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Badger, Badger, Badger, Badger Depth Chart:
Quarterback
Running Back
Wide Receiver
I don't like the Dallas Cowboys. But I am excited.
More than anything, I get excited when young players are thrust into the spotlight and expected to perform. It kills me watching Dave Bush or Brett Tomko pitch for the Rangers while younger guys sit in the minors.
It killed me watching the 1990s Cowboys get older and older without any influx of young players. Plugging in older players in professionals is, mostly, a give up. Teams present it as "going for it all" when it's actually just a vain attempt to be "good" for the sake of "selling tickets."
Rarely do old, rusty veterans give you significant and meaningful play.
I'm excited for the Cowboys' offensive line. Why? Youth.
The average age at the start of the 2010 season for the O-line was 31 years old.
For 2011: 27.
By dumping Marc Columbo and Leonard Davis and not replacing them with some washed-up veteran off the free agent trash heap. Instead, we get first-rounder Tyron Smith (20) and, possibly, rookie David Arkin (23). If not Arkin, it'll be rookie Bill Nagy (23). Also in the works is Sam Young (24) and Phil Costa (24).
Suddenly the Cowboys are quite young. And it's a little exciting.
Doug Free
The fifth-year guy turned a quality 2010 season into a four-year, $32 million deal with $17 million guaranteed. Probably the only good thing to come out of last year and probably the only reason the Cowboys cut Davis and Columbo. Not only to free up the cash, but because left tackle wasn't a position of need (especially after Smith was drafted). Note: Free has one full season under his belt. One.
David Arkin
Fourth-rounder out of this year's draft out of Missouri State. Quickly started battling for the left guard spot after Kyle Kosier moved to the right. He started the first pre-season game last week, so it'll be interesting to see who gets the start this week.
Andre Gurode
I love giving Bill Parcells credit. Gurode is his doing (for better or for worse). He moved him from guard (where he was about to get cut) to center where he's made multiple Pro Bowls (deserved and not). Doesn't matter what you think about him, he's a nine-year pro, who's battled. Came into camp out of weight and hurt. For the record, Gurode is signed this year for $5.5 million and next year for $6.5 million. He's a free agent in 2013.
Kyle Kosier
The more you read and read about the Dallas Cowboys, specifically the offensive line, you learn about how Kosier is the heart and soul of the unit. He is the one looking at defensive sets and making calls and judgements. His absence was felt two years ago when he was hurt and missed a lot of games.
Tyron Smith
He's 20 years old. Dallas-Fort Worth haven't had a 20-year-old to cheer about since Elvis Andrus broke into the Majors. Thoughts are that he has the ability to be great (not good) in this league. Love that the Cowboys are putting him out there.
Phil Costa
Last year, Costa made big waves in training camp and kept on with the team as a back-up. This after the Cowboys let jack-of-all-trades Cory Procter loose in free agency. Costa took snaps as Gurode rehabbed this year. I would assume he's the heir apparent when the Cowboys cut Gurode loose. Costa, by the way, was undrafted.
Bill Nagy
Taken in the sixth round this year out of Wisconsin. I found it odd that a beefy offensive lineman out of the Big Ten giant Wisconsin dipped into the sixth. I assumed he was a back-up. He wasn't. Started at center in camp and then switched to left tackle where he's battled Akin. Impressed in the first pre-season game.
Sam Young
Nagy and Akin are making noise this year. Young was making noise last year. Got high marks in camp last year and played sparingly in the season. Another sixth-round pick out of a high-profile school (Notre Dame). Are the Cowboys learning how to draft linemen?
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