OTHER RECENT NEWS • Mailbag: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 • Off-Season Program Begins Tuesday For Injured Rookies  2/8 • Rob Phillips: Saints' Rise Should Lend Some Perspective  2/8 • Mailbag: Monday, February 8, 2010 • As Expected, Smith Gets First-Ballot Hall of Fame Call  2/7 • Spagnola: Payton's Aggressive Nature Has Super Results  2/7 • A Look Back At Emmitt's Hall of Fame Career  2/7 • Notes: Committee Denies Haley For HOF Once Again  2/6 • What Great RBs - Past & Present Are Saying About Smith  2/6 • Haley Has Strong Canton Credentials  2/5

(Editor's Note: Throughout the off-season, DallasCowboys.com staff writers will take a closer look at the Cowboys' roster, analyzing the impact of more than 50 players from last season and just how each fits into the team's 2009 plans. Today's featured player is offensive lineman Pat McQuistan.)

Name: Pat McQuistan
Position: Offensive lineman
Height/Weight: 6-6, 315
Experience: Three seasons
College: Weber State

Key stat: McQuistan has appeared in 35 of 50 career games, playing mostly special teams. He's only played on the offensive line in five of those appearances, including left guard in the second half of last year's finale loss to Philadelphia.

Contract Status: Signed through 2009.

2008 Impact: With Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo stabilizing the tackle positions, McQuistan's role has been primarily special teams for the past three years. He was active for all 16 regular-season games yet again in 2008, but didn't play on offense until the coaching staff substituted him for left guard Cory Procter in the second half of that forgettable 44-6 loss to the Eagles.

Where He Fits: The Cowboys have tried McQuistan at tackle and guard since drafting him in the seventh round in 2006, and that type of versatility could help him keep a roster spot next season. But barring injury to Adams and Colombo - both are signed to long-term deals - McQuistan won't get much playing time, if any, on the line.

Writers' Analysis:

Rob Phillips: It's difficult to evaluate McQuistan because we've basically seen him in practice and preseason for the last three years. An athletic 6-6, 315-pounder, he's got the physical tools to stay in the league for many years. But this would seem to be a critical year for him and fellow former draft pick Doug Free, particularly if the Cowboys decide to target offensive line in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Mickey Spagnola: This is McQuistan's fourth season, and it's time to either put up or ship out. The Cowboys have invested three years in his development, but it's obvious with the re-signing of first Flozell Adams and then Marc Colombo they do not think he is ready to start. There was some thought he might be able to play some guard, but that experiment didn't seem to go over so well since the Cowboys traded for Montrae Holland. Looking on the bright side, he might have lasted longer than most seventh-round picks.

Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS