the Eagles came to town and Romo turned in another poor outing. The Cowboys had just 83 rushing yards in the 2006 home game against Philly, and only 53 in 2007.
Getting the running game going will open up the passing game. Otherwise the Eagles can tee off on Romo.
"They're not going to let the quarterback sit back there and hold the ball," Romo said. "They're a very disciplined chaos."
With all the confusion up front, plus linebackers bringing the heat, Philly will throw everything but the kitchen sink at Procter, schematically. But that approach may actually play right into Procter's hands. While he's played less than a half against Philadelphia during his Cowboys tenure, finishing a game for the injured Andre Gurode last season, he has seen the Eagles on film plenty during his four years in Dallas. As tricky as Johnson's front seven is, it actually hasn't changed too much over the years, and Phillips doesn't expect anything new for this game.
"They run a lot of the same things year after year with different players," Phillips said. "I think they disguise it well. They give you one look and then they blitz from the other side or they give you a blitz look and then they come out of it."
Phillips praised Procter's smarts and his ability to make the calls, a responsibility he tackled while serving as the primary backup to Gurode. If he can successfully identify the blitzers Monday, the offense could be in for a big night.
"I think anytime a team wants to get after you, you feel that your opportunities will be there for big plays," Romo said, no-doubt considering the possibility of slants to Terrell Owens, quick throws to Jason Witten, or even a flat pass to the slippery Felix Jones.
"Really the Giants and the Eagles are very similar," Romo said. "They're not going to let you sit there and read it all out. You've got to work fast and teams that do that also give you a chance to create big plays if you know their personnel, or if you know what to try and hope for."
Romo is confident he can hold up his end of the bargain if his offensive line and running backs can do their part by blocking the blitz. If Procter can do his, he may hold off the newly-acquired Montrae Holland for the starting job until Kosier can return in a few weeks.
Holland, who the Cowboys got from Denver in a trade the last week of the preseason, said he knows 70-75 percent of the playbook and is receiving some one-on-one tutoring from offensive line coach Hudson Houck. Since Holland has been in Dallas, Phillips hasn't seemed committed to Procter as the fill-in starter, calling Holland "more of an anchor." Come Monday, Procter will have the chance to prove he should remain the starter, which may only add to the pressure of protecting Romo against the vaunted Philadelphia defense. But if nothing else, he has his chance, about all a career backup, utility interior lineman can ask for. Romo and the team's coaches, players and fans need to be able to trust that Cory Procter will take advantage of that chance - maybe this week more than ever."

You tell me if we can do better, or if this is the VERY BEST we can do. Because the Dallas Cowboys, in my eyes, should ALWAYS find a way to have the VERY BEST. That's what makes them America's Team.

You might want to familiarize yourself with how long it actually took for Gurode or Flo to become Pro Bowlers, also. Proctor did fine for his first start. It's a little early to push the panic button.

 

[zeromaster]

The times Shaun Rogers didn't look All-Pro, he was hauling his fat self to the sideline afterwards, mouth agape like a beached whale. People want to make the world out of a worry.

Have fun with that.

 

[Doomsday]

With all the stunting and blitzing the Eagles do Im not sure it would be a good idea to start an Olinemen that has limited chemistry with the rest of the line.

It will be important to take advantage or our size advantage by running it right at them and wearing them out.