Early Shot at the 53

[CowboyStar88]

Costa can play guard in a pinch. That's what he played at Maryland.

I'm telling you, Albright is a HUGE part of the plan here as a backup with significant playing time, or even a starter. It's between him and Durant to start.

Holloman won't be cut and wasn't albright moved to end? I believe the battle is between Durant, Sims and Holloman

 

[CowboyStar88]

We go with 4 TE but not 6 WR? Or does Green or Armstrong make it?

I think they go 4 TE's and 5 wr's and I think Green might be that 5th guy.

 

[xwalker]

What versatility? People are so vague talking about Albright :laugh2:

I can't imagine he's going to be playing the middle in a cover 2 unless both Lee and Carter go down. He isn't going to be playing with his hand on the ground. What versatility? The ability to cover punts AND kickoffs?

The ability to cover, play the run and rush the passer. He would also be a good matchup against the big TEs. He was much better in coverage last year than anyone expected based on his size.

Albright is a better athlete than people realize:

His short shuttle time was better than ALL* LBs on the team:

His 3-cone was better than ALL* LBs except:
Lee (6-2, 236)
Durant (6-1, 230)

His 10-yard time was better than ALL* LBs except:
Durant (6-1, 230)
Sims (5-11, 231)
Lacey (6-2, 229)

Albright accomplished the above at 6'4-1/2", 254 and coming off a leg injury.

*Note: There are no measurements for Bruce Carter.

 

[Future]

I think they go 4 TE's and 5 wr's and I think Green might be that 5th guy.

I just meant that 4 TEs seems more far fetched than 6 WR, 4 and 5 is possible, but I still think 3 and 6 is likely.

They rarely keep only 8 OL. It is normally 10 and sometimes 9. I would not be surprised to see Costa starting somewhere. There is no proof that he can't play OG. He played a few snaps at OG his rookie year. Frederick played more snaps in college at OG than at OC. The fact that all of his snaps in OTAs were at Center is not a guarantee that they wouldn't move him to OG. If they do move him, it would probably be during the 2nd week of training camp.

Yea, I thought about keeping Costa at C. But I think because there is so much competition at other spots, namely WR, OLB, and S, and because Bernie can play C/G, we can go a bit more thin on the OL.

The only reason I think McSurdy stays is because he could be a short yardage thumper type. I still think there is a place for that, and with good depth throughout the LB corps, he could be a keeper if he plays well on ST. I know he's not going to be a cover 2 MLB. Maybe that's too cute and overthinking it...

Agree with most everything else you said as well...just didn't feel like keeping the whole quote :laugh2:

 

[Future]

The ability to cover, play the run and rush the passer. He would also be a good matchup against the big TEs. He was much better in coverage last year than anyone expected based on his size.

Albright is a better athlete than people realize:

His short shuttle time was better than ALL* LBs on the team:

His 3-cone was better than ALL* LBs except:
Lee (6-2, 236)
Durant (6-1, 230)

His 10-yard time was better than ALL* LBs except:
Durant (6-1, 230)
Sims (5-11, 231)
Lacey (6-2, 229)

Albright accomplished the above at 6'4-1/2", 254 and coming off a leg injury.

*Note: There are no measurements for Bruce Carter.

I've seen the combine results and stuff, but I still think he looks stiff. And we are talking about him being 3rd or 4th in a group of 9 or 10, and the best athlete doesn't have those measurables listed. Its not like he's a world beater there. He might be explosive, but he does not seem fluid at all.

The ability to do all three of these things has never shown up in a game. He doesn't have a TFL or sack in his career. His problem, in terms of versatility, is that he could be decent at multiple positions, but he's not really going to be great at any. That will really hurt him on this defense where he would really only see the field as an OLB.

 

[Verdict]

It has been widely reported that we intend to use a lot of two or three tight end sets this year. If that is the case it would be probable that they would want to keep a 4th tight end this year on the roster.

 

[jterrell]

I don't think both Coale and Beasley make this roster.

I'll see you and raise you.

I don't think either player makes the roster.

Coale needs to prove healthy and outstanding on ST.

Beasley seems a great guy but a tiny NFL body who can't help much if at all on special teams. He also can't run block at that size like we want our guys to. Think Escobar and Hanna play as slot WRs in his scheme and a 4th TE stays. We are still signing veteran TEs for cripessake.

I also don't believe we only see 23 OFF players kept.

 

[Verdict]

I'll see you and raise you.

I don't think either player makes the roster.

Coale needs to prove healthy and outstanding on ST.

Beasley seems a great guy but a tiny NFL body who can't help much if at all on special teams. He also can't run block at that size like we want our guys to. Think Escobar and Hanna play as slot WRs in his scheme and a 4th TE stays. We are still signing veteran TEs for cripessake.

I also don't believe we only see 23 OFF players kept.

My initial reaction was similar to yours. I think there is a very high degree of probability that at least one or the other is cut. (Greater than 2 to 1 odds).

I also believe that BOTH could be roster cuts due, in part, to the increased emphasis on the 12 and 13 packages. The wild card on this is obviously the injury bug, which could help keep one of them around. If any player on the roster other than Dez, Austin, Harris or Williams beats them out then it is likely, barring an injury ....that they are both gone.

 

[Picksix]

You have Calloway on your list, but he was waived/injured today. I do think Albright makes it, just because he's like that utility infielder - can play a number of different positions adequately. Also good on ST's. Don't think McSurdy makes it, barring injury. Likely no Vickers. If they really commit to the 2 TE offense ala NE, then you could see 4 TE's and 5 WR's. I'd lean more toward Coale than Beasley, just because Coale plays on the outside, and they have Austin and Harris for the slot, making Beasley a bit obsolete. They'll go with at least 9 OL, if not 10. Could see them using Kowalski in certain situations when they need a FB type. Good blocker with very good athleticism.

A number of things (injuries, mainly) will affect this, of course.

 

[blindzebra]

QB: Romo, Orton

RB: Murray, Randle, Dunbar/Lawrence

TE: Witten, Escobar, Hanna, Rosario/Cochart

WR: Bryant, Austin, Williams, Harris, Green/Beasley

OT: Smith, Parnell, Free, Weems

OG: Leary, Bernadeau, Kowalski, Livings

OC: Frederick, Costa

Offense: 24

DE: Ware, Spencer, Wilber

DT: Ratliff, Hatcher, Lissemore, Bass

DL: Crawford, Hargrove

MLB: Lee, Magee

OLB: Carter, Durant, Sims, Holloman

JLB: Albright

CB: Carr, Claiborne, Scandrick, Webb, Moore

S: Church, Johnson, Wilcox, Allen, Hamilton/Frampton

Defense: 26

LS: Ladouceur

K: Bailey

P: Jones

 

[xwalker]

I've seen the combine results and stuff, but I still think he looks stiff. And we are talking about him being 3rd or 4th in a group of 9 or 10, and the best athlete doesn't have those measurables listed. Its not like he's a world beater there. He might be explosive, but he does not seem fluid at all.

The ability to do all three of these things has never shown up in a game. He doesn't have a TFL or sack in his career. His problem, in terms of versatility, is that he could be decent at multiple positions, but he's not really going to be great at any. That will really hurt him on this defense where he would really only see the field as an OLB.

I've found that when evaluating players that I have to look at how they move in relation to other players on the field. Sometimes a player will look stiff to me when I'm focused just on that players movements; however, sometimes, when I go back and mentally zoom out a little, some of these types of players are getting from point A to point B as quickly as other players on the field that "appear" to be much more fluid. I think that Albright is in this category.

I never thought that Urlacher at 6-4 was the most fluid "looking" LB in coverage.

The interesting thing for Albright is that he is playing SLB in Kiffin's scheme. I think that this is the position that will most often be in coverage on TEs. They say that TEs like Escobar are drafted because they create mismatches against shorter LBs and DBs. I noticed in game footage of Escobar that he caught a lot of passes that were thrown just over at LBs head. A tall TE might only need to get 1 yard behind a LB like Ernie Sims at 5'11" in order for the QB to complete this type of pass; whereas, the TE might need to be 2 yards behind a LB like Albright at 6'4.5"

I was going to say that arm length would also be an advantage for Albright; however, several of the Cowboys LBs have above average arm length. Lee, Carter, Durant, Holloman and Albright all have above average arm length for Linebackers (not including 3-4 OLBs).

I expect Durant to be the starter on the Strong-Side with Holloman and Albright also competing for that position. McSurdy might also be getting reps there.

 

[xwalker]

QB: Romo, Orton
RB: Murray, Randle, Dunbar/Lawrence
TE: Witten, Escobar, Hanna, Rosario/Cochart
WR: Bryant, Austin, Williams, Harris, Green/Beasley
OT: Smith, Parnell, Free, Weems
OG: Leary, Bernadeau, Kowalski, Livings
OC: Frederick, Costa
Offense: 24


DE: Ware, Spencer, Wilber
DT: Ratliff, Hatcher, Lissemore, Bass
DL: Crawford, Hargrove
MLB: Lee, Magee
OLB: Carter, Durant, Sims, Holloman
JLB: Albright
CB: Carr, Claiborne, Scandrick, Webb, Moore
S: Church, Johnson, Wilcox, Allen, Hamilton/Frampton
Defense: 26

LS: Ladouceur
K: Bailey
P: Jones

Looks good. Only real surprise here would be 7 LBs and 5 WRs.

 

[blindzebra]

Looks good. Only real surprise here would be 7 LBs and 5 WRs.

There is 8 Albright is a hybrid.

If we go 4 TE we have both Hanna and Escobar that can split outside. The only way we keep 6 WR is if #5 and #6 are ST studs.

 

[jterrell]

I'd only edit BZ's effort a bit.

QB: Romo, Orton
RB: Murray, Randle, Dunbar(ST), Lawrence(ST) ---think injuries means we go heavy here. Lawrence may end up on PS but only if injuries hit another position first.
TE: Witten, Escobar, Hanna, Rosario --- Rosario is essentially the FB.
WR: Bryant, Austin, Williams(ST), Harris(ST), Green(ST) ---top 4 seem like locks. Not convinced Coale is healthy or Beasley has enough upside.
OT: Smith, Parnell, Free, Weems
OG: Leary, Livings, Bernadeau, Arkin ---think Arkin again avoids axe.
OC: Frederick, Costa
Offense: 25


DE: Ware, Spencer, Crawford, Wilber(ST)
3T: Ratliff, Hargrove
1T: Hatcher, Lissemore, Bass
MLB: Lee, Magee(ST)
WLB: Carter, Holloman(ST)
SLB: Durant, Sims
CB: Carr, Claiborne, Scandrick, Webb(ST), Moore(ST)
S: Church, Johnson, Allen, Wilcox(ST), Hamilton(ST)

Defense: 25

LS: Ladouceur
K: Bailey
P: Jones

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Don't usually do this stuff, but I'm super bored at work today :laugh2:

My shot at the 53...

QB - Romo, Orton
HB - Murray, Randle, Dunbar
FB - Vickers (Think they hold on to him since they don't really have a blocking TE)
TE - Witten, Hanna, Escobar
WR - Dez, Miles, Harris, Williams, Beasely, Coale
T - Smith, Free, Parnell
G - Leary, Bernie, Livings, Kowalski
C - Frederick

23

DE - Ware, Spencer, Wilbur, Crawford, Hargrove
DT - Rat, Hatcher, Liss, Bass, Callaway
MLB - Lee, McSurdy
OLB - Carter, Sims, Durant, Magee, Holloman (I'm thinking Carter goes to the middle if Lee goes down)
CB - Claiborne, Carr, Scandrick, Webb, Moore
S - Johnson, Church, Wilcox, Allen, Hamilton

27

K - Bailey
P - Jones
LS - Ladouceur

3

I know it's premature, but get over it.

You forgot about Albright, but other than that, i really would like this roster. I think they may keep a 4th TE if they are really serious about doing this "12" set close to full time on offense, but i'd be happy with just the 3 you listed. Solid list, man.

 

[jterrell]

I've found that when evaluating players that I have to look at how they move in relation to other players on the field. Sometimes a player will look stiff to me when I'm focused just on that players movements; however, sometimes, when I go back and mentally zoom out a little, some of these types of players are getting from point A to point B as quickly as other players on the field that "appear" to be much more fluid. I think that Albright is in this category.

I never thought that Urlacher at 6-4 was the most fluid "looking" LB in coverage.

The interesting thing for Albright is that he is playing SLB in Kiffin's scheme. I think that this is the position that will most often be in coverage on TEs. They say that TEs like Escobar are drafted because they create mismatches against shorter LBs and DBs. I noticed in game footage of Escobar that he caught a lot of passes that were thrown just over at LBs head. A tall TE might only need to get 1 yard behind a LB like Ernie Sims at 5'11" in order for the QB to complete this type of pass; whereas, the TE might need to be 2 yards behind a LB like Albright at 6'4.5"

I was going to say that arm length would also be an advantage for Albright; however, several of the Cowboys LBs have above average arm length. Lee, Carter, Durant, Holloman and Albright all have above average arm length for Linebackers (not including 3-4 OLBs).

I expect Durant to be the starter on the Strong-Side with Holloman and Albright also competing for that position. McSurdy might also be getting reps there.

The guy Albright reminds me of is Carpenter. Not in being soft but in kinda being adequate at everything but great at nothing. I don't think he is a playmaker and that is a real issue in this defense.

I do think he can carve out an NFL career just not in this scheme, maybe something more of a BP defense.