One More Crack at the Final 53
Posted: August 8, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Think it’s a bit early to pencil in the final roster? I don’t. There are some key players to watch on Thursday but not many roster spots up for grabs. Here’s my current 53, with rookies in italics.
Special Teams (3)
K (1) Nick Folk and Martin Gramatica
They’re 1 and 1A right now. Their game performances will tell which one gets the nod. Folk has a strong leg and gets more height on his attempts, but if he’s missing just wide, it won’t matter. They’ve both been accurate. I don’t think the Cowboys will carry two kickers. If Folk wins the field goal duel, he’ll be the guy.
P (1) Mat McBriar
Working on another Pro Bowl selection. Next…
Snapper (1) L.P. Ladouceur
Solid
Offense (25)
QB (3) Tony Romo, Brad Johnson, Matt Moore?
The pecking order is set. I give Moore the current nod over Richard Bartel for #3 but the games will answer that question.
RB (3) Julius Jones, Marion Barber, Tyson Thompson
The two headed Jones-Barber monster lives. Thompson works 3rd team and returns kickoffs. Barring injury, he’ll stick.
FB (2) Oliver Hoyte, Jackie Battle
Hoyte’s the starter, though Battle has made his case this week. He’s shown he can block blitzers effectively, catch the ball and shows a nasty streak when running. Some people want to classify him as a RB, but he’s lined up a lot as a backfield blocker.
TE (2) Jason Witten, Anthony Fasano
This seems thin. The Cowboys could carry a third, but I have not seen a backup besides Fasano do anything impressive. The Parcells Cowboys used to carry three to four TEs and one fullback. Keeping Battle as a fullback could lessen the need for depth there, though I’m shaky about keeping just two.
WR (6) Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd, Jerheme Urban, Isaiah Stanback
I think at some point in the near future the Cowboys will go with five receivers and sign that third TE. Right now, however, injuries could force them to keep six. Terry Glenn will probably be back in a couple of weeks after having a cyst removed from his knee. Crayton and Hurd are #3 and #4. Urban gets #5 for the moment because he’s the punt returner. He’s the shakiest name on my offensive list and the most likely to be cut.
Stanback hasn’t practiced yet but the scouting staff loves him and shin splints are not the type of injury to keep you on the injured reserve. (There’s no way they’ll sneak him through waivers so the options are to reserve him or wait.) He’ll probably get into the action very soon and will get a crack at the #5 spot, since he’s being groomed to return kicks.
Offensive line (9) Flozell Adams, Marc Colombo, Kyle Kosier, Leonard Davis, Andre Gurode, Pat McQuistan, Doug Free, James Marten, Cory Procter
The first eight are chalk. Proctor’s likely solid too since he backs up Gurode. McQuistan could probably backup both guard and tackle positions, so Dallas needs somebody to cover the pivot and nobody else has stood out there.
Defense (25)
Linemen (6) Marcus Spears, Jason Ferguson, Chris Canty, Jason Hatcher, Jay Ratliff, Stephen Bowen
The first five are solid. Bowen gets the nod for the last spot because he’s working in more packages than the other backups. Backup nose tackle remains a mystery. The Cowboys may keep seven players here.
Linebackers (9) Demarcus Ware, Greg Ellis, Anthony Spencer, Akin Ayodele, Bradie James, Bobby Carpenter, Kevin Burnett, Junior Glymph, Blair Phillips?
The first eight seem fairly well set. Glymph is getting a lot more work and gets near the football more and more though it’s not clear how much playing time he’ll get backing up Demarcus Ware. Phillips loves to keep linebackers and stocked 10 on his ‘06 Chargers D. Phillips, Alex Obomese or Dedrick Harrington could make the team off their special teams work.
Defensive backs (10)
Corners (5) Terence Newman, Anthony Henry, Aaron Glenn, Nate Jones and ?
The first four get a lot of work. Jones backs up Newman as the slot defender in the nickel. Joey Thomas, Jacques Reeves and rookie Alan Ball are all fighting for the final spot, in my opinion.
Safety (5) Roy Williams, Ken Hamlin, Keith Davis, Pat Watkins, Courtney Brown.
Dallas may only keep four safeties. The first four go two deep, with Davis backing up Williams and Watkins playing Hamlin’s understudy. Brown has a lot of athletic ability but has a lot to learn after being switched from corner. If the Cowboys feel he’s worth it, they’ll keep him. Otherwise they may try to sneak him onto the practice squad and keep a seventh defensive lineman.
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Perfect!
I could envision both kickers at the expense of the 3rd QB (with Moore going to the PS)
I’d pick Ball and Thomas over Jones & Reeves…but have said for weeks that it’ll be 50/50.
My only questions are on the Baylor-ex Long at LB and O-Dog/Remi/MounTavious group at NT. I don’t see Bowen making it. Any insight?
Fighter,
Why would you keep a second kicker at the expense of a young QB with some upside? You NEVER do that. Moore won’t pass through waivers if he shows anything in the games.
Ball and Thomas over Jones and Reeves? So you’re picking the two guys running at 3rd team over the two guys running 2nd?
Raf,
Sounds about right.
Some of this is going to have to change drastically if some of the players we hoped to sneak onto the practice squad perform well enough in games to get noticed, obviously. I’m glad we don’t have to get down to 53 for a few more weeks.
In fact, it might make more sense at this point to start tracking who we think will be gone after the first set of cuts. (hint hint…but only if you’ve got the time Raf)
only suprise i see on here is not having austin in at wr. obviously i cant watch the practices from iowa but from what ive read i thought austin was ok. did you forget or really think austin isnt going to make it.
“WR (6) Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd, Jerheme Urban, Isaiah Stanback”
I’m intrigued by your omission of Miles Austin. Is it a case of him being lackluster in camp or that Urban has been that impressive?
No, I just don’t see anybody standing out at the five. Urban had a lot of reps at WR this week and will return the punts tomorrow.
He may fail the audition but I didn’t see anything special from Miles Austin. I saw him make some plays in week one but that’s a very, very iffy spot for any of those guys right now.
I would keep both the young corners only to “bet on the come”…meaning our guys stay healthy. I think each has more upside. But again, I think they’ll keep one youngster (Ball or Thomas) and one vet (Jones or Reeves). Hopefully the young guys can pass through waivers.
On the 3rd QB/2nd K…no, I wouldn’t do it. I just think that they might. However, there are other positions that could be shorted by playing the PUP/NFI reserve list through week 6 to choose between Gramatica & Folk.
As for Miles Austin, I really like your pick of Urban. Austin is really competing against TT on special teams and Hurd at receiver. If you pick Tyson, you gotta release Austin. Conversely, you can keep both if you drop Hurd. You gotta keep one or two developmental guys…Urban & Stanback (with whom I think will be the guy they play the NFI game)
Fighter,
Agreed. And I wouldn’t feel too bad for Miles Austin. If cut, I think he’ll be this year’s Terence Copper, picked up by somebody and given lots of play as a situational player.
Fighter,
You’ve got that right. Miles would be picked up by the Saints before you can blink!
They take everyone we let go..
Who would be the receiver that would replace TGlenn? Sam Hurd is more of a possesion receiver.
Is there anyone that is fast enough to spread the field like Glenn?
I don’t see Miles Austin cut unless Jerheme Urban proves he is capable at punt returns and special teams. Urban is getting reps, but I haven’t read anywhere that he is having an outstanding camp. We know that Austin gives you a capable special teamer and kick off returner.
If any surprise happens at wide receiver, it may be Damarius Bilbo. I’ve been hearing he’s very athletic, and has done pretty well since they’ve moved him from safety to wide receiver. He may give some flexibility on both sides of the ball and he’s an ex-QB.
I don’t see the Cowboys carrying a 3rd QB on their 53 man roster…the 3rd QB will be on the practice squad.
Third TE will come from the waiver wires when teams make final cuts.
Jackie Battle has had a very good training camp, but he’s not a true FB. I look to see how Deon Anderson does in the pre-season.
Austins fast i hear. hehe
When Glenn was out, Crayton spelled him. When Glenn and Owens were out, Crayton and Hurd got the reps. That makes Austin the third choice as Glenn’s backup.
Amazing the attention the #5 receiver gets.
CaliFan,
So Battle has been a better player than Anderson, has caught better than Anderson, has run far better than Anderson and
has even blocked better than Anderson but you wouldn’t keep him because “he’s not a true FB?”
The best FB on the roster is a “true LB” and has only been playing it for 1/2 a season.
The best OLB’s for the 3-4 are DE’s in college.
The best safeties are usually CBs or LBs in college.
Richardson is just a guy?
6 D-Lineman and only 1 NT and 9 LB’s; I would rather see 7 DL and 8 LB’s, but apparently the talent doesn’t support it.
“Amazing the attention the #5 receiver gets.”
—
Besides the fact that we all can be a wee-bit obsessed here
There’s a case to be made that this year’s #5 could be groomed for the coming years #2 or #3.
Charb,
We’re playing a 3-4, I think the need is in LB’s not DL’s.
Crucel-
Agreed, with the “aging” receivers we need to keep some young blood for the future.
Rafael- What are the odds of keeping Urban as a tweener TE/WR? Or Polite as before a tweener FB/TE? and would that be enough to keep Austin around? There would still be a cut coming somewhere.
Charb- Talent and future player developement.
Oh, and I’m sick of hearing about Jones and Reeves. I’ve been planning on them being cut now for years and they are still stickin around like a bad rash. Just goes to show that I’m not only wrong on the draft, but during camp cuts too. LOL
Anyone notice yet that Matt bAker signed with the Saints yesterday?
I guess MikeA was right.
crucel,
It’s possible, but I’ll bet the odds are 50/50 that Dallas takes a WR with their top pick next year. And a CB with the other one.
I cant help but see Anderson, Ball or Brown, Stanbach, and a LB on the practice squad. I dont know if I give Stanbach a shot in any game. He just wont get in enough practice now to play and putting him in a game lets another poorer team get film on him. I just cant see another team signing him from our practice squad sight unseen and putting him on their regular roster. He was a 4th round pick that took some heat for being to early. We can nurture him there and maybe put him on the regular roster at mid term when we have an injury.
Anderson and Stanback wouldn’t clear waivers to make it to the practice squad.
Unless the team realizes that he won’t ever come back from his injury, I think you can count of Stanback making the team.
Matt Moore probably goes to the practice squad. He’s an undrafted FA. There’s little investment there.
I’d prefer Stanback to go on PUP list for the first few weeks of the season, giving us an option if he’s needed this year. If no major injuries, have him re-aggravate something and put him on the IR. Redshirt him.
Bilbo is a practice squad candidate again. I don’t think Urban is eligible for it. Too many years of service in the league.
It will be interesting to watch Anderson/Battle this preseason. Can either play special teams?
Ball and Brown, do they make it to the PS? They are 7th rounders, so every team had lots of chances at them. Lets see what the preseason brings for them.
Raf- wow so you are thinking we don’t go after DMac?
swirvin,
Why would you expect that McFadden’s the guy? He’s exciting and he’s a candidate, sure, but he runs upright. Eric Dickerson is the only guy I’ve ever seen who had a long and productive pro career running that way. He’ll need to replicate ‘06 before I jump on his bandwagon.
Ridgelake,
Moore will play a lot tomorrow. If he shows anything, there’s no way he sneaks through waivers. There too much demand for young QBs. And Brad Johnson is a one year guy, IMO. His arm is shot, though he’s very smart. If Moore has upside, Dallas will protect him the same way they protected Romo.
Raf-
you nailed it- bandwagon. I am so not looking at next year’s draft right now. I know DMac was a common theme when we made that trade for Cleveland’s #1. Everything from mediot comments to stuff on youtube. Personally I hope JJ blows it up this year and we stick with the 2 headed monster approach then get a studd WR
Miles Austin may have not had a great camp…….but I seem to remember when it mattered in the playoffs he took a kick back for SIX.
I think that puts him ahead of Urban…..in my book. Training camp vs playoffs…….hmmmmm.
I will take playoffs.
I think all the WRs we cut will be looked at by other teams. Starting with the Saints but not ending with em…….San Diego’s starters look like our 5, 6 and 7.
swirvin,
If the Cowboys stand pat, every starting CB and WR will be 30 or older in ‘08.
That’s my early line — one of the #1s for a WR and the other for a CB.
Look at what they didn’t get this year. They were thinking hard about a WR in round one, especially if they lost out on Spencer. And looking back on my notes, I was told that they were researching Eric Wright like mad. They were thinking CB in round two
Everything is subject to change, but that’s my starting point.
CalifaninTex, Im not saying its garanteed that they pass waivers but haw can you be so sure they wont. Stanbach has been hurt since the middle of last year and has no practice time as of yet. I love Andersons story but he cant beat out a linebacker for FB and is #3 on the depth chart. Someones going on the PS. Have you checked the pundits, they have us as a middle of the road team. If Im a bottom feeder Im starting with NE, CHI, INDY, Phi, SD, NO (offense), and checking their cuts first. These guys havent played crap or done crap and you got them to good to clear waivers.You need to put down the kool aid and take off the homer goggles.
Raf and anyone else who knows,if its the end of preseason and you make your final cuts, the guys have to pass waivers to put them on the practice squad? 2nd part, if another team picks them up dont they have to be signed to the regular roster? They cant claim them for their PS?
How likely is SOB to keep someone purely because of their special teams contribution? BP seemed to have a player or 2 with strong Special Teams but otherwise pretty marginal.
Heard good things about Deon Andersons special teams capabilities…. Would rather keep him (or Austin) over a 2nd kicker.
I hope Miles Austin can have a good enough preseason, so he can make the team. He has the size and speed to play in the NFL. I am pulling for him.
However, it doesn’t look like he will be much of a factor in the passing game this year like. I thought he might play his way into some spot playing time. It looks like Hurd has that 4 spot locked up. He has been impressive by all accounts. However, I read that after a great catch and TD, he celebrated with the fans. Then, he went back out and dropped a few balls. Parcells would have nailed him for that feat. I hope he doesn’t get a “big head”.
I agree with Jackie Battle. You have to keep him. I hope Folk can beat out Gramatica. His leg on kickoffs is very good., but he has to knock kicks in.
I agree with Nate Jones and Courney Brown. I think Reeves is in trouble. He did save us a game at Philadelphia in 2005.
Also, I agree with you keeping 9 linebackers or more. You can never have too many.
I like Bruce Bowen. He should take Kenyon Coleman’s roster spot and do a nice job.
Squidlo97,
Firstly, I admit that I am a homer like everyone on this blog (in varying degrees), but I’m not looking at things without consideration…
Everything we’ve written here is just conjecture…I will reserve my final judgment until after the pre-season, when I can get a better look at some of these rookies in actual games.
At this point, I don’t see any other WR currently on the team that would challenge Stanback even on just his potential alone. As for Anderson, his only competition is Battle and I’m gonna guess that Anderson will edge him out on Special Teams. So I don’t think either will get waived unless someone blows up during pre-season or they sign another player off a different team.
Stanback and Anderson won’t clear waivers because we weren’t the only teams scouting them in the draft (I seem to recall that New England was interested in Anderson) and more than a few other teams are substantially more devoid of talent than we are so they would actually put them on their 53 man roster…
By the way, I wouldn’t be looking too hard at NO’s castoffs, outside of their core starters they don’t look very good to me…
Rafael,
Not so fast there. If Jake Long has another good year, and he is there when Dallas selects, then I am sorry but that would be a no-brainer. But I agree CB and WR in that order are the prime targets.
Also, 9 LBs is kind of high. But great reasearch to find Wade kept 10 last year.
ERIC R
I think that next years draft is chock full of O-line prospects. So much so that I think Joe Thomas would be a second rounder in the 08 draft.
What I’m saying is we can get OT depth and Flo’s replacement in the second round, so yeah we can go WR, CB in the first.
Eric R,
I love Jake Long but they drafted Marten and Free this year and we’re about to learn about McQuistan.
They’ve keeping five OTs this year and Flozell is the only guy who could leave next year.
Raf,
True, but I’ll make a quick point. Dallas had drafted Ware, Burnett, and Carpenter at OLB in consecutive drafts .. that did not stop them from trading up to select Spencer. The Cowboys, in my opinion, have shown a pattern of drafting the best value available. If “value” is not there they have traded down. Long is a tough SOB!! He is a franchise LT! You can not pass on that.