**Official** 53 Man Roster Projection **merged**

[Nightman]

# Player Pos. 2015 Cap Figure
1Jason WittenTE$8,512,000
2Jermey ParnellRT$8,000,000 Free
3Tony RomoQB14,973,000 $7,611,000
4Dez BryantWR$7,000,000
5Sean LeeOLB$5,450,000
6Brandon CarrCB12,717,000 $5,246,667
7Morris ClaiborneCB$5,175,069
8Tyron SmithLT$5,039,000
9DeMarco MurrayRB$5,000,000
10Nick FairleyDT$4,750,000 Hayden
11Orlando ScandrickCB$4,382,271
12Barry ChurchSS$3,250,000
13Greg HardyDE$3,217,850
14Mackenzy BernadeauG$2,824,166
15Rolando McClainILB$2,812,500
16Shane VereenRB$2,516,666 Dunbar
17Dan BaileyK$2,500,000
18Jeremy MinceyDE$2,250,000
19Zack MartinG$2,038,136
20Cole BeasleyWR$2,000,000
21Cordarrelle PattersonWR$1,969,377 Lucky
22Travis FrederickC$1,873,644
23Jasper BrinkleyILB$1,625,000
24Andrew GachkarILB$1,600,000
25Byron JonesCB$1,563,989
26Corey WhiteCB$1,542,000
27T.J. YatesQB$1,500,000 Weeden
28DeMarcus LawrenceDE$1,251,511
29Darren McFaddenRB$1,150,000
30Gavin EscobarTE$1,148,317
31L.P. LadouceurLS$1,120,000
32Chris JonesP$1,000,000
33Tyrone CrawfordDT$828,813
34Terrance WilliamsWR$779,868
35J.J. WilcoxFS$751,517
36Randy GregoryOLB$693,624
37James HannaTE$686,213
38Jack CrawfordDE$660,000
39Joseph RandleRB$632,220
40Anthony HitchensILB$618,716
41Chaz GreenT$591,092
42Jeff HeathFS$585,668
43Ron LearyG$585,000
44Lavar EdwardsDE$585,000
45Tyler CluttsFB$585,000
46Devin StreetWR$560,493
47Damien WilsonILB$551,578
48Keith SmithILB$510,000
49Tyler PatmonCB$510,000
50Ken BishopDT$510,000
51Ryan RussellDE$485,746
52Ben GardnerDE$449,793
53La'el CollinsT$442,000
...................................................................................................

• Total Available Cap: $148,578,313
• Total Team Cap $:$139,217,043
• Dead Cap $:$16,690,207
• Offensive Cap $:$63,044,192
• Defensive Cap $:$51,857,312
• Special Teams Cap $:$4,620,000
• Cap Space:$9,361,270

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

My point is not about Edwards. My point is that I have not seen much from Gardner.

Prior to training camp I saw a lot of posts of people that thought Gardner would be really good. He was somewhat a common pet cat for the board. Now I'm seeing a similar percentage of people saying that he is doing well despite the fact that I have not seen much proof of it.

I'm fairly certain a lot of it is confirmation bias. People expected or wanted Gardner to do well and that makes it very easy for them to believe that he is indeed doing well. People didn't expect anything from Edwards and therefore don't really even know if he is in the game.

IMO, stats a meaningless in a preseason game. You have to watch each play to see if a player is exhibiting signs that he could perform in real games against starting NFL players. If an OL forgets the snap count and stays in his stance and a pass rusher runs past him for a sack, that will show up in the stats but I'm not really going to be impressed the pass rusher won against air.

Edwards and Gardener are about even IMO. It comes down to who has more upside. We'll let the front office make that decision.

 

[gimmesix]

My point is not about Edwards. My point is that I have not seen much from Gardner.

Prior to training camp I saw a lot of posts of people that thought Gardner would be really good. He was somewhat a common pet cat for the board. Now I'm seeing a similar percentage of people saying that he is doing well despite the fact that I have not seen much proof of it.

I'm fairly certain a lot of it is confirmation bias. People expected or wanted Gardner to do well and that makes it very easy for them to believe that he is indeed doing well. People didn't expect anything from Edwards and therefore don't really even know if he is in the game.

IMO, stats a meaningless in a preseason game. You have to watch each play to see if a player is exhibiting signs that he could perform in real games against starting NFL players. If an OL forgets the snap count and stays in his stance and a pass rusher runs past him for a sack, that will show up in the stats but I'm not really going to be impressed the pass rusher won against air.

I've never been a proponent of Gardner's because I don't get into that. I want players to show me they can play, and I've seen flashes of that from Gardner.

I'm certainly not saying it means much at the moment, but it intrigues me enough to keep him. I've seen some good things from Edwards, too, particularly in the first game, but I've got to believe as a player coming off missing his rookie season because of injury, Gardner flashing shows that he might have more upside.

There's not enough difference between the two at this point, though, IMO, that the final game can't decide which one is kept or even if either is kept.

I don't do the pet cat thing so it doesn't really matter to me if he makes the team. (As an example, last year I said Vaughan should make the 53 and at one point that Vaughan should replace Weeden as the primary backup. This year, I do not believe Vaughan should make the team, although I do think Dallas should give him a developmental year on the PS to see what happens). Just going by what I've seen, though, I think Gardner's worth trying to develop.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

The Hitchens injury definitely might affect how many LBs we carry. However, with Brinkley essentially getting passed (seemingly) as Rolando's replacement by Hitchens, then Wilber, then Gachkar, I have to wonder if Dallas trusts him at all at the spot. Now, the Cowboys might have just been looking at combinations, but I don't think it bodes well when you're a veteran middle linebacker and they don't even have you in there with the starters with the first two options sidelined.

I think it has more to do with special teams. Brinkley isnt likely to contribute in that area, so when all LBers are healthy, he likely sits as an inactive. So the coaching staff needs options among the LBers who will play every week because of special teams for when Mcclain goes down during a game.

 

[xwalker]

Edwards and Gardener are about even IMO. It comes down to who has more upside. We'll let the front office make that decision.

Yes, there is not a huge difference between the two.

There just is no significant evidence to justify the large numbers of posts that I see that claim Gardner has been terrific.

 

[texbumthelife]

My point is not about Edwards. My point is that I have not seen much from Gardner.

Prior to training camp I saw a lot of posts of people that thought Gardner would be really good. He was somewhat a common pet cat for the board. Now I'm seeing a similar percentage of people saying that he is doing well despite the fact that I have not seen much proof of it.

I'm fairly certain a lot of it is confirmation bias. People expected or wanted Gardner to do well and that makes it very easy for them to believe that he is indeed doing well. People didn't expect anything from Edwards and therefore don't really even know if he is in the game.

IMO, stats a meaningless in a preseason game. You have to watch each play to see if a player is exhibiting signs that he could perform in real games against starting NFL players. If an OL forgets the snap count and stays in his stance and a pass rusher runs past him for a sack, that will show up in the stats but I'm not really going to be impressed the pass rusher won against air.

Well, I have said 2-3 times now the only way I think he makes the roster is as the final guy when we take an extra DL the first four weeks. So it's not like I am trying to hard sell anyone on him making the team. I just don't think the difference between he and Edwards is significant at all.

 

[gimmesix]

I think it has more to do with special teams. Brinkley isnt likely to contribute in that area, so when all LBers are healthy, he likely sits as an inactive. So the coaching staff needs options among the LBers who will play every week because of special teams for when Mcclain goes down during a game.

That's possible. Maybe the Cowboys already know what they can expect from Brinkley and don't plan to take him to games unless he's needed on defense. But it seems strange to me that you wouldn't at least give him a series with the starters in last week's game if you think he can be an option there while McClain is out and Hitchens is sidelined.

Plus, I don't really think you want a $2 million player to not dress for games. If he doesn't play special teams, then he needs to be contributing some at linebacker. He needs to be at least the top reserve, and it doesn't appear that he is.

 

[jobberone]

I've never been a proponent of Gardner's because I don't get into that. I want players to show me they can play, and I've seen flashes of that from Gardner.

I'm certainly not saying it means much at the moment, but it intrigues me enough to keep him. I've seen some good things from Edwards, too, particularly in the first game, but I've got to believe as a player coming off missing his rookie season because of injury, Gardner flashing shows that he might have more upside.

There's not enough difference between the two at this point, though, IMO, that the final game can't decide which one is kept or even if either is kept.

I don't do the pet cat thing so it doesn't really matter to me if he makes the team. (As an example, last year I said Vaughan should make the 53 and at one point that Vaughan should replace Weeden as the primary backup. This year, I do not believe Vaughan should make the team, although I do think Dallas should give him a developmental year on the PS to see what happens). Just going by what I've seen, though, I think Gardner's worth trying to develop.

I think Gardner can play inside as well as a backup DE. I think Edwards is the better edge rusher.

 

[Stash]

I think Gardner can play inside as well as a backup DE. I think Edwards is the better edge rusher.

Yeah, that looked apparent to me too. I think Gardner has the motor and position versatility, but the physical limitations, while Edwards has the better physical tools, but is strictly an edge guy. It will be interesting to see what the coaching staff feels are the more important traits.

 

[gimmesix]

I think Gardner can play inside as well as a backup DE. I think Edwards is the better edge rusher.

I'd say that's probably a fair assessment. It appears to me that Dallas only sees Edwards as a right defensive end (unless I've missed him playing the left end spot). Now, I don't know if he has the ability to play other spots, or if Gardner has the ability to be an effective right end, but we haven't seen that from either. We have seen Gardner at LDE and 3-tech, though, and know Dallas values versatility.

I think one of the things that limits Edwards is that he appears to play very upright (but again, I'd have to go back and take a closer look), which would mean that Dallas wouldn't want to put him in a position where he has to rely more on strength than speed.

Because Edwards has only played RDE, I'm not sure he's shown enough as an edge rusher to be kept as a one-trick pony (not saying his run defense has been poor, though, because, again, I'd have to go take a closer look ... I'm just relying on what my eyeballs have told me about both guys because I haven't gone back and reviewed the recordings.)

 

[jobberone]

Yeah, that looked apparent to me too. I think Gardner has the motor and position versatility, but the physical limitations, while Edwards has the better physical tools, but is strictly an edge guy. It will be interesting to see what the coaching staff feels are the more important traits.

They like versatility but they need edge rushers until Hardy gets back. They're both fighting depth. First time in awhile we've had this problem. Both are PS candidates IMO.

 

[gimmesix]

They like versatility but they need edge rushers until Hardy gets back. They're both fighting depth. First time in awhile we've had this problem. Both are PS candidates IMO.

Could be on the PS, especially if we decide to go a little deeper at linebacker. The one thing I don't think we'll do is bring in another DB, but I could see us keeping both Brinkley and Smith at LB.

 

[jobberone]

I'd say that's probably a fair assessment. It appears to me that Dallas only sees Edwards as a right defensive end (unless I've missed him playing the left end spot). Now, I don't know if he has the ability to play other spots, or if Gardner has the ability to be an effective right end, but we haven't seen that from either. We have seen Gardner at LDE and 3-tech, though, and know Dallas values versatility.

I think one of the things that limits Edwards is that he appears to play very upright (but again, I'd have to go back and take a closer look), which would mean that Dallas wouldn't want to put him in a position where he has to rely more on strength than speed.

Because Edwards has only played RDE, I'm not sure he's shown enough as an edge rusher to be kept as a one-trick pony (not saying his run defense has been poor, though, because, again, I'd have to go take a closer look ... I'm just relying on what my eyeballs have told me about both guys because I haven't gone back and reviewed the recordings.)

I've seen Edward at SDE and he held up run and gave some pass rush. Without Hardy around he may be as answer at DE.

 

[xwalker]

I think Gardner can play inside as well as a backup DE. I think Edwards is the better edge rusher.

They have given Edwards a few snaps inside in the preseason games but Gardner has only played outside.

I thought when Gardner came out of college that he would bulk up and play inside; however, in a recent interview he said that he weighs less than he did in college.

 

[xwalker]

I've seen Edward at SDE and he held up run and gave some pass rush. Without Hardy around he may be as answer at DE.

Yes, Edwards has played both sides in the preseason games.

 

[gimmesix]

I've seen Edward at SDE and he held up run and gave some pass rush. Without Hardy around he may be as answer at DE.

Thanks for that. I don't remember seeing him there.

 

[gimmesix]

They have given Edwards a few snaps inside in the preseason games but Gardner has only played outside.

I don't remember that, either, but my memory isn't always as reliable as I'd like it to be. : )

 

[Stash]

They like versatility but they need edge rushers until Hardy gets back. They're both fighting depth. First time in awhile we've had this problem. Both are PS candidates IMO.

I think they'll both get one last chance to go out and take the spot this week.

 

[gimmesix]

Yes, Edwards has played both sides in the preseason games.

I went back and quickly thumbed through Zordon's 30-minute condensed San Diego game and saw Edwards at LDE at least once.

I'm probably spending more time discussing these two players than I should. Both are down the line in the DE pecking order and there's a good chance that neither will make the 53. Ahead of them at DE are (Hardy), Mincey, Lawrence, Gregory and Russell. Then pretty much all of these DTs have been in games earlier than them as well: T. Crawford, Hayden, J. Crawford, Coleman, Bishop and T. McClain. With Jack Crawford also able to play some at end, that might just be the group we go with since that gives us 10 DL to carry, which is probably the most we want to carry.

I agree with Stash that Thursday could make the determination if one of them forces his way on the 53 or the practice squad is the only possible destination.

 

[xwalker]

This is NOT a prediction thread, just an update on the current roster.

It would be convenient if this could remain near the top of a thread until after the cut to 53.

It would also be convenient if there is a way to have the cuts at the top of a thread. I've fumbled around a few times searching to page 4 of a thread to find a partial list of the cuts and then to another page for the other cuts.

QB Romo, Tony
QB Weeden, Brandon
QB Showers, Jameill
QB Vaughan, Dustin

RB McFadden, Darren
RB Randle, Joseph
RB Dunbar, Lance
RB Johnson, Gus
RB Malena, Ben

FB Agnew, Ray
FB Clutts, Tyler

TE Escobar, Gavin
TE Hanna, James
TE Swaim, Geoff
TE Witten, Jason

WR Bryant, Dez
WR Williams, Terrance
WR Beasley, Cole
WR Street, Devin
WR Whitehead, Lucky
WR Jenkins, A.J.
WR Gates, Clyde
WR Harwell, Nick

OL Smith, Tyron
OL Leary, Ronald
OL Frederick, Travis
OL Martin, Zack
OL Free, Doug
OL Weems, Darrion
OL Bernadeau, Mackenzy
OL Collins, La'el
OL Gibson, Laurence
OL McDermott, Shane
OL Patrick, Ronald
OL Wetzel, John

DL Hardy, Greg
DL Gregory, Randy
DL Lawrence, Demarcus
DL Mincey, Jeremy
DL Crawford, Tyrone
DL Crawford, Jack
DL Hayden, Nick
DL Russell, Ryan
DL Coleman, Davon
DL Bishop, Ken
DL McClain, Terrell
DL Edwards, Lavar
DL Obada, Efe
DL Gardner, Ben

DB Carr, Brandon
DB Claiborne, Morris
DB Jones, Byron
DB Patmon, Tyler
DB White, Corey
DB Church, Barry
DB Wilcox, J.J.
DB Heath, Jeff
DB McCray, Danny
DB Scott, Tim
DB Ross, Joel
DB Sweeting, Rod

LB McClain, Rolando
LB Lee, Sean
LB Hitchens, Anthony
LB Gachkar, Andrew
LB Wilson, Damien
LB Wilber, Kyle
LB Smith, Keith
LB Brinkley, Jasper
LB Baggs, Donnie
LB Glaud, Ka'Lial
LB Johnson, Dakorey

LS LaDouceur, L.P.
P Jones, Chris
K Bailey, Dan

Waived
P Tom Hornsey
LS Casey Kreiter
CB Robert Steeples
WR Phil Bates
DT Carlif Taylor

LB Jonathan Brown,
WR Antwan Goodley
WR David Porter
TE Brandon Barden.

Waived/Injured
DE Kenneth Boatright,
RB Michael Hill and
OT R.J. Dill

IR
Orlando Scandrick

PUP
Chaz Green

NFI
Mark Nzeocha

Still shows up on DC.com but was waived Aug 8th.
LB Anderson, Justin