If I Were Jerry, I Would Sign Justin Hartwig

[Hostile]

Call it hedging my bets. Call it insurance. Call it pushing the panic button. Call it Fred. I don't care, but call him.

In a season where we have so much on the line I simply do whatever it takes to get to where we want to go. If that means playing Hartwig at C and moving Gurode to LG, do it. If that means playing Hartwig at LG, do it. I don't even care if it means moving BIGG to RT and Gurode to RG when Kosier comes back if Colombo doesn't return, do it.

I'm not going to claim Hartwig is one of the best Centers in the NFL, but he is solid and he is smart. At 6'4" 312 pounds he is big enough to get the job done.

I usually don't like other teams hand me down retreads. There are exceptions. I prefer blue collar guys to superstars. Hartwig is a blue collar guy.

I don't see this as a slap in the face to Phil Costa, Montrae Holland, Travis Bright, or Fred. I see it as a sound business move. Yes, I know Hartwig wants to start somewhere. I don't consider that a bad thing. If he outplays someone here and earns the spot what have we lost? If he comes here and doesn't outperform the normal starting 5 what have we lost?

It's a simple case of insurance and if nothing else it would temporarily pacify the media drone about we did nothing to shore up the OL despite making changes everywhere on our roster along the OL.

Look at this ugly mug.

Sometimes you need some ugliness on the OL. Jerry, go get us some ugly. Sign Justin Hartwig.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I would consider that as well. Interestingly enough, ABQJR and I were just discussing this.

Get out of my head Hos.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Isn't he injured?

 

[Manwiththeplan]

No one wants to garuntee a vets contract (especially cause it's gonna take him some time before we can even use him) so that's why he's still unsigned. After week 1, if he can't land a starting job, don't be suprised to see him back in Pittsburgh

 

[DallasEast]

Isn't he injured?

I don't know, but John Clayton's take on him being released from the Steelers is that he would have been too expensive as a backup to Maurkice Pouncey. He could be a healthy roster addition...

 

[Hostile]

Isn't he injured?

Nope. He was released because the Steelers draft Pouncey and felt okay with Legursky at backup C.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

No one wants to garuntee a vets contract (especially cause it's gonna take him some time before we can even use him) so that's why he's still unsigned. After week 1, if he can't land a starting job, don't be suprised to see him back in Pittsburgh

If you sign Hartwig, you can probably get rid of another contract so that would save you some money right there. The problem with Hartwig was that he couldn't get his guy blocked in the running game last year. I don't know if that was injury or not. Still, he has good experience, which is something we have none of at the backup right now.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

If you sign Hartwig, you can probably get rid of another contract so that would save you some money right there. The problem with Hartwig was that he couldn't get his guy blocked in the running game last year. I don't know if that was injury or not. Still, he has good experience, which is something we have none of at the backup right now.

if we signed Hartwig, that would mean Costa is gone. I'd do it, but I see the logic in going with what we got

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Considering that this OL is just an injury or two away from disaster I would hope the Cowboys are open to signing a solid lineman,,, especially a center/guard.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

if we signed Hartwig, that would mean Costa is gone. I'd do it, but I see the logic in going with what we got

I see it as well, unless we sustain an injury and we find that our young guys can not get the job done. Then, your going to have a crapload of people second guessing Jerry and the decisions made. That is something that could cost Wade his job IMO. I don't know. I like the idea but I too see the other side.

 

[Hostile]

Here's another factor. This is the 2nd time in 3 years Kosier is injured and he is 32. He'll likely start considering hanging up his cleats in a year or so, or the club will look to replace him due to the injuries.

I do know after week 1 is important to wherever Hartwig lands. I just hope it is here.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Call it hedging my bets. Call it insurance. Call it pushing the panic button. Call it Fred. I don't care, but call him.

In a season where we have so much on the line I simply do whatever it takes to get to where we want to go. If that means playing Hartwig at C and moving Gurode to LG, do it. If that means playing Hartwig at LG, do it. I don't even care if it means moving BIGG to RT and Gurode to RG when Kosier comes back if Colombo doesn't return, do it.

I'm not going to claim Hartwig is one of the best Centers in the NFL, but he is solid and he is smart. At 6'4" 312 pounds he is big enough to get the job done.

It's a simple case of insurance and if nothing else it would temporarily pacify the media drone about we did nothing to shore up the OL despite making changes everywhere on our roster along the OL.

Look at this ugly mug.

Sometimes you need some ugliness on the OL. Jerry, go get us some ugly. Sign Justin Hartwig.

totally understand and agree with you, all except one thing,
i dont think the cowboys will sign any player till after week 1 for 2 reasons

first the cowboys have to see how columbo is doing after this week, by monday the cowboys should know about columbo i think

2nd if im correct, and im sure you will correct me im wrong, but if you sign a player before start of your first game, you have to pay him full salary, if you wait till after the first week, you dont have to pay him full salary, but week by week i think, this is what the cowboys will do i think

they want to see how columbo and kosier are doing,and they should have an idea by sunday night the latest, then if they need a veteran OT, or Center or whatever, they will know if they have room to do so

i also have the sneaky thinking that the cowboys are waiting to sign CB Gordon after the first week, too

 

[CowboyMike]

The only problem with moving Gurode to guard is that he failed to impress when we tried him there before. Center seems to be his natural position. Once we moved him back to center, he blossomed.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Here's another factor. This is the 2nd time in 3 years Kosier is injured and he is 32. He'll likely start considering hanging up his cleats in a year or so, or the club will look to replace him due to the injuries.

I do know after week 1 is important to wherever Hartwig lands. I just hope it is here.

right, i see cowboys making moves after week 1

 

[windward]

I think this would be a prudent move as well.

 

[Hostile]

The only problem with moving Gurode to guard is that he failed to impress when we tried him there before. Center seems to be his natural position. Once we moved him back to center, he blossomed.

I would rather keep him at Guard, but I would still add a guy like this.

 

[zrinkill]

<insert Spagnola why is he available smart remark here>

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Don't see it. He can probably find a better situation than being our backup utility inside offensive lineman.

BTW, he hasn't played guard since his rookie year in 2002.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Hartwig signed a 4 year deal in 2009 I believe. Any team that signed him now, would be on the hook for 3 years.

 

[adbutcher]

I am not a fan of Hartwig, the few times that I saw him he was terrible in Pitt. My manager hates him with a passion and he is the biggest Pitt homer in the world.