If Costa is healthy, does he play guard?

[Eskimo]

with two teams in our division running a 3-4 and the number of teams league wide going to it, I would be surprised if Fred isn't our starting center. His ability to handle the 3-4 NT is what gives him the potential to be among the better centers in the league.

Actually Costa is at his best for the most part when matched up against big NTs. You put a big body over him and he is very good. People get caught up in the Costa is small mantra but he is 6-3 which is perfect for a Center and is 315 pounds which is mostly muscle. He is very, very strong and combined with natural leverage he is a powerful guy. His biggest problem is the short arms which sometimes cause him to lean too much and lose his balance. It is a fine line he has to walk to avoid letting guys get into him too much versus maintaining his balance. It is hard to say to what extent this has improved as it mostly affects his pass protection and not so much his run blocking. I have wondered if he would be better at OG because not having to snap would let him get his hands in place better and we could take better advantage of his athleticism.

 

[dogberry]

Any hints slipping out on Leary?

 

[Aliencowboy]

Any hints slipping out on Leary?

Kinda forgot about him. Broadus suggested something about his ability
to get the playbook down costing him playing time. Is a year enough?


Jerry made the comment of Costa and Cook competing for spots
as they played better than the others. Throw Leary in that mix.

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

Costa will be what he should have been all along, a backup center.

He is a backup center in the NFL that's all he's ever been, that's all he'll ever be. It was just the silliness of Jerry to force him into a position he couldn't handle.

 

[Ratmatt]

You really don't want Costa playing at all.

 

[Ratmatt]

I'm glad we have good competition at C now and some at G as well.

You have no competition at C.Frederick,barring injury is the C.There is no competition at G,because there is no talent at G.

 

[CaptainMorgan]

Everyone writing off Livings, the guy actually was ok last season. It was Bernie, Free and Cook that stunk it up on the regular.

I could see Smith, Livings, Frederick, Costa/Leary and Free/Parnell as our opening day starting line.

 

[DeaconBlues]

I believe the coaching staff wants Costa to start. He will get every opportunity to succeed.

 

[CaptainMorgan]

I believe the coaching staff wants Costa to start. He will get every opportunity to succeed.

I think you're right and if Costa does a solid job in camp, Fred will slide right and boot Bernie.

 

[speedkilz88]

Everyone writing off Livings, the guy actually was ok last season. It was Bernie, Free and Cook that stunk it up on the regular.

I could see Smith, Livings, Frederick, Costa/Leary and Free/Parnell as our opening day starting line.

Cowboys restructured Bernadeau's contract and decided not to restructure Living's contract. So it would appear that Livings could be the odd man out. Bernadeau is also younger and can play all 3 interior positions.

 

[CaptainMorgan]

Bernadeau can play all 3 interior positions.

So could I and probably be just as effective lol

 

[speedkilz88]

Kinda forgot about him. Broadus suggested something about his ability
to get the playbook down costing him playing time. Is a year enough?


Jerry made the comment of Costa and Cook competing for spots
as they played better than the others. Throw Leary in that mix.

I've heard Broaddus many times talk about Leary and he wasn't talking about the playbook. He has said that he has the tools and just needs to learn the tricks of the trade. Holding legally basically.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I agree. i wanna see what happens at Guard. If Costa can be healthy i think he's the best option at C. I wanna see if Kowalski is back to form too.

I wouldnt hate a OL of

Smith|Frederick|Costa|Kowalski|Parnell

Costa 'the best option' at anything..

:laugh2:

 

[Aliencowboy]

You must have been listening to something else. Go through the draft radio shows. You'll find it there where he clearly stated that leary couldn't get the playbook down and that's why he didn't get reps...Donut hole

I've heard Broaddus many times talk about Leary and he wasn't talking about the playbook. He has said that he has the tools and just needs to learn the tricks of the trade. Holding legally basically.

 

[Chuck 54]

Center--Frederick, Kowalski is swing guy C/G

Guards--Bernadeaux, Livings, Leary, Kowalski

Tackles--Smith, Free, Parnell, FA

Killer was serviceable as center and guard two years ago before this past year of injury.

I also think we will churn the bottom as teams set rosters and release vets.

I don't see Costa making the team as a C backup.

 

[SportsGuru80]

Costa is a good back up at this point to me....

 

[honyock]

With the roster as it currently is, the problem with Frederick at center is that we could use an upgrade at both guard positions. If Costa shows he can stay healthy and handle center, that's good, Frederick can fill one hole this year and someone else on the roster needs to step up at the other guard spot.

I'm still holding out hope that we bring in a vet guard like Moore. I'd rather see that than signing one of the vet tackles. I've got more confidence in Parnell at RT than I do in anyone currently on the roster at guard. Then Fred plays center and the best among the rest at the other guard spot.

I'll be surprised if the team doesn't see Fred as the longterm answer at center. That being said, maybe they do what Atlanta did with Konz last year and put him at guard for a year, then make the move to center next year. Among other things, that gives someone like Leary to another year to develop as a backup.

 

[gimmesix]

Center--Frederick, Kowalski is swing guy C/G

Guards--Bernadeaux, Livings, Leary, Kowalski

Tackles--Smith, Free, Parnell, FA

Killer was serviceable as center and guard two years ago before this past year of injury.

I also think we will churn the bottom as teams set rosters and release vets.

I don't see Costa making the team as a C backup.

Centers — Frederick, Costa

Guards — (sadly) Bernadeau, Livings, Leary, Kowalski

Tackles — Smith, Parnell, Free or FA starter

I don't see Costa losing his roster spot, but I'm hopefully he won't be starting.

What I'd like:

Centers — Frederick, Bernadeau or Kowalski

Guards — Moore, Livings or Clabo, Leary, Kowalski

Tackles — Smith, Clabo or Parnell

Say bye to Costa and Free, although Costa would probably be kept over Kowalski.

Then next year, aim for a guard in the second round to replace Livings.