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 UpdatedAug 16, 2011 12:28 AM ETARLINGTON - With second-year center/guard Phil Costa and otherssteadily improving, depth along the offensive line is rapidlyfading from the Dallas Cowboys' list of concerns, ownerJerry Jones indicated Saturday."That actually is one of the top positives we've had in camp,"Jones said.When practice started 17 days ago in San Antonio, the offensiveline appeared thin. But after Costa and several other youngstersenjoyed solid showings at the Alamodome and in the preseason openerlast week, the question marks have diminished."I like those young (backups) in the offensive line," Jones saidof a group that includes Costa, fourth-round guard David Arkin andsecond-year tackle Sam Young."They're really progressing. Not only are we looking atpotential depth there, but you might have one or two of those guysreally challenge."On Saturday at Cowboys Stadium, center Andre Gurodepracticed for the first time after undergoing knee surgery in June.After logging most of the first-team reps in the workout, Gurodeexpressed confidence he will be ready for the opener Sept. 11 atthe New York Jets."I'm getting better and better every day," the five-time ProBowl player said.But should Gurode, 33, stumble, the Cowboys believe Costa would fill innicely."Let me say this: I wouldn't blink or lose any sleep over Costastarting a game for us," Jones said.Costa started against Denver last week after taking nearly allthe first-team reps in San Antonio."Costa is going to play a lot for the Cowboys - now," Jones said. "I don'tknow how that works, but, boy, I am glad we've got him. I don'tknow if anybody has had a better preseason. I put him right thereat the top."Costa's development gives Dallas options as it tries to solidifythe interior of the line. Arkin is starting at left guard whileveteran Montrae Holland's sore back mends, but the Cowboys could slide Gurode over tothat spot and start Costa in the middle.Another option, this one more likely: Keep Gurode at center andlet Costa compete with Holland and Arkin at left guard."Total possibility ... there's a lot of moving parts," offensiveline coach Hudson Houck said.Undersized for an interior lineman at 6-foot-3, 311 pounds,Costa earned a roster spot in 2010 as an undrafted free agent outof Maryland. Injuries allowed him to play in games at center andguard, and he even started one at left guard."Since he got here, he's been kind of a bulldog," head coachJason Garrett said. "He scratches, claws, fights and battles in allareas, plays from the snap to whistle."The Cowboys also like hisintelligence."He's very good at quarterbacking in the offensive line," Jonessaid. "He's quick with his reads. He's clear with the rest of theline, and it's a big plus. He does an outstanding job ofidentifying the defense."Terms & Conditions |Privacy |Copyright |? 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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