Position: Center
Size: 6-3, 314
Age: 24
College: Maryland
Drafted: Undrafted in 2010
Experience: Entering his third season
Contract status: In the final year of his contract, Costa is scheduled to earn a base salary of $490,000.
2011 review: When the Cowboys decided to release five-time Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode last August and designate the inexperienced Costa as his replacement, they made a risky move. With little time to prepare for the greater demands of a starting role, Costa was thrust into an awkward position as the offensive line underwent a major transition last summer.
The Cowboys tried to ease the pressure placed on Costa by giving guard Kyle Kosier the responsibility of making some of the protection calls. Still, Costa struggled. In the Cowboys' first home game of the season, he botched snaps on three different occasions. On another, he was called for a penalty. It was a nightmarish game for Costa, a lighter lineman with short arms who would face problems throughout the season warding off defenders attempting to bull rush him.
Against San Francisco, New England and Arizona, his pass-blocking was particularly suspect and by the end of the 2011 campaign ProFootballFocus.com rated Costa the sixth-worst center among players who were on the field for 25 percent of their team's snaps.
2011 grade: C-
2012 Outlook: Costa's position as the starting center isn't exactly secure. He will have to prove to new offensive line coach Bill Callahan he is worthy of keeping his job while possibly having to battle for his role with other interior linemen such as second-year player Kevin Kowalski, 2011 seventh-round pick Bill Nagy and guard Mackenzy Bernadeau, a free agent who was acquired in March.
"He certainly faces competition," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said. "We have a lot of guys, some young guys who we like there, but Phil did a good job for us last year...I just think the experience of playing will help him. Having said all that, he's got to compete every day to earn that job."
Costa seems to understand that. He added weight in the offseason and said he became stronger. Whether that muscle gain will lead to improvement is unknown at this point. What is certain is that Costa has to play better.
Size: 6-3, 314
Age: 24
College: Maryland
Drafted: Undrafted in 2010
Experience: Entering his third season
Contract status: In the final year of his contract, Costa is scheduled to earn a base salary of $490,000.
2011 review: When the Cowboys decided to release five-time Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode last August and designate the inexperienced Costa as his replacement, they made a risky move. With little time to prepare for the greater demands of a starting role, Costa was thrust into an awkward position as the offensive line underwent a major transition last summer.
The Cowboys tried to ease the pressure placed on Costa by giving guard Kyle Kosier the responsibility of making some of the protection calls. Still, Costa struggled. In the Cowboys' first home game of the season, he botched snaps on three different occasions. On another, he was called for a penalty. It was a nightmarish game for Costa, a lighter lineman with short arms who would face problems throughout the season warding off defenders attempting to bull rush him.
Against San Francisco, New England and Arizona, his pass-blocking was particularly suspect and by the end of the 2011 campaign ProFootballFocus.com rated Costa the sixth-worst center among players who were on the field for 25 percent of their team's snaps.
2011 grade: C-
2012 Outlook: Costa's position as the starting center isn't exactly secure. He will have to prove to new offensive line coach Bill Callahan he is worthy of keeping his job while possibly having to battle for his role with other interior linemen such as second-year player Kevin Kowalski, 2011 seventh-round pick Bill Nagy and guard Mackenzy Bernadeau, a free agent who was acquired in March.
"He certainly faces competition," Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said. "We have a lot of guys, some young guys who we like there, but Phil did a good job for us last year...I just think the experience of playing will help him. Having said all that, he's got to compete every day to earn that job."
Costa seems to understand that. He added weight in the offseason and said he became stronger. Whether that muscle gain will lead to improvement is unknown at this point. What is certain is that Costa has to play better.
