Key ingredient backup players need to make the roster

[Bobhaze]

This is the time of year where rookies and other young players are fighting hard to make the final 53 man roster. Fans will often see a good pre-season game performance or hear of some great practice reps from a backup player and automatically think they have made the roster.

Not so fast. The missing ingredient for any marginal player fighting to make an NFL roster will usually come down to this very underrated thing: Their ability to contribute on Special Teams, and their ability to be versatile.

For example, if a backup WR is fighting to make the final cut, and they can also be an outstanding gunner on punt coverage, or can field punts or kickoffs reliably, they will have a big advantage over a player who can only catch passes.

A second big ingredient is versatility. Like OL and DL who can play multiple positions.

Conversely, a player at the bottom of the depth chart who is not versatile, and has no other skills that can be utilized, they have a distinct disadvantage when roster decisions are made.

So when you look at players on the margins, keep in mind how important their versatility and ability to play STs are in final roster decisions.

 

[Diehardblues]

Unless you make miraculous one-hand catches for TD. Lol

 

[Bobhaze]

Unless you make miraculous one-hand catches for TD. Lol

Well yeah. But…Camden Brown has been praised by Schotty for his STs work in tackling and blocking. THAT gives him a huge advantage.

 

[Bobhaze]

Two guys that need to show some major upgrades in versatility and ST abilities are Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue. Their ability to make this team may depend on it. Malik Davis is already an excellent STs player.

Mafah so far in his short time here in Big D has not shown much contribution on STs. He’s not not fast enough as a gunner and has struggled at times as a tackler on punt or kickoff coverages.

Camp reports have said Blue has made a strong effort this summer on STs. Schotty has said Blue has worked on his ability to be a gunner on STs, utilizing his speed to get get downfield and tackle. But he still isn’t as good as Malik Davis.

If Mafah and Blue can’t be ST contributors, they are in danger of being cut.

 

[RonWashington]

Nathan Thomas is an example . He’s reportedly “ versatile “ as a T & G on the OL but his time filling in for Guyton last season had everyone wishing to see him at G instead .

Against Seattle Saturday at LT he had an early penalty but other than that the roof didn’t cave in on the QB’s and the run game wasn’t horrible . His seeming versatility and team desperation has him making the club at this point .

 

[Bobhaze]

Nathan Thomas is an example . He’s reportedly “ versatile “ as a T & G on the OL but his time filling in for Guyton had everyone wishing to see him at G instead .

Against Seattle he had an early penalty but other than that the roof didn’t cave in on the QB’s and the run game wasn’t horrible . His seeming versatility and team desperation has him making the team at this point .

Remember former Cowboys and Dolphin WR Cedrick Wilson? Not only a good receiver, he was also a STs contributor and as a former HS QB, he could occasionally make a throw in a gadget play.

Versatility is so important.

 

[RonWashington]

Remember former Cowboys and Dolphin WR Cedrick Wilson? Not only a good receiver, he was also a STs contributor and as a former HS QB, he could occasionally make a throw in a gadget play.

Versatility is so important.

It’s funny he took a bag of $ to Miami and Tua couldn’t find him with a search warrant .

 

[sbark]

Keep a eye on S Woods....

 

[Whyjerry]

The best play Mingo has ever made was on STs.

 

[Whirlwin]

Julius, WOODS

 

[John813]

It’s funny he took a bag of $ to Miami and Tua couldn’t find him with a search warrant .

Well, to be fair, he signed there and then they traded for Tyreek Hill.
Hill + Waddle meant Wilson was going to be a forgotten WR.

 

[Whirlwin]

This is the time of year where rookies and other young players are fighting hard to make the final 53 man roster. Fans will often see a good pre-season game performance or hear of some great practice reps from a backup player and automatically think they have made the roster.

Not so fast. The missing ingredient for any marginal player fighting to make an NFL roster will usually come down to this very underrated thing: Their ability to contribute on Special Teams, and their ability to be versatile.

For example, if a backup WR is fighting to make the final cut, and they can also be an outstanding gunner on punt coverage, or can field punts or kickoffs reliably, they will have a big advantage over a player who can only catch passes.

A second big ingredient is versatility. Like OL and DL who can play multiple positions.

Conversely, a player at the bottom of the depth chart who is not versatile, and has no other skills that can be utilized, they have a distinct disadvantage when roster decisions are made.

So when you look at players on the margins, keep in mind how important their versatility and ability to play STs are in final roster decisions.

I’m truly looking forward to the next preseason game
To see if the standouts from Seattle, how consistent they are
Preseason is very important to me, some people believe it’s unnecessary, and I can understand their theory behind that
But for me, it’s more than just being able to watch Cowboys, it’s truly to be able to evaluate, dissect if you will
How consistent
Milton really looks like a different quarterback,
He’s added some accuracy and touch on the football not everything is a bullet

 

[Whirlwin]

I almost wasn’t going to give you a like,
Even though it was an excellent post as usual
But you’re very consistent, I’m looking for the next explosive version, lol
Just kidding in my cowboy brother,

 

[Rockport]

The best play Mingo has ever made was on STs.

He made some good plays Saturday night.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I think Sam Williams is a guy on the bubble BUT he does make a nice play for us seemingly every season hmm I'm torn. Yes the young guys especially need to see this post!! ST is vital to them making this roster, hell even liafau

 

[ErikWilliamsHeadSlap]

I think Sam Williams is a guy on the bubble BUT he does make a nice play for us seemingly every season hmm I'm torn. Yes the young guys especially need to see this post!! ST is vital to them making this roster, hell even liafau

I understand the temptation to keep Sam on the roster. But we need to get away from the dumb penalties and keeping a guy just because he does fine on ST.

 

[Bobhaze]

I think Sam Williams is a guy on the bubble BUT he does make a nice play for us seemingly every season hmm I'm torn. Yes the young guys especially need to see this post!! ST is vital to them making this roster, hell even liafau

It may be that Sam W and Marist Liafau have both stayed on the team because of their ST play.

If memory serves me didn’t Sam Williams block a punt last year that led to a TD? I know Liafau is an outstanding gunner and kick coverage tackler. That has probably kept both around.

Really underscores the importance for young guys trying to make the team to be able to make plays on STs.

 

[Whirlwin]

Marist
I followed him in Notre Dame, he was one of my favorite players
I think this new coaching staff is going to make him a true starter,
You look way better against Seattle than I have seen him previously
He is an excellent tackler
His problem is being out of position, and that’s coaching

 

[Jarntt]

This is the time of year where rookies and other young players are fighting hard to make the final 53 man roster. Fans will often see a good pre-season game performance or hear of some great practice reps from a backup player and automatically think they have made the roster.

Not so fast. The missing ingredient for any marginal player fighting to make an NFL roster will usually come down to this very underrated thing: Their ability to contribute on Special Teams, and their ability to be versatile.

For example, if a backup WR is fighting to make the final cut, and they can also be an outstanding gunner on punt coverage, or can field punts or kickoffs reliably, they will have a big advantage over a player who can only catch passes.

A second big ingredient is versatility. Like OL and DL who can play multiple positions.

Conversely, a player at the bottom of the depth chart who is not versatile, and has no other skills that can be utilized, they have a distinct disadvantage when roster decisions are made.

So when you look at players on the margins, keep in mind how important their versatility and ability to play STs are in final roster decisions.

IMHO Special Teams a much bigger factor than versatility especially now with the PS call up rules. All your backup DBs and LBers will play STs so not an issue. The place to focus is WR and RB. At WR, for example, 3 of your top 4 (I assume Flournoy still will?) are not running down on KO and Punt teams so #5 must in order to be active on game day.

 

[RonWashington]

Well, to be fair, he signed there and then they traded for Tyreek Hill.
Hill + Waddle meant Wilson was going to be a forgotten WR.

You only throw to 2 receivers ?