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Cowboys juggling things at guard
October, 31, 2013
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- With starting right guard Brian Waters out possibly for the season with a triceps injury, the Dallas Cowboys will start Mackenzy Bernadeau at that spot.
But the team is auditioning for backups at the position.
Thursday's latest participant was tackle Darrion Weems, who has never played the position before.
"Just a different animal," Weems said of practicing at guard on Thursday. "Tackle everything you get to be more patient and kind of wait for things to happen a little bit more or less. At guard, everything happens quicker. It’s like, ‘Boom! It’s all in your face.’ Everything has to be kind of on the line. It’s not that bad, though. I kind of like it. I think [Bill] Callahan just wanted to see me in there. He was like, ‘Yeah, Weemer, let me get a look at you at guard today.'"
Starting right tackle Doug Free and backup center Phil Costa received looks at the guard position during practices this week.
Of course, the Cowboys want to make sure continuity is built along the line and are just mixing and matching players as a precaution. Offensive line coach and playcaller Bill Callahan wants his offensive linemen to play multiple spots in case a starter goes down with an injury.
"Yeah, we continue to develop [practice squad guard] David Arkin, who is back," Callahan said. "He’s done some good things. We’re still utilizing Ron [Leary] and Mackenzy Bernadeau and of course with that putting Weems into that spot as well. So we’re moving everybody that we can to try to get reps and try to assess and try to build the depth so to speak."
October, 31, 2013
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- With starting right guard Brian Waters out possibly for the season with a triceps injury, the Dallas Cowboys will start Mackenzy Bernadeau at that spot.
But the team is auditioning for backups at the position.
Thursday's latest participant was tackle Darrion Weems, who has never played the position before.
"Just a different animal," Weems said of practicing at guard on Thursday. "Tackle everything you get to be more patient and kind of wait for things to happen a little bit more or less. At guard, everything happens quicker. It’s like, ‘Boom! It’s all in your face.’ Everything has to be kind of on the line. It’s not that bad, though. I kind of like it. I think [Bill] Callahan just wanted to see me in there. He was like, ‘Yeah, Weemer, let me get a look at you at guard today.'"
Starting right tackle Doug Free and backup center Phil Costa received looks at the guard position during practices this week.
Of course, the Cowboys want to make sure continuity is built along the line and are just mixing and matching players as a precaution. Offensive line coach and playcaller Bill Callahan wants his offensive linemen to play multiple spots in case a starter goes down with an injury.
"Yeah, we continue to develop [practice squad guard] David Arkin, who is back," Callahan said. "He’s done some good things. We’re still utilizing Ron [Leary] and Mackenzy Bernadeau and of course with that putting Weems into that spot as well. So we’re moving everybody that we can to try to get reps and try to assess and try to build the depth so to speak."
