Former Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton believes the team’s current offensive line could be a much improved unit in 2013, but until the group--which was plagued by injuries through most of 2012--makes it through training camp generally unscathed, he’s reserving judgment.
“Until I see these guys come out of training camp healthy and play a few games, that’s going to be my biggest concern,” Newton told ESPN Radio 103.3-FM's "Durrett and Fitzsimmons Show," via the Dallas Morning News. “On a scale of 1 to 10, it’s about a 5.5 or a 6 because I don’t want Tony Romo running around back there for his life, and they pull out a game like they did last year against the Giants. I thought that was a false win because it gave everybody hope and then the next week, they go into Seattle and the lights went out. So I just want these guys to come out healthy and get through the training camp. Ronald Leary is a name I keep hearing about coming from that left guard position because they’re not 100 percent sure with Livings.
“And then the center … will our guy [Travis] Frederick be the man coming out of training camp or will Phil Costa? It’s a lot of questions that need to be answered. The right tackle position is wide open. So you’ve got a lot of competition trying to play itself out.”
Point taken, but most of the line is actually pretty much settled, already. Left tackle Tyron Smith, left guard Nate Livings, the rookie center Frederick and right guard Mackenzy Bernadeau are locked in going into training camp. The only question then, is right tackle, where Doug Free and Jermey Parnell--who finished last year splitting snaps--will fight for playing time.
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