Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said right guard Montrae Holland's prolonged absence with a back injury was the foundation of the decision to move Kyle Kosier to the right side from the left.
Fourth-round pick David Arkin had been playing right guard next to rookie top-pick Tyron Smith at right tackle. The Cowboys wanted to break up the two rookies and put a veteran next to Smith for communication purposes.
"The initial thought is to address Montrae being out and Kyle [having] played the right side earlier in his career," Jason Garrett said Tuesday morning. "We think working him next to Tyron Smith can be helpful. Having a more veteran guy in there typically can help the younger player, really with the calls at the line of scrimmage. They happen quicker and they can get on the same page quicker before the play starts and hopefully you can see him play more decisively when the ball is snapped."
That might not be the end of the line shuffling. The Cowboys are waiting for Holland to get back. But what's also true is that they are not happy with the condition he came to camp in.
Look for the Cowboys to experiment with centers Andre Gurode and Phil Costa at guard when Gurode is cleared to practice. Gurode has been out since the start of camp following off-season knee surgery. If the Cowboys are comfortable with Costa at center, they could move the three-time Pro Bowler Gurode to guard, a position he played early in his career.
"We are looking at different combinations up there to see what works best for our offense line," Garrett said.
-- Clarence E. Hill Jr.
Fourth-round pick David Arkin had been playing right guard next to rookie top-pick Tyron Smith at right tackle. The Cowboys wanted to break up the two rookies and put a veteran next to Smith for communication purposes.
"The initial thought is to address Montrae being out and Kyle [having] played the right side earlier in his career," Jason Garrett said Tuesday morning. "We think working him next to Tyron Smith can be helpful. Having a more veteran guy in there typically can help the younger player, really with the calls at the line of scrimmage. They happen quicker and they can get on the same page quicker before the play starts and hopefully you can see him play more decisively when the ball is snapped."
That might not be the end of the line shuffling. The Cowboys are waiting for Holland to get back. But what's also true is that they are not happy with the condition he came to camp in.
Look for the Cowboys to experiment with centers Andre Gurode and Phil Costa at guard when Gurode is cleared to practice. Gurode has been out since the start of camp following off-season knee surgery. If the Cowboys are comfortable with Costa at center, they could move the three-time Pro Bowler Gurode to guard, a position he played early in his career.
"We are looking at different combinations up there to see what works best for our offense line," Garrett said.
-- Clarence E. Hill Jr.
