53-Man Roster Talk: Offensive Numbers Juggling

[Doctor32]

The premise that a lot of fans, bloggers, and journalists were working under, in terms of the final 53, was that the Cowboys would likely keep 5 wide receivers and 9 offensive linemen. I now think that the reason they covet a Guard/Center combo player is so that they can try to keep 8 on the OL and 6 WRs - not affecting other areas - like CB and LB for Special Teams / Youthful depth.

Duke Preston (@ approx. $760,000) was signed as a potentially cheaper, and hopefully more effective version of Cory Procter (@ approx. $1.5 Million). The Montrae Holland @ Center experiment never panned out, but I think they wanted to try so that it gave them multiple options on the OL. If you keep McQuistan & Free, then you have 1 guy who could back up at 3 positions. The young guys Islander, Gibbons and Bright (especially) are all well thought of by Wade & the staff - based on Pressers, quotes, etc. - were all realistically practice quad hopefuls at best. Therein lies a little gamble that the Cowboys because the Head Coach has said so many good things about Gibbons and Bright. They may not clear waivers after the final cuts this weekend.

Therefore, Stanbacks' fate might not yet be decided until Friday night. His real competition for that 6th WR spot is Manny Johnson or Mike Jefferson, not Ogletree (who is already on the 53 - I think). It's a 3-man race for that coveted roster spot.

 

[dalboy]

The premise that a lot of fans, bloggers, and journalists were working under, in terms of the final 53, was that the Cowboys would likely keep 5 wide receivers and 9 offensive linemen. I now think that the reason they covet a Guard/Center combo player is so that they can try to keep 8 on the OL and 6 WRs - not affecting other areas - like CB and LB for Special Teams / Youthful depth.

Duke Preston (@ approx. $760,000) was signed as a potentially cheaper, and hopefully more effective version of Cory Procter (@ approx. $1.5 Million). The Montrae Holland @ Center experiment never panned out, but I think they wanted to try so that it gave them multiple options on the OL. If you keep McQuistan & Free, then you have 1 guy who could back up at 3 positions. The young guys Islander, Gibbons and Bright (especially) are all well thought of by Wade & the staff - based on Pressers, quotes, etc. - were all realistically practice quad hopefuls at best. Therein lies a little gamble that the Cowboys because the Head Coach has said so many good things about Gibbons and Bright. They may not clear waivers after the final cuts this weekend.

Therefore, Stanbacks' fate might not yet be decided until Friday night. His real competition for that 6th WR spot is Manny Johnson or Mike Jefferson, not Ogletree (who is already on the 53 - I think). It's a 3-man race for that coveted roster spot.

I never thought of that. I do think they want to keep an extra Guard.

 

[Pottsville Maroons]

I haven't really heard any good reports on either Johnson or Jefferson. I think Stanback is competing against OL, DB and LB for a spot and so far he hasn't shown enough to win the competition, considering right now WR is more solid than any of those 3.