Gimme's final preseason 53

[gimmesix]

Even though I didn't get to watch the final preseason game closely because I'm at work, I thought I'd give my final 53 since cuts will start tomorrow.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks (3)
KEPT Tony Romo, Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee
PRACTICE SQUAD Tom Brandstater
ANALYSIS McGee had a good completion percentage against Miami, but made a few bad decisions. Brandstater might be a practice squad consideration, depending on who makes it through waivers.

Fullbacks (1)
KEPT Shaun Chapas
PRACTICE SQUAD Isaiah Greenhouse, Jason Pociask
CUT Chris Gronkowski
ANALYSIS I still can't separate the fullbacks, so I'm going with the draft pick even though Gronkowski has gotten the most time with the starters. Because of Bennett's injury, Dallas could end up keeping two fullbacks, but I think it would be a waste of a roster spot.

Running backs (3)
KEPT Felix Jones, DeMarco Murray, Phillip Tanner
PRACTICE SQUAD Lonyae Miller
CUT Tashard Choice
ANALYSIS I'm buying into the Choice propaganda, even if I don't completely agree with cutting him. And yes, I think he will be cut because teams haven't been able to evaluate him this preseason or see if he's healthy enough to trade for. Tanner has definitely done enough to earn a roster spot, and Murray made me feel more comfortable about him tonight. But the main reasons I see Choice being cut is 1) he's gone after this season and 2) with Jones starting, it makes it easier to go with inexperience in the backups.

Tight ends (3)
KEPT Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, John Phillips
PRACTICE SQUAD Martin Rucker
ANALYSIS Rucker is my last guy on the bubble. With Bennett out with a high ankle sprain, I could see Rucker being kept, but I don't believe he's really what Dallas wants in the third tight end. He more of a pure pass-catching tight end who's not going to offer much as a blocker. For that reason, I don't see him being kept, but he has looked good as a receiver.

Wide receivers (5)
KEPT Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Kevin Ogletree, Jesse Holley, Dwayne Harris
INJURED RESERVE Raymond Radway
PRACTICE SQUAD Tysson Poots, Lyle Leong
CUT Teddy Williams, Manuel Johnson
ANALYSIS I hate to say it, but this call got easier with Radway's injury. Don't like to see it, but it does enable Dallas to put him on IR for the year. The only guy I see challenging any of the top five for a spot is Johnson, who had a good game against Miami, but I think the deck is stacked against him.

Offensive linemen (10)
KEPT Doug Free, Bill Nagy, Phil Costa, Kyle Kosier, Tyron Smith, Montrae Holland, Jermey Parnell, David Arkin, Sam Young, Kevin Kowalski
CUT Andre Gurode, Pepa Letuli
ANALYSIS Dallas should be able to get all of its young linemen on the 53, although the Cowboys still need to get a veteran tackle as a backup. That's what Holland's value to this team is at guard. Some of you might not like it now, but if Nagy fails, you're going to appreciate have Holland around to step in.

DEFENSE

Defensive linemen (6)
KEPT Jason Hatcher, Jay Ratliff, Marcus Spears, Kenyon Coleman, Josh Brent, Sean Lissemore
PRACTICE SQUAD Clifton Geathers
CUT Igor Olshansky, Jimmy Sadler-McQueen
ANALYSIS Dallas didn't play any of it's "top five" linemen against Miami. I hope that doesn't mean Olshansky's job is secure. Brent's job probably is, but he hasn't played real well this preseason. Lissemore was probably the best lineman against the Dolphins, making several hits around the line of scrimmage. He just didn't have much help.

Linebackers (8)
KEPT DeMarcus Ware, Keith Brooking, Bradie James, Anthony Spencer, Victor Butler, Sean Lee, Kenwin Cummings, Alex Albright
NFI Bruce Carter
PRACTICE SQUAD Orie Lemon
CUT Mike Balogun, Brandon Williams
ANALYSIS I'm going to stick with my prediction here, even though Cummings was up and down from what I saw in this one. With Carter on NFI, Dallas needs to keep an extra ILB and I think Cummings edges Lemon.

Cornerbacks (6)
KEPT Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Alan Ball, Bryan McCann, Mario Butler
PRACTICE SQUAD Josh Thomas
CUT Chris Randle
ANALYSIS It seems to me that Butler has been better overall than Thomas, so I think Dallas will keep Butler and try to put Thomas on the PS. Thomas missing this game with an injury should give Dallas a better chance of him clearing waivers.

Safeties (4)
KEPT Gerald Sensabaugh, Abram Elam, Barry Church, Danny McCray
PRACTICE SQUAD Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Andrew Sendejo
CUT Colin Zych
ANALYSIS I love me some Church. Other than Scandrick, he's probably the best nonstarter Dallas has in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kickers (2)
KEPT David Buehler, Shayne Graham
PRACTICE SQUAD Dan Bailey
NFI Kai Forbath
CUT Dave Rayner
ANALYSIS I think Dallas wanted Rayner to win the job as a field goal kicker because he also has the ability to kick off fairly well. Two missed FG attempts activate Plan B: Graham is the FG kicker and Buehler kicks off. I think the FG kicker should be Bailey, but I don't think Dallas wants to go with a rookie based on bringing the vets in.

Punter (1)
KEPT Mat McBriar
CUT Chris Jones
ANALYSIS Get well soon, Mat.

Long snapper (1)
KEPT L.P. Ladouceur
ANALYSIS Perfect. Just perfect

 

[gimmesix]

Before anyone says anything about the practice squad, let me put in the usual blurb:

Each NFL team may keep up to eight members on its "practice squad" in addition to the 53-member main roster. They consist mostly of rookies who were cut in training camps and borderline NFL-caliber players. Both rookies and young veterans are eligible for the practice squad. However, a player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons, or if he has accrued a year of NFL experience (six or more games on a club's 53-man active roster or official Injured Reserve list.) If the player was on the active list for fewer than 9 games during their "only Accrued Season(s)", he maintains his eligibility for the practice squad.[1]

And say, yes, I know there are more than eight listed, but I just list players who I think should be candidates because a few might be claimed on waivers.

 

[Nirvana]

Yeah that's pretty much how I see it shaping up too, though I'm thinking Rucker had a great game and may squeeze onto the roster in place of Young. Is Young eligible for the PS? That would affect my decision if he isn't. Also, on defense I would like to see Igor cut but I have a feeling they will keep him, and cut Cummings based on his play tonight. He had a big mistake that cost a TD. I think he looks pretty good against the run and special teams but I've not been impressed with him in coverage, and that's not gonna fly.

As for kicker, I think we keep Bailey. I keep asking for someone to tell me a time the kid has missed a FG this pre-season and no one has given me one time. It would be a risk so carrying two makes sense, and I think Graham might get the nod on that.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

No way in hell Kenwin Cummings makes the final 53...

 

[gimmesix]

Yeah that's pretty much how I see it shaping up too, though I'm thinking Rucker had a great game and may squeeze onto the roster in place of Young. Is Young eligible for the PS? That would affect my decision if he isn't. Also, on defense I would like to see Igor cut but I have a feeling they will keep him, and cut Cummings based on his play tonight. He had a big mistake that cost a TD. I think he looks pretty good against the run and special teams but I've not been impressed with him in coverage, and that's not gonna fly.

As for kicker, I think we keep Bailey. I keep asking for someone to tell me a time the kid has missed a FG this pre-season and no one has given me one time. It would be a risk so carrying two makes sense, and I think Graham might get the nod on that.

Young should be available. He hasn't been active for very many games.

Could be right on Cummings. From what I could see, which was limited, he seemed to be around the ball quite and bit and made some good plays to go with his bad one.

Bailey hasn't missed one, but he also had very many opportunities. He's only 2 for 2. Maybe if he hadn't hit the wall in camp for a brief period, Dallas wouldn't have started bringing in the vets. I just believe the vets were brought in because Dallas doesn't want to go with Bailey.

If we did go with Bailey, I can't see any reason to keep Graham. Neither offers anything on kickoffs, while Buehler can kick it high and deep every time.

 

[gimmesix]

No way in hell Kenwin Cummings makes the final 53...

He's played well overall. If we're cutting him for one major mistake in pass coverage, then we should also cut Spencer.

I just don't think Lemon is ahead of Cummings right now, and I can't see Dallas going with three inside linebackers while waiting on Carter. Plus, Cummings has been on all the special teams and made a few plays there.

 

[reddyuta]

I will be really dissapointed with the decision making if we keep 2 kickers and just cut Choice outright.

 

[gimmesix]

I will be really dissapointed with the decision making if we keep 2 kickers and just cut Choice outright.

Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas is very insistent that Dallas plans to keep two kickers, so I'm riding with him on that.

The writing also seems to be on the wall concerning Choice. I hope Dallas can get a draft pick for him based on his past work, but him being hurt does not help that cause.

 

[reddyuta]

every kicker we have tried(except Rayner) has a weak leg.I have noticed in pre season that almost everybody is getting touchbacks from kicking off from the 35 yard line.I think they should just go with Rayner and save a roster spot,its not like the the other kickers are nailing the field goals.

 

[gimmesix]

every kicker we have tried(except Rayner) has a weak leg.I have noticed in pre season that almost everybody is getting touchbacks from kicking off from the 35 yard line.I think they should just go with Rayner and save a roster spot,its not like the the other kickers are nailing the field goals.

They could still go with Rayner, but even his kickoff left a lot to be desired tonight.

If I was going to go with just one guy, I'd probably pick Bailey. His kickoffs were deeper in the first game and he's at least hit FGs when called upon. (I think in the second game, Dallas told him not to kick touchbacks, but I could be wrong.)

Still our coverage team's inability to consistently stop kick returns ups Buehler's value.

 

[windward]

every kicker we have tried(except Rayner) has a weak leg.I have noticed in pre season that almost everybody is getting touchbacks from kicking off from the 35 yard line.I think they should just go with Rayner and save a roster spot,its not like the the other kickers are nailing the field goals.

Buehler isn't weak, just scattershot .

 

[reddyuta]

Buehler isn't weak, just scattershot .

sorry,i was talking about the others.Buehler will of course ensure a Touchback now on every kickoffs now.

 

[gimmesix]

No way in hell Kenwin Cummings makes the final 53...

After getting a chance after I got home last night to really watch the first half closely, I think I agree.

It's kind of been back-and-forth between Lemon and Cummings, but I think Dallas will go with Lemon because he offers them more of a power player they can put in as an extra linebacker in short-yardage situations.

I also think now that Dallas will keep Gronkowski over Chapas at fullback.

BTW, this 53 is what I think Dallas will do, not what I would do.

If it was up to me, I'd keep Tashard Choice and cut Sam Young, keep AOA and cut Mario Butler and keep Dan Bailey over Shayne Graham.

By cutting Young, we'd be going into the first game with Parnell as the swing tackle, but after that game, I'd pick up a vet tackle and probably try to send Kevin Kowalski to the practice squad. My other option besides waiving Kowalski would be to trade Choice if Murray shows he can be trusted as the primary backup at running back.

 

[Nirvana]

I saw a report that Lemon has a bad hamstring? I have him going to PS.

I went back and forth on Cummings as well, decided to put him on the 53 so there are 4 MLBs with Carter on PUP. He made a nice tackle on 4th and goal which really stood out to me. He needs to work on coverage though. Stop-gap until Carter is ready.

I have them cutting Young and putting him on the PS.

 

[gimmesix]

I saw a report that Lemon has a bad hamstring? I have him going to PS.

Had not seen that. But no matter who's kept, I don't believe we'll go short a linebacker since they are not only vital to the 3-4 but also special teams.

 

[Nirvana]

Had not seen that. But no matter who's kept, I don't believe we'll go short a linebacker since they are not only vital to the 3-4 but also special teams.

Here's a thought: The Browns might cut a MLB Ryan likes and is familiar with his system. That would be a possibility.

Any of these guys fit that possibility?

50 Eric Barton LB 33 6-3 245 12 Maryland
58 Marcus Benard LB 26 6-2 256 3 Jackson State
96 David Bowens LB 34 6-3 265 12 Western Illinois
59 Titus Brown LB 25 6-3 250 2 Mississippi State
50 Archie Donald LB 23 6-2 244 R Toledo
49 Auston English LB 24 6-3 250 1 Oklahoma
99 Scott Fujita LB 32 6-5 250 10 California
51 Chris Gocong LB 27 6-2 263 6 Cal Poly-S.L.O.
57 Eric Gordon LB 24 6-0 232 R Michigan State
52 D'Qwell Jackson LB 27 6-0 240 6 Maryland
54 Ben Jacobs LB 23 6-4 243 R Fresno State
56 Kaluka Maiava LB 24 6-0 229 3 USC
95 Steve Octavien LB 26 6-0 255 2 Nebraska
53 Brian Smith LB 22 6-3 240 R Notre Dame
42 Sidney Tarver LB 22 6-3 236 R Tennessee State

 

[gimmesix]

Here's a thought: The Browns might cut a MLB Ryan likes and is familiar with his system. That would be a possibility.

Any of these guys fit that possibility?

50 Eric Barton LB 33 6-3 245 12 Maryland
58 Marcus Benard LB 26 6-2 256 3 Jackson State
96 David Bowens LB 34 6-3 265 12 Western Illinois
59 Titus Brown LB 25 6-3 250 2 Mississippi State
50 Archie Donald LB 23 6-2 244 R Toledo
49 Auston English LB 24 6-3 250 1 Oklahoma
99 Scott Fujita LB 32 6-5 250 10 California
51 Chris Gocong LB 27 6-2 263 6 Cal Poly-S.L.O.
57 Eric Gordon LB 24 6-0 232 R Michigan State
52 D'Qwell Jackson LB 27 6-0 240 6 Maryland
54 Ben Jacobs LB 23 6-4 243 R Fresno State
56 Kaluka Maiava LB 24 6-0 229 3 USC
95 Steve Octavien LB 26 6-0 255 2 Nebraska
53 Brian Smith LB 22 6-3 240 R Notre Dame
42 Sidney Tarver LB 22 6-3 236 R Tennessee State

Other than the ones we've had before, I can't say I know much about them overall.

 

[Hoofbite]

Here's a thought: The Browns might cut a MLB Ryan likes and is familiar with his system. That would be a possibility.

Any of these guys fit that possibility?

50 Eric Barton LB 33 6-3 245 12 Maryland
58 Marcus Benard LB 26 6-2 256 3 Jackson State
96 David Bowens LB 34 6-3 265 12 Western Illinois
59 Titus Brown LB 25 6-3 250 2 Mississippi State
50 Archie Donald LB 23 6-2 244 R Toledo
49 Auston English LB 24 6-3 250 1 Oklahoma
99 Scott Fujita LB 32 6-5 250 10 California
51 Chris Gocong LB 27 6-2 263 6 Cal Poly-S.L.O.
57 Eric Gordon LB 24 6-0 232 R Michigan State
52 D'Qwell Jackson LB 27 6-0 240 6 Maryland
54 Ben Jacobs LB 23 6-4 243 R Fresno State
56 Kaluka Maiava LB 24 6-0 229 3 USC
95 Steve Octavien LB 26 6-0 255 2 Nebraska
53 Brian Smith LB 22 6-3 240 R Notre Dame
42 Sidney Tarver LB 22 6-3 236 R Tennessee State

Fajitas might be cut?

Hmmm.....he was servicable in Dallas and all of sudden became a better player in New Orleans, IIRC.

 

[Nirvana]

Fajitas might be cut?

Hmmm.....he was servicable in Dallas and all of sudden became a better player in New Orleans, IIRC.

Oh that was just a copy/paste of the LBers on their roster. No idea if they might cut him.


Steelers just made some cuts though:

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed QB Byron Leftwich (arm) on the Reserve/Injured list Friday, Sept. 2, and also released LBs Baraka Atkins, Mario Harvey, Chris McCoy and Mortty Ivy, DL Corbin Bryant, DBs Brett Greenwood, Macho Harris, Donovan Warren and DaMon Cromartie-Smith, RBs James X. Johnson and John Clay, OLs Colin Miller, Kyle Jolly, John Malecki, Trevis Turner and Keith Williams, WRs Armand Robinson, Wes Lyons and Tyler Grisham, TE Jamie McCoy and PK Swayze Waters.

Read more: http://www.kffl.com/gnews.php?id=737281-steelers-roster-reduced-to-58#ixzz1WqDKiOTN