Scout's Notebook: 5 Best Linemen; Webb Improving

[RS12]

Some thoughts from the practice field at Valley Ranch:

• As excited as everyone appears to be that Doug Free is on his way toward a permanent move to right guard, It is still my belief, that the best five linemen position wise is Tyron Smith,Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick, Mackenzy Bernadeau and Free. When this group practiced together the week before the Oakland game, it was the first time in all of training camp where they had consistent success running the ball with DeMarco Murray and the overall protection was starting to come together.
  
  For anyone that watched the Raiders game, we all saw the type of time that Romo had in the snaps he played. The one sack, was on him for holding the ball when he had receivers open down the field. The way that Free has restructured his game at tackle this training camp, needs to be carried out in my view. What this front office is basing their decision on is how Parnell played last season but right now, he doesn’t look like the same player.
  
  Let me say it this way, if Parnell had come in and competed with Free, play for play from the start of OTA’s and minicamps for the job and showed he was ready to take that job, then by all means move Free but that’s not the case at all. Free was able to improve on what we have seen from him in the past and he should be the starter at right tackle when Ronald Leary returns. I have my view as the best five and from what I have seen, it’s not Doug Free at guard. That’s not a slam at Free but more of what I have seen with my own eyes.

• I have to give these defensive coaches a lot of credit for not shielding B.W. Webb throughout this training camp.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...mproving/6e66b2db-027d-4a68-947d-99325f6c278c

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Sorry Broaddus, I'm still in the "anyone but Bern" camp.

 

[XDez88BeastX]

Sorry Broaddus, I'm still in the "anyone but Bern" camp.

I second that. Bring on Arkin, he didn't open many holes for the run but he DID hold up his end & kept pressure off Romo. He's not an all pro but Jesus I think he is better then bernadope

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I like the Free-Parnell combo on the right side. Even if Parnell is not one of our top 5 OLmen, I think he gives us a better overall OL. Romo's mobility allows him to dodge the rush off the edge. The rush from the right side isn't as important as the rushes from his blindside and from the interior. If Free is a better RG than Bernadeau, then Free should play.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

It's all such a convoluted mess I don't know what to think or hope for. My gut tells me that the best situation is Free at RT and Berny at RG because surely Free isn't better than Berny at guard already and it's for certain he is better than Parnell at RT. But if Berny can't be relied upon to stay healthy and Jerry is too tight to pay for a new guard then maybe we just don't have a choice. God help is if anybody else gets injured this season,,, and you know someone will,,,

 

[big dog cowboy]

Interesting comments about Armstrong. I don't see how he m akes the final 53. I wonder if the brass will try to get him on the PS squad.

 

[Nirvana]

Interesting comments about Armstrong. I don't see how he m akes the final 53. I wonder if the brass will try to get him on the PS squad.

I think the job is up for grabs between him and Beasley, with the last preseason game being the deciding factor. Armstrong may have the edge with special teams play and Beasley's injury issues.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

That Parcells reference was a direct shot at Coale and Beasley, neither of which are tough enough to handle special teams. I really like the idea of having our own Wes Welker but so far neither of these guys looks like they can fill that role. The team would definitely get more snaps out of Armstrong ,,, unless of course the team is hiding these guy's plays and saving it for the big "secret sauce" reveal!

 

[Galian Beast]

Berneadeau has some serious dirt on Broaddus

 

[WoodysGirl]

Interesting comments about Armstrong. I don't see how he m akes the final 53. I wonder if the brass will try to get him on the PS squad.

Don't think Armstrong is PS-eligible...and even if he is, he's 30 yo. He could probably catch on somewhere else in the league.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Don't think Armstrong is PS-eligible.

Ugh. The staff has some hard choices to make.

 

[Mansta54]

Beasley isn't going anywhere, the kid gets open in the slot. I luv Armstrongs speed but isn't he 30yrs old or close to it? I think JG likes Beasley and so do I.

 

[Vanilla2]

Arkin over bernadeau?

I've read it all

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I second that. Bring on Arkin, he didn't open many holes for the run but he DID hold up his end & kept pressure off Romo. He's not an all pro but Jesus I think he is better then bernadope

I agree. I don't think Broaddus is a true scout. Decent reporter, but I think in the end you gotta give it to Arkin. It's his 3rd year ad he's at least coming on.

 

[BAT]

I agree. I don't think Broaddus is a true scout. Decent reporter, but I think in the end you gotta give it to Arkin. It's his 3rd year ad he's at least coming on.

Bernie is below average starter but Arkin is not starter material.

 

[FiveRings]

RS, you and Broaddus are starting to become synonymous to me on account of all the Scout's Notebooks you post lol

 

[Idgit]

Bernie is below average starter but Arkin is not starter material.

I think this is exactly right.

Where I have trouble is Kowalski v. Arkin. I think Kowalski is actually the better player overall, but Arkin's a Bad Penny you can't get rid of because he's the only guy who's never hurt. I only have one of them making the roster, but I go back and forth over which one it should be.

 

[BAT]

I think this is exactly right.

Where I have trouble is Kowalski v. Arkin. I think Kowalski is actually the better player overall, but Arkin's a Bad Penny you can't get rid of because he's the only guy who's never hurt. I only have one of them making the roster, but I go back and forth over which one it should be.

I prefer Kowalski because he plays with a lower pad level and understands angles better. Kowalski is not as big as Arkin but when he plays, he plays bigger and stronger and quicker IMO. Kowalski's best position is backup C so his biggest competition is Costa. And for all of Costa's professed strength, Kowalski doesn't seem to get walked into the backfield as often.

 

[Idgit]

I prefer Kowalski because he plays with a lower pad level and understands angles better. Kowalski is not as big as Arkin but when he plays, he plays bigger and stronger and quicker IMO. Kowalski's best position is backup C so his biggest competition is Costa. And for all of Costa's professed strength, Kowalski doesn't seem to get walked into the backfield as often.

Yeah, I like him at both G and C. Only issue is that he's been significantly injured each of the last two camps. I do think Callahan really likes him, though. I'd be fine with him as a backup if he can just stay on the field when we need him.

 

[IrishAnto]

I agree. I don't think Broaddus is a true scout. Decent reporter, but I think in the end you gotta give it to Arkin. It's his 3rd year ad he's at least coming on.

You do have to ask the question though, why start Free at RG when he’s never played the position, doesn’t appear suited to the position and has been playing quite well at RT over Arkin who has been practicing at guard/centre these last three years.

That tells me the coaches don’t think he improved enough.