Vela On the Cowboys Interior Line

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The battles at both guard positions were won by the understudy. Backup David Arkin played three quarters at left guard and for most of that time out-played the current right guard starter Mackenzy Bernadeau. Arkin got most of his reps against Calais Campbell and did not allow Campbell to disrupt the plays. Arkin worked Campbell's rushes up the field and once put the Cardinal on the turf. Arkin consistently beat DE Matt Shaughnessy when he rotated into Arizona's line.

Bernadeau had trouble anchoring when Campbell flopped to his side, and was slow in cutting off zone runs. One two-play sequence from Dallas' second drive shows the contrast between the guards. On first and ten the Cowboys called a quick hitter in the A-gap between Arkin and center Travis Frederick. Arkin got some initial help from Tyron Smith, who moved on to a linebacker. Arkin drove Matt Shaughnessy upfield and turned the DE towards the sideline. At the same time, Frederick quickly turned NT Darnell Dockett right, creating a huge seam which DeMarco Murray exploited for nine yards.

On 2nd-and-1, Bill Callahan called a stretch play to the left. Playside blocking was solid but Bernadeau let Dockett knife inside into the backfield off the backside. The end spilled Murray for a one-yard loss.

Bernadeau has no pop on run plays. If the Cowboys had their druthers, neither Arkin nor Bernadeau would start. They would probably want a Ron Leary/Brian Waters duo. Arkin's superior effort, run blocking and flexibility (he's now started games at both right and left guard)_ make him a better backup option, to my eyes. Add that he's also carrying a cheaper contract and Mackenzy Bernadeau better hope Brian Waters signs with another club.

-- The Eraser: Travis Frederick's value becomes more apparent every game. He cleans up all the losses which Arkin and Bernadeau incur. If a rusher beats a guard, Frederick stands then up. The most encouraging play from Frederick's night was that nine-yard dive.

rest of the article @ http://www.cowboyszone.com/

 

[waving monkey]

and all that pissin and moaning about T Fredericks

 

[CoCo]

and all that pissin and moaning about T Fredericks

But we probably could have got him in the 4th or 5th round. /sarcasm

 

[burmafrd]

I think that stupidity is finally starting to disappear. But then the only ones bleating that were idiots to begin with. There is a very good chance that the Beard would have been gone if we had waited. And that seems finally to be sinking in to all but the idiots.

 

[Risen Star]

I think that stupidity is finally starting to disappear. But then the only ones bleating that were idiots to begin with. There is a very good chance that the Beard would have been gone if we had waited. And that seems finally to be sinking in to all but the idiots.

He was underrated. I had him 50th overall. It seems a lot of folks had him in the 3rd round at best. I just didn't see that.

 

[Hawkeye19]

He was underrated. I had him 50th overall. It seems a lot of folks had him in the 3rd round at best. I just didn't see that.

I agree that he was 50th overall... but he was arguably the #1 prospect at his position (IMO-- he was the best C in the draft), and with interior OL flying off the board, I had no problem with our front office making sure they got a quality starter at one of those interior spots.

All three positions need an upgrade, and you could make a case that upgrading the C position has the most value since he makes the calls, and help cover the play of lesser talented guards.

 

[AsthmaField]

He was underrated. I had him 50th overall. It seems a lot of folks had him in the 3rd round at best. I just didn't see that.

Nobody had him rated in the 3rd until he ran a slow 40 time at the combine. It was then that his stock plummeted on some people's board, which is just crazy for an interior OL.

The guy was a very good player from his first play at Wisconsin.

 

[Risen Star]

Nobody had him rated in the 3rd until he ran a slow 40 time at the combine. It was then that his stock plummeted on some people's board, which is just crazy for an interior OL.

The guy was a very good player from his first play at Wisconsin.

I remember when he declared I picked him in the late 1st round to the Packers in one of our user mocks and a member here scoffed at what a reach he was. It's been comical to see the reverse course there now that he's a Cowboy.

Sorry. If you drop an OL based on 40 time you really have no idea how to evaluate football players.

I admitted it was a reach when we drafted him, but only a slight reach IMO and one that probably had to happen considering the run on OL. If you wanted him, you had to take him a little earlier than you probably wanted to. I'm thrilled to have him as a Cowboy. A real legitimate NFL C. It's been a while.

 

[Bleu Star]

rest of the article @ http://www.cowboyszone.com/

I loved the Frederick pick and just can't wait to see him make that oline shine this year. With Tyron one year smarter and improvement across the line, Romo may actually have some time to avoid those costly interceptions this year.

 

[CATCH17]

I remember when he declared I picked him in the late 1st round to the Packers in one of our user mocks and a member here scoffed at what a reach he was. It's been comical to see the reverse course there now that he's a Cowboy.

Sorry. If you drop an OL based on 40 time you really have no idea how to evaluate football players.

I admitted it was a reach when we drafted him, but only a slight reach IMO and one that probably had to happen considering the run on OL. If you wanted him, you had to take him a little earlier than you probably wanted to. I'm thrilled to have him as a Cowboy. A real legitimate NFL C. It's been a while.

I still don't see a 1st round player. No reverse from me.

He looks like a solid second round type player to me.

The Cowboys were so desperate for inside help that im ok with the reach now.


Also I was on board with the Escobar pick but he's looking like he's not going to be a threat downfield. I thought we were getting a more dynamic receiver than what i've seen so far.

 

[Risen Star]

I still don't see a 1st round player. No reverse from me.

He looks like a solid second round type player to me.

The Cowboys were so desperate for inside help that im ok with the reach now.


Also I was on board with the Escobar pick but he's looking like he's not going to be a threat downfield. I thought we were getting a more dynamic receiver than what i've seen so far.

Well if he looks like a solid 2nd round player to you, taking him with one of the last picks of the 1st round shouldn't be considered much of a reach. So we'd be on board there.

I hated the Escobar pick then and now. Not with what was still on the board at that pick.

 

[Zekeats]

The moment Frederick was taken I was upset and in shock........about 3 picks after that I understood the pick and was semi okay with it............then they went and drafted Escobar and I said **** it..........I didn't understand the Escobar pick and still don't. I would much rather us gotten another lineman guard or tackle preferably Warford. I just thought we had the chance to solidify the interior of the line once and for all only to have Jerry and co. draft another useless TE in the second. The guy most likely won't even see the field for significant playing time until next year at best because he has no strength to block. What a wasted pick.

 

[CATCH17]

Well if he looks like a solid 2nd round player to you, taking him with one of the last picks of the 1st round shouldn't be considered much of a reach. So we'd be on board there.

I hated the Escobar pick then and now. Not with what was still on the board at that pick.

I like the idea of the Escobar pick but this guy just has to be more than what has been on display.


If he is just an underneath possession guy and can't stretch the seems at all then this is just another wasted pick in the 2nd round.

 

[CATCH17]

The moment Frederick was taken I was upset and in shock........about 3 picks after that I understood the pick and was semi okay with it............then they went and drafted Escobar and I said **** it..........I didn't understand the Escobar pick and still don't. I would much rather us gotten another lineman guard or tackle preferably Warford. I just thought we had the chance to solidify the interior of the line once and for all only to have Jerry and co. draft another useless TE in the second. The guy most likely won't even see the field for significant playing time until next year at best because he has no strength to block. What a wasted pick.

Yeah I was a Brian Winters fan. I don't know how he is doing in New York but we could've used him.

Hopefully we haven't seen how dynamic Escobar is and if he is truly the receiving threat he was advertised as.

Right now it looks like we spent a 2nd round pick on a dime a dozen player.

 

[burmafrd]

The moment Frederick was taken I was upset and in shock........about 3 picks after that I understood the pick and was semi okay with it............then they went and drafted Escobar and I said **** it..........I didn't understand the Escobar pick and still don't. I would much rather us gotten another lineman guard or tackle preferably Warford. I just thought we had the chance to solidify the interior of the line once and for all only to have Jerry and co. draft another useless TE in the second. The guy most likely won't even see the field for significant playing time until next year at best because he has no strength to block. What a wasted pick.

The Boys really did not like Warford- and have not heard a good reason.

 

[burmafrd]

Yeah I was a Brian Winters fan. I don't know how he is doing in New York but we could've used him.

Hopefully we haven't seen how dynamic Escobar is and if he is truly the receiving threat he was advertised as.

Right now it looks like we spent a 2nd round pick on a dime a dozen player.

And even if he is not that bad why not look deeper in the draft- we got Hanna in the 6th. If there was no one there we really liked then trade down for another third.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Well if he looks like a solid 2nd round player to you, taking him with one of the last picks of the 1st round shouldn't be considered much of a reach. So we'd be on board there.

I hated the Escobar pick then and now. Not with what was still on the board at that pick.

Exactly, there were no first round types left with that pick and that is why Frederick worked for me than and it does now. Guy isn't a flashy player, but he'll start in Dallas for the decade and that by all accounts is worth the investment.

 

[Risen Star]

I like the idea of the Escobar pick but this guy just has to be more than what has been on display.


If he is just an underneath possession guy and can't stretch the seems at all then this is just another wasted pick in the 2nd round.

Fasano, Bennett and now Escobar. That's what I fear. With Witten and the other weapons there isn't enough opportunity for him to become a big part of the offense and he signs his 2nd contract with another team.

 

[Tex]

Good news on Arkin. I know it would be a little scary maybe but how it feel for the last 6 or 8 games to have Arkin, Leary and Fred anchoring the middle of our line? If they were consistently showing improvement I could see this happening. I thought if Leary could stay healthy he would be one starter but if Arkin could squeeze in at the other guard spot so we have a mostly young line to grow together for years it would be awesome.

 

[RS12]

The seal block was Fred's speciality at UW that I noticed on tape. It has translated to the pro level. If he can handle Docket, he can handle pretty much anybody. It is the guys next him that need to improve.