Sturm: Morning After: Developments on the Offensive Line in Canton

[xwalker]

Bottom line is that whoever thought Costa was ready to replace Gurode should have been fired by the end of the season. That was the biggest mistake made thinking he was starting quality or even in the same galaxy.

They didn't. Gurode showed up after the lock-out in a condition that prevented him from being an option. Free Agency and the draft were already over.

 

[lwehlers]

I didn't think Arkin was that bad last night.

I also agree that arkin looked much better then last year. arkin did get pushed back into the rb on three plays that remember and that was against second string defensive tackles. maybe arkin might develop into a serviceable backup.

 

[Risen Star]

Anybody who couldn't see how overmatched Costa was and still is either doesn't know the game or simply can't be honest about it.

Not counting guys forced to play by injury, he's the single worst starting player I've ever seen here. From, say, 1985 on.

 

[Verdict]

They didn't. Gurode showed up after the lock-out in a condition that prevented him from being an option. Free Agency and the draft were already over.

Don't confuse people with actual facts. If you are going to argue actual facts you have to give advanced notice to make it fair for the other posters.

 

[Verdict]

Anybody who couldn't see how overmatched Costa was and still is either doesn't know the game or simply can't be honest about it.

Not counting guys forced to play by injury, he's the single worst starting player I've ever seen here. From, say, 1985 on.

I actually think Costa is a pretty good player at this point but didn't play all that well last night. I think he is a valuable backup, but not starting material at guard (based on his play last night) , and Frederick is a much better center.

Having said that, and agreeing with your premise (to at least some extent) the extreme viewpoint you take on this issue really erodes your credibility and negates the weight given otherwise valid view points you make. It also polarizes others against you. I'm just sayin'......

 

[Idgit]

I actually think Costa is a pretty good player at this point but didn't play all that well last night.......

I'd say I'd agree with this, too. I'd actually be fine with him as a starter, though I agree he needs big OGs around him to be more effective, and I do worry about his ability to stay in the lineup given the back and ankle issues. We can't afford to be handicapped like we were last year again. That said, Frederick is clearly a better player (he should be, he was expensive to bring in in terms of resources). Now that he's here, I obviously want the best man for the job. And I think Costa is pretty much a C and not a legitimate candidate for an starting OG position.

 

[cowboysfan31]

Anybody who couldn't see how overmatched Costa was and still is either doesn't know the game or simply can't be honest about it.

Not counting guys forced to play by injury, he's the single worst starting player I've ever seen here. From, say, 1985 on.

I don't have to go back that far to remember guys like Torrin Tucker and Rob Petitti.

 

[Verdict]

I don't have to go back that far to remember guys like Torrin Tucker and Rob Petitti.

I think most of us agree that Tucker and Pettiti sucked. Most of us will jump on that band wagon with you and "whip and ride". LOL. I'm just not sure quite yet that Costa is as bad as they were.

 

[xwalker]

Anybody who couldn't see how overmatched Costa was and still is either doesn't know the game or simply can't be honest about it.

Not counting guys forced to play by injury, he's the single worst starting player I've ever seen here. From, say, 1985 on.

The truth is that we don't know for certain about Costa's ability at this point. He was very bad in the 1st half of 2011, then somewhat better latter in the season. He was reasonably good in the very limited time that he played in 2012.

I think it's safe to say Frederick > Costa and leave it at that.

 

[superpunk]

Can we add "agenda" to the language filter?

 

[Risen Star]

The truth is that we don't know for certain about Costa's ability at this point. He was very bad in the 1st half of 2011, then somewhat better latter in the season. He was reasonably good in the very limited time that he played in 2012.

I think it's safe to say Frederick > Costa and leave it at that.

You don't know for certain. Is what you mean.

Otherwise you could say nobody knows for certain on a player until after his career is over. I disagree. I just don't sugarcoat anything. Phil Costa is a terrible player and having a real NFL C this year will show just how awful he really was.

 

[jobberone]

Too early to say anything definitive. We need to see thru the 4th game where the primary players will audition.

 

[HoustonSucks]

I hope I am wrong on Arkin, but personally....I think if he is a starter that he will likely be the weakest link on this line ..... and a significant drop off in talent from the next weakest player on our OL.

No one on the line is weaker than Free. I shuddered seeing him last night.... just my opinion....

 

[MichaelWinicki]

No one on the line is weaker than Free. I shuddered seeing him last night.... just my opinion....

Not sure why... He did just fine in the limited time he was out there.

Many sources have him being the best offensive lineman in camp so far.

He's finally wrapped his head around what Callahan wants him to do.

 

[jobberone]

Not sure why... He did just fine in the limited time he was out there.

Many sources have him being the best offensive lineman in camp so far.

He's finally wrapped his head around what Callahan wants him to do.

This ought to be interesting.

 

[HoustonSucks]

Not sure why... He did just fine in the limited time he was out there.

Many sources have him being the best offensive lineman in camp so far.

He's finally wrapped his head around what Callahan wants him to do.

I'm just basing it on what I have seen with my own eyes on the field in the past - not what I've heard about training camp or the game last night. And what I saw in the past was horrendous. I just don't have much faith in him.... It would be nice if someone solid like Fredrick (and I suppose the jury is out on that) anchoring the line can elevate the play of the others (as IMO a true center does) and that helps nuetralize his heretofore horrendous (imo) play....

 

[MichaelWinicki]

This ought to be interesting.

Vela made a pretty good point the other day in that he felt that it takes Free longer (due to confidence or what not) in order to "buy in" to a blocking scheme and the techniques involved. Free has had 3 offensive line coaches and had a rough initial time with two of them.

This year is Free's second under Callahan and Vela mentioned that Free's confidence level is sky-high compared to last year's camp. Free's even taking to helping teach Parnell.

 

[Idgit]

You don't know for certain. Is what you mean.

Otherwise you could say nobody knows for certain on a player until after his career is over...

Or extended. Don't forget 'nobody knows for certain on a player until after his career is over or his contract is extended.' Anyone could see he was overmatched, yet he was extended in the offseason. Wonder why that was? Oh, yes, I forgot. It was because Jerry Jones is an idiot.

 

[Risen Star]

Or extended. Don't forget 'nobody knows for certain on a player until after his career is over or his contract is extended.' Anyone could see he was overmatched, yet he was extended in the offseason. Wonder why that was? Oh, yes, I forgot. It was because Jerry Jones is an idiot.

Wait. Did you just try to justify a player's worth because this Cowboys front office extended him?

Wow.

 

[Idgit]

Wait. Did you just try to justify a player's worth because this Cowboys front office extended him?

Wow.

No! No, no, no. Not his worth. Just unraveling your estimation of his worth. The two are not nearly the same.

And, yes, I'm happy to stand behind the group we've currently got proscouting for us. I"m not into sugarcoating...not sugargcoating. What is it you put on things to make them taste horrible but that doesn't run me afoul of the language filtes? Snydercoating, maybe? I'm not into Snydercoating recent performance just because it's positive or related to Jerry or Stephen Jones.