Key ingredient backup players need to make the roster

[Bamx]

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.

Phil Mafah probably the odd player out. Blue has more speed and agility and can be useful on 3rd down plays and kick/punt returns

Only thing at this point that could keep Blue at a disadvantage is the fumbling

 

[Kwyn]

This is generally true but I think this year, with safeties playing the slot, the math is a little different.

I don't think they need a CB5 at all, if they keep 6 safeties.

Here’s how they are grouping these guys now

 

[LouBrown]

Here’s how they are grouping these guys now

Hard for me to believe that Childress is above Wood and Clark on the depth chart.

But to me that still just looks like they'd be keeping 4 corners and 6 safeties, or just calling them three different roles.

CB: Bland, Revel, Durand
Slot: Downs, Kendrick
S: Thompson, Hooker, Locke, Childress, Bell, Clark/Wood

Probably one more DB than I'd keep but I can see it going that way.

 

[RonWashington]

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

Pre season is necessary if you want to see reserves depth in live game situations .

 

[Diehardblues]

He’s gonna make the roster if he keeps that up AND contributes on ST. That how you get active when you are depth is ST

I’d bet he’s already made roster .

 

[Diehardblues]

I 100% believe that Blue’s future with us hinges on three things:

• Having a complete grasp of the playbook including being reliable in pass blocking
• Stopping the fumble problems
• Being able to contribute reliably on STs.

His only contribution on ST would be returner. And he hasn’t played enough to be fumbling.

I was very optimistic when we drafted him but the leap to NFL may simply be too much for him. It happens. Dallas might give him one more chance or PS. A shame .

 

[ArtClink]

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.

My confidence level is high with the starters and low with the backups. That's based on Jerry's history of roster building.

 

[Kwyn]

Hard for me to believe that Childress is above Wood and Clark on the depth chart.

But to me that still just looks like they'd be keeping 4 corners and 6 safeties, or just calling them three different roles.

CB: Bland, Revel, Durand
Slot: Downs, Kendrick
S: Thompson, Hooker, Locke, Childress, Bell, Clark/Wood

Probably one more DB than I'd keep but I can see it going that way.

That was just an initial from the first days of training camp.

 

[conner01]

I think sometimes we as fans forget that good STs are critical to a well rounded football team. It’s not just offense and defense.

Which is exactly why with only 53 roster spots, almost all backup players MUST be able to contribute more than just on offense or defense. (Unless it’s backup QB)

If any of our fans want to understand why a player fighting to make the team makes it over a guy who had more “stats” in PS games, it’s usually STs that make the difference.

Remembering 3 players from our storied past who were huge contributors as STs players - Bill Bates, Kenny Gant, and DarrylJohnston.

They made the team better because of their outstanding STs play. Remember FB Darryl Johnston - he was an excellent gunner on STs and caused the first big turnover in the ‘92 NFC championship game vs the niners that led to our first score.

Special Teams matter.

They are super important. Today as much as ever. Kick returners have such a huge advantage so great coverage takes that away. Every yard counts so much in the nfl