Scout’s Eye: Frederick Improving at Guard

[dmq]

Scout’s Eye: Frederick Improving at Guard, Bryant Back At It
Posted 2 hours ago

Bryan Broaddus Football Analyst/Scout

OXNARD, Calif. -- Some observations from the film room in Oxnard:

more:

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...ck-At-It/0335115f-3ae5-43af-888a-b6fe89e7900e

 

[erod]

This is probably going to be the most likely "best solution" to the offensive line, unless someone is brought int like Brian Waters.

Smith-Leary-Costa-Frederick-Free

That looks to be the best five.

 

[Doomsday101]

Travis Frederick continues to get work at right guard, and I do not have a problem with that now because of what has happened injury-wise to the position. I have always believed the best five should play, and as this line sits right now – Frederick at guard and Phil Costa at center -- it means that the best five are currently playing. David Arkin has improved but not enough to say that he is my starter at that spot. With Livings once again out, this means more reps for Ronald Leary at left guard which to me is a great opportunity to see if he can handle the job full-time. I just have trouble moving Frederick because I can see progress at center. It appears to be his most natural position, but for the overall good of the offensive line, he might have to see more action there until Mackenzy Bernadeau returns. I do not feel like the staff would be putting Frederick in a difficult situation to learn two positions. It’s just on tape and through my live looks, he has a much better feel for center than he does guard, but what I believe and the staff believes could be two totally different situations. But I do understand the problem they are in currently.

Been saying this for a while. If we are having major issues at G then get Frederick at G and put Costa in at Center. Long term I think Frederick will be the center but right now we are thin at G

 

[Mr Cowboy]

Jon Machota ‏@jonmachota 29m
Cowboys OG Mackenzy Bernadeau back doing work, but doesn’t expect to play in preseason opener: OXNARD, Calif. ... http://******/15lhrzV

 

[burmafrd]

best 5 is meaningless if there is little difference with the next 2-3. Which right now there is. At the moment it is not the best 5 but the ONLY 5 that can PLAY.

 

[xwalker]

This is probably going to be the most likely "best solution" to the offensive line, unless someone is brought int like Brian Waters.

Smith-Leary-Costa-Frederick-Free

That looks to be the best five.

If neither Livings or Bernadeau can get/stay healthy, then I only see three options:

1. Smith-Leary-Costa-Frederick-Free

2. Smith-Leary-Frederick-Arkin-Free

3. Smith-Leary-Frederick-Costa-Free

#2 seems highly unlikely because that would be 3 players side-by-side with Zero experience in real NFL games.

#1 would have the advantage of not having inexperienced players next to each other.

I don't believe everything that Broaddus says and therefore I don't believe that #3 is impossible. I would like to see Costa at RG in a pre-season game.

 

[AbeBeta]

If neither Livings or Bernadeau can get/stay healthy, then I only see three options:

1. Smith-Leary-Costa-Frederick-Free

2. Smith-Leary-Frederick-Arkin-Free

3. Smith-Leary-Frederick-Costa-Free

#2 seems highly unlikely because that would be 3 players side-by-side with Zero experience in real NFL games.

#1 would have the advantage of not having inexperienced players next to each other.

I don't believe everything that Broaddus says and therefore I don't believe that #3 is impossible. I would like to see Costa at RG in a pre-season game.

I think we try as hard as possible to keep Frederick in the middle so #3 seems the more likely option. I don't know that the staff is going to be too hot on moving a rookie around.

But honestly, if we have #3 it means there is zero depth on this OL. I can see why the supposed interest in Waters exists.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

If neither Livings or Bernadeau can get/stay healthy, then I only see three options:

1. Smith-Leary-Costa-Frederick-Free

2. Smith-Leary-Frederick-Arkin-Free

3. Smith-Leary-Frederick-Costa-Free

#2 seems highly unlikely because that would be 3 players side-by-side with Zero experience in real NFL games.

#1 would have the advantage of not having inexperienced players next to each other.

I don't believe everything that Broaddus says and therefore I don't believe that #3 is impossible. I would like to see Costa at RG in a pre-season game.

Depending on when KK gets back from injury, i'd rather see him get a chance to win the RG job, as well.

 

[Rack]

This is probably going to be the most likely "best solution" to the offensive line, unless someone is brought int like Brian Waters.

Smith-Leary-Costa-Frederick-Free

That looks to be the best five.

Pretty much.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think we try as hard as possible to keep Frederick in the middle so #3 seems the more likely option. I don't know that the staff is going to be too hot on moving a rookie around.

But honestly, if we have #3 it means there is zero depth on this OL. I can see why the supposed interest in Waters exists.

But the fact is they are moving him around, thereby at least tickling the notion that Frederick could end up at guard.

At this juncture we haven't heard much about Costa's play at center... good, bad or indifferent... Just haven't heard.

It's not about getting the best 5 guys out there. It's about getting the best 3 interior guys out there. I don't think it was a "slam-dunk" that Frederick at center and Bern at guard was going to be better than Costa at center and Frederick at guard. And the I think the point of having one experienced guy (Costa) between two rookies is a better move than having two rookies next to each other or even worse three rookies playing side by side by side.

 

[CATCH17]

I don't want to jump on the Cowboys too soon before it plays out a little but it is pretty pathetic how they didn't upgrade the guard position.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

I don't want to jump on the Cowboys too soon before it plays out a little but it is pretty pathetic how they didn't upgrade the guard position.

Haha. "I don't want to jump on the Cowboys...but *pounce*."

 

[CowboysLaw87]

I'm torn at this point about this issue. Bernadeau just practiced today and I'm willing to give him more of a look before saying let's get Frederick over to RG. For my money's worth, Bern was pretty bad last year, but has a bit of upside, as he was inexperienced entering 2012. He's got a little youth, little upside, and great physical traits (he's HUGE and can still move better than many OG's). I think our "Best 5" is...

Smith-Leary-Frederick-Bernadeau-Free

To me, this represents a significant upgrade over 2012. I think all 3 returning starters in this scenario should play at a higher level, and Leary/Frederick should be a potentially big upgrade over Livings/Cook. Costa serves as the top backup at potentially all three interior spots (although Kowalski may push to be the first OG off the bench, with Costa only serving as the top reserve C). What really scares me is the swing OT spot. Parnell may not play much in preseason and the rest of the bunch is either wildly inexperienced or wildly out of shape.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I don't want to jump on the Cowboys too soon before it plays out a little but it is pretty pathetic how they didn't upgrade the guard position.

Maybe they did through Leary.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Frederick will be our center for the next decade and it would be foolish to move him just for a temporary, incremental improvement in line play.

 

[AbeBeta]

But the fact is they are moving him around, thereby at least tickling the notion that Frederick could end up at guard.

At this juncture we haven't heard much about Costa's play at center... good, bad or indifferent... Just haven't heard.

It's not about getting the best 5 guys out there. It's about getting the best 3 interior guys out there. I don't think it was a "slam-dunk" that Frederick at center and Bern at guard was going to be better than Costa at center and Frederick at guard. And the I think the point of having one experienced guy (Costa) between two rookies is a better move than having two rookies next to each other or even worse three rookies playing side by side by side.

Sure -- but at some point -- and that needs to come very soon, you have to let a rookie focus completely on the position you expect him to play during the season.

And honestly, I don't know that the team has a problem with two rookies next to each other. Clearly if everything happened like the staff wanted, we'd have Fred in the middle with Leary on his left

 

[FiveRings]

I'm 100% behind having Costa and Fred as interior lineman. What I don't love is having Costa at center. He just can't snap. Take that responsibility away from him, give it to Fred, who's been reported as having a good handle on line calls and such (good sign for a rookie) and you've maximized each guys potential.

 

[AbeBeta]

I'm torn at this point about this issue. Bernadeau just practiced today and I'm willing to give him more of a look before saying let's get Frederick over to RG. For my money's worth, Bern was pretty bad last year, but has a bit of upside, as he was inexperienced entering 2012. He's got a little youth, little upside, and great physical traits (he's HUGE and can still move better than many OG's). I think our "Best 5" is...

Smith-Leary-Frederick-Bernadeau-Free

To me, this represents a significant upgrade over 2012. I think all 3 returning starters in this scenario should play at a higher level, and Leary/Frederick should be a potentially big upgrade over Livings/Cook. Costa serves as the top backup at potentially all three interior spots (although Kowalski may push to be the first OG off the bench, with Costa only serving as the top reserve C). What really scares me is the swing OT spot. Parnell may not play much in preseason and the rest of the bunch is either wildly inexperienced or wildly out of shape.

I think this is our best five as well. The question is whether Berny can get healthy.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Sure -- but at some point -- and that needs to come very soon, you have to let a rookie focus completely on the position you expect him to play during the season.

And honestly, I don't know that the team has a problem with two rookies next to each other. Clearly if everything happened like the staff wanted, we'd have Fred in the middle with Leary on his left

Larry Allen was a second round pick and bounced around.

But all indications Frederick is bright. And it's not like he hasn't played guard before.

If I was a betting man I would still say that Frederick will probably end up being the starting center this season but I wouldn't say that it's an absolute lock at this point.

 

[Doomsday101]

Larry Allen was a second round pick and bounced around.

But all indications Frederick is bright. And it's not like he hasn't played guard before.

If I was a betting many I would still say that Frederick will probably end up being the starting center this season but I wouldn't say that it's an absolute lock at this point.

I agree. I think his future is at Center but it very well could be he starts off at G a position he played very well at if that helps this OL out this season.