FWST: Five Dallas Cowboys position battles to watch

[WoodysGirl]

1 Third, fourth and fifth receiver

The Cowboys are going to give Andre Holmes every chance to beat out Kevin Ogletree for the third receiver spot. Holmes is a favorite of Jerry Jones, and if Jones likes a player, it's because the coaches like the player. Maybe Dwayne Harris will give Holmes a push, too. But other intense battles will happen down the line -- among Danny Coale, Cole Beasley and Raymond Radway for the last one or two spots.

2 Guard and center

It looked as if center Phil Costa was going to have more of a fight on his hands until Mackenzy Bernadeau came up with a hip injury that kept him out of spring work, preventing him from getting even a tiny look at center. But Bernadeau was signed to start at guard, and Nate Livings will join him at the other guard spot. The Cowboys wouldn't be unhappy, however, if Ronald Leary, David Arkin, Bill Nagy or Harland Gunn kept it from being a rubber-stamp decision.

3 Strong safety

This is one spot that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan predicted would be close from the beginning of OTAs. Eighth-year veteran Brodney Pool is in on a one-year contract, in part because the Cowboys like his ball skills, and in part because he spent a year with Ryan in Cleveland, when he had his best season. But Barry Church, an undrafted player entering his third year, is younger and cheaper and impressed the coaches with his toughness against

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/07...#storylink=cpy

[big dog cowboy]

1 Third, fourth and fifth
2 Guard and center
3 Strong safety
4 Defensive end
5 Backup OLB

I'm not going to disagree with any of that. Additionally I love some of the players we have that will compete for starting positions.

[HoosierCowboy]

love that we have battles
and not because we lost key guys off last year's team, but because we have brought in better players and some potentially great rookies

[erod]

1. My gut is the 3rd receiver isn't on the roster yet.

2. The team seems to like Costa, but it might be a battle between Bernadeau and Leary at right guard.

3. Matt Johnson should be in the mix with the safeties, but he's a free. Perhaps he plays more in dime situations and spells Sensabaugh here and there. I like Church, too. Hope he comes into his own this year. Pool is just a guy; the Jets are desperate for safeties, and they let him walk for nothing.

4. Defensive line is a big issue. If Lissimore isn't good enough to start here....

5. Spencer needs to be the guy, and we've got to hope Wilber and/or Hamilton can rush the passer on third down.