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Cowboys Not Concerned With Thin Guard/Center Class Nick Eatman
(Editor's Note: With the NFL Draft (April 23-24) closing in, DallasCowboys.com will take a closer look at each position over the next three weeks, profiling the Cowboys' needs, the top available players and even some past memorable picks made by the Cowboys. The fifth of this 11-part series will profile the center and guard positions.)
What's Here The Cowboys made a significant upgrade on the offensive line during the off-season, signing veteran Pro Bowl guard Marco Rivera to a five-year contract on just the second day of the free-agent signing period on March 3. And although Rivera quickly suffered a back injury, needing surgery to repair a herniated disk, the Cowboys are expecting a full recovery from Rivera, who should be able to participate for the start of training camp, which should begin in late July in Oxnard, Calif. The addition of a healthy Rivera should stabilize the right guard position, which Andre Gurode has manned for most of the last three seasons. Gurode, a second-round pick in 2002, has been inconsistent at times during the past two seasons, even getting benched for last year's season finale against the Giants. Penalties and mental mistakes have plagued Gurode since he joined the Cowboys, and with one year remaining on his four-year contract, he'll likely start out fighting for a backup position. Gurode can play both guard and center, but the Cowboys seem rather solid in the middle as well, with Al Johnson playing well in virtually his first season in 2004. Johnson was drafted in the second round (38th overall) in 2003 but missed his entire rookie year after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee after only one week of training camp. Johnson went into the season rotating at center with Tyson Walter, who suffered a sprained knee in the first game. Johnson eventually took over the starting duties by himself and started the remaining 15 games of the season, often showing the promise the Cowboys had hoped for out of a second-round pick. And we sure don't want to overlook left guard Larry Allen, who recently played in his ninth Pro Bowl. Not bad for an 11-year veteran. Allen should be ready for a 12th pro season, and while he's already 33 and not as mobile as he once was, his brute strength alone puts him atop most guards in the league. Walter finished last season as a versatile backup who can play guard and center, and if Gurode can accept a similar role, the Cowboys could have some experienced depth in the middle of the line next season. The club is also anticipating a return from Stephen Peterman, a third-round pick last year who missed the entire season after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery. Help On the Way? With Allen, Johnson and Rivera slotted as the inside starters from left to right, don't expect the Cowboys to use another first-day pick at these positions. Remember, the Cowboys drafted Gurode in the second round in 2002, Johnson in the second in 2003 and then Peterman last year in the third round. But Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells has made it clear he likes to have versatile inside players who can play both guard and center. If that type of player falls into the later rounds, it might be a good spot for the Cowboys to take one. However, the Cowboys should be rather content at these two positions.
Cream of the Crop This doesn't seem to be a rather strong draft for guards or centers. While there aren't usually a lot of interior linemen drafted in the first round anyway, there always seems to be one or two that will go near the end of the first round. However, as it stands now, there might not be a draft or center taken in the first 50 selections, which is past the midway point of the second round. Among the top guards this year include Marcus Johnson (6-6, 321) from Ole Miss, Alabama's Evan Mathis (6-5, 305), Virginia's Elton Brown (6-4, 338) and BYU's Scott Young (6-3, 313). At center, the top prospects are Chris Spencer, also from Ole Miss, LSU's Ben Wilkerson, Michigan's David Bass and North Carolina's Jason Brown.
Remember When? The Cowboys have had some second-round success with offensive linemen, recently getting Al Johnson in the second round, and even offensive tackle Flozell Adams in 1998 when it appeared he was a first-round lock. But perhaps their best second-round selection, maybe of all-time, was getting Larry Allen with the 46th overall pick in 1994. The talented but raw lineman from Sonoma State was forced into action during his rookie season, getting time at both guard and tackle. But by his second season, Allen established himself at guard and began a run of seven straight Pro Bowl trips. He now has played in nine of the last 10 and is destined for not only the Cowboys' Ring of Honor, but certainly the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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