AUSTIN (KRT) - Randall Godfrey became a middle-linebacker-in-training
Wednesday. That says much about what the Dallas Cowboys have on defense
and what Godfrey can do as a rookie.
The Cowboys used a second-round pick in this year's draft to select Godfrey
as an outside linebacker. Two weeks of training camp have shown the Cowboys
that to get something out of Godfrey this season, he will likely have to
play in the middle.
"Right now, he looks like a (middle linebacker) for us," Coach
Barry Switzer said. "That's why you have camp. You experiment. This
might be an experiment that he ends up fitting that role better than he
would (at outside linebacker)."
Several realities dictated the position switch.
The Cowboys lacked a true backup for starting middle linebacker Fred Strickland,
with his fourth team in five years. Because Strickland comes with no guarantees,
the Cowboys believed it was essential to come out of training camp with
a qualified backup in the middle.
Outside linebacker is the deepest spot on the Cowboys' defense. It will
become deeper when Godfrey Myles completes his recovery from knee surgery.
Myles started four games at middle linebacker last year, but the Cowboys
would prefer to have him on the outside full-time. Keeping Randall Godfrey
on the outside would create a glut.
"We always talk in terms of the year we're in," defensive coordinator
Dave Campo said. "We have more prospects at outside linebacker. Randall
Godfrey is good enough to be a (middle) linebacker of the future. We felt
we needed to make that move with Randall now. He could always go back to
the outside, but we've got to get a (middle) linebacker ready to go."
Randall Godfrey, at this early stage in his career, is more suited to the
middle. The Cowboys ask their outside linebackers to play in wide-open space
with extensive pass-coverage responsibilities. Godfrey has had some difficulty
with that part of the game.
Godfrey is a thumper who is more comfortable against the power game. He
made his reputation at Georgia as a strong run-stopper.
"Randall can play with power," linebacker coach Jim Bates said.
"He can take blockers on, which you have to do in the middle. If you
can't take on the blocker and hold the gap, then you're in trouble. That's
one thing that Randall has shown he can do. He can fill the gap and play
with power."
Godfrey showed that during the final day of the rumble-filled practices
with the Oakland Raiders.
In an inside-running drill, Godfrey flattened Raiders' guard Charles McRae
and stuffed running back Joe Aska for no gain. In another play, Godfrey
shed center Dan Turk to stop a run. McRae is listed as five inches taller
and 68 pounds heavier than Godfrey. Turk is listed with a two-inch and 53-pound
advantage over Godfrey.
"Once I get things down and know where I'm supposed to go, I think
I'll be able to use my speed and make a lot of plays in the middle,"
Godfrey said. "I think I'll be able to take advantage of my skills
in there. I'm looking forward to it. It doesn't matter where I play."
Because of his speed, Godfrey could become a hybrid middle linebacker.
Campo envisions Godfrey growing into the type of middle linebacker who could
stay in the game for third downs when the opponent needs up to five yards.
Godfrey's power would allow him to match up against the run, and his speed
would allow him to be used in pass coverage for those short-yardage situations.
A middle linebacker is born.
(c) 1996, The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune
Information Services.