Dallas Cowboys acquire guard from Broncos

Dallas Cowboys acquire guard from Broncos
12:30 AM CDT on Friday, August 29, 2008
By BRIAN DAVIS / The Dallas Morning News
bdavis@dallasnews.com

IRVING – The Cowboys worked with their backup linemen this week to see who could fill in at left guard while Kyle Kosier recovers from a foot injury.

On Thursday, the team signaled it needs more help.


The Cowboys acquired guard Montrae Holland from Denver for a fifth-round draft pick in 2010. Holland started all 16 games for the Broncos last season and has started 46 of 68 games in his five-year career. It's possible Holland starts the season opener in Cleveland.

"We think to come in there and get a guy who started and has as much experience as he has is an opportunity for us when we look initially at our backup situation," owner Jerry Jones said. "We don't have those kinds of starters on the team. That was a plus for us."

The 6-2, 322-pound veteran has considerably more experience than any of the three backups angling for Kosier's spot.

Pat McQuistan was inactive the first 15 games of his rookie season in 2006. He played mainly on special teams last year. Cory Procter started two games at center last season. Joe Berger has been inactive most of the last two seasons.

When asked if Holland will start in Cleveland, Jones said: "He's really got some catching up to do in our system. That's why Hudson Houck's the highest paid offensive line coach in the country."

Felix gets action early: Rookie Felix Jones got plenty of work on the Cowboys' first possession. He had four carries for 14 yards and two receptions for 5 yards. One of those catches was an impressive one-handed grab while off-balance.

Jones gave way to third-string running back Tashard Choice on the Cowboys' next possession. On his first carry, Choice dashed off left tackle for an 11-yard touchdown. Choice finished with six carries for 21 yards.

Amendola hustling: Hard Knocks star and fan favorite Danny Amendola played the entire game. The rookie from Texas Tech had two catches for 17 yards. He also averaged 9 yards on four punt returns.

The injury situation at receiver may affect Amendola's chances of making the final 53-man roster.

"I don't know. I really don't have a clue," Amendola said. "All I know is that I don't have any regrets. I can sleep easy at night."

Folk hero: Kicker Nick Folk missed his first field goal attempt of the preseason when a 50-yarder sailed wide left with 2:18 left in the first quarter.

Folk made up for it by drilling a 52-yard field goal on the final play of the first half. Then he made another 52-yarder with 11:14 remaining.

Folk was 9-for-10 on field goals in four preseason games.

Honoring Martin: Several former Cowboys attended a news conference on Thursday to announce the creation of the Harvey Martin Classic, a Division II football game at the Cotton Bowl. Texas A&M-Commerce will meet East Central Oklahoma on Oct. 18.

Martin played at East Texas State, which is now called Texas A&M-Commerce, and then played for the Cowboys from 1973 to 1983.

Briefly: Safety Patrick Watkins suffered a shoulder stinger when he hammered Jeff Dugan after an 11-yard catch. ... Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, last season's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, did not play. ... Rodney Hannah and Amendola's false starts were the Cowboys' only two penalties of the game.




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