JJT: Kosier's worth watching (Q&A)
The Cowboys' first minicamp starts Friday, and all eyes will be on Terrell Owens. But guard Kyle Kosier should also receive plenty of scrutiny. There aren't a lot of people in the organization who are happy that Dallas released Pro Bowl guard Larry Allen – deserved it or not – in favor of a journeyman who's with his third team in four years.
The Cowboys signed Kosier to a five-year, $15 million deal – a lot more than his agent thought he would get – on potential. That's another way of saying they hope he improves and plays better than what they saw on film in Detroit.
That doesn't mean Kosier won't be a good player. It just means the Cowboys let their best offensive lineman leave for a player they hope will be good. By all accounts, Kosier is a hard worker and will do a better job of clearing lanes on the second level where linebackers roam than Allen did.
But on third-and-1 in a tense moment, there was a certain confidence when the Cowboys ran left behind Allen. Now, they won't have that.
Kosier will have to earn that trust, and with six of the first nine games on the road, there could be a loss or two if he betrays the Cowboys' confidence in him.
This season is about the Cowboys' offensive line. If it plays well, this team has a chance to win its first playoff game since 1996 and make some noise in the playoffs.
But if the line doesn't hold up, then the addition of Owens and the improvement on defense from free agency and the draft won't mean much.
All eyes will be on Owens, but I'll be watching Kosier closely, too.
COWBOYS Q&A
Q: Will the Cowboys pick up cornerback William Peterson? Ahmad Ghannam, Orlando, Fla.
TAYLOR: I don't think so. He had a serious back injury, which is why the Giants terminated his contract, and Dallas likes its situation at cornerback with Aaron Glenn and Jacques Reeves as the primary backups.
• • •
Q: How is Anthony Henry coming along with his rehab? Mark Braudaway, Fort Worth, Texas
TAYLOR: I spoke with Anthony for about 30 minutes at the Cowboys' golf tournament a couple of weeks ago, and he said he's feeling great and ready to finish what was a great start to last season. If Henry plays a full season, Dallas is going to have one of the top five defenses in the NFL.
• • •
Q: In Jones and Barber, is it Parcells' hope that one will emerge as the every-down, 25-carry per game back? Or is it unrealistic to expect that either can be the back, and that Parcells will likely employ some form of a one-two punch? Or will he just go with the hot hand from week to week? Brett James, Commack, N.Y.
TAYLOR: I think Parcells' comments last season indicate that he believes Dallas needs at least two runners – maybe three – to do what he wants to do in the running game. As I've said before, I think Jones has an opportunity to be special. I don't think Barber has the physical tools to be a special player, though he could certainly have a long, fruitful career. I think Jones will start and Barber will handle third downs, in part, because he's such a good blocker. Barber will get at least 100 carries, so he'll have some opportunities to be a factor.
• • •
Q: I am so tired of hearing that the Cowboys will go down the drain without a veteran backup for the “Statue.” A veteran backup quarterback may help a bit in the short run, but what about down the road? Most veteran backups are on the downside of their careers. Drew Bledsoe is no spring chicken and is bound to slow up (if it is possible to get any slower) in the near future. Can Romo and Henson play? I don't know and I don't think anybody knows. Isn't it about time to find out? Or are the Cowboys going to stumble along from year to year searching for a QB? Now is the time, if Bledsoe were to go down, to find out just what Romo and Henson have. Howard Weinberg, Weirton, W.Va.
TAYLOR: I guess you're trying to say Dallas doesn't need a veteran backup like Jay Fielder. I can't say that I disagree with you, but the problem is no one is ever going to know about Henson or Romo until disaster strikes and they're thrust into the game. I like both guys personally, but I'm not sure if either is capable of starting.
• • •
Q: I really like the Cowboys' fifth-round draft pick, Pat Watkins. I know his special teams play is important to his role on the team. What are the chances of him making a large contribution at safety this year? He seems to me the type of player who could complement Roy Williams' style of play. Jimi Stuart, Dallas
TAYLOR: I wouldn't expect much from him at safety because of the experience of Marcus Coleman and Keith Davis. At Florida State, Watkins played only man-to-man, so he must familiarize himself with all the zone coverages the Cowboys use, and that will prevent him from challenging for a starting spot until 2007.
• • •
Q: How many more years do you think Bledsoe has left? Kevin Olding, Dallas
TAYLOR: Right now, I'd say two to three. I didn't see anything last year that made me think he was done. Now, that doesn't mean he didn't make some poor decisions or have bad games. I just didn't see the deterioration of his skills that indicate it's time for someone else to play. I have no idea what Dallas is going to do at quarterback when he leaves, but I don't think it will be Romo or Henson.
• • •
Q: Just an early prediction … Al Groh will be the replacement when Parcells walks away. Since Jerry Jones seems to be committed to the system Parcells is putting in place, Groh would make a lot of sense to continue that system. What do you think? Mike Tessicini
TAYLOR: Groh has done a good job at Virginia – four straight winning seasons – but I wouldn't say he's had the type of success that makes you think he's a great fit and Jerry Jones needs to hire him. That said, I think he's a good name to have on a list and a guy that should be interviewed, but I don't know if he has enough star appeal for Jerry. Then again, Chan Gailey and Dave Campo didn't have much star appeal.
• • •
Q: I watched every snap Drew Henson played in Europe. He looked good to me. He seemed to make good reads, avoided the rush when necessary, avoided bad plays and was accurate. His completion ratio was poor, but this was mostly due to a large number of dropped passes. In fact, the Fire would probably have been in the World Bowl if his receivers had caught the balls that hit them in their hands. I'm concerned about his low delivery against tall defensive lineman in the NFL. How would you rate his prospects of being the Cowboys' quarterback of the future? Rakesh Nathu, Las Vegas
TAYLOR: If you watched every snap he took, then you have my respect. Those games are hard to watch even if you're just trying to study one player. His delivery will create some problems, but other guys like Bernie Kosar have played in the NFL with less than classic deliveries. Henson's problem is he's really never going to get a shot to play in Dallas as long as Drew Bledsoe is here, and the longer it takes him to play on a regular basis, the less chance he has for success. I just don't think the Cowboys are going to turn over the franchise to him because they're going to want a known quantity when Bledsoe leaves.
• • •
Q: Marco Rivera was a huge disappointment at right guard. Do you believe he can play any better this year? Timothy Stearns
TAYLOR: He must play better than last year, and I would expect he will if he doesn't miss any of training camp with an injury. A herniated disk is a bad injury for an aging lineman, so I understand why he didn't play well, but this is a bottom-line business and he didn't consistently get the job done last year.
• • •
Q: When does Romo get his shot at the No. 1 spot? Jon Licurse, Long Beach, N.Y.
TAYLOR: I don‘t know that he‘ll ever get it. Here‘s the problem with Romo, and it's not his fault: Teams don‘t normally turn over their franchise to undrafted free agents. They like players with pedigree. Kurt Warner was an undrafted free agent, but he got his chance after Trent Green was injured and couldn't play. Even a sixth-round pick like Tom Brady didn't get the keys to the building until Drew Bledsoe went down with an injury. Injuries force players to into the lineup and force the coach to play them. Then – and only then – do a lot of low-round draft choices or free agents get a shot to show their skills.
The Cowboys signed Kosier to a five-year, $15 million deal – a lot more than his agent thought he would get – on potential. That's another way of saying they hope he improves and plays better than what they saw on film in Detroit.
That doesn't mean Kosier won't be a good player. It just means the Cowboys let their best offensive lineman leave for a player they hope will be good. By all accounts, Kosier is a hard worker and will do a better job of clearing lanes on the second level where linebackers roam than Allen did.
But on third-and-1 in a tense moment, there was a certain confidence when the Cowboys ran left behind Allen. Now, they won't have that.
Kosier will have to earn that trust, and with six of the first nine games on the road, there could be a loss or two if he betrays the Cowboys' confidence in him.
This season is about the Cowboys' offensive line. If it plays well, this team has a chance to win its first playoff game since 1996 and make some noise in the playoffs.
But if the line doesn't hold up, then the addition of Owens and the improvement on defense from free agency and the draft won't mean much.
All eyes will be on Owens, but I'll be watching Kosier closely, too.
COWBOYS Q&A
Q: Will the Cowboys pick up cornerback William Peterson? Ahmad Ghannam, Orlando, Fla.
TAYLOR: I don't think so. He had a serious back injury, which is why the Giants terminated his contract, and Dallas likes its situation at cornerback with Aaron Glenn and Jacques Reeves as the primary backups.
• • •
Q: How is Anthony Henry coming along with his rehab? Mark Braudaway, Fort Worth, Texas
TAYLOR: I spoke with Anthony for about 30 minutes at the Cowboys' golf tournament a couple of weeks ago, and he said he's feeling great and ready to finish what was a great start to last season. If Henry plays a full season, Dallas is going to have one of the top five defenses in the NFL.
• • •
Q: In Jones and Barber, is it Parcells' hope that one will emerge as the every-down, 25-carry per game back? Or is it unrealistic to expect that either can be the back, and that Parcells will likely employ some form of a one-two punch? Or will he just go with the hot hand from week to week? Brett James, Commack, N.Y.
TAYLOR: I think Parcells' comments last season indicate that he believes Dallas needs at least two runners – maybe three – to do what he wants to do in the running game. As I've said before, I think Jones has an opportunity to be special. I don't think Barber has the physical tools to be a special player, though he could certainly have a long, fruitful career. I think Jones will start and Barber will handle third downs, in part, because he's such a good blocker. Barber will get at least 100 carries, so he'll have some opportunities to be a factor.
• • •
Q: I am so tired of hearing that the Cowboys will go down the drain without a veteran backup for the “Statue.” A veteran backup quarterback may help a bit in the short run, but what about down the road? Most veteran backups are on the downside of their careers. Drew Bledsoe is no spring chicken and is bound to slow up (if it is possible to get any slower) in the near future. Can Romo and Henson play? I don't know and I don't think anybody knows. Isn't it about time to find out? Or are the Cowboys going to stumble along from year to year searching for a QB? Now is the time, if Bledsoe were to go down, to find out just what Romo and Henson have. Howard Weinberg, Weirton, W.Va.
TAYLOR: I guess you're trying to say Dallas doesn't need a veteran backup like Jay Fielder. I can't say that I disagree with you, but the problem is no one is ever going to know about Henson or Romo until disaster strikes and they're thrust into the game. I like both guys personally, but I'm not sure if either is capable of starting.
• • •
Q: I really like the Cowboys' fifth-round draft pick, Pat Watkins. I know his special teams play is important to his role on the team. What are the chances of him making a large contribution at safety this year? He seems to me the type of player who could complement Roy Williams' style of play. Jimi Stuart, Dallas
TAYLOR: I wouldn't expect much from him at safety because of the experience of Marcus Coleman and Keith Davis. At Florida State, Watkins played only man-to-man, so he must familiarize himself with all the zone coverages the Cowboys use, and that will prevent him from challenging for a starting spot until 2007.
• • •
Q: How many more years do you think Bledsoe has left? Kevin Olding, Dallas
TAYLOR: Right now, I'd say two to three. I didn't see anything last year that made me think he was done. Now, that doesn't mean he didn't make some poor decisions or have bad games. I just didn't see the deterioration of his skills that indicate it's time for someone else to play. I have no idea what Dallas is going to do at quarterback when he leaves, but I don't think it will be Romo or Henson.
• • •
Q: Just an early prediction … Al Groh will be the replacement when Parcells walks away. Since Jerry Jones seems to be committed to the system Parcells is putting in place, Groh would make a lot of sense to continue that system. What do you think? Mike Tessicini
TAYLOR: Groh has done a good job at Virginia – four straight winning seasons – but I wouldn't say he's had the type of success that makes you think he's a great fit and Jerry Jones needs to hire him. That said, I think he's a good name to have on a list and a guy that should be interviewed, but I don't know if he has enough star appeal for Jerry. Then again, Chan Gailey and Dave Campo didn't have much star appeal.
• • •
Q: I watched every snap Drew Henson played in Europe. He looked good to me. He seemed to make good reads, avoided the rush when necessary, avoided bad plays and was accurate. His completion ratio was poor, but this was mostly due to a large number of dropped passes. In fact, the Fire would probably have been in the World Bowl if his receivers had caught the balls that hit them in their hands. I'm concerned about his low delivery against tall defensive lineman in the NFL. How would you rate his prospects of being the Cowboys' quarterback of the future? Rakesh Nathu, Las Vegas
TAYLOR: If you watched every snap he took, then you have my respect. Those games are hard to watch even if you're just trying to study one player. His delivery will create some problems, but other guys like Bernie Kosar have played in the NFL with less than classic deliveries. Henson's problem is he's really never going to get a shot to play in Dallas as long as Drew Bledsoe is here, and the longer it takes him to play on a regular basis, the less chance he has for success. I just don't think the Cowboys are going to turn over the franchise to him because they're going to want a known quantity when Bledsoe leaves.
• • •
Q: Marco Rivera was a huge disappointment at right guard. Do you believe he can play any better this year? Timothy Stearns
TAYLOR: He must play better than last year, and I would expect he will if he doesn't miss any of training camp with an injury. A herniated disk is a bad injury for an aging lineman, so I understand why he didn't play well, but this is a bottom-line business and he didn't consistently get the job done last year.
• • •
Q: When does Romo get his shot at the No. 1 spot? Jon Licurse, Long Beach, N.Y.
TAYLOR: I don‘t know that he‘ll ever get it. Here‘s the problem with Romo, and it's not his fault: Teams don‘t normally turn over their franchise to undrafted free agents. They like players with pedigree. Kurt Warner was an undrafted free agent, but he got his chance after Trent Green was injured and couldn't play. Even a sixth-round pick like Tom Brady didn't get the keys to the building until Drew Bledsoe went down with an injury. Injuries force players to into the lineup and force the coach to play them. Then – and only then – do a lot of low-round draft choices or free agents get a shot to show their skills.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:36 PM
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