Now it seems that the Pokes just can’t catch a break with the injury bug, and most of that coming from the offensive line.

First it was newly acquired Mackenzie Bernadeau having hip surgery back in mid April, and missing out on OTA’s and mini camps. He will start camp off on the PUP ( Player Unable to Perform ) list as he slowly recovers.

Next in line is backup center and guard Kevin Kowalski, who suffered an ankle injury, and doesn’t seem close to returning.

And last, but certainly not least is Bill Nagy joining the m.a.s.h. unit, as he suffered a high ankle sprain. Now the Cowboys are waiting for his MRI results to return to find out the severity of the injury.

That only leaves projected starters Phil Costa and Nate Livings, along with roster hopefuls Ron Leary, David Arkin, and rookie free agent Harland Gunn for depth.

Leary and Arkin are already battling for the right guard position, and Gunn has been battling to play at left guard behind Livings, and now they are all taking snaps at center too.

What will and what should the Cowboys do ?

My best guess is to scour the waiver wire in search of some veteran help, or possibly a rookie free agent that may have been overlooked during the rookie free agent signing period.

Who is out there ?

One name that really comes to mind is former Ravens/Rams Jason Brown.

Why him ?

Brown, 29, was considered a top-tier free agent center in 2009 when he signed a 5-year, $37.5 million deal with the Rams. But like most players who go from a good team ( Ravens ) to an inferior organization ( Rams ) solely for the money, Brown’s performance really dropped off. He was benched last season. He’s still young enough to turn his career around though.

Where does he fit ?

At 6′-3″ 320 lbs., Brown would give incumbent Costa a serious challenge for the center job, with 91 career starts under his belt, he definitely brings experience to a questionable position. And if nothing else, provide the much needed depth the position needs for the 2012 season.

I say the Cowboys bring Brown in for a look – see, and if he can prove to them that he still has the spark he did back in 2009, this could be a training camp steal. Sign him to a 1 year deal, and let the guards battle it out for their respective position.

Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Today, Wednesday, July 25th, 2012, rookies, quarterbacks, and a select few veterans report to Valley Ranch for the official start of the 2012 season!  Training camp in Oxnard, CA starts on Sunday with the first full-team practice scheduled for Monday.  So much excitement!  So many questions – that all will be answered in a matter of weeks.  Consider that the 2012 Cowboys will be on ESPN for their first preseason game against the Raiders in Oakland in less than 3 weeks! (Monday, 8/13, 8pm ET)

It’s been talked about a hundred times already in what has seemed like an off season that would never end, but here’s a refresher on the list of the major questions I think the Cowboys need to answer in the next month:

1.  Quarterback – Romo is solidly in place as the starter and Kyle Orton was signed specifically to be his backup.  But, do the Cowboys keep a third quarterback?  If so, is it Stephen McGee or Rudy Carpenter?

2.  Running Back – Can DeMarco Murray come back at full strength and shake off the injury as well as the “sophomore slump” that seems to plague a lot of players?  Is Felix Jones completely recovered from shoulder surgery (medically released to practice on Monday) and will he and DeMarco find productive roles together in this offense?  The Cowboys currently have 5 running backs and 2 full backs on the training camp roster – beyond Murray, Jones, and fullback Vickers, who sticks on the regular 53 as back ups?  Garrett kept 4 running backs last year to start the season and claimed FB Tony Fiammetta off waivers signing him on 9/13/11, 2 days after the opening loss to the Jets. (more…)