Posted on 02/25/2013 by Tom Orsborn
Jerry Jones is a believer in Phil Costa even after his injury plagued 2012 season.
“I can see going with Costa at center for several years,” the Cowboys owner told a handful of reporters this past weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
That comment raised some eyebrows considering Costa is undersized and was plagued by injuries, including some tricky back problems, last season. Add it all up and many observers believe he ranks among the NFL’s worst at his position.
“You’ve got to weigh what Costa is as opposed to what he isn’t,” Jones said. “He doesn’t have the arm length. What he is, is as smart as anyone playing in the NFL. What he is, is tenacious.”
But Jones cautioned that the key to playing Costa at center is making sure that he has help from the guards.
“At that position, you can’t do it with two other Costas on either side of him,” Jones said. “But if you’ve got a top player on one side and a half-ass player on the other, than Costa can be a good player for you.”
Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau started at guard last season. Jones said there has been thought of moving right tackle Doug Free to the interior. He also said second-year pro Ron Leary could get a shot at guard.
He also said that “through a combination of free agency or this draft, (we) will get serious about another guard/center type.”
“If we can get in better shape with our guards, then Costa is going to be a good center for us,” Jones said.
Jerry Jones is a believer in Phil Costa even after his injury plagued 2012 season.
“I can see going with Costa at center for several years,” the Cowboys owner told a handful of reporters this past weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
That comment raised some eyebrows considering Costa is undersized and was plagued by injuries, including some tricky back problems, last season. Add it all up and many observers believe he ranks among the NFL’s worst at his position.
“You’ve got to weigh what Costa is as opposed to what he isn’t,” Jones said. “He doesn’t have the arm length. What he is, is as smart as anyone playing in the NFL. What he is, is tenacious.”
But Jones cautioned that the key to playing Costa at center is making sure that he has help from the guards.
“At that position, you can’t do it with two other Costas on either side of him,” Jones said. “But if you’ve got a top player on one side and a half-ass player on the other, than Costa can be a good player for you.”
Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau started at guard last season. Jones said there has been thought of moving right tackle Doug Free to the interior. He also said second-year pro Ron Leary could get a shot at guard.
He also said that “through a combination of free agency or this draft, (we) will get serious about another guard/center type.”
“If we can get in better shape with our guards, then Costa is going to be a good center for us,” Jones said.
