Gimme's final(?) 53-man roster

[gimmesix]

Obviously, some things might change if there are any injuries Friday night, but this is how I see it turning out based on what we know:

OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (3)
KEPT Tony Romo, Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee
CUT Rudy Carpenter
COMMENTS Would love to see McGee put on IR because he's not going to be able to help this team this season even if something happened to Romo and Kitna. Don't think it will happen, though, and we won't risk putting him on waivers to try to get him to the practice squad.

Fullback (1)
KEPT Deon Anderson
CUT Asaph Schwapp
PRACTICE SQUAD Julius Crosslin
COMMENTS Basing this more on Wade Phillips' comments about Anderson than on Anderson's play, since we haven't seen him this preseason. Crosslin has played pretty well in Anderson's place, with some very good blocks (mixed with some misses) and decent receiving out of the backfield (although it's an adventure for him).

Tailbacks (3)
KEPT Marion Barber III, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice
PRACTICE SQUAD Keon Lattimore
COMMENTS The only mystery at this position has been how we are going to use the trio of talent backs who were cemented on this roster. I'm still not quite certain if Dallas plans to regularly mix Choice in, but it appears clear that Barber is the starter and Jones will be sprinkled in liberally. Lattimore has shown more quickness in his cuts than we saw from him last year, and takes Alonzo Coleman's obligatory spot on the practice squad.

Tight ends (3)
KEPT Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, John Phillips
CUT Scott Chandler
COMMENTS The Cowboys didn't really show us in the preseason games all they can do with the Witten-Bennett combination, but there were some encouraging signs. Bennett has the blocking and receiving ability to be a real complement, and deserve for the two-tight end set to be used as the primary set. Phillips shows good hands and his versatility should help when we put a third tight end on the field.

Offensive linemen (9)
KEPT Flozell Adams, Kyle Kosier, Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Marc Colombo, Doug Free, Montrae Holland, Duke Preston, Pat McQuistan
CUT Cory Proctor
PUP Robert Brewster
PRACTICE SQUAD Travis Bright, Greg Isdaner, Ryan Gibbons
COMMENTS The starting five has looked very, very good with the return of Kosier, but we haven't seen them go against blitz-heavy defenses or exotic looks. We know this group can go mano-a-mano with defensive fronts. Bringing Preston in signals that Dallas wants him to beat out Proctor, and he doesn't have to do much for that to happen. Keeping Bright is tempting, especially with Preston able to back up both guard and center, but Dallas saw what happened last year when it didn't have linemen capable of stepping in, so Holland likely has a job and Bright will be left to develop on the practice squad. Keeping Brewster on PUP makes it possible he will be on the roster at some point, but not likely.

Wide receivers (5)
KEPT Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, Kevin Ogletree
CUT Isaiah Stanback, Willie Reid, Jesse Holley
PRACTICE SQUAD Manuel Johnson
COMMENTS Williams has looked sharp as the No. 1 threat, and Crayton looks a little quicker this preseason. Austin hasn't shown enought to take the No. 2 job away from Crayton, but probably too much was expected of him. Even Hurd has outplayed Austin, and could see just as much time in three-receiver sets, although Austin's speed might give him an edge. Ogletree has shown good route-running and hands to secure the fifth spot over Stanback. Stanback could get another year based on his athletic ability and special teams play, but the chances of that dropped with Dallas having to go heavier in the secondary because of injury.

DEFENSE
End (4)
KEPT Igor Olshansky, Marcus Spears, Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher
CUT Derrick Robertson
PRACTICE SQUAD Marcus Dixon
COMMENTS Olshansky has been very good at holding up his end of the line, while Spears looks about like he did last year. Bowen and Hatcher have not been all that impressive, although Hatcher turned it on last week in the second half. Dixon has been MIA, which makes it easy to get him back to the practice squad. Robertson has been impressive in spurts, but not enough to get on the roster and he isn't eligible for the practice squad.

Nose tackle (2)
KEPT Jay Ratliff, Junior Siavii
CUT Jonas Seawright
COMMENTS Ratliff looks like a return to the Pro Bowl will be in order, but it's still questionable whether Siavii will be good enough in relief. He has looked very solid at times, holding his ground and even gaining some, but he's also disappeared at times. He won't play much, so if he can just be solid for a few plays, Dallas will be all right.

Linebackers (9)
KEPT DeMarcus Ware, Keith Brooking, Bradie James, Anthony Spencer, Curtis Johnson, Steve Octavien, Jason Williams, Bobby Carpenter, Victor Butler
CUT Tearrius George
INJURED RESERVE Brandon Williams, Stephen Hodge
COMMENTS The tandem blitz of the inside linebackers has been effective, with Brooking looking like a plus there, and the starting group looks solid. The jury is still out on Spencer's ability to rush the passer. Carpenter has played well in his niche as a nickel linebacker, and Octavien and Butler have been active as OLBs. Even though Johnson has a hamstring injury, Dallas appears to like him enough to keep him without seeing him play, and the indication is that the Cowboys will keep J. Williams on the roster and wait out his high ankle sprain. B. Williams is already on IR, and it appears that Hodge is likely to join him. George could end up on the practice squad if Dallas loses one of its other options.

Cornerbacks (5)
KEPT Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Alan Ball, Mike Mickens
CUT Courtney Brown, Jeremy Haynes
PRACTICE SQUAD DeAngelo Willingham
COMMENTS The biggest question with the top three is who will start opposite Newman. If it's close, which it appears to be, the nod goes to Jenkins. Ball will continue to be a corner-safety, but the Cowboys will probably give him more practice time at corner since he's fourth-best at that position, and Mickens is nowhere close to being ready to be put on the field. Mickens could end up on the practice squad, and Willingham is a good bet to be placed there (if Dallas doesn't decide to keep him over Mickens or safety Pat Watkins).

Safeties (5)
KEPT Gerald Sensabaugh, Ken Hamlin, DeAngelo Smith, Mike Hamlin, Pat Watkins
COMMENTS Sensabaugh is a real upgrade with his coverage ability, but there's not much behind the starters at this time. Most likely, if either got hurt, Alan Ball would be next in line because Smith needs development, M. Hamlin is hurt and Watkins is awful. Watkins probably would not have a place on this roster if not for Hamlin's injury, but that injury forces Dallas to keep him.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Long snapper (1)
KEPT L.P. Ladouceur
CUT Matt Stewart
COMMENTS An article in the Dallas Cowboys Star magazine said Stewart was brought in for the primary purpose of contending with Ladouceur for the LS job. If that's the case, Stewart never really stood a chance because Ladouceur has been Mr. Reliable at his position.

Place-kickers (2)
KEPT Nick Folk, David Buehler
COMMENTS Folk found his touch in last week's preseason game after struggling coming back from surgery in the first two on field-goal attempts. Buehler's high, deep kickoffs have been just what the coverage team needed (actually, it needs touchbacks on every kick, but that's impossible) and he's done well getting downfield to cover the kicks, too.

Punter (1)
KEPT Mat McBriar
COMMENTS Coming off a broken foot, McBriar has looked just fine. He's adjusted well to being moved closer to the deep snapper and the directional/shorter punts that have been demanded of him ... although it's nice being able to still see him boom one every now and then.

 

[unionjack8]

to me that looks absolutley perfect.
I'm disappointed in Hodge the most, i really thought he had a chance to be an impact ST player.

Sure hope they do not try to sneak him onto the PS and IR him as we think they will.

 

[jobberone]

Hodge is a problem for them. They seem to like him enough to wait him out. But his knee seems to be too chronic at this point. Appears to be as we really don't know what's going on except for the swelling. Which isn't a good sign. I doubt they want to put him on IR but they aren't likely to subject him to waivers. Then again who is going to want an injured player with persistent swelling of the knee.

Proctors continuing problems of snapping and marginal play at times may have spelled his end. But I'll believe it when I see it. I want to see his replacement play. Right now we don't have a backup center outside Proctor. If Preston plays a good deal at center tomorrow then I'll take that as a bad sign for Proctor.

 

[JBell]

Looks on point, nice work.

Our depth on D scares the hell outta me though.

I don't feel comfortable in our back-ups at pretty much every position on that side of the ball.

 

[gimmesix]

Hodge is a problem for them. They seem to like him enough to wait him out. But his knee seems to be too chronic at this point. Appears to be as we really don't know what's going on except for the swelling. Which isn't a good sign. I doubt they want to put him on IR but they aren't likely to subject him to waivers. Then again who is going to want an injured player with persistent swelling of the knee.

Proctors continuing problems of snapping and marginal play at times may have spelled his end. But I'll believe it when I see it. I want to see his replacement play. Right now we don't have a backup center outside Proctor. If Preston plays a good deal at center tomorrow then I'll take that as a bad sign for Proctor.

I agree on Hodge, but take the acquisition of Curtis Johnson as a bad sign for him. We could go with 10 linebackers being a 3-4 team, but I don't think it's likely. The way Phillips is making it sound, it appears that he's got IR in mind.

I think Preston being brought in was a bad sign for Proctor. I agree that Dallas needs to see him, but I don't think it will take much for him to take Proctor's spot. Dallas has been trying to knock Proctor off the roster since OTAs began, but Holland and Gibbons apparently didn't show enough at center to get the job done.

 

[THUMPER]

Very good list gimmesix. I wanted to argue with some of them but after going through the whole thing found that I couldn't.

I think the only thing I have a question about is keeping 9 LBs and 10 DBs, that's a lot of guys back there but with all the injuries I guess we don't have much choice.

I would like to have 10 OLs, 7 DLs, and 6 WRs but I don't see a way we could do that. The guys we have at those positions are pretty healthy right now and the LBs & DBs are fairly nicked up. Hate to lose Bright but I agree with your decision to keep Holland instead and hope to put Bright on the PS.

All in all it looks like you put a lot of thought into it and did about the best job anyone could at this point.

Nicely done!

 

[gimmesix]

Looks on point, nice work.

Our depth on D scares the hell outta me though.

I don't feel comfortable in our back-ups at pretty much every position on that side of the ball.

I think as long was we only have to insert one of the defensive linemen into the game, they can hold their own.

I'm not too comfortable with any of the backup linebackers having to play this year for any extended period in the base defense, although there's some hope for Johnson as a pass-rush sub when he learns the scheme. I like Octavien's energy, but don't know if he or Butler can get much pressure against starting offenses.

The only DB, other than Scandrick/Jenkins, that I would be comfortable with getting playing time at this time is Ball.

The depth on the other side of the ball definitely looks better.

 

[DBOY3141]

That looks good for the 1st week, after that I wouldn't be surprised if we brought in a vet CB and LB.

 

[gimmesix]

Very good list gimmesix. I wanted to argue with some of them but after going through the whole thing found that I couldn't.

I think the only thing I have a question about is keeping 9 LBs and 10 DBs, that's a lot of guys back there but with all the injuries I guess we don't have much choice.

I would like to have 10 OLs, 7 DLs, and 6 WRs but I don't see a way we could do that. The guys we have at those positions are pretty healthy right now and the LBs & DBs are fairly nicked up. Hate to lose Bright but I agree with your decision to keep Holland instead and hope to put Bright on the PS.

All in all it looks like you put a lot of thought into it and did about the best job anyone could at this point.

Nicely done!

I'd prefer we put Mike Hamlin on IR and keep one less defensive back, but it doesn't appear that Phillips wants to do that.

I do think a case can be made for trying to put Mickens on the practice squad and keeping Stanback or Bright instead, but I don't think Dallas will take the chance of someone claiming him despite Mickens not showing much this preseason.

 

[gimmesix]

That looks good for the 1st week, after that I wouldn't be surprised if we brought in a vet CB and LB.

Yeah, I think we'll be looking at those positions and safety. Octavien, Mickens and Watkins are not safe just because they survive the cut to 53.

On offense, I think we're pretty much set and it would surprise me to see any vets brought in, outside of injury.

 

[DBOY3141]

I'd prefer we put Mike Hamlin on IR and keep one less defensive back, but it doesn't appear that Phillips wants to do that.

I do think a case can be made for trying to put Mickens on the practice squad and keeping Stanback or Bright instead, but I don't think Dallas will take the chance of someone claiming him despite Mickens not showing much this preseason.

I hope, hope, hope they get rid of Stanback. He was a project that hasn't worked out. Hamlin will miss the 1st four games, so I'd keep him, I wouldn't be surprised if after the 1st game they cut Watkins and bring back Keith Davis. Not that it says much but he's a much better saftey than Watkins and better on ST.

 

[jobberone]

I agree on Hodge, but take the acquisition of Curtis Johnson as a bad sign for him. We could go with 10 linebackers being a 3-4 team, but I don't think it's likely. The way Phillips is making it sound, it appears that he's got IR in mind.

I think Preston being brought in was a bad sign for Proctor. I agree that Dallas needs to see him, but I don't think it will take much for him to take Proctor's spot. Dallas has been trying to knock Proctor off the roster since OTAs began, but Holland and Gibbons apparently didn't show enough at center to get the job done.

I agree on both for the most part. I think they wanted Proctor to do well. But the continued snap problems are a bad sign. Along with Preston it looks very bad for him. I always said he wasn't as bad as most said but he has been a marginal backup. Now I'd say he is very marginal and likely gone.

Hodge has to be a major disappointment for them. They will have to decide if they can wait for him. And that's based on what the doctors have to say. I would be leaning IR if I were GM but that's tough on a player esp for something that could just be inflammation without significant underlying pathology.

 

[theogt]

Adding Johnson means Octavien's gone. Absolutely no way we keep 10 DBs. And now that I've said that, watch us do exactly that.

 

[gimmesix]

Adding Johnson means Octavien's gone. Absolutely no way we keep 10 DBs. And now that I've said that, watch us do exactly that.

I think Dallas liked what they saw from Octavien and see him as a good special teammer, too. I think he'll be kept for now, but possibly not after Johnson gets over his injury. Octavien is the only backup OLB Dallas can have any trust in if an injury occurred, until either Johnson gets over his injury and acclimated to the scheme or it all clicks into place for Butler.

I'd love to be wrong about the DBs, especially Watkins. And there is the possibility with Mickens, so I can't say you're wrong. ... But we would essentially only have nine until Hamlin returns, and I don't see that as out of the ordinary.

 

[gimmesix]

I agree on both for the most part. I think they wanted Proctor to do well.

I don't think they did. I think they wanted either Holland or Gibbons to step up and replace him, but neither did so they seized the chance to get Preston.

I don't think Dallas ever wanted to pay $1.5 million for a backup who can only play center, but they had to keep him on the team until they found someone who can replace him. Preston seems likely to do that.

 

[gimmesix]

I wouldn't be surprised if after the 1st game they cut Watkins and bring back Keith Davis. Not that it says much but he's a much better saftey than Watkins and better on ST.

Where is Davis? If he's available I'd definitely take that over the alternative.

 

[DBOY3141]

I don't KD signed anywhere. I could be wrong.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't KD signed anywhere. I could be wrong.

He signed with Oakland, but appears to have been released earlier this summer. Think they brought him in believing he could actually contribute at safety instead of understanding that he's a special teams standout who will never be anything more than a marginal backup safety.

Even at that, he's a better safety than Watkins.

 

[arglebargle]

Nice write up: Well argued. I am pretty sure these are the exact issues that the coaching staff and management are wrestling with right now.

Don't agree with the K Davis love though. He's not a good a safety at all, though he gives it all he's got. Not worth picking up and jeopardizing another spot on the final 53. If they were to do it, I think it would come after the first game.

A lot will depend on the healing rates of some of these young guys. Because of all these injuries, the Cowboys are already going to have to go light at some position. Wouldn't be surprised to have J Williams go on IR halfway through the season if the high ankle sprain lasts, or other, related problems, surface.

 

[gimmesix]

Nice write up: Well argued. I am pretty sure these are the exact issues that the coaching staff and management are wrestling with right now.

Don't agree with the K Davis love though. He's not a good a safety at all, though he gives it all he's got. Not worth picking up and jeopardizing another spot on the final 53. If they were to do it, I think it would come after the first game.

A lot will depend on the healing rates of some of these young guys. Because of all these injuries, the Cowboys are already going to have to go light at some position. Wouldn't be surprised to have J Williams go on IR halfway through the season if the high ankle sprain lasts, or other, related problems, surface.

I think the case being made on Davis is adding him after the first game.

As far as Williams going on IR, I'd be surprised considering our lack of backup ILBs (only Carpenter if the roster shapes up like I think it will). As is, someone like Octavien is going to have to practice inside if we don't pick up another ILB or keep Hodge on the 53.

I think Hamlin would be the better IR choice because we're "deeper" at safety.