RS12
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 32,523
- Reaction score
- 29,868
First, a quick examination of the numbers of players at each position shows the team did not do anything surprising from a sheer numbers perspective. There are few differences, but they are telling. Obviously, the injuries (past and present) along the defensive-line would prove a strong factor in deciding to keep more than last season, though the difference is a minor increase (11 instead of 10). It seems the team went short on the offensive line by keeping only nine on the roster (nine instead of 10). Last year, the Cowboys went into the season with four running backs and no fullback, but that plan changed during the season as Dallas eventually signed Tyler Clutts. It seems the team stayed the course and retained him at the cost of releasing Ryan Williams. I assume they tried to trade him prior to the deadline for roster cuts, but couldn't find a taker.
The Cowboys also didn't accomplish any trades utilizing the improved depth of their receiving corp. The team seems to believe in the abilities of last year's (healthy) group and consider Devin Street a greater combination of potential and production for 2014 than either LaRon Byrd or Jamar Newsome. But just like last season, the team again kept only five receivers on the roster. This came as a slight surprise to me as I imagined the team would want to capitalize on this new-found depth by either keeping six receivers on the roster or trading one (before or after cuts). It seems there were no available offers before the roster deadline and the cost of keeping an extra spot for one of the receivers proved too great.
The ‘Extra Spot' Debate
There was only one more difference in positional numbers from 2013, and it seems that "extra spot" from keeping one less tight end was not used to keep even more rushmen on the roster, nor take advantage of the depth at receiver or running back. In my opinion, the decision probably came down to making sure you plan for the worst.
No matter how healthy Tony Romo may be to start the season, the quarterback position is so important that the we probably should have considered it a foregone conclusion that the Cowboys would look to keep three quarterbacks on the roster. Even if Romo doesn't miss a single game this season, the chances are high that he will sit out of at least a few practices due to his continued rehab heading into the season or soreness after a game
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...he-cuts?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
The Cowboys also didn't accomplish any trades utilizing the improved depth of their receiving corp. The team seems to believe in the abilities of last year's (healthy) group and consider Devin Street a greater combination of potential and production for 2014 than either LaRon Byrd or Jamar Newsome. But just like last season, the team again kept only five receivers on the roster. This came as a slight surprise to me as I imagined the team would want to capitalize on this new-found depth by either keeping six receivers on the roster or trading one (before or after cuts). It seems there were no available offers before the roster deadline and the cost of keeping an extra spot for one of the receivers proved too great.
The ‘Extra Spot' Debate
There was only one more difference in positional numbers from 2013, and it seems that "extra spot" from keeping one less tight end was not used to keep even more rushmen on the roster, nor take advantage of the depth at receiver or running back. In my opinion, the decision probably came down to making sure you plan for the worst.
No matter how healthy Tony Romo may be to start the season, the quarterback position is so important that the we probably should have considered it a foregone conclusion that the Cowboys would look to keep three quarterbacks on the roster. Even if Romo doesn't miss a single game this season, the chances are high that he will sit out of at least a few practices due to his continued rehab heading into the season or soreness after a game
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2014...he-cuts?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
