Gimmesix's preseason Game 4 53-man roster

[gimmesix]

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks (3)
STARTER Tony Romo
BACKUPS Kyle Orton, Alex Tanney
COMMENTS Glad to see Orton step back up after a bad game and quiet the naysayers at least for a few days. And I'm still holding on to Tanney at this point. Maybe if he bombs against Houston, Dallas can consider trying to get him to the practice squad, but based on what I've seen, he's performed better than some teams No. 3s.

Running backs (4)
STARTER DeMarco Murray
BACKUPS Lance Dunbar, Phillip Tanner, Joseph Randle
COMMENTS I would like to apologize to Tanner for doubting him. He might not have great vision, but he hits the hole that's supposed to be there with reckless abandon and does a good job of getting the most out of what's there. I no longer see him as a bubble player, but as a core special teammer who can step in at RB if necessary. Can't wait to have the game-breaking Dunbar back in action.

Wide receivers (5)
STARTERS Dez Bryant, Miles Austin
BACKUPS Terrance Williams, Dwayne Harris, Cole Beasley
PRACTICE SQUAD Tim Benford
COMMENTS Bryant and Austin have been giving us a good preview of how tough our starting receivers can be to cover when both are healthy. Williams worries me some, though, simply because he and Romo don't seem to be on the same page yet and that will probably lead to some interceptions. Harris can step in if necessary, though, and Beasley showed some good things while healthy. Benford is the only other one who has really been a reliable target.

Tight ends (4)
STARTER Jason Witten
BACKUPS Gavin Escobar, James Hanna, Dante Rosario
PRACTICE SQUAD Andre Smith
COMMENTS I was tempted to elevate Smith over Rosario because of Smith's blocking skills, but I don't think the team will do that despite Smith's excellent catch in traffic Saturday.

Line (10)
STARTERS Tyron Smith, Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick, Doug Free, Jermey Parnell
BACKUPS Mackenzy Bernadeau, Phil Costa, Nate Livings, David Arkin, Demetress Bell
PRACTICE SQUAD Edawn Coughman
IR Ryan Cook
COMMENTS Free was a better guard in his first game at the position than Bernadeau has been, but still had a few problems. Unfortunately, Free has also been a better tackle this preseason than what we got from Parnell on Saturday. I expect Parnell to improve, though, (and his performance wasn't nearly all bad) and moving Free probably does give us our best starting five in response to not meeting Brian Waters' demands. I'd rather have a legitimate guard in Waters and let Free and Parnell keep pushing each other at right tackle. Going cheap could end up costing us again. Getting Leary back will give us a more stout front line by pushing Mackenzy out of the lineup (which would be good since everyone else pushes him around). Bell could be kept over Livings or Arkin since we don't have a backup tackle to carry to games with Free and Parnell both starting, but Dallas might just shift Free to RT during a game if something happened to Parnell. Kowalski still has an outside shot since Dallas doesn't seem sold on Arkin. We'll probably take Costa and Bernadeau to games as the backups.

DEFENSE

Line (8)
STARTERS DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher, Nick Hayden, Anthony Spencer
BACKUPS Kyle Wilber, Ben Bass, Sean Lissemore, George Selvie
PUP Jay Ratliff
IR Tyrone Crawford
PRACTICE SQUAD Jerome Long
COMMENTS Ratliff going on PUP might open up a spot for Landon Cohen to be kept over a 10th offensive lineman, but eight is enough. Looks like Hayden will be the starter in Ratliff's absence, since neither Bass nor Lissemore has come through to claim the role. I'm still intrigued by Thaddeus Gibson, but think it's unlikely he'll unseat Wilber, who really hasn't shown that much, or Selvie. Not sure if Gibson is eligible for the practice squad.

Linebackers (6)
STARTERS Bruce Carter, Sean Lee, Justin Durant
BACKUPS Ernie Sims, Brandon Magee, DeVonte Holloman
PRACTICE SQUAD Caleb McSurdy, Cameron Lawrence
COMMENTS Lee has looked outstanding in this alignment, but I expected Carter to stand out more than he has and Durant has been hit and miss. If Sims had not been sidelined, I believe he would have beaten out Durant for the starting job. Holloman has managed to do something to stand out in every game and probably deserves a shot at starting over Durant.

Cornerbacks (5)
STARTERS Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr
BACKUPS Orlando Scandrick, B.W. Webb, Sterling Moore
PRACTICE SQUAD Xavier Brewer
COMMENTS Webb seems to be coming on after a slow start, but shouldn't be expected to challenge Scandrick this year for the nickel job.

Safeties (5)
STARTERS Barry Church, Will Allen
BACKUPS J.J. Wilcox, Danny McCray, Jeff Heath
PRACTICE SQUAD Jakar Hamilton
COMMENTS Gave up on two of my backups, Matt Johnson and Eric Frampton, because injuries have kept them sidelined. Heath is a big hitter who has a ways to go before being a quality safety, but the Cowboys like his special teams play, which is also why captain McCray sticks around. I think Johnson and Frampton are the better players at this point, but they've got to get back on the field if they want to stick.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Long snapper LP Ladouceur
Kicker Dan Bailey
Punter Chris Jones

 

[CowboyStar88]

I like it but I still want to see if we can sneak Frampton and Hamilton on this team. Also I'm still not sold on us keeping 4 RB's and I still think Beasley spot is in doubt because of the ST. The 5th WR is going to get much playing time so he has to be a special team guy with upside. I know the Beasley fanboys can't handle that and I'm sure I will get flamed for it. But there is a reason why Benford Coale and Armstrong are still on the team. I think Armstrong has a strong chance to make the team.

 

[Zordon]

ugh now the great gimmie has fallen under the tanney spell too?

 

[gimmesix]

I like it but I still want to see if we can sneak Frampton and Hamilton on this team. Also I'm still not sold on us keeping 4 RB's and I still think Beasley spot is in doubt because of the ST. The 5th WR is going to get much playing time so he has to be a special team guy with upside. I know the Beasley fanboys can't handle that and I'm sure I will get flamed for it. But there is a reason why Benford Coale and Armstrong are still on the team. I think Armstrong has a strong chance to make the team.

I'm more sold now on four RBs and think Beasley's spot is secured.

Would love for Frampton to bump McCray off, but I can't see Hamilton making the 53.

 

[gimmesix]

ugh now the great gimmie has fallen under the tanney spell too?

I think he's worth developing, and it would be better to keep him for that purpose than a sixth receiver who never dresses, etc.

 

[Teague31]

Johnson will go on IR before he is cut.

 

[gimmesix]

Johnson will go on IR before he is cut.

Possibly, but I don't know when he's scheduled to return. Figured we'd IR him now while he's still injured if we were going to.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

I'd swap out S McCray for WR Armstrong or Hamilton. Or I'd even swap out McCray for DE Thadeus Gibson. Gibson just looks like he will thrive in this scheme. Just wish there were one or two more players allowed.

I really wish it was a 53 man roster with 3 exemptions for one K, one P and one LS.

 

[Idgit]

I'd cut Livings outright, and consider Heath over McCray on ST and stashing Johnson on PUP. Keep Tanney until you have to decide on Johnson. Use the extra spots for a 6th WR (Armstrong) and either an extra ST player (Hamilton) or another DL (Cohen).

We've got the flexibility to go light at OL. I don't like the idea of losing a guy you think might be able to start at S one day to keep a special teamer in McCray and another backup/ST player in Heath at that same position. QBs are too valuable to lose if you think you've got one, and the fact that they're playing him instead of hiding him tells me they expect to keep him if he plays well. It'll all come down to preseason game 4 for Tanney.

 

[xwalker]

Possibly, but I don't know when he's scheduled to return. Figured we'd IR him now while he's still injured if we were going to.

They could use the designated for return IR on Johnson. They have to keep him on the initial 53, but can immediately put him on IR and bring back another player. I doubt that anybody would claim McCray or Frampton at this point in time; therefore, one of them could be cut and then brought back the next day when Johnson is put on IR.

 

[Idgit]

They could use the designated for return IR on Johnson. They have to keep him on the initial 53, but can immediately put him on IR and bring back another player. I doubt that anybody would claim McCray or Frampton at this point in time; therefore, one of them could be cut and then brought back the next day when Johnson is put on IR.

Players have to be preseason PUP to be moved to regular season PUP, is that the trick? And we only get one IR return designation, right?

 

[jday]

I think he's worth developing, and it would be better to keep him for that purpose than a sixth receiver who never dresses, etc.

I actually think that 53rd spot is between Matt Johnson and Alex Tanney. Matt Johnson is still PS eligible and his injury history alone would likely get him through waivers so Tanney may make it...but I still doubt it.

 

[gimmesix]

I'd swap out S McCray for WR Armstrong or Hamilton. Or I'd even swap out McCray for DE Thadeus Gibson. Gibson just looks like he will thrive in this scheme. Just wish there were one or two more players allowed.

I really wish it was a 53 man roster with 3 exemptions for one K, one P and one LS.

Don't think we'll keep fewer than five safeties, and I can't see Hamilton being kept over McCray.

 

[gimmesix]

I'd cut Livings outright, and consider Heath over McCray on ST and stashing Johnson on PUP. Keep Tanney until you have to decide on Johnson. Use the extra spots for a 6th WR (Armstrong) and either an extra ST player (Hamilton) or another DL (Cohen).

We've got the flexibility to go light at OL. I don't like the idea of losing a guy you think might be able to start at S one day to keep a special teamer in McCray and another backup/ST player in Heath at that same position. QBs are too valuable to lose if you think you've got one, and the fact that they're playing him instead of hiding him tells me they expect to keep him if he plays well. It'll all come down to preseason game 4 for Tanney.

Can't PUP Johnson, can we? Not sure he was on PUP at the start of camp.

I agree on Livings, and maybe Dallas will make that choice based on his injury status. If Livings is cut, then I think it comes down to Cohen, Armstrong or Gibson for the extra spot.

 

[gimmesix]

They could use the designated for return IR on Johnson. They have to keep him on the initial 53, but can immediately put him on IR and bring back another player. I doubt that anybody would claim McCray or Frampton at this point in time; therefore, one of them could be cut and then brought back the next day when Johnson is put on IR.

That would be a reasonable way to handle it. I would be more apt to cut one of the extra offensive linemen (like Bell), though, for the spot and then bring him back the next week with a nonguaranteed salary.

 

[gimmesix]

I actually think that 53rd spot is between Matt Johnson and Alex Tanney.

Could be. Obviously, the health factor should play a big role in what happens with Johnson.

 

[xwalker]

Players have to be preseason PUP to be moved to regular season PUP, is that the trick? And we only get one IR return designation, right?

Yes.

 

[xwalker]

That would be a reasonable way to handle it. I would be more apt to cut one of the extra offensive linemen (like Bell), though, for the spot and then bring him back the next week with a nonguaranteed salary.

Yes, it could be any of those types. Like Bell, McCray, Frampton, the 9th DL, the 4th TE, etc..

It's interesting with a tendered player like McCray. His tender was 1.3M, but if he is cut and resigned the next day they could reduce his salary to the veteran minimum which would be about 750k. He would be a Free Agent for a day, but I don't see another team signing him now; although, I could see a team signing him later in the season after some injuries occur.

 

[BourbonBalz]

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks (3)
STARTER Tony Romo
BACKUPS Kyle Orton, Alex Tanney
COMMENTS Glad to see Orton step back up after a bad game and quiet the naysayers at least for a few days. And I'm still holding on to Tanney at this point. Maybe if he bombs against Houston, Dallas can consider trying to get him to the practice squad, but based on what I've seen, he's performed better than some teams No. 3s.

Running backs (4)
STARTER DeMarco Murray
BACKUPS Lance Dunbar, Phillip Tanner, Joseph Randle
COMMENTS I would like to apologize to Tanner for doubting him. He might not have great vision, but he hits the hole that's supposed to be there with reckless abandon and does a good job of getting the most out of what's there. I no longer see him as a bubble player, but as a core special teammer who can step in at RB if necessary. Can't wait to have the game-breaking Dunbar back in action.

Wide receivers (5)
STARTERS Dez Bryant, Miles Austin
BACKUPS Terrance Williams, Dwayne Harris, Cole Beasley
PRACTICE SQUAD Tim Benford
COMMENTS Bryant and Austin have been giving us a good preview of how tough our starting receivers can be to cover when both are healthy. Williams worries me some, though, simply because he and Romo don't seem to be on the same page yet and that will probably lead to some interceptions. Harris can step in if necessary, though, and Beasley showed some good things while healthy. Benford is the only other one who has really been a reliable target.

Tight ends (4)
STARTER Jason Witten
BACKUPS Gavin Escobar, James Hanna, Dante Rosario
PRACTICE SQUAD Andre Smith
COMMENTS I was tempted to elevate Smith over Rosario because of Smith's blocking skills, but I don't think the team will do that despite Smith's excellent catch in traffic Saturday.

Line (10)
STARTERS Tyron Smith, Ronald Leary, Travis Frederick, Doug Free, Jermey Parnell
BACKUPS Mackenzy Bernadeau, Phil Costa, Nate Livings, David Arkin, Demetress Bell
PRACTICE SQUAD Edawn Coughman
IR Ryan Cook
COMMENTS Free was a better guard in his first game at the position than Bernadeau has been, but still had a few problems. Unfortunately, Free has also been a better tackle this preseason than what we got from Parnell on Saturday. I expect Parnell to improve, though, (and his performance wasn't nearly all bad) and moving Free probably does give us our best starting five in response to not meeting Brian Waters' demands. I'd rather have a legitimate guard in Waters and let Free and Parnell keep pushing each other at right tackle. Going cheap could end up costing us again. Getting Leary back will give us a more stout front line by pushing Mackenzy out of the lineup (which would be good since everyone else pushes him around). Bell could be kept over Livings or Arkin since we don't have a backup tackle to carry to games with Free and Parnell both starting, but Dallas might just shift Free to RT during a game if something happened to Parnell. Kowalski still has an outside shot since Dallas doesn't seem sold on Arkin. We'll probably take Costa and Bernadeau to games as the backups.

DEFENSE

Line (8)
STARTERS DeMarcus Ware, Jason Hatcher, Nick Hayden, Anthony Spencer
BACKUPS Kyle Wilber, Ben Bass, Sean Lissemore, George Selvie
PUP Jay Ratliff
IR Tyrone Crawford
PRACTICE SQUAD Jerome Long
COMMENTS Ratliff going on PUP might open up a spot for Landon Cohen to be kept over a 10th offensive lineman, but eight is enough. Looks like Hayden will be the starter in Ratliff's absence, since neither Bass nor Lissemore has come through to claim the role. I'm still intrigued by Thaddeus Gibson, but think it's unlikely he'll unseat Wilber, who really hasn't shown that much, or Selvie. Not sure if Gibson is eligible for the practice squad.

Linebackers (6)
STARTERS Bruce Carter, Sean Lee, Justin Durant
BACKUPS Ernie Sims, Brandon Magee, DeVonte Holloman
PRACTICE SQUAD Caleb McSurdy, Cameron Lawrence
COMMENTS Lee has looked outstanding in this alignment, but I expected Carter to stand out more than he has and Durant has been hit and miss. If Sims had not been sidelined, I believe he would have beaten out Durant for the starting job. Holloman has managed to do something to stand out in every game and probably deserves a shot at starting over Durant.

Cornerbacks (5)
STARTERS Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr
BACKUPS Orlando Scandrick, B.W. Webb, Sterling Moore
PRACTICE SQUAD Xavier Brewer
COMMENTS Webb seems to be coming on after a slow start, but shouldn't be expected to challenge Scandrick this year for the nickel job.

Safeties (5)
STARTERS Barry Church, Will Allen
BACKUPS J.J. Wilcox, Danny McCray, Jeff Heath
PRACTICE SQUAD Jakar Hamilton
COMMENTS Gave up on two of my backups, Matt Johnson and Eric Frampton, because injuries have kept them sidelined. Heath is a big hitter who has a ways to go before being a quality safety, but the Cowboys like his special teams play, which is also why captain McCray sticks around. I think Johnson and Frampton are the better players at this point, but they've got to get back on the field if they want to stick.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Long snapper LP Ladouceur
Kicker Dan Bailey
Punter Chris Jones

Based on what I've been reading/hearing, Cohen will probably make the 53.

 

[Stash]

Considering the incredible lengths they have gone to in order to not play Arkin, I can't see any way that he sticks.

At no legitimate way.