Never mind that the Cowboys have signed two guards in free agency _ Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau _ for a combined $30 million, that will not preclude them from targeting Stanford guard David DeCastro with the 14th overall pick in the 2012 Draft.
Livings and Bernadeau got good money but no jobs have been given too them. Berrnadeau is a career backup. Livings started for the last two years in Cincinnati but there is a reason the Bengals made no real push to keep him.
Both however were targeted by the Cowboys for their size and strength. Livings is 6-foot-5, 332 pounds. Bernadeau is 6-4, 308. Both upgrade the depth at the position and will promote a fierce competition in training camp with veteran Kyle Kosier, who could to center or be released, and second-year players David Arkin and Bill Nagy.
But DeCastro is considered a special talent at guard who could be paired with left tackle Tyron Smith for years to come.
It's also telling that a source said the team will make a decision on Kosier's future on the roster after the draft.
Upgrading the interior of the line is important to the Cowboys because of quarterback Tony Romo's slight stature. Pressure up the middle is just as troubling as pressure from the blindside. He needs to be able to step in the pocket and not have his lineman pushed back in his face.
So while the free agent signings weren't sexy, they were part of an overall plan to improve the offensive line which was an offseason priority.
Clarence Hill
Clarence after thinking long and hard on some of your thoughts and suggestions on what the Cowboys will do from day to day. You really don't have a clue do you? The Cowboys just signed two free agent offensive linemen. They still have two underlings on the roster who didn't get hardly any playing time last season. To use that first round pick on a offensive lineman now would be just plain asinine in my eyes. That pick should be on a defensive nose tackle. That guy should be Dontari Poe. Then Jerry can put Jay Ratliff at defensive end where he belongs. But you watch..Jerry will trade down with that pick.
Posted by: Glenn Guillory | March 18, 2012 at 06:40 PM
There are some really dumb cowboys fans...my gosh...you guys whine for this and that...wanna cut this guy for that guy....trade your junk for someones studs or pick..gimme a break you fools. Do you read some of the junk you guys post
Posted by: Philly Rules | March 17, 2012 at 10:03 PM
They had better target DeCastro if they don't target someone like Fletcher Cox. The OLB's in this draft, outside of Ingram (who will most likely be gone already) do not impress me in the least.
Posted by: Danny | March 17, 2012 at 09:08 PM
"Berrnadeau is a career backup"
and with JJ in charge he will be our starter for years to come.
Posted by: Macksfield | March 16, 2012 at 08:48 PM
No way in hell will the cowboys take decastro at 14. It WILL be a d lineman no matter what. I would bet my house on fletcher cox.
Posted by: ben gillespie | March 16, 2012 at 06:18 PM
Instead of targeting DeCastro they ought to draft him and then trade him for another running back. DeMarco should be back but Felix ain't gonna cut it. They should be able to trade DeCastro for a high #2 round pick and a #3 or #4 round pick to boot.
Posted by: John Q | March 16, 2012 at 05:24 PM
Who the heck is Steve DeCastro?
Posted by: Clarence Hill FAIL | March 16, 2012 at 05:11 PM