My Final 53 thoughts

[Manwiththeplan]

Just a couple of thoughts on how I feel about each position and how it will effect us this year. Skipping the 3 specialists (K, P, LS)

QB: Tony Romo, Kyle Orton
Very happy we didn't keep Alex Tanney. He never was gonna be anything more than a poor #2, so why waste time developing him on the 53. If he makes the PS, fine, but he doesn't belong on a 53 man roster. Kyle does worry me, but I would still argue he's one of the better back-up QBs in the league.
RB: Demarco Murray, Lance Dunbar, Phillip Tanner, Joseph Randle
I think we have a really good group here, especially if Dunbar's preseason success can carry over to the regular season. Ideally I would still like to see a FB on the roster, but I understand the decision to not carry one.
WR: Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Dwayne Harris, Terrence Williams, Cole Beasley
One of the most talented receiver units in the league. Would still like to see Anthony Armstrong brought back after week 1.
TE: Jason Witten, James Hanna, Dante Rosario, Gavin Escobar, Andre Smith
5 TEs tell me that Gavin isn't going to be seeing the field that often early on. I thought to a certain extent we were just holding the TEs back, but if he was making strides as a pass catcher in practice, then there would be little reason to keep Rosario since Smith is the blocker.
OT: Tyron Smith, Jeremy Parnell, Darrion Weems
This position is going to struggle, I really don't like moving Free to guard (he's likely going to be the swing tackle though), and Weems shouldn't be on our roster. Has to be a vet out there we can sign.
OG: Ron Leary, Doug Free, Makenzie Bernadeau, David Arkin
Leary was a pleasant surprise, but I'm not sure what to read into Free at RG after only 1 game. Hopefully he looked great in practice because I just don't have faith in Parnell at OT or Free at G.
C: Travis Frederick, Phil Costa
Frederick is a rookie and will have his moments, I have little doubt in that, but I for one am glad that we may not see another shot gun snap sail over Romo's head as long as he wears a cowboys uniform.

DE: Demarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, George Selvie, Kyle Wilbur, Edgar Jones
I'm really looking forward to seeing Ware and Spencer rush every down and think that these two players can wreck havoc on opposing QBs like we haven't seen in a while. Selvie is good depth it seems, but Wilbur is JAG. Hopefully Jones is worth the pick we traded down for, as a special teams standout.
DT: Jason Hatcher, Nick Hayden, Ben Bass, Sean Lissimore, Nick Cohen
I really think this group will consistently push the pocket on 3rd and longs and allow Ware and Spencer to clean up, but I do question how well this group will play the run. Bit scary if you as me.
OLB: Bruce Carter, Justin Durant, Ernie Simms, Devonte Holloman
Bruce is a stud, and Durant/Simms are serviceable. They'll only be 2 down players anyway, since we know Carter and Lee excel in pass coverage, so I'm fine with both players. Devonte Holloman is going to be a future starter in the league, hopefully for us though.
MLB: Sean Lee
LB is one of the positions I believe we'll be searching the waiver wire for, hoping we can bring someone in.
CB: Morris Claiborne, Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick, BW Webb
Similar to the LB position, I expect it to be a strength, but the decision to keep 4 worries me. Want to see them add another.
S: Will Allen, Barry Church, JJ Wilcox, Danny McCray, Eric Frampton, Jeff Heath
This is just too many safeties. Can't put all 6 on the gameday 46, and the last 3 don't show any starting potential. Should be 5 safeties and either a 6th LB or 5th CB.

 

[Nightman]

Good analysis and I agree that CBs, MLB and OL is pretty thin. Too many TEs and Safeties. Cincy cut FB John Connor who can block and play STs. The Titans cut Fernando Velasco who was a 16 game starter last year. He played mostly C, but also some OG. He has to be better than Arkin. I do think they have to keep churning the bottom of the roster.

 

[SHAMSzy]

Solid post, agree with pretty much everything besides adding a FB.

 

[gimmesix]

OLB: Bruce Carter, Justin Durant, Ernie Simms, Devonte Holloman
Bruce is a stud, and Durant/Simms are serviceable. They'll only be 2 down players anyway, since we know Carter and Lee excel in pass coverage, so I'm fine with both players. Devonte Holloman is going to be a future starter in the league, hopefully for us though.
MLB: Sean Lee
LB is one of the positions I believe we'll be searching the waiver wire for, hoping we can bring someone in.

I think we consider Edgar Jones the sixth LB and won't bring in anyone else (other than putting a couple of linebackers on the practice squad). Not saying Jones will play linebacker, just that he occupies that roster spot.

Carter is Lee's backup.

 

[Galian Beast]

More projecting of preconceptions than analysis here. A lot of misconceptions in your post.

 

[reddyuta]

i want magee back in the team later on in the season,hopefully me makes the PS.

 

[CooterBrown]

Carter is Lee's backup.

Actually, just judging from the preseason games, I think Durant is Lee's backup and they keep Carter as the WLB and bring in Sims at the strong side.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

More projecting of preconceptions than analysis here. A lot of misconceptions in your post.

Did you read the thread title? My final 53 thoughts. No where did I put expert analysis....

 

[Manwiththeplan]

FWIW, Kellen Davis (Tight End) was released by Cleveland. We had some interest in him in prior to the 2012 season, but not so much when he was available this past offseason. Great size, good blocker.

 

[RS12]

I agree with pretty much every thing you said. Trenches are shaky, and depth at LB and CB are iffy, S is ?.

 

[CowboysPhan]

More projecting of preconceptions than analysis here. A lot of misconceptions in your post.

Not trying to be a punk here, but could you perhaps elaborate? To what misconceptions are you referring? We can't discuss it if we don't know what you're talking about.

 

[Hoofbite]

More projecting of preconceptions than analysis here. A lot of misconceptions in your post.

Those damn opinions and how they differ.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Not trying to be a punk here, but could you perhaps elaborate? To what misconceptions are you referring? We can't discuss it if we don't know what you're talking about.

Hopefully one of my many misconceptions isn't how we'll be searching the waiver wire for LB depth......

 

[iceman117]

i want magee back in the team later on in the season,hopefully me makes the PS.

Someone grabbed him already I think Clevland... Don't know why we didn't keep him... 5 TE's and 6 safties is a joke.... They should have kept MacGee and Moore (CB) and dropped 1 of the TE's and 1 of the safties.... Kinda dumb to carry so many TEs

 

[Galian Beast]

Not trying to be a punk here, but could you perhaps elaborate? To what misconceptions are you referring? We can't discuss it if we don't know what you're talking about.

1. The continued mythos that Kyle Orton is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the nfl. It's like, you say a lie enough times and it becomes the truth. The guy had some limited success as a starter quite some time ago, there is a reason he was bounced around the league, he wasn't good enough to start, but I'm sure since he was able to start he at least to be the cream of the crop of #2s right? No. There are a lot of young quarterbacks in the league that give you things Orton doesn't. This might have been true at some point, but now? Not so much. There are #2s who are competing for starting jobs out there. And other #1s who just got bounced to #2.

2. That 5 tight ends means that Gavin Escobar isn't going to see the field much. This is probably the most egregious. They went heavy at tight end because the base formation is two tight ends. But we also go into 13 formation as well, with 3 tight ends. Escobar could be the #2 tight end within a week or 2, and we would still have 5 tight ends on the roster. It's pretty clear that you don't like the pick, and you're looking for away to be dismissive here. It's a strong group of players, and they kept them because all of them can help us this year. Don't read so much into it, because you have no evidence to suggest that.

3. You realize that they probably see Weems as a player that they can develop right? They already have Smith and they already have Free. Even Parnell has some experience by now. Why do they need another veteran tackle. How much money do you think that would cost? You've got to develop players at some point.

4. It seems as though your entire understanding of the center position is whether or not there is ever a bad snap... It happens.

5. Selvie is good depth and Wilber is a JAG? LMAO... I'm glad you can tell so much off of just a couple preseason games...

6. Tampa 2 defensive line. Their main priority isn't stopping the run. Not sure what scares you, except confusing it with a regular 4-3 defensive line scares me a bit. There is a reason why the linebackers and corners have much more significance in run defense in this scheme. It's because the defensive line's primary job is to rush the passer.

7. It's not too many safeties. A few of these players are safeties in name only. It's like saying we have too many. It would be like saying we have 6 tight ends and including ladouceur. Some of these guys have specific positions on special teams. You complain that they can't start, they aren't here to start.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

1. The continued mythos that Kyle Orton is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the nfl. It's like, you say a lie enough times and it becomes the truth. The guy had some limited success as a starter quite some time ago, there is a reason he was bounced around the league, he wasn't good enough to start, but I'm sure since he was able to start he at least to be the cream of the crop of #2s right? No. There are a lot of young quarterbacks in the league that give you things Orton doesn't. This might have been true at some point, but now? Not so much. There are #2s who are competing for starting jobs out there. And other #1s who just got bounced to #2.

Use me entire quote please. I said "Kyle does worry me, but I would still argue he's one of the better back-up QBs in the league," so unless you believe there are 16 back-up QBs that are better, your splitting hairs.

2. That 5 tight ends means that Gavin Escobar isn't going to see the field much. This is probably the most egregious. They went heavy at tight end because the base formation is two tight ends. But we also go into 13 formation as well, with 3 tight ends. Escobar could be the #2 tight end within a week or 2, and we would still have 5 tight ends on the roster. It's pretty clear that you don't like the pick, and you're looking for away to be dismissive here. It's a strong group of players, and they kept them because all of them can help us this year. Don't read so much into it, because you have no evidence to suggest that.

Early on, I don't think he does. I don't think his value as a pick is determined by how early he sees the field, but I don't think it will be early based on his limitations as a blocker, and how much Rosario saw the field. The only thing that is clear, is that the bolded part, was pulled out of your rear because outside of saying I would've gone in another direction, I really haven't said anything about him, and I still am intrigued by his long term potential.

3. You realize that they probably see Weems as a player that they can develop right? They already have Smith and they already have Free. Even Parnell has some experience by now. Why do they need another veteran tackle. How much money do you think that would cost? You've got to develop players at some point.

Yea, I get the team likes him, but I can point out at least 4 that didn't, despite getting an up close and personal look within the past year (Minnesota, New England, Indy and Denver).

4. It seems as though your entire understanding of the center position is whether or not there is ever a bad snap... It happens.

This isn't even worth responding to, outside of asking, are you under the belief that I peed in your corn flakes this mourning?

5. Selvie is good depth and Wilber is a JAG? LMAO... I'm glad you can tell so much off of just a couple preseason games...

If you believe Wilbur is going to contribute, by all means tell me what you've seen from him to indicate this.

6. Tampa 2 defensive line. Their main priority isn't stopping the run. Not sure what scares you, except confusing it with a regular 4-3 defensive line scares me a bit. There is a reason why the linebackers and corners have much more significance in run defense in this scheme. It's because the defensive line's primary job is to rush the passer.

This almost isn't worth responding to either. My words were "but I do question how well this group will play the run." I get how a Tampa 2 works, and you seem to be the only one who doesn't, if you are implying that the DTs don't have any run responsibilities.

7. It's not too many safeties. A few of these players are safeties in name only. It's like saying we have too many. It would be like saying we have 6 tight ends and including ladouceur. Some of these guys have specific positions on special teams. You complain that they can't start, they aren't here to start.

I'd be surprised if we carried all 6 on the game day 46, especially since you seem to believe we will carry 5 TEs on the active 46 as well. If they aren't all on the active 46, then they should be players who have starting potential. May be a misconception on my part, but I'm pretty not all 64 GMs/coaches would all carry a special teams only player on the 53, that isn't good enough to be active on game days.