As discussed in depth on Blogging The Boys Sunday morning, the Cowboys and Andre Gurode are expected to meet later in the day to determine whether they can agree on terms for him to stay with the team through 2011 at a reduced rate.
Quoting a source, Matt Mosley of FOXSportsSouthwest.com reports that Gurode will be asked to take a pay cut. The five-time Pro Bowler is scheduled to make a $5.5 million base salary and count $7.2 million against the salary cap in 2011, with both numbers set to increase by an extra $1.0 million in 2012.
The Cowboys are high on second-year guy Phil Costa at center, and, even with Montrae Holland’s injury troubles, don’t feel exposed at left guard thanks to rookies Bill Nagy and David Arkin. A third rookie, Kevin Kowalski, started Saturday night at center with Costa out until the opener and Gurode sitting the game out while the Cowboys and he pondered his future with the team.
Though the Cowboys seem bullish about their young offensive linemen, a Gurode-less offensive line likely means two rookies and an undrafted second year player in their starting line against the Jets. That is a scary proposition but maybe not much scarier than what Garrett faced in the opener last season with Alex Barron and Holland filling in.