A couple roster evaluations I don't understand

[LandryFan]

Agree with you on Dunbar but Hanna is a very good blocking TE. Is he all world, probably not, but he is better than every TE on the roster with the exception of HOF bound Jason Witten. Some teams use an athletic back up OT or DL as an in line TE on short yardage or goal line but you also have to think that chemistry with the current OL has to be a factor, especially because no one was used in this capacity during TC and preseason.

Best scenario is to place Hanna on IR (if at all possible) and retain them both. Otherwise, I could see Cowboys going with 4 TEs.

One thing Hanna has going against him is that he is in the final year of his contract while Swaim is a rookie. That's not necessarily reason enough by itself to cut him, but if they elect to go with three, that could be his undoing. Of course, as you stated, they could very well go with four, which makes it a moot point.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He is just guessing; although, we know that Hayden is a very high probability to make it due to possibly being Marinelli illegitimate son.

A recent report claims the coaches don't trust Coleman and are concerned he won't try hard if he makes the 53. McClain and Coleman have some similarities in that the are both 1/3tech tweeners and tend to play out of control at times but also flash some big plays at times.

Reports claim that coaches see Bishop as limited (because he is a 1tech only) but I don't see where Hayden can do any more than Bishop.

I've heard that from Broaddus and Mickey regarding Coleman. Those two are not exactly tuned in on the coaching staff's roster rankings either.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Honestly, stash, you can't take the preseason ST coverage and expect to get any reasonable conclusion about how we're likely to play. One breakdown in lane integrity and the whole unit looks bad. Even if it's the starters, like it was last weekend, you don't know how much time they're spending in camp on the ST coverage units for starters. STs coaches are famously working with scraps through camp because they have to give the reps to the back roster players to see if any of them have the chops to stick on the roster. Most of them don't. But it's not until this week, really, that the veterans are earnestly working on their coverage teams. Once the roster is cut down and you have your 11 and you have time to prepare them for the game, we'll see real improvement. There's no substitute for that, and the preseason data, though most recent, has way too many variables in it to be indicative of anything meaningful.

Not to mention that the coaching staff likes to undermine its players in TC. They routinely put guys out there above their head to see how they respond to the challenge. Marinelli will make asinine line call like shifting weak on 1st down. Garrett holds out starters and has the second team play the opposing ones.

 

[xwalker]

I've heard that from Broaddus and Mickey regarding Coleman. Those two are not exactly tuned in on the coaching staff's roster rankings either.

Agree on those two; although I could see where it could easily be true. He is a known knucklehead and it was reported that he lost focus last year after initially making the roster.

I still expect him to make it. They can always cut him if he starts to slack off or lose focus. It's not as if he is a vested veteran whose salary would become guaranteed.

 

[Idgit]

Agree on those two; although I could see where it could easily be true. He is a known knucklehead and it was reported that he lost focus last year after initially making the roster.

I still expect him to make it. They can always cut him if he starts to slack off or lose focus. It's not as if he is a vested veteran whose salary would become guaranteed.

I buy it. That was part of the knock on him, coming out. Add in the Hardy altercation and it's not hard to see that the guy's personality works against him.

That said, I don't think the issue is likely to be him making the roster and quitting, so much. The guy was ticked last season when the needed his spot for the backup CB and they put him on the practice squad, too. He's just one of those guys who thinks he's better than he is, and he needed boot-to-*** to figure out he's not. As far as keeping him on the roster goes, it's a no-brainer. It's when it comes to giving the guy a contract that you have to worry about complacency.

 

[blindzebra]

Our STs was damn good last year...

Going off of preseason is pointless

Our STs looked like crap the last two preseasons as well. Did not translate to the regular season either time and won't this time.

 

[erod]

By October, this forum will be overflowing with Dunbar fans, and you won't be able to find an admitted naysayer anywhere.

Book it.

 

[BAT]

Our STs was also horrific in preseason last year...and come the real games..it was a completely different story...

Difference is Harrison. And that 9er. McCray is not as good as either. And Dunbar should not even be in same sentence.

 

[DandyDon52]

Dunbar is better than Fred Jackson apparently. That's all you need to know.

lol there you go!
Basically once garret likes a player, he wont hardly get rid of them, and he must like dunbar, but not enough to actually use him in games!

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Agree on those two; although I could see where it could easily be true. He is a known knucklehead and it was reported that he lost focus last year after initially making the roster.

I still expect him to make it. They can always cut him if he starts to slack off or lose focus. It's not as if he is a vested veteran whose salary would become guaranteed.

I expect him to make it but I also expect him to be the cut when Hardy is eligible to return. That is, if he is not giving effort.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Agree on those two; although I could see where it could easily be true. He is a known knucklehead and it was reported that he lost focus last year after initially making the roster.

I still expect him to make it. They can always cut him if he starts to slack off or lose focus. It's not as if he is a vested veteran whose salary would become guaranteed.

Only narrative on that I trust is Nate Newton's. He says that when Coleman didn't make the rotation last year he threw a **** fit and quit putting forth full effort. It's why he never saw any playing time even at the end of the year when they could have used him.

He seems like a different players this year frankly. I like the trust but verify approach personally.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

One thing Hanna has going against him is that he is in the final year of his contract while Swaim is a rookie. That's not necessarily reason enough by itself to cut him, but if they elect to go with three, that could be his undoing. Of course, as you stated, they could very well go with four, which makes it a moot point.

One thing Hanna does have going for him is he is a decent special teams guy.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I expect him to make it but I also expect him to be the cut when Hardy is eligible to return.

I see 95 getting that axe.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Lance Dunbar

I don't understand how his job has been so seemingly safe. He obviously has open field talent, but it's nothing so extraordinary that Randle and McFadden couldn't take on. He is not someone I want in there to block a blitzing LB and in my opinion most likely cannot handle significant carries without getting hurt or fumbling. Also, for someone in their 3rd or 4th year, he is a liability in special teams coverage as evidenced by the last preseason game against Minny. I'm certainly not saying he is a scrub, he's got some talent, but I don't think he provides enough value on the current roster and the current RB makeup. I would much rather have a bigger, more physical back who can be relied upon for 3rd (and 4th) down and short distances (especially since McFadden and Randle aren't super physical themselves).

Geoff Swaim and James Hanna

Since when did Hanna become known as a good blocking tight end? I know he's been trying to play that role in previous seasons, but can we honestly say he's been doing that really well? I have been reading reports by Broaddus saying things like Swaim has a ways to go to become the blocker Hanna is. The scouting report since day 1 on Hanna has been he's "much more of a crafty receiving threat than he is a blocker". Yet the scouting report on Swaim is that he spent most of his time as a blocker than a receiver. I'm guessing we keep 4 tight ends, but if we keep 3, I think Swaim is the better fit given Escobar's less than stellar blocking ability.

don't talk about hanna as there are few her who think he was good as blocking TE last year as he played a lot of snaps in two TE formations. at this time Hanna doesn't excel as a blocking TE and we know he is not any good as receiving TE. he is what he is. at best the third TE on any team. no upside. so lets move on.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I see 95 getting that axe.

I think he gets the axe sooner rather than later. If it comes down to him and the Gardner for the final 53, the best special teamer will get the nod. I think that is Gardner.

 

[muck4doo]

A question for you and anyone else who wants to answer it:

How is it that we keep guys like Dunbar, Heath, and McCray - who are complete liabilities or non-factors at their reported on-field positions - because they're supposedly key special teams contributors, and yet our special teams suck? Why is that?

 

[KJJ]

Dunbar was pretty much being fazed out at the end of last season he never saw the ball in the playoffs. The departure of Murray and the injury concerns with McFadden is the only reason he's still here. The Cowboys are keeping their options open right now but Dunbar could end up being a cut casualty because both McFadden and Randle can provide what he does out of the backfield. If it were me I would look for a big, thick thumper who can move piles on 3rd and short and around the goal line and release Dunbar.

 

[xwalker]

Only narrative on that I trust is Nate Newton's. He says that when Coleman didn't make the rotation last year he threw a **** fit and quit putting forth full effort. It's why he never saw any playing time even at the end of the year when they could have used him.

He seems like a different players this year frankly. I like the trust but verify approach personally.

There was also the somewhat odd issue of them not signing him to a futures contract when they signed the other practice squad players to futures contracts. IIRC he didn't sign his futures contract until about a month later than the other PS players.

They chose Bishop over Coleman for the playoffs despite the fact that they already had Hayden and Josh Brent as 1techs and were short on 3techs due to injuries. I remember having Josh Brent and Bishop together at times which is an odd look for a Marinelli defense.

I would just keep him but give him a tight leash.

 

[blindzebra]

Only if you are saying it is about flying off the handle over something that does not exist in reality.

 

[xwalker]

I expect him to make it but I also expect him to be the cut when Hardy is eligible to return. That is, if he is not giving effort.

Injuries normally occur within the time frame that Hardy and RoMc will be suspended which would affect who gets cut when they return.