Watkins: Nate Livings sharing snaps with Ronald Leary

[Cotton]

Nate Livings sharing snaps with Ronald Leary

July, 29, 2013

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com


OXNARD, Calif. -- The Cowboys are creating some competition at the starting left guard spot between Ronald Leary and Nate Livings.

Both players shared first-team snaps with the offense on Monday.

Livings, who started all 16 games last season, suffered a foot injury before training camp allowing Leary to get snaps with the first-team offense.

"I'm cool with it," Leary said regarding the rotation. "I do what the coaches tell me to do. If that's what they tell me to do, that's what I do."

When asked is he rusty Livings said, "It's my fifth practice, so I'm just getting back in it."

Leary started training camp practices on time, but suffered a calf injury early in training camp and made his return to the practice fields on Monday.

"I know I’m going to be a little winded because there’s nothing like football shape," Leary said after the Monday morning walkthrough, "but just getting my feet up under me and get my hands right and get those physical reps."

The Cowboys are not immune to using rotations along the offensive line.

Doug Free and Jermey Parnell rotated snaps at right tackle in the last month of the 2012 regular season. There was a thought Parnell would compete with Free for the starting job this season but he suffered a hamstring injury possibly ending any competition between the players.

 

[ravidubey]

If I were the coaches I'd want Livings sharing snaps as much as possible. Anything that could lead to his eventual benching.

He and Bernadeau were two of the worst signings this team has made in the FA era. Just inexpensive enough to keep and horribly poor game performers who soak up practice reps from anyone with any possible upside.

Ben Grubbs would have made a huge difference last year, now, and for years to come. Instead they went quantity over quality and got exactly what they paid for. Just shitty business and football sense.

 

[boozeman]

Inside Skinny: Is Ronald Leary the answer?

July, 30, 2013
By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com


Six-time Pro Bowl guard and three-time Super Bowl champion Nate Newton, now of ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM, will weigh in occasionally with his take on the Dallas Cowboys' interior offensive line. His take following Monday's practice:

"I think I have an answer. It’s called Ronald Leary, No. 65.

"He looked OK in team drills. He looked even better in pass-rush drills. That’s combination single-blocking and games, when the defensive line is stunting. He did a tremendous job. He punched well. He moved his feet well. He didn’t let people get into his zone.

"I think out of six or seven pass rushes, he got beat one time on a spin move. That’s where he let a guy get into his body and didn’t punch, but after that, he handled his business. He had great knee bend for a first day back. He did a great job.

"Now this kid has to put back-to-back practices together. He has to be more consistent, get into his playbook.

"What about Nate Livings? I have nothing against this guy. I don’t really know him, but he’s lost his knee bend. Until he can get his knees back in shape and get some knee bend, all those reps should go to other guys – David Arkin, Ronald Leary and when Mackenzy Bernadeau gets back.

"Livings has not looked good. They say he’s coming off a knee situation. His knees are not very strong, but he’s had a whole offseason to get that corrected and part of this training camp. As far as I’m seeing right now, you should give those reps to a young guy so they can get better."

 

[Clay_Allison]

If I were the coaches I'd want Livings sharing snaps as much as possible. Anything that could lead to his eventual benching.

He and Bernadeau were two of the worst signings this team has made in the FA era. Just inexpensive enough to keep and horribly poor game performers who soak up practice reps from anyone with any possible upside.

Ben Grubbs would have made a huge difference last year, now, and for years to come. Instead they went quantity over quality and got exactly what they paid for. Just shitty business and football sense.

I'd have signed Myers to lock down the Center spot, but overall I agree. One player you don't have to worry about is worth two crap shoots any day.

 

[ravidubey]

"I think I have an answer. It’s called Ronald Leary, No. 65.

"He looked OK in team drills.

I had been concerned about the next 21-25 preseason, regular season, and playoff games starting next week, but it's completely comforting to know Ron Leary looks "OK" in team drills.

No worries at LG.

 

[Bluestar71]

Unless Leary actually comes through on all the build up he's getting it's very possible we're going to be even worse at Guard this year. It's pretty evident Livings has gone from below average to an extreme liability like his FA partner Bernadeau. I believe Kowalski is hurt yet again. He can't stay healthy and Arkin is a waste of space. Not doing more at the position in the offseason looks dumber every day and it's likely going to neuter what the offense can do yet again and likely get Garrett fired.

 

[Smitty]

And the sad part is, this team is closer to needing to rebuild than it is to needing a final piece that you'd pay a premium for.

So it makes zero sense to explore the trade market unless you can totally rip someone off, which we never do.

So there is likely no sensible veteran to go chase via trade, given the price you'd pay, to save this thing.