Cowboys auditioning for spot at guard
Tom Orsborn - Express-News
An attitude of “let's just get out of this one healthy” is often prevalent at preseason finales.
But for three reserve offensive linemen, the Dallas Cowboys' outing against Minnesota on Thursday will be anything but meaningless.
Coach Wade Phillips said Monday the contest would be an audition game for Joe Berger, Cory Procter and Pat McQuistan. At stake: The chance to start at left guard in the opener at Cleveland on Sept. 7.
The job became up for grabs when Kyle Kosier suffered a hairline fracture in his right foot in the fourth quarter against Houston on Friday. He's expected to miss four to six weeks.
Phillips said the winner of the competition would be decided after the coaches review video of the game. Although he didn't say who would start Thursday, Phillips suggested there already is a frontrunner to win the job.
“The tape of the game will sway us one way or the other, or keep us on whoever we thought was going to be there in the first place,” Phillips said.
McQuistan worked at left guard with the first team in practice Monday.
His size — 6-foot-6, 315 pounds — may give him an edge considering Cleveland acquired 6-4, 350-pound nose tackle Shaun Rogers, the former Texas standout, in free agency.
Procter is the only one of the candidates who has started an NFL game — when a knee injury sent Andre Gurode to the sidelines last season, Procter started twice at center.
Phillips said each player has something in his corner.
“Procter has played more than any of them,” Phillips said. “Berger has had a good camp, and McQuistan is a good enough athlete where he can play guard or tackle. And he's got more size.”
Kosier said all three would fit in nicely.
“They'll be all right. They're playing around three Pro Bowlers,” said Kosier, referring to left tackle Flozell Adams, Gurode and right guard Leonard Davis.
But Gurode said Kosier, who has started 34-straight games since he joined Dallas via free agency after the 2005 season, would be missed.
“Kyle is very underrated,” Gurode said. “It's a big loss for us. We work well together.”
The starter at left guard Thursday could have his hands full if the Vikings play their regulars. Minnesota defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams made the Pro Bowl last season.
“They've got two of the best defensive tackles in the league, so we should get a good look,” Phillips said.
In other news on the injury front, cornerback Terence Newman practiced Monday for the first time since injuring his groin the first week of training camp. Even though Newman is expected to continue practicing this week, Phillips said he probably wouldn't play Thursday.
“We still want to be careful with him,” Phillips said.
Phillips changes stance: Phillips said last week fear of injury was preventing him from using Felix Jones and Adam Jones as kick returners. On Monday, Phillips said injuries to returners Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback have forced him to change his mind.
“We've got to consider it now,” Phillips said. “It's a different set of circumstances.”
A knee injury will keep Austin out for at least a couple of regular season games. Phillips said he doesn't expect Stanback, who dislocated his left shoulder against Houston, to play in the opener.
Stanback said he wants to rehab the shoulder and play the season wearing a harness. But Phillips indicated season-ending surgery hasn't been ruled out.
“He said he felt a lot better today and could get his arms up,” Phillips said. “That's a positive sign, but we still have to talk to the doctor and our athletic trainer about it.”
Five cut: The Cowboys on Monday cut four players — there were no surprises — and reached an injury settlement with another to reach the league-mandated 75-player limit. Among the players cut was cornerback Quincy Butler, formerly of Roosevelt and TCU.
An attitude of “let's just get out of this one healthy” is often prevalent at preseason finales.
But for three reserve offensive linemen, the Dallas Cowboys' outing against Minnesota on Thursday will be anything but meaningless.
Coach Wade Phillips said Monday the contest would be an audition game for Joe Berger, Cory Procter and Pat McQuistan. At stake: The chance to start at left guard in the opener at Cleveland on Sept. 7.
The job became up for grabs when Kyle Kosier suffered a hairline fracture in his right foot in the fourth quarter against Houston on Friday. He's expected to miss four to six weeks.
Phillips said the winner of the competition would be decided after the coaches review video of the game. Although he didn't say who would start Thursday, Phillips suggested there already is a frontrunner to win the job.
“The tape of the game will sway us one way or the other, or keep us on whoever we thought was going to be there in the first place,” Phillips said.
McQuistan worked at left guard with the first team in practice Monday.
His size — 6-foot-6, 315 pounds — may give him an edge considering Cleveland acquired 6-4, 350-pound nose tackle Shaun Rogers, the former Texas standout, in free agency.
Procter is the only one of the candidates who has started an NFL game — when a knee injury sent Andre Gurode to the sidelines last season, Procter started twice at center.
Phillips said each player has something in his corner.
“Procter has played more than any of them,” Phillips said. “Berger has had a good camp, and McQuistan is a good enough athlete where he can play guard or tackle. And he's got more size.”
Kosier said all three would fit in nicely.
“They'll be all right. They're playing around three Pro Bowlers,” said Kosier, referring to left tackle Flozell Adams, Gurode and right guard Leonard Davis.
But Gurode said Kosier, who has started 34-straight games since he joined Dallas via free agency after the 2005 season, would be missed.
“Kyle is very underrated,” Gurode said. “It's a big loss for us. We work well together.”
The starter at left guard Thursday could have his hands full if the Vikings play their regulars. Minnesota defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams made the Pro Bowl last season.
“They've got two of the best defensive tackles in the league, so we should get a good look,” Phillips said.
In other news on the injury front, cornerback Terence Newman practiced Monday for the first time since injuring his groin the first week of training camp. Even though Newman is expected to continue practicing this week, Phillips said he probably wouldn't play Thursday.
“We still want to be careful with him,” Phillips said.
Phillips changes stance: Phillips said last week fear of injury was preventing him from using Felix Jones and Adam Jones as kick returners. On Monday, Phillips said injuries to returners Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback have forced him to change his mind.
“We've got to consider it now,” Phillips said. “It's a different set of circumstances.”
A knee injury will keep Austin out for at least a couple of regular season games. Phillips said he doesn't expect Stanback, who dislocated his left shoulder against Houston, to play in the opener.
Stanback said he wants to rehab the shoulder and play the season wearing a harness. But Phillips indicated season-ending surgery hasn't been ruled out.
“He said he felt a lot better today and could get his arms up,” Phillips said. “That's a positive sign, but we still have to talk to the doctor and our athletic trainer about it.”
Five cut: The Cowboys on Monday cut four players — there were no surprises — and reached an injury settlement with another to reach the league-mandated 75-player limit. Among the players cut was cornerback Quincy Butler, formerly of Roosevelt and TCU.
posted by The Gryphon at 5:42 PM
<< Home