My shot at the 53 man roster

[Bob Sacamano]

So we keep Hoyte and that means we can keep Ball? How about Ball just takes Hoyte's spot. Why not just cut Hoyte and have an "emergency" player on the PS -- after all, as you portray the guy -- 3rd string O and emergency ILB, he won't be a gameday active. So why does he need a spot on the 53 man roster at all if that is how he projects?

I'm not sure Hoyte is elligible for the PS since he was active for a year

 

[AbeBeta]

I'm not sure Hoyte is elligible for the PS since he was active for a year

I wasn't suggesting Hoyte to the PS - he wouldn't be eligible -- I was suggesting that if we want an emergency backup at a position, that player would more likely be a guy who plays that role in practice

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I wasn't suggesting Hoyte to the PS - he wouldn't be eligible -- I was suggesting that if we want an emergency backup at a position, that player would more likely be a guy who plays that role in practice

my mistake

 

[AbeBeta]

my mistake

I was unclear.

 

[Stautner]

So we keep Hoyte and that means we can keep Ball? How about Ball just takes Hoyte's spot. Why not just cut Hoyte and have an "emergency" player on the PS -- after all, as you portray the guy -- 3rd string O and emergency ILB, he won't be a gameday active. So why does he need a spot on the 53 man roster at all if that is how he projects?

That could be possible depending on how many players the coaches want to keep at each position and other factors.

If they want both a No. 9 LB AND a backup FB then your plan doesn't work - the roster spot wouldn't be available.

But if they decide they can go with 8 LB's then your plan can work.

Of course, that can change depending on how many people they want to keep at other positions.

The bottom line is still that if 2 positions can be handled by one player there is more flexibility in the decision making process.


The point is that you are looking for a clear cut only one way to do it kind of plan, and that doesn't exist. All I am saying is that that the coaches will look at a number of factors and options, and that keeping Hoyte is one of them.

There is logic to keeping Hoyte, but I clearly have said OVER AND OVER AND OVER that there are other methods to accomplish things as well - it's just up to the coaches to decide what best works with what they have and what they want to acheive.

 

[AbeBeta]

The bottom line is still that if 2 positions can be handled by one player there is more flexibility in the decision making process.

That is correct. I just don't buy that Hoyte can handle both positions.

 

[stargazer]

What about Hannah ? TE Seems like a promising project.

 

[Alexander]

I wasn't suggesting Hoyte to the PS - he wouldn't be eligible -- I was suggesting that if we want an emergency backup at a position, that player would more likely be a guy who plays that role in practice

Hasn't the point been made about special teams? Then he is not the spare you say he is and the point about his being able to do different things is valid.

This is not about having the novelty of a FB who can play ILB. It is about knowing you have a useful player than you can utilize in more than one role to save a roster spot.

But you can continue to worry about Alan Ball if you like.

 

[Stautner]

That is correct. I just don't buy that Hoyte can handle both positions.

Once again, that's obviously a question the coaches will have to decide on.

But again, I would agree with you if we were talking about someone we were truly counting on to get significant minutes at either position, but as a 9th LB and backup FB I personally believe it's possible. After all he made the team as a LB last year and eventually got significant minutes as a FB, so at least last year's regime felt he had some value at both spots. Special teams value obviously could also be a factor.

But I can't deny having a little skepticism myself as to his abilities at both spots - like I've said a number of times, this is just one of those situations that arise every year that make it tough to decide how to go on the last 3-4 roster spots.

 

[AbeBeta]

What about Hannah ? TE Seems like a promising project.

Hannam was released in March -- most likely b/c his knee isn't getting any better.

 

[TheSport78]

Hannam was released in March -- most likely b/c his knee isn't getting any better.

I think he's talking about TE Rodney Hannah, not Ryan Hannam. Easy to confuse the two!

 

[joseephuss]

I think he's talking about TE Rodney Hannah, not Ryan Hannam. Easy to confuse the two!

What about Tony Curtis? Will he be in the mix. I think they keep 3 TEs and only 1 fullback. If Hoyte learned to run and catch, then he may stick around. I think he is gone.

 

[AbeBeta]

Hasn't the point been made about special teams? Then he is not the spare you say he is and the point about his being able to do different things is valid.

This is not about having the novelty of a FB who can play ILB. It is about knowing you have a useful player than you can utilize in more than one role to save a roster spot.

But you can continue to worry about Alan Ball if you like.

Obviously his ST contribution is important. But let's not forget that Anderson is a true FB (at least a more experienced one) who was a ST standout in college.

Ironically, this is from Anderson's scouting report: "Times his hits properly and could eventually make a decent linebacker candidate because of his tackling form."

The team was so excited about Anderson that they traded up in the 6th to get him.

Let's see. Hoyte had a huge dropoff in play as the season wore on and we drafted a guy who plays the same role.

You can continue to love you some Ollie Hoyte but you may have to follow Arena League ball to see him in the future.

 

[AbeBeta]

I think he's talking about TE Rodney Hannah, not Ryan Hannam. Easy to confuse the two!

Ok -- Rodney Hannah. Not going to make the team. If we carry a 3rd TE I think that Adam Bergen is the guy - he started a bit over the past two years. Sure that was for the Cardinals but he'll have an edge over the young guys who can go on the PS.

 

[Alexander]

You can continue to love you some Ollie Hoyte but you may have to follow Arena League ball to see him in the future.

Did I say I loved me some Ollie Hoyte?

All I am saying is if he's good enough, plays special teams well and Phillips is comfortable with what he has seen as an ILB, he could save a roster spot. That is all.

 

[AbeBeta]

Did I say I loved me some Ollie Hoyte?

It was implied. Or inferred. I never remember which is which.

 

[TheSport78]

What about Tony Curtis? Will he be in the mix. I think they keep 3 TEs and only 1 fullback. If Hoyte learned to run and catch, then he may stick around. I think he is gone.

I don't know I just can't see the Cowboys putting all of their eggs in one basket with a rookie in Deon Anderson. Carrying Hoyte as a backup FB, a situational goalline FB, a backup ILB, and a great special teams player, he would be an asset the Cowboys couldn't just cut ties with.

 

[Alexander]

It was implied. Or inferred. I never remember which is which.

It is inferred. Which you would be wrong for doing so.

I'd favor Anderson in a fair battle for the job as he seems to have the experience edge. Hoyte might just be another Robert Thomas.

 

[AbeBeta]

Hoyte might just be another Robert Thomas.

At least he's not getting a fat contact like Thomas did.

Wasn't there some one game wonder who converted during pre-season as well?

 

[Established1971]

Starters are in bold.

QB- Tony Romo, Brad Johnson

RB- Julius Jones, Marion Barber, Alonzo Coleman (Thompson traded or cut)

FB- Deon Anderson, Oliver Hoyte

WR- Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Isaiah Stanbach

TE- Jason Witten, Anthony Fasano

OL- Flozell Adams, Kyle Kosier, Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Marc Colombo, Pat McQuistan, Doug Free, James Marten, Cory Proctor

DE- Marcus Spears, Chris Canty, Jason Hatcher, Jay Ratliff, Stephen Bowen

DT- Jason Ferguson, Montavious Stanley

LB- Demarcus Ware, Bradie James, Akin Ayodele, Greg Ellis, Anthony Spencer, Kevin Burnett, Bobby Carpenter, Junior Glymph

CB- Terence Newman, Anthony Henry, Aaron Glenn, Jacques Reeves, Quincy Butler, Alan Ball, Courtney Brown

S- Ken Hamlin, Roy Williams, Keith Davis, Patrick Watkins

K- Martin Gramatica, Nick Folk

P- Mat McBriar

LS- L.P. Ladouceur

Notes:
- Thompson becomes expendable with drafting Stanback and Miles Austin showing he can get the job done

- Lousaka Polite is released b/c Anderson fills that void. There's a 78% chance Polite will probably be back with the team some point in the regular season.

- Wade Phillips needs as many pass rushers as possible. That's why I think Glymph makes the squad.

- My surprise spot is Quincy Butler as Nate Jones used to play some Nickel safety for us last season. Watkins will take over as that role so the Rutgers alum gets the boot.

Feel free to post your own rosters!

Ohhhh I thought from the subject line you were going to explain your own chances of making the team