Dallas Cowboys 2009 Training Camp: Five Things to Watch (Part I)

Last year, many were predicting the return of Houck was the key to the Cowboy offense. As this article states, Houck did not have the unit in shape for defensive coordinators that threw the kitchen sink at the offensive front. Romo paid with a tremendous physical beating all season. The injury and resulting chaos at left guard was just the most visible problem at the o-line. Flo had his usual problems and seemed to have injuries nagging him all season. Bigg had some terrible moments and of course – everyone in Cowboy land’s favorite whipping boy – Cory Proctor – was victimized in several games. Gurode showed that his inability to snap the ball is a fixture, not an anomoly and certainly is a feature of his game Romo and the "Cowboys will have to accept. I love the Cowboy draft but I will be thinking all season how it might have been if we had moved up to snag one of the top centers. How the oline rebounds and adjusts to likely injury at times will tell the tale of the season.

I believe Doug Free is ready to step in at left tackle, I also believe Holland may be a better fit than Kosier at left guard, and thats not a bad thing. I also believe McQuistan moving to guard will fit him very well,remember he only played two years of college ball.

I’m not so sure Free wont be better than Flo at left tackle. I know, I know, I’m going to catch grief over this statement but I think its Free’s time. I was really impressed at how well he blocked Dwight Freeny last year in the pre season. He looked so fluid and sound.

the big question in camp is not about the “three headed monster” but whether or not Felix Jones can be to us what Ladanian Tomilson or Clinton Portis or Adrian Petersen, for example, have been to their teams? If Jones is now 215 pounds as reports have stated, that’s plenty big enough to be an all purpose back. I, for one, believe this should an open competition to determine who should be on the field the most and what back gives us the best chance to win. If Jones can be that good, the other questions kind of answer themselves.

I feel the same way about the kicking situation. I like Folk a lot but let’s face it, the guy had some serious hip surgery. This is not even to mention that Buelher kicked what 20-22 field goals his senior year? That’s 91%. Now I don’t expect him to do that in the pros but let’s say he and Folk are both equal in training camp on field goals at let’s say 85% and Buelher is booming kickoffs into the endzone. The question I keep asking myself is why do I maintain a roster spot for Folk and have to cut a young position player with promise? I don’t think I can do that for a kicker.

Remember how the coaches were afraid to put Choice in and even Felix at times. Free may be a decent player, but sometimes you need to put him in game situations to find out. He was a great prospect in college. This staff is afraid of young players.