On Monday, the Cowboys more or less made official what we’ve long suspected, that the 2011 season will see a full-fledged youth movement along the offensive line. Gone are Leonard Davis, Marc Colombo and, as of today, Andre Gurode. In are rookies Bill Nagy and Tyron Smith, and league sophomore Phil Costa.
Head coach Jason Garrett pretty much set it in stone today, saying, per ESPN Dallas, “The guys who have been working with the ones throughout training camp will be the guys we anticipate being in the starting lineup when we play the Jets.”
That means Doug Free at left tackle, Nagy at left guard, Costa at center, Kyle Kosier (the lone remaining veteran) at right guard and Smith at right tackle in the regular season opener in New York on September 11. Montrae Holland, who was penciled in to start at left guard prior to the season, will return to his role as a reserve.
"They’re challenges but obviously positive ones for us or we wouldn’t have done what we’ve done,” added offensive line coach Hudson Houck. “These guys are young players, there’s no question. And they’ve got to get some experience, but they are hard working guys that are good athletes and so all of that is very positive."
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