Gimme's final(?) 53-man roster

[arglebargle]

I think Hamlin's a good choice to keep, because broken bones heal more reliably than 'high ankle' sprains. I am just worried that J Williams will end up having one of those recurring problems that never gets to fully heal. I do think they will carry him in hopes of his recovery. But down the line....

Given that they are carrying two injured linebackers, it does make the squeeze there real tough, especially for the first couple of games. Carpenter would be the sole inside back up. Which does sorta make a case for carrying ten linebackers. Not sure if Octavien is versatile enough to work inside as well.

 

[gimmesix]

I think Hamlin's a good choice to keep, because broken bones heal more reliably than 'high ankle' sprains. I am just worried that J Williams will end up having one of those recurring problems that never gets to fully heal. I do think they will carry him in hopes of his recovery. But down the line....

Given that they are carrying two injured linebackers, it does make the squeeze there real tough, especially for the first couple of games. Carpenter would be the sole inside back up. Which does sorta make a case for carrying ten linebackers. Not sure if Octavien is versatile enough to work inside as well.

Yeah, we really don't know what's going to happen with either injury. I don't like waiting (and hoping) for players to return, especially when they are rookies, and would be fine with Dallas putting both on IR.

Might be right on Octavien. He's a little small to mix it up on the inside, but he's feisty, so I think his temperment could help. Not sure who else the Cowboys currently have could be moved. Stewart has been playing there in the preseason, but I can't see Dallas keeping him.

 

[BLT]

am i the only one that sees a problem with the depth at NT?? i'm not going to pretend i know much about Junio Siavii but I dont think he's good enough. You're depth chart says we'd only need him for a few plays a game but honestly if we had a good back up DT couldn't you see us being able to switch more into a 4-3 when needed or move Ratliff out to DE on certain situations??? Huge hole I believe.

 

[gimmesix]

am i the only one that sees a problem with the depth at NT?? i'm not going to pretend i know much about Junio Siavii but I dont think he's good enough. You're depth chart says we'd only need him for a few plays a game but honestly if we had a good back up DT couldn't you see us being able to switch more into a 4-3 when needed or move Ratliff out to DE on certain situations??? Huge hole I believe.

I'd like to have a better backup, but I don't think it's a real big deal unless Ratliff gets hurt. Ratliff plays NT in the base defense and DT in the nickel (four-man line), so he's got enough on his plate. (When we go to four-front looks, Bowen comes in as the other interior DT, although Hatcher has come on of late and could supplant him).

Since we're not going to take Ratliff off the field for too long, I've seen enough to believe Siavii can stand in and not be too much of a liability when we need to rest Ratliff. Siavii held up well when he was in there with starters and not too well when he was in with backups.

I don't expect to see Ratliff playing end in our base defense because, well, he doesn't want to. He likes the nose and is a Pro Bowler there, and we've got enough ends to handle the load at that position.

Siavii's not ideal, but he's OK as a backup and that's all we're looking for ... a backup. Those expecting/wanting Dallas to get more of a traditional NT and move Ratliff to end (not saying that's you) are dreaming because the Cowboys and Ratliff like what he provides at NT despote being "undersized." ... Still would love for us to improve the backup spot if possible.

 

[gimmesix]

After the final preseason game, I hold to my projections.

The last spot is between Mickens and Stanback, and other teams' rejects.

DeAngelo Smith shouldn't feel too safe, either.

 

[UnoDallas]

Islander has already been cut

plus I dislike Holland - hes looked slow an lazy IMO

I rather have Bright on the squad

don't think Bright will clear waviers

 

[silverbear]

to me that looks absolutley perfect.

Naw, to be perfect, McQuistan would be gone, replaced by either Bright or Gibbons...

I could also see the Boys scanning the waiver wire for a CB, and trying to sneak Mickens onto the practice squad...

Keeping in mind that the Boys have been known to look to other teams' rejects for a practice squad spot or two, if they stay in-house with their practice squad, these are the players I'd see as most likely candidates:

Rudy Carpenter (noodle arm and all, he may have earned himself a spot with his play versus the Vikes)...

Julius Crosslin
Keon Lattimore
Manny Johnson or Mike Jefferson (one, but not both)...

Marcus Dixon
Mike Mickens
DeMario Willingham...

Greg Bright
Ryan Gibbons
Greg Isdaner (one or two of these three)...

All in all, gimme's projection was pretty damned good, IMO...

 

[gimmesix]

Naw, to be perfect, McQuistan would be gone, replaced by either Bright or Gibbons...

I could also see the Boys scanning the waiver wire for a CB, and trying to sneak Mickens onto the practice squad...

Keeping in mind that the Boys have been known to look to other teams' rejects for a practice squad spot or two, if they stay in-house with their practice squad, these are the players I'd see as most likely candidates:

Rudy Carpenter (noodle arm and all, he may have earned himself a spot with his play versus the Vikes)...

Julius Crosslin
Keon Lattimore
Manny Johnson or Mike Jefferson (one, but not both)...

Marcus Dixon
Mike Mickens
DeMario Willingham...

Greg Bright
Ryan Gibbons
Greg Isdaner (one or two of these three)...

All in all, gimme's projection was pretty damned good, IMO...

Bit surprised that we cut Stanback, Mickens AND Smith, but we've got to feel good about our chances of putting Mickens and Smith on the practice squad ... and their play didn't show that we'll lose a lot if we don't (although I'd like to give them some time to develop). Guess we feel we'll be better off for now picking up someone on waivers ... and I can't say I disagree with that.

Biggest surprise was keeping both Preston and Proctor. I've got to believe we're either holding on to Proctor to try to get a trade to develop or until we're fully comfortable with Preston's knowledge of the offense.

Would have prefered we kept Mickens over Proctor, though.