My 53

[Stash]

Assuming a certain minimum level of arm talent which is required (Kellen Moore didn't have even that), the most important trait for a QB is brain processing speed, not arm talent. Reading defenses, quickly going through progressions, and having a mental clock to know when to get rid of the ball is much, much, much more important than having a big arm. Of course, it's nice when a QB has both a high speed processor AND a big arm.

So far in training camp, White hasn't shown that he has a high speed processor.

Very true. But there's still time.

 

[Jumbo075]

Very true. But there's still time.

Don't get me wrong. I liked the Mike White pick. But I don't think the risk is very high that another team would make a waiver claim for him.

 

[Stash]

Don't get me wrong. I liked the Mike White pick. But I don't think the risk is very high that another team would make a waiver claim for him.

No problem. I just think I'm a little more worried that they'd risk losing him. Chalk it up to Matt Moore syndrome.

And I'm likely giving him more benefit of the doubt to show more than he has thus far. Quarterbacks are just so valuable, and if there's even a chance that this guy can develop into something, I'd hate to miss the opportunity.

 

[Jumbo075]

No problem. I just think I'm a little more worried that they'd risk losing him. Chalk it up to Matt Moore syndrome.

And I'm likely giving him more benefit of the doubt to show more than he has thus far. Quarterbacks are just so valuable, and if there's even a chance that this guy can develop into something, I'd hate to miss the opportunity.

I am less concerned because I believe Dak is the QB for the next decade in Dallas.

 

[Stash]

I am less concerned because I believe Dak is the QB for the next decade in Dallas.

I hope so, but you can never have too many at the most valuable position in sports. Not when guys are making $30 million a year.

 

[_sturt_]

Skill Positions

QB Prescott, Rush, White
RB Elliott, Smith, Scarbrough
FB Olawale
WR Gallup, Hurns, Williams, Beasley, Austin, Lenoir, Brown
TE Jarwin, Swaim, Geathers, Shultz

QB: The Rush/White competition is not done by a long shot, and I'm one of those who think only one of these ends up on the 53-man... and, too, I'm one of those who think if Rush doesn't win it outright, they'll try to sneak him on the practice squad before they will White. I think they'll only keep 2, not 3.

RB: I don't think the Bo/Jackson competition is done either. No argument that Bo turned heads, but Jackson wasn't chopped liver. In fact, I wager that Scarbrough might be seen as an alternative to Olawale largely because they're almost certain to keep Jarwin who was more perceived a year ago as an H-back... so if they keep 3 RBs and 1 FB, it could be in actuality a question of Jackson or Olawale. But today? I say they'll only keep Elliott, Smith and Scarbrough... 3 not 4.

WR: Think it's odd to go more than 6, though I understand the inclination they might under this WR by committee thing. Lenoir, though, to me is another guy they figure they can sneak onto the practice squad, and call up once someone else gets injured. Otherwise, I think Thompson could indeed be an odd-man out if Austin continues to impress and, major point, persuades the coaching staff that his fumbling days are behind him. I'm persuaded they do want desperately to have that legit speed guy, and Austin at his best could remind of DeSean Jackson. If Austin fumbles more than once in preseason, though, I think he could be a surprise cut after all. They're not going to put up with that. I think they keep Brown because he's that husky WR that helps your running game, and can show up on special teams. So, I like the 6 named here, minus Lenoir.

TE: Pretty typical of Garrett to break camp with 4 TEs through the years. I agree they're all likely to get a shot.

The OP has 18 skill position players. I think you've got two young, sturdy guys at QB and RB who, playing the odds, are just not coming off the field that much, so I'm looking at 15.


O-Line

OT Smith, Collins, Fleming
OG Martin, Williams, Looney, Edwards
C Frederick

I think there will be 8, as well. Likely a waiver wire pick-up in place of Edwards, imo.


D-Line

DE Lawrence, Charlton, Gregory, Armstrong, Tapper
DT Collins, Woods, Ward, Crawford, Price

I'm not as sold on Woods. He still has a lot to prove in preseason before he beats out Ealy, but I do think we keep two of Woods, Ealy or Tapper. Since Ealy hasn't had the injury problems that Woods and Tapper have had, I'm inclined to think he's more likely to stick. Then, I think they really would rather have another option at the 1 than at an end, now that Gregory appears to be back.

So, I've got Ealy in, Tapper out, but 10 total is the number, imo.




Linebackers

LB Lee, Smith, Vander Esh, Thomas, Wilson, Covington

I think they like March-Lillard, and will make up for the lack of a FB who plays special teams with the addition of that 7th LB.



D-Backfield

CB Jones, Awuzie, Brown, Lewis, Ward
S Heath, Woods, Frazier

I've got 10 here, not just 8. I add Thomas to the CBs, and I'm banking on a waiver wire pick-up at FS.


Specialists

K Bailey
P Jones
LS Ladouceur

Yep.

 

[JustChip]

Offense (24)
QB (2) - Prescott, Rush
RB (4)- Elliott, Smith, Jackson, Olawale
TE (3) - Swaim, Jarwin, Schultz
WR (7) - Hurns, Beasley, Williams, Gallup, Austin, Thompson, Lenoir
OL (8) - Frederick, Martin, Collins, Williams, Smith, Fleming, Looney, Edwards

Defense (25)
DE (6) - Lawrence, Charlton, Crawford, Gregory, Armstrong, Tapper
DT (4) - Collins, Woods, Ward, Price
LB (6) - Lee, Smith, Vander Esch, Wilson, Thomas, March-Lillard
CB (6) - Awuzie, Jones, Brown, Lewis, Ward, Thomas
S (3) - Heath, Frazier, Woods

ST (3)
Ladouceur, Bailey, Jones

So this leaves 1 spot left which will go to either White, Scarborough or Gathers.

I just find it very hard to believe they'll put White on the 53, opting instead to try to get him to the PS. I also don't think there will be teams lining up to waiver claim him and put him on their opening day 53, but all it takes is 1 team. I don't remember which CZ member said this, but he/she made a point that Denver could pull the plug on the Lynch experiment and opt to kick the tires on White. That might be a possibility, but I still don't think the Cowboys are going to put White on the 53. So....that leaves the 1 spot between Scarborough and Gathers. I don't see them going 5 deep at RB so my guess is Rico will be the last man standing to fill out the 53.

Irving is still hanging out there and, should he actually be activated and available after serving his suspension, he'll replace either Ward or Price.

Finally, should ET come home, they'll go with 4 safeties and one of the last CBs will be gone, either Thomas or Ward. Which will depend on how they play the next 3 games.

 

[JustChip]

Assuming a certain minimum level of arm talent which is required (Kellen Moore didn't have even that), the most important trait for a QB is brain processing speed, not arm talent. Reading defenses, quickly going through progressions, and having a mental clock to know when to get rid of the ball is much, much, much more important than having a big arm. Of course, it's nice when a QB has both a high speed processor AND a big arm.

So far in training camp, White hasn't shown that he has a high speed processor.

Which matches some of the pre-draft scouting assessments. If that's still an issue as a Sr. multi-year starter in college, it's not likely to happen quicker in the NFL. But all it takes is 1 team to covet thy neighbor.

I could see White taking Rush's spot IF a viable veteran QB becomes available for QB #2 after cut-downs. Then White stays as #3 and Rush is gone. But the problem for me still is not Rush vs. White, but 2 vs. 3 QBs. They have more important needs this year than a #3 QB that won't see the light of day, or hopefully won't see the light of day, for 2 or 3 years.

 

[Dalmations202]

Just as a question?
If Smith was a full back, and Bo has the size of a full back, and Jarwin was an H-back who learned to block in space and has size, and let's face it Dallas seldom utilizes a full back --- why is everyone so certain of Olawale as a lock?

I am a huge fan of Daryl Johnston, but haven't seen a player like him in years. Why keep an extra back as a full back, if you aren't going to use the full back anyway. Best blocker/receiver out of the backfield it is for me.

Getting a bigger threat on the field seems like a better idea, than keeping a XXXX because he is a XXXX.

Now if Olawale is that guy, then keep him, but I would rather see Elliot\Smith, Elliot\Bo, Elliot\Jackson, Elliot\Barwin on the field than Elliot\Olawale.

 

[Bobhaze]

OFFENSE - 24
QB - Prescott, Rush
RB - Olawale, Elliott, R.Smith, Scarbrough
TE - Swaim, Jarwin, Schultz
WR - Hurns, Williams, Beasley, Austin, Gallup, Thompson, Lenoir
OL - T.Smith, C.Williams, Frederick, Z.Martin, L.Collins, Looney, Fleming, Edwards

DEFENSE - 26 + 1 suspended
DE - Crawford, Lawrence, Gregory, Tapper, Charlton, Armstrong
DT - M.Collins, J.Ward, D.Jones, Price, A.Woods (Irving - suspended)
LB - Lee, J.Smith, Vander Esch, D.Wilson, J.Thomas, March-Lillard
CB - B.Jones, Awuzie, A.Brown, Lewis, C.Ward
S - Heath, E.Thomas, X.Woods, Frazier

SPECIALISTS - 3
PK - Bailey
P - C.Jones
LS - Ladouceur

Draft picks Covington and White go to the PS, and C.Wilson to IR. Cowboys will risk waiving Gathers, to see if they can get him to the PS. Cowboys trade conditional 3rd round pick to Seattle for Earl Thomas. Cowboys could try to trade Crawford or Tapper to clear space for Irving when he returns. Datone Jones on the bubble. Kony Ealy fails to make the cut, and could get traded before the end of pre-season if the Cowboys find a buyer.

I agree with your 53 except I think for OL there will be someone we pick up after late cuts. OL depth has become the biggest concern I have for this team as of late August.

 

[xwalker]

Skill Positions



QB: The Rush/White competition is not done by a long shot, and I'm one of those who think only one of these ends up on the 53-man... and, too, I'm one of those who think if Rush doesn't win it outright, they'll try to sneak him on the practice squad before they will White. I think they'll only keep 2, not 3.

RB: I don't think the Bo/Jackson competition is done either. No argument that Bo turned heads, but Jackson wasn't chopped liver. In fact, I wager that Scarbrough might be seen as an alternative to Olawale largely because they're almost certain to keep Jarwin who was more perceived a year ago as an H-back... so if they keep 3 RBs and 1 FB, it could be in actuality a question of Jackson or Olawale. But today? I say they'll only keep Elliott, Smith and Scarbrough... 3 not 4.

WR: Think it's odd to go more than 6, though I understand the inclination they might under this WR by committee thing. Lenoir, though, to me is another guy they figure they can sneak onto the practice squad, and call up once someone else gets injured. Otherwise, I think Thompson could indeed be an odd-man out if Austin continues to impress and, major point, persuades the coaching staff that his fumbling days are behind him. I'm persuaded they do want desperately to have that legit speed guy, and Austin at his best could remind of DeSean Jackson. If Austin fumbles more than once in preseason, though, I think he could be a surprise cut after all. They're not going to put up with that. I think they keep Brown because he's that husky WR that helps your running game, and can show up on special teams. So, I like the 6 named here, minus Lenoir.

TE: Pretty typical of Garrett to break camp with 4 TEs through the years. I agree they're all likely to get a shot.

The OP has 18 skill position players. I think you've got two young, sturdy guys at QB and RB who, playing the odds, are just not coming off the field that much, so I'm looking at 15.


O-Line



I think there will be 8, as well. Likely a waiver wire pick-up in place of Edwards, imo.


D-Line



I'm not as sold on Woods. He still has a lot to prove in preseason before he beats out Ealy, but I do think we keep two of Woods, Ealy or Tapper. Since Ealy hasn't had the injury problems that Woods and Tapper have had, I'm inclined to think he's more likely to stick. Then, I think they really would rather have another option at the 1 than at an end, now that Gregory appears to be back.

So, I've got Ealy in, Tapper out, but 10 total is the number, imo.




Linebackers



I think they like March-Lillard, and will make up for the lack of a FB who plays special teams with the addition of that 7th LB.



D-Backfield



I've got 10 here, not just 8. I add Thomas to the CBs, and I'm banking on a waiver wire pick-up at FS.


Specialists



Yep.

Woods vs Ealy ? Different position.

 

[xwalker]

Just as a question?
If Smith was a full back, and Bo has the size of a full back, and Jarwin was an H-back who learned to block in space and has size, and let's face it Dallas seldom utilizes a full back --- why is everyone so certain of Olawale as a lock?

I am a huge fan of Daryl Johnston, but haven't seen a player like him in years. Why keep an extra back as a full back, if you aren't going to use the full back anyway. Best blocker/receiver out of the backfield it is for me.

Getting a bigger threat on the field seems like a better idea, than keeping a XXXX because he is a XXXX.

Now if Olawale is that guy, then keep him, but I would rather see Elliot\Smith, Elliot\Bo, Elliot\Jackson, Elliot\Barwin on the field than Elliot\Olawale.

I've posted a similar question.

Olawale is more of a runner/receiver than most FBs.

All of the RBs are big.

As you said Smith was originally a FB in Dallas.

Olawale seems redundant; although he is likely a better Special Teams player than Bo or DJackson.

 

[_sturt_]

Woods vs Ealy ? Different position.

Acknowledged, but misses the point. You have position flex on the D-line, and you have an overload of talent at DE... therefore, it's a legit question.

 

[millennial_legend]

8 OL is too light. Lose one of the TEs. They can't play anyway.

Right. But if you choose to lose one of the TEs, then pick one of the 3 that are redundant with one another, not the only one with the unique skills.

 

[Risen Star]

Right. But if you choose to lose one of the TEs, then pick one of the 3 that are redundant with one another, not the only one with the unique skills.

I agree with that. I'd probably keep Rico just because the other 3 are so bad.

 

[millennial_legend]

I agree with that. I'd probably keep Rico just because the other 3 are so bad.

I wouldn't say the other 3 are BAD per se, they're just average NFL backup TEs that offer good blocking but very little in the pass game aside from being check down options. Schultz is the only one of the 3 to have potential to be more than that long term, but if he gets there it's going to take a while.

Currently, Rico is the only big play threat TE on the roster, so cutting him would be downright stupid. I don't see what the Cowboys see in Jarwin. Dak missed him twice last week because on the first one, he ran a terrible route, and on the second one in the red zone he ran the route too slow. He's also probably the worst blocker out of him, Shultz and Swaim (the best blocker). Guys like Martellus Bennett (hate the guy) and Brent Celek started off as poor blockers but excellent receivers, and got better at blocking with years of experience. You've got to keep Rico.

 

[Einstein]

Jackson over Bo for me...

 

[millennial_legend]

I guess you replace Frederick with Green

 

[millennial_legend]

Jackson over Bo for me...

This, too