Mosley with roster analysis (who we keep on defense)

[Angus]

Final installment of roster analysis series

The DL: The locks are Chris Canty, Jason Ferguson, Jason Hatcher, Jay Ratliff, Marcus Spears and rookie Montavious Stanley. Actually, Stanley and Thomas "Pepper" Johnson are pretty much in the same boat.

Johnson has more knowledge of the defense, but Stanley may have a little bit more talent. I know I haven't mentioned Stephen Bowen before, but he actually does some nice things in practice. He's a possible practice squad guy.

Kenyon Coleman has never been flashy, but he's one of the strongest players on the team, and he knows how to play the run. Ratliff's been so versatile in the past that it's almost held him back.

I think Parcells would like to get him locked in somewhere and really let him flourish. When you ask Parcells and Jerry Jones about pleasant surprises, Ratliff always comes up first.

Specialists: We'll have to wait and see how Mike Vanderjagt does on kickoffs. I think he'll be fine on field goals once the season begins, although his lack of accuracy (and practice time) is troubling. Mat McBriar will emerge as one of the best punters in the NFL. I'm serious.

L.P. "Tatonka" Ladouceur looks pretty steady as the deep snapper. If Vanderjagt's not up to the task on kickoffs, look for Shaun Suisham to get the first shot at being the specialist.

Posted by Matt Mosley at 12:08 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (0)
So where were we on this roster analysis?

When we last talked about the roster, I had just told you that offensive tackle Jason Fabini wasn't long for this team. I've seen nothing to change my mind on that subject, but Fabini will play the entire first half against the Saints on Monday.

Now, let's talk DBs: CBs Aaron Glenn, Anthony Henry, Terence Newman and Jacques Reeves are all locks. So are safeties Keith Davis, Roy Williams and Pat Watkins. Who does that leave? Parcells must decide if Marcus Coleman is still the player he remembers with the Jets. I had a long visit with Coleman the other day (we're from the same neighborhood), and I think he could provide some versatility to the secondary. He can play safety and cornerback, but then, Reeves is also capable of doing that.

Rookie safety Abram Elam is making a strong push, so you must look at him as more than a practice squad candidate at this point. Cornerback Lenny Williams is one of those guys who's always around the ball, but his lack of speed keeps him on the bubble. TCU's Quincy Butler might be a good practice squad candidate at cornerback. Cornerback Nate Jones is one of the smartest players on the team and he's a capable special teams player. The Cowboys will try to find a way to keep him on the roster.

Much like linebacker, the secondary is a major strength for this team. The fact that Bill Parcells will have to make some very tough decisions is a good thing for the club. Oh, and I didn't even mention safety Willie Pile, who is a very reliable backup and another solid special teams player. You probably end up keeping five corners and four safeties, but I may ask Parcells about that today.

Linebackers: The Cowboys are also heavy at this position. The automatics are Akin Ayodele, Kevin Burnett, Bobby Carpenter, Bradie James, DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis.

Veteran Al Singleton is a steadying influence, but you have to look down the road and wonder how much he's going to play. Ryan Fowler is a solid run-stuffer and an excellent special teams player.

Scott Shanle is better in coverage. He's a player the Cowboys may continue to use as trade bait, but he could also stick around and really help you in the nickel package.

Rookies Junior Glymph and Oliver Hoyte have come out of nowhere to have nice camps. Glymph had a miraculous fourth quarter last Saturday and Hoyte, a noted board game enthusiast, keeps lighting people up in practice. And I haven't even mentioned Rocky Boiman, who was coming on strong when he broke his right thumb early in training camp.

How many linebackers do you need to play a 3-4 scheme? Well, you know the obvious answer, but I think you're talking about eight or nine guys overall.

Back with the DL and specialists in a moment...

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by Cowboy from New York

Linebackers: The Cowboys are also heavy at this position. The automatics are Akin Ayodele, Kevin Burnett, Bobby Carpenter, Bradie James, DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis.

I think Boiman fits in this category also. The rest are expendable and/or interchangeable.

[Bob Sacamano]

Originally Posted by Alexander

I think Boiman fits in this category also. The rest are expendable and/or interchangeable.

Shanle doesn't fit into that category because he is above them all as players, BP is evil

[EMMITTnROY]

Originally Posted by Alexander

I think Boiman fits in this category also. The rest are expendable and/or interchangeable.

agreed.. and I think you could argue that Singleton does as well..

[CrazyCowboy]

Oliver Hoyte is a player and it will be a BIG mistake if we cut this LB

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by EMMITTnROY

agreed.. and I think you could argue that Singleton does as well..

I really like Singleton as a backup, but I think with Boiman and Burnett, we have both nickel and special teamers. I don't know if it would be fair to keep him around as a contingency plan. He could start and do well with many teams. I hope we give him the opportunity.

[DWHITE11]

i think Abram Elam makes the team backing up Roy. He's a playmaker.

[FLcowboy]

Originally Posted by CrazyCowboy

Oliver Hoyte is a player and it will be a BIG mistake if we cut this LB

Where would you rank him among the existing candidates for this position?

[RockyMountainFan]

Singleton unfortunately may have seen his day and passed it. He took this 3-4 like a man and bulked up to 250. No Greg Ellis *****ing but he almost has no role here anymore. Too bad and a class guy.

[EastDallasCowboy]

I can't see them cutting Singleton with him already under contract, and a solid backup.

[jobberone]

Like Mosley said; there will be tough choices for the team with the entire defense. We are loaded IMO.

[big dog cowboy]

We look well covered in case of injury.