DMN Blog | Not-too-premature 53-man roster projection

[Bluefin]

Not-too-premature 53-man roster projection


4:00 PM Sun, Aug 23, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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Follow the jump for my educated guesses on which guys will still be on the roster when the Cowboys board the plane for Tampa (three changes from last week in bold).


QB (3)

Tony Romo
Jon Kitna
Stephen McGee

The Cowboys are as strong at this position as they've been since their Super Bowl days.

RB (3)

Marion Barber
Felix Jones
Tashard Choice

Only question is whether Choice will be part of the regular rotation.

FB (1)

Deon Anderson

The Cowboys are optimistic that he'll return from arthroscopic knee surgery in time for the Sept. 13 season opener.

TE (3)

Jason Witten
Martellus Bennett
John Phillips

They've got the game's best tight end, a guy who is an even better athlete and a smart rookie who knows his role.

WR (5)

Roy Williams
Miles Austin
Patrick Crayton
Sam Hurd
Kevin Ogletree

Is Isaiah Stanback's potential worth keeping six receivers? Ogletree keeps making plays - in OTAs, training camp and preseason games.

OL (9)

Flozell Adams
Kyle Kosier
Andre Gurode
Leonard Davis
Marc Colombo
Montrae Holland
Cory Procter
Pat McQuistan
Doug Free

Keeping Ryan Gibbons instead of Procter makes financial sense, but Gibbons isn't getting any game reps at center.

NT (2)

Jay Ratliff
Junior Siavii

Siavii was much more impressive against the Titans than he was in the preseason opener.

DE (5)

Igor Olshansky
Marcus Spears
Stephen Bowen
Jason Hatcher

Marcus Dixon (groin) might not get another preseason chance to prove he deserves a roster spot.

OLB (4)

DeMarcus Ware
Anthony Spencer
Steve Octavien
Victor Butler

It looked like Octavien, a core special teamer and the first OLB off the bench vs. the Titans, was going to make the team even before Brandon Williams blew out his knee.

ILB (5)

Bradie James
Keith Brooking
Bobby Carpenter
Jason Williams
Stephen Hodge

Hodge has to be a special teams star to justify his roster spot. Williams' potential secures his spot even though he's not ready to contribute on defense.

CB (5)

Terence Newman
Orlando Scandrick
Mike Jenkins
Alan Ball
Mike Mickens

If Mickens makes the team, he'll probably be a gameday inactive each week unless another corner is injured.

S (5)

Ken Hamlin
Gerald Sensabaugh
Michael Hamlin
DeAngelo Smith
Pat Watkins

Could the Cowboys be interested in bringing back ex-special teams captain Keith Davis after Week One, when his contract won't be guaranteed?

SPEC. (4)

P Mat McBriar
K Nick Folk
K David Buehler
LS L.P. Ladouceur

Wade Phillips acknowledged "a little concern" about Folk, who has missed his first two field goals after undergoing hip surgery, but his job isn't in jeopardy.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think J Will can contribute this year

if Wade is the defensive genius that everyone claims he is, he should find away to get that speed on the field

 

[speedkilz88]

Cut Pat Watkins and keep Stanback.

 

[Woods]

I'm not particularly keen on keeping Pat Watkins at this stage.

I'd consider keeping an extra OL, WR, or LB instead.

Maybe we look to bring in another OLB who's comfortable in Wade's scheme?

Also, I'm curious on what the coaching staff thinks of Hannah and whether he can continue to improve? He's got very good height, size, and it seems as though he's starting to put it together.

 

[CowboyWay]

No. Stanback has to go. The epitome of JAG.

 

[bbgun]

Sees Watkins on the list; goes back to being depressed.

 

[theogt]

There's absolutely no need for five safeties. And that's not even counting Alan Ball.

 

[CowboyMike]

If they keep Watkins, then it's for week one only. Then he's cut to make room for Keith Davis, which would make sense. If you're going to keep a special teams ace on in the safety group, than it's better to get KD than Watkins.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Cut Pat Watkins and keep Stanback.

I wouldn't be mad at that move....

 

[big dog cowboy]

WR (5)

Roy Williams
Miles Austin
Patrick Crayton
Sam Hurd
Kevin Ogletree

Is Isaiah Stanback's potential worth keeping six receivers? Ogletree keeps making plays - in OTAs, training camp and preseason games.

If possible (not sure of NFL rules) can we put Stanback on the practice squad?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Could the Cowboys be interested in bringing back ex-special teams captain Keith Davis after Week One, when his contract won't be guaranteed?

Nope. I really see no reason.

 

[Bluefin]

If possible (not sure of NFL rules) can we put Stanback on the practice squad?

I'm pretty sure practice squad rules allow any first to third year year player who has not been active for 10 games (an acrued season) to be eligible.

Isaiah Stanback has been active 10 times over the past two seasons, so if I'm correct, he no longer has any practice squad eligibility.

Nope. I really see no reason.

If we want a safety just for special teams, wouldn't Keith Davis be a better option than Patrick "Penalty Prone" Watkins?

I just find the idea of a roster sans Watkins to be more appealing.

 

[DBOY3141]

Keep anyone over Pat Watkins.

Rodney Hannah
Ryan Gibbons
Keon Lattimore
Derrick Robinson
Manny Johnson


"Penalty" Pat Watkins needs to be gone. The 3 year experiment is over.

 

[MCIWEST]

Derrick Robinson keeps showing up he crates pressure.

 

[dmq]

I want Stanback gone. I don't understand why he is still here. He doesn't even bring it in the preseason. I have never said "Wow" even once when watching him. I just don't get it. Stanback is fast, but not football fast.

 

[Biggems]

If I was making the final roster

OFFENSE (24)
QB - Romo, Kitna, McGee
RB - Barber, Jones, Choice
FB - Anderson
WR - Williams, Crayton, Hurd, Austin, Ogletree
TE - Witten, Bennett, Phillips
OL - Adams, Kosier, Gurode, Davis, Colombo, Free, McQuistan, Holland, Gibbons

DEFENSE (25)
DT - Ratliff, Saivii
DE - Olhansky, Spears, Hatcher, Bowen
LB - Ware, Brooking, James, Spencer, Carpenter, J. Williams, Octavien, Butler, Stewart
CB - Newman, Jenkins, Scandrick, Ball, Mickens
S - Hamlin, Sensabaugh, Hamlin, Smith, Hodge

SPECIALISTS (4)
K - Folk
K - Beuhler
P - McBriar
LS - LPL

PRACTICE SQUAD (8)
WR - Holley
WR - Johnson
OL - Bright
OL - Douglas/Isdaner
FB - Crosslin
DE - Robinson
DE - Dixon
DT - Seabright

 

[NextGenBoys]

I think J Will can contribute this year

if Wade is the defensive genius that everyone claims he is, he should find away to get that speed on the field

I agree to a point.

But at the same time, you dont want him to be out of position and over-pursue all the time trying so hard to fly to the ball.

He has a lot of learning to do, but with minimal responsibilities, I agree that Wade should get him on the field.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I agree to a point.

But at the same time, you dont want him to be out of position and over-pursue all the time trying so hard to fly to the ball.

He has a lot of learning to do, but with minimal responsibilities, I agree that Wade should get him on the field.

I look at the Ravens and OLB Antwan Barnes, a 4th round pick for them in '07 with the same size, and who is slightly slower than J-Will, who also came from a small school, Florida International

and he's been on the field as a situational rusher from Day 1, had 2 sacks (one of 15 Ravens to record at least one) his rookie year of '07

I think the same should be for J-Will, because when he's going forward, his speed overcomes any problems that he has mentally, you just can't just reserve it for special teams

 

[Screw The Hall]

Derrick Robinson keeps showing up he crates pressure.

I see him on the practice squad for sure.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If we want a safety just for special teams, wouldn't Keith Davis be a better option than Patrick "Penalty Prone" Watkins?

I just find the idea of a roster sans Watkins to be more appealing.

Honestly I don't want either.