Preseason finale gives Duke Preston chance to prove himself

[cowboyjoe]

Preseason finale gives Duke Preston chance to prove himself
9:45 AM Fri, Sep 04, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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After a crash course on the Cowboys' offense, Duke Preston gets a chance in the preseason finale to prove he deserves a roster spot.

The 6-5, 320-pound Preston, who started multiple games at center and guard for the Bills, was picked up last week after being waived by the Packers. The Cowboys brought him in to compete with Cory Procter to be a backup center who could play guard in a pinch.

Procter has significant experience in Jason Garrett's system, having started two games at center and 11 at left guard, but his $1.54 million salary put his job in jeopardy. Preston would make $620,000.

Preston has impressed the coaches with how quickly he absorbed the Cowboys' playbook.

"Preston is doing real well as far as knowing what to do," Wade Phillips said. "He's actually taking command. He'll call things that need to be called, and he's pretty vocal. The guy has played and started in the league and he's smart. He seems to have picked it up real well."

 

[dmq]

And how long did it take Holland to absorb this play book?

 

[tomson75]

Lots of crossed fingers tonight...

 

[Stash]

Hey Procter!

"Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye!"

 

[TNCowboy]

And how long did it take Holland to absorb this play book?

I think the real problem was that Holland had absorbed a lot of other things that made it difficult for him to contribute....

 

[Smith22]

Other than the backups at NT, this is the guy I will be cheering extra hard for. We need someone to step up and show that they are ready to play at both of those positions.

 

[speedkilz88]

And how long did it take Holland to absorb this play book?

A few months? One difference was he came in after camp was over. These couple of weeks gave Preston a chance to catch up.

 

[DallasEast]

The two main things I'll be watching for will be the center/quarterback exchanges between Kitna/Procter and Kitna/Preston. If Kitna seems more comfortable with Preston, watch out Procter.

 

[dogberry]

If Kinta fumbles both...

Procter and Romo must have worked together how did that go?

 

[Alexander]

I don't know how he can "prove" himself against Viking pine-riders and final cuts, but it is encouraging to see they are pleased with how he's absorbed the material being new and all.

 

[DallasEast]

If Kinta fumbles both...

Procter and Romo must have worked together how do that go?

I wish I had seen more of Romo and Procter, but the vast majority of quarterback/center exchanges which I've witnessed involved Kitna and Procter. It may be the wrong conclusion, but I think that most of the problem lies with Procter.

A center must be completely attuned with his quarterback when snapping the ball. That's his responsibility even to the degree that he may have to advise the quarterback about where his hands are positioned, how wide his hands should be spaced, where exactly should the ball be slapped into his hands (i.e. palm, fingers, etc.).

The center must factor all this before every play and even before considering how to execute his blocking assignment. Not doing so could mean the difference between a solid snap and a costly turnover.

 

[RS12]

Preston has impressed the coaches with how quickly he absorbed the Cowboys' playbook.

Translation: Proctor, coach wants to see ya, bing your playbook.:laugh2:

 

[Primetime42]

I don't know how he can "prove" himself against Viking pine-riders and final cuts, but it is encouraging to see they are pleased with how he's absorbed the material being new and all.

As long as he doesn't get outplayed by those pineriders the only thing that matters is his execution. Can he make the right blocks when the play calls for it? Does he block the right guy? Can he make calls at the line.

If so, that's all I need to see. Free Reign is officially broken up if this happens.