DMN Blog: Roster Moves - Nine cut
Nine get the axe
The Cowboys announced nine cuts and will have to make one more by tomorrow. Local guys Richard Bartel and John Saldi survived. Here's the guys who were cut:
RB Jackie Battle
NT Ola Dagunduro
LB Dedrick Harrington
OT Jason Hilliard
LB Alex Obomese
WR Jerard Rabb
WR Jamaica Rector
WR Jamel Richardson
DT Montavious Stanley
Posted by Tim MacMahon at 2:55 PM (E-mail this entry) | Comments (4)
Beat writer Todd Archer answered questions about the Cowboys on Monday:
From e-mail: Hey Todd, since cornerback seems to be a growing problem, is there any chance the Cowboys would consider trading one or both No. 1 picks for Assante Samuel? Anthony Henry could then be moved to safety next year, depending on how Hamlin turns out. Thanks, Andy.
Todd Archer: There is zero chance Asante Samuel will be traded by New England. I believe he reported to the Patriots today. Why would New England want to deal him? But the Cowboys are looking for cornerback help from other teams. Just don't expect it to be a huge-name because every team is looking
for corner help.
From e-mail: I am truly worried after watching Saturday's game with the Texans. There are a lot of concerns and the Giants know how to win in Texas Stadium. What do you consider the two or three biggest issues heading into September 9? Anthony Spencer might end up being like Bobby Carpenter...average back-up in the NFL. I am just worried...please make me feel better about my team. - Scott, Poseyville, IN.
Todd Archer: OK, this is where I turn into Kevin Bacon's character from Animal House where chaos is reigning and he says, All is well. All isn't well, but all is not bad either. OK, the concerns: Greg Ellis' health because he is just as valuable vs. the run as the pass; Terry Glenn not playing in the preseason. As for Spencer, he needs time in making the position switch. No need to panic.
PaulC: Fans and some members of the media say the Houston loss was a "wake-up call". A "wake up call" implies that many members of the team were complacent or self satisfied. How about some names? What players have already become complacent? It's one thing for a player to prioritize different aspects of his play to concentrate on during preseason. It's something else to be complacent.
Complacency is a deadly mental attitude that needs to be rooted out--and cut--from the roster.
Todd Archer: It's more a perception that the players needed a wake up call not that they really felt good about being 2-0 in the preseason. Even after beating Denver they said it was just a preseason game.
Bill in DC: Terrance Newman?
Todd Archer: I assume this is a question about Newman's health. He has a small tear in his plantar fascia that will keep him out of the last preseason game. He said he will play against the Giants on Sept. 9 but it's something he will have to deal with the whole season. It's not the worst news, but it's not good news either.
jrs2300: Julius Jones still doesn't look good to me.. his longest preseason run is 12 yds.
Todd Archer: Jones was better against the Texans than Barber was. Here's the deal: Jones will be the starter, Barber will be the backup. The Cowboys will ride the hot hand more this year than last. Jones has missed some holes and the chance for bigger gains, but he is running harder, to me, than he did last year.
briant77: The Houston game was a reminder to me of the team's previous inability to play consistently at a high level. Is this reading too much into one preseason game? Bill couldn't seem to keep the team playing consistently - how do Wade and the coordinators get the team to play better and more consistently?
Todd Archer: The simple is answer is yes. This is not going to be a perfect operation the whole year. Every team hits a poor stretch. It's how you handle the adversity. And if they lose Thursday vs. Minnesota, don't be too alarmed. I'm thinking not a lot of the regulars will be in there much.
briant77: Witten seemed to have a nice game 3-for-47 yds in the action he saw. I know he is ready to go once the season starts and the Cowboys need to see other players in the preseason, but I'd like to know how big a role you think the tight end position will play in the offense this season. Will we see the tight ends stretch the defense more that the last couple of seasons?
Todd Archer: I've said this before, but I believe Witten will increase his yard-per-catch average greatly this year. He is stretching the field more in training camp than he did under the old offense. The number of catches might go down, but the yards might go up. The tight end will be a major piece of this offense. Remember, Jason Garrett has been around some good tight ends in his days as a player and coach.
Jason L: I thought Bobby Carpenter was supposed to play a big role in the nickel defense this year, but I have rarely seen him out on the field in those situations. What exactly is this guy's role on this team other than backing up at multiple positions?
Todd Archer: I'm with you, too. Kevin Burnett is going to have surgery tomorrow to remove bone chips in his ankle/foot so that could keep him out of the opener although the Cowboys believe he can play vs. New York. If he can't, then I'd expect to see Carpenter play more. Part of the problem isn't his; it's that he's not been able to stay at one spot. If he could focus on one position, he might have a greater impact. But there is no way he is traded. What would happen if the Cowboys lose Bradie James? Would they role out an undrafted free agent? Carpenter is going nowhere.
briant77: So who's your kicker to start the season? MG hasn't looked consistent, so do you start a season where you think you are going to the playoffs using a rookie? Surely you don't burn another roster spot on a second kicker?
Todd Archer: Gramatica has a hamstring injury that could keep him out of Thursday's game and make the Cowboys' decision easier. If he's not healthy, he's not here. Going with a rookie kicker is risky, but teammates say Nick Folk has a certain confidence to him they like. Last year, the Patriots went with a rookie kicker, Stephen Gostkowski, and went to the AFC title game.
Fighter15: There's a report on the Blog that T-New has a tear in his plantar fascia, while Wade said he'd be ready to practice Saturday. Which is it?
Todd Archer: He didn't say Newman will practice Saturday. He's not sure when Newman will practice, but he believes the corner will be ready to play against the Giants. He has a small tear in his plantar fascia that is treated the same as if he had plantar fasciitis. He is wearing a boot at night when he sleeps to keep his toes pushed back and he is running a golf ball under his heal as part of treatment. This is a common injury for runners, but it appears the only thing that helps is rest.
Hip to be Square: The Cowboys (read: Jerry Jones) have historically had a tendency to "force" coaches into co-existing with one another. During the Campo era, Jerry was responsible for most of the assistant coaching hires, and this wasn't the best for interoffice environment (see: Bruce Coslet). This also appears to be the case with Jason Garrett hired before Wade Phillips. How has the current staff, which is comprised of Phillips and and Phillipites like Brian Stewart, Jerry Jones hires like Garrett, and Parcells holdovers like Sporano, meshed?
Todd Archer: It looks like they have meshed well. Tony Sparano and Jason Garrett have known each other for years and Garrett values Sparano's opinion. After all, this is the same running game Sparano had last year as the playcaller.
Jason L: Wade Phillips seemed pretty taken aback at the criticism following the game vs. Houston. Does this guy know what he's in for because he better be prepared for coaching on the big stage where the heat is constantly on the team?
Todd Archer: I believe Wade understands what he is in for as far as the heat. I believe he was the most disappointed in the way his team played Saturday. Forget the result, it was the performance. He admitted it reflected poorly on him. He's been a head coach in two other spots where football is king (Denver, Buffalo). He knows.
Charlie Garcia: Every year there are suprise cuts. Which non-first year or non rookie players do you think might be in jeopardy of being cut?
Todd Archer: Good question, Charlie. It's difficult to say because there has not been an out of nowhere rookie free agent. The biggest surprise could be receiver Miles Austin, but that's a big maybe. The last two games haven't been the best for him, but there's too much upside to give up on him. Depending on injuries, however, the Cowboys might have to bite the bullet. On defense, Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves seem like bubble players partially because of economics ($855,000 base salary). Is it out of the realm of possibility that Aaron Glenn is cut? I'd be surprised but it might be discussed.
Charles: Our three big injuries right now are Ellis, Glenn, and Newman. Let's fast forward to September: Who's on the field?
Todd Archer: Glenn and Newman. Ellis, I'm not so sure about. He's visiting Dr. James Andrews today in Alabama to have a second opinion on his Achilles. Phillips is still hoping he can play vs. the Giants. I'm skeptical. Not coming off such a major injury with little or no practice time.
briant77: What is the approach for a new offensive or defensive coordinator? Is the approach to develop a scheme to match his personnel, or to bring his scheme and do his best to help the personnel adapt to it? Your thoughts on the coordinators' performance so far.
Todd Archer: The approach is to match the personnel to scheme. That's why Phillips is the coach. The Cowboys have spent and spent on a 3-4 defense, so why bring in a 4-3 scheme? I like what Jason Garrett has done on offense. He likes to attack but he is smart about the plan. Phillips will be making the defensive calls with input from Brian Stewart. They haven't rolled out a lot of their blitzes yet.
Dow: Any insight as to what CB's might be available out there? Any that can step in at nickle at least, should Newman be out a while?
Todd Archer: The Cowboys had an interest in Dante Wesley before Chicago dealt him to New England, but there are not a lot of names out there yet. Teams don't just give up cornerbacks.
Dow: How much/little can we really expect to learn from the Defense's showing on Saturday? Will we see a lot more complicated blitzing and coverage out of Wade's 3-4 once the real games start?
Todd Archer: I think you will see a lot more blitzing when the games are for real. They didn't want to show everything vs. Houston. They didn't really double team Andre Johnson, which they would've done in a regular season game.
briant77: Have we learned enough about our backup recievers to know who makes the team yet?
Todd Archer: I believe the Cowboys will keep six recievers: Owens, Glenn, Crayton, Sam Hurd, Austin and Isaiah Stanback. Hurd has turned it on the last few weeks. Like I said earlier, Austin hasn't, but there's too much to give up on. Stanback needs work but he is a terrific athlete.
Jason L: Who is going to return punts for the Cowboys? With Terence Newman's injury, are the Cowboys going to be forced to put the very pedestrian Patrick Crayton back deep? What happened to Stanback being tried as a punt returner?
Todd Archer: Since we had two people ask about Stanback's punt returning, here goes: I'm not sure they see him as a true punt returner at 6-2, 208 pounds. He's more of a kick returner. You like quickness in a punt returner. Crayton can be a safety valve, but it doesn't make sense to use Newman there with the injury he has. For right now, however, I think it's Crayton's job going into the season opener.
Todd Archer: Thanks for the questions. Sorry we couldn't get to them all, but if you want to e-mail me directly, go ahead and I'll respond. See you next time.
