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This is my 53-man roster based on the information we've gathered from the first week of training camp. There have been several changes from my precamp 53.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (3)
STARTER Tony Romo
BACKUPS Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee
PRACTICE SQUAD Matt Nichols
ANALYSIS Until Saturday, Romo had been on his game, continuing to do the things he added last season to make himself a better quarterback while working on more back-shoulder throws. Kitna has had the opposite performance, being off on a lot of throws to put in question his ability to step in, but he had a better performance Saturday and might just be rounding into form. When given time behind a porous third-team line, McGee has shown the incremental progress needed to hold on to the developmental third spot, while Nichols looks to be at least a step behind. Both have been hit and miss, but McGee seems to have the stronger arm.
Running backs (3)
STARTER Marion Barber
BACKUPS[/B] Felix Jones, Tashard Choice
PRACTICE SQUAD Lonyae Miller
ANALYSIS Swelling in Jones’ knee showed how fortunate Dallas is to have three quality backs. All three are relatively healthy, but there’s no doubt there will be injuries along the way this season, and the Cowboys have the depth to combat that. Although Jones and Choice appear to be playing about the same as they have been (with Jones a little heavier), a lighter Barber appears to be back to the form he showed before injury took a toll on him last season. Miller appears to have the upperhand on Herb Donaldson for a practice squad spot, showing a better burst.
Tight ends/fullbacks (3)
STARTER Jason Witten
BACKUPS Martellus Bennett, John Phillips
PRACTICE SQUAD Chris Gronkowski and/or Scott Sicko
ANALYSIS Phillips’ outstanding play as a receiver and blocker in training camp has made it highly possible that the Cowboys will not use a true fullback this season, because Phillips can play the position and Dallas has three tight ends better than its best fullback. Why put Deon Anderson on the field when it would take better, more versatile players off the field? For a while, it appeared that Phillips would even push Bennett for his role in two-tight end formations, but Bennett has come on strong since returning from injury, making it most likely that he and Phillips will both get playing time. Since all three can play and Dallas will only be using two of them at a time (except maybe on short yardage), I think the Cowboys go short at this position so they can go longer at other spots. Gronkowski and Sicko haven’t shown enough to force their way on the roster, but could both be kept in reserve on the practice squad.
Wide receivers (6)
STARTERS Miles Austin, Roy Williams
BACKUPS Dez Bryant, Patrick Crayton, Kevin Ogletree, Sam Hurd
PRACTICE SQUAD Terrell Hudgins
ANALYSIS Bryant’s injury pretty much assures Crayton’s spot on the team, if it was not already assured, and I don’t think it’s likely Hurd is going anyplace, either. The top six are clearly superior to the rest of the contenders. Before his injury, Bryant was looking like the best receiver in camp, although Austin was doing just fine (and getting less coverage) in his No. 1 receiver role and Williams has been looking better than last year as the No. 2 guy. Crayton is the most reliable player after that group, as Ogletree appears to be hit and miss, alternately showing off his skills and speed and blowing a catch/route. Hurd continues to provide a solid sixth option. Although Manny Johnson and Jesse Holley have had their moments, Hudgins appears to be the best developmental option, showing some playmaking skills. Titus Ryan appears to be all speed and nothing else.
Centers (2)
STARTER Andre Gurode
BACKUP Travis Bright
ANALYSIS Haven’t really read much about Gurode’s performance in camp, which could be a good thing. The reviews of Bright’s play have been mixed, if not slightly disappointing. Still, he appears to be the best long-term backup option at the position. Kosier, the short-term, game-day option, hasn’t gotten many opportunities to show he can handle the spot.
Guards (3)
STARTERS Kyle Kosier, Leonard Davis
BACKUP Montrae Holland
PRACTICE SQUAD Mike Tepper
ANALYSIS It’s good to hear Davis acknowledge that he wasn’t at his best last season and be willing to work on improving. Of course, I’m not sure much can be done to give the big man better movement skills, but he can do a better job of not getting thrown off balance or lured out of position. Holland, before his injury, appeared to be doing fairly well in his backup role and showing better movement skills than he has in the past. Tepper has been part of a bad third-team line, but has had moments that could put him in the same position as Bright last season, spending time developing on the practice squad.
Tackles (5)
STARTERS Doug Free, Marc Colombo
BACKUPS Alex Barron, Robert Brewster, Sam Young
ANALYSIS This is a hard position to figure out based on what the Cowboys will do with Young. He could end up as a practice squad candidate because he’s had his struggles handling pass rushers, but might prove slightly too good to waive because he does show at times good strength and technique. I could easily see Dallas going with four players here and trying to put Young on the PS, though, but for now I’m keeping him on the 53. The other tackles are easy to figure out. Free has looked like a quality starter, with the byproduct of his play being Dallas’ ability to actually run wide to his side and get him out on blocks in the secondary. Barron seems to have taken to coaching well and is not only playing solid but isn’t making many mental mistakes. Colombo appears to be back to form, which means nasty as ever but occasionally beaten by superior athleticism. And Brewster has come on strong after a slow start to camp. Any doubts about his ability to play right tackle appear to be fading as his athleticism and strength shine through. I still think he’ll eventually crosstrain at guard to increase his versatility, but for now he’s settling in nicely at tackle and even earning some reps on the left side.
DEFENSE
Ends (4)
STARTERS Igor Olshansky, Marcus Spears
BACKUPS Jason Hatcher, Stephen Bowen
PRACTICE SQUAD Sean Lissemore
ANALYSIS Hatcher appeared to be coming on strong as a challenger to Spears’ starting job, being disruptive against the run and pass. But injury has once again got in his way, and the pecking order is unchanged at this time. Marcus Dixon doesn’t appear to be pushing any of the top four for a spot, and injury has slowed down Lissemore as well, who appears to need some NFL training time since he hasn’t made much of an impact either at end or nose tackle.
Nose tackles (2)
STARTER Jay Ratliff
BACKUP Josh Brent
ANALYSIS The one young defensive lineman who has gotten notice is Brent, who showed some disruptive ability before breaking his hand. If he bounces back from the injury quickly, he’s got a chance of taking Junior Siavii’s spot. If not, he’ll likely have to be kept on the 53 to keep from losing him and Dallas will have to either trim an offensive tackle, linebacker or corner to keep three NTs until he can push Siavii off the roster. Siavii is still showing he’s good enough to keep as a hold-the-fort guy for a few downs, but Dallas has to hope it’s seeing more than that from Brent. It certainly has more than that in Ratliff, who seems to be even more disruptive now that he’s got his elbows fixed.
Outside linebackers (6)
STARTERS DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer
BACKUPS Brandon Williams, Victor Butler, Curtis Johnson, Steve Octavien
ANALYSIS This is also a hard position to figure, but Wade Phillips does love to carry linebackers and Octavien has played well and appears to be a relied-upon special-teammer. The other three have shown pass-rush ability that is hard to come by. Butler seems to be the most well-rounded of the three (although he started camp a little slowly), but all three are intriguing and it will be interesting to see how it shakes out. Ware and Spencer, meanwhile, are picking up where they left off and looking like a twosome terror that could be even tougher with a little rest provided by Williams, Johnson and/or Butler.
Inside linebackers (4)
STARTERS Keith Brooking, Bradie James
BACKUPS Sean Lee, Jason Williams
PUP Stephen Hodge
ANALYSIS Whether Dallas carries six OLBs probably depends on if Hodge is able to come off PUP and make an impact, especially as a special teammer. If that’s the case, he could take Octavien’s spot, but right now, he remains a regular-season PUP candidate. Lee also needs to get well and get back on the field, but he showed before his injury that he’s got the mental and physical skills to handle either ILB job and the coverage skills to be an asset as a nickel linebacker. He’s ahead of Williams in that battle as Williams shows he has promise but still needs work on the mental aspect of his transition to 3-4 ILB. When Williams is able to cut loose, his physical skills shine ... but it might take a few seasons for him to get all the way there, just as it did with James. James and Brooking appear stalwart in the middle, and Brooking continues to show savvy coverage skills that should keep him in the game some on passing downs.
Cornerbacks (5)
STARTERS Mike Jenkins, Terrence Newman
BACKUPS Orlando Scandrick, Cletis Gordon, Jamar Wall
PRACTICE SQUAD Bryan McCann and/or Teddy Williams
ANALYSIS There seems to be little doubt that Jenkins is Dallas’ best corner, and he’s been playing like it in camp. He, Newman and Scandrick have all been beaten at times, which should be expected in some drills, but also have all had their moments and have shown Dallas has a solid top three. After that, there appears to be a fairly steep fall-off, but Gordon, Wall and McCann have all had their moments. Wall, especially, seems to be showing a propensity for making plays on the ball and getting better by day. With Dave Campo proclaiming that Alan Ball will focus strictly on safety, it appears that two of those three will make the roster, while the other will be a PS candidate along with raw speedster Williams.
Safeties (4)
STARTERS Gerald Sensabaugh, Alan Ball
BACKUPS Mike Hamlin, Barry Church
INJURED RESERVE Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
ANALYSIS If Owusu-Ansah ever gets on the field, it will probably affect the dynamics of the secondary positions, with either Church, Cletis Gordon or Jamar Wall not being kept on the 53. For now, though, Owusu-Ansah’s injury gives Church a great chance of making the roster, and he’s proving to be worthy of it with solid coverage and hitting ability. He’s also making Patrick Watkins expendable, especially if someone steps up on special teams, and there appear to be several candidates, including Kevin Ogletree. Ball appears to be holding off Hamlin for the starting free safety spot, and has even occasionally shown playmaking ability that hasn’t been seen previously.
Punter (1)
STARTER Mat McBrair
ANALYSIS There’s been no threat against McBriar’s job as punter, and the only “competition” has already been cut. His job as holder, though, bears watching, although David Buehler seems to be happy with him and Joe DeCamillas has said some of the blame McBriar accepted for last year’s follies were probably undeserved. Whatever happens as holder, though, his ability as a punter is unquestioned as he continues to work on placing the ball along the sidelines to improve his already impressive skills.
Kicker (1)
STARTER David Buehler
ANALYSIS Buehler is making the Cowboys’ front office look smart for entrusting him with all the place-kicking work. He still has to show he can do it in games, but going 20 of 24 on field-goal attempts in team work so far has to have Dallas feeling pretty good about being able to carry one kicker for field goals and kickoffs. The extra kicking duties also don’t appear to be affecting his kickoffs, although kicking directional might be. Buehler’s been working on that and still seems to get the ball inside the 5 when he does it.
Long snapper (1)
STARTER L.P. Ladouceur
ANALYSIS About the only time anything’s been written about Ladouceur is when he was sick Saturday and couldn’t participate in practice. That just goes to show you how much his expertise is taken for granted.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks (3)
STARTER Tony Romo
BACKUPS Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee
PRACTICE SQUAD Matt Nichols
ANALYSIS Until Saturday, Romo had been on his game, continuing to do the things he added last season to make himself a better quarterback while working on more back-shoulder throws. Kitna has had the opposite performance, being off on a lot of throws to put in question his ability to step in, but he had a better performance Saturday and might just be rounding into form. When given time behind a porous third-team line, McGee has shown the incremental progress needed to hold on to the developmental third spot, while Nichols looks to be at least a step behind. Both have been hit and miss, but McGee seems to have the stronger arm.
Running backs (3)
STARTER Marion Barber
BACKUPS[/B] Felix Jones, Tashard Choice
PRACTICE SQUAD Lonyae Miller
ANALYSIS Swelling in Jones’ knee showed how fortunate Dallas is to have three quality backs. All three are relatively healthy, but there’s no doubt there will be injuries along the way this season, and the Cowboys have the depth to combat that. Although Jones and Choice appear to be playing about the same as they have been (with Jones a little heavier), a lighter Barber appears to be back to the form he showed before injury took a toll on him last season. Miller appears to have the upperhand on Herb Donaldson for a practice squad spot, showing a better burst.
Tight ends/fullbacks (3)
STARTER Jason Witten
BACKUPS Martellus Bennett, John Phillips
PRACTICE SQUAD Chris Gronkowski and/or Scott Sicko
ANALYSIS Phillips’ outstanding play as a receiver and blocker in training camp has made it highly possible that the Cowboys will not use a true fullback this season, because Phillips can play the position and Dallas has three tight ends better than its best fullback. Why put Deon Anderson on the field when it would take better, more versatile players off the field? For a while, it appeared that Phillips would even push Bennett for his role in two-tight end formations, but Bennett has come on strong since returning from injury, making it most likely that he and Phillips will both get playing time. Since all three can play and Dallas will only be using two of them at a time (except maybe on short yardage), I think the Cowboys go short at this position so they can go longer at other spots. Gronkowski and Sicko haven’t shown enough to force their way on the roster, but could both be kept in reserve on the practice squad.
Wide receivers (6)
STARTERS Miles Austin, Roy Williams
BACKUPS Dez Bryant, Patrick Crayton, Kevin Ogletree, Sam Hurd
PRACTICE SQUAD Terrell Hudgins
ANALYSIS Bryant’s injury pretty much assures Crayton’s spot on the team, if it was not already assured, and I don’t think it’s likely Hurd is going anyplace, either. The top six are clearly superior to the rest of the contenders. Before his injury, Bryant was looking like the best receiver in camp, although Austin was doing just fine (and getting less coverage) in his No. 1 receiver role and Williams has been looking better than last year as the No. 2 guy. Crayton is the most reliable player after that group, as Ogletree appears to be hit and miss, alternately showing off his skills and speed and blowing a catch/route. Hurd continues to provide a solid sixth option. Although Manny Johnson and Jesse Holley have had their moments, Hudgins appears to be the best developmental option, showing some playmaking skills. Titus Ryan appears to be all speed and nothing else.
Centers (2)
STARTER Andre Gurode
BACKUP Travis Bright
ANALYSIS Haven’t really read much about Gurode’s performance in camp, which could be a good thing. The reviews of Bright’s play have been mixed, if not slightly disappointing. Still, he appears to be the best long-term backup option at the position. Kosier, the short-term, game-day option, hasn’t gotten many opportunities to show he can handle the spot.
Guards (3)
STARTERS Kyle Kosier, Leonard Davis
BACKUP Montrae Holland
PRACTICE SQUAD Mike Tepper
ANALYSIS It’s good to hear Davis acknowledge that he wasn’t at his best last season and be willing to work on improving. Of course, I’m not sure much can be done to give the big man better movement skills, but he can do a better job of not getting thrown off balance or lured out of position. Holland, before his injury, appeared to be doing fairly well in his backup role and showing better movement skills than he has in the past. Tepper has been part of a bad third-team line, but has had moments that could put him in the same position as Bright last season, spending time developing on the practice squad.
Tackles (5)
STARTERS Doug Free, Marc Colombo
BACKUPS Alex Barron, Robert Brewster, Sam Young
ANALYSIS This is a hard position to figure out based on what the Cowboys will do with Young. He could end up as a practice squad candidate because he’s had his struggles handling pass rushers, but might prove slightly too good to waive because he does show at times good strength and technique. I could easily see Dallas going with four players here and trying to put Young on the PS, though, but for now I’m keeping him on the 53. The other tackles are easy to figure out. Free has looked like a quality starter, with the byproduct of his play being Dallas’ ability to actually run wide to his side and get him out on blocks in the secondary. Barron seems to have taken to coaching well and is not only playing solid but isn’t making many mental mistakes. Colombo appears to be back to form, which means nasty as ever but occasionally beaten by superior athleticism. And Brewster has come on strong after a slow start to camp. Any doubts about his ability to play right tackle appear to be fading as his athleticism and strength shine through. I still think he’ll eventually crosstrain at guard to increase his versatility, but for now he’s settling in nicely at tackle and even earning some reps on the left side.
DEFENSE
Ends (4)
STARTERS Igor Olshansky, Marcus Spears
BACKUPS Jason Hatcher, Stephen Bowen
PRACTICE SQUAD Sean Lissemore
ANALYSIS Hatcher appeared to be coming on strong as a challenger to Spears’ starting job, being disruptive against the run and pass. But injury has once again got in his way, and the pecking order is unchanged at this time. Marcus Dixon doesn’t appear to be pushing any of the top four for a spot, and injury has slowed down Lissemore as well, who appears to need some NFL training time since he hasn’t made much of an impact either at end or nose tackle.
Nose tackles (2)
STARTER Jay Ratliff
BACKUP Josh Brent
ANALYSIS The one young defensive lineman who has gotten notice is Brent, who showed some disruptive ability before breaking his hand. If he bounces back from the injury quickly, he’s got a chance of taking Junior Siavii’s spot. If not, he’ll likely have to be kept on the 53 to keep from losing him and Dallas will have to either trim an offensive tackle, linebacker or corner to keep three NTs until he can push Siavii off the roster. Siavii is still showing he’s good enough to keep as a hold-the-fort guy for a few downs, but Dallas has to hope it’s seeing more than that from Brent. It certainly has more than that in Ratliff, who seems to be even more disruptive now that he’s got his elbows fixed.
Outside linebackers (6)
STARTERS DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer
BACKUPS Brandon Williams, Victor Butler, Curtis Johnson, Steve Octavien
ANALYSIS This is also a hard position to figure, but Wade Phillips does love to carry linebackers and Octavien has played well and appears to be a relied-upon special-teammer. The other three have shown pass-rush ability that is hard to come by. Butler seems to be the most well-rounded of the three (although he started camp a little slowly), but all three are intriguing and it will be interesting to see how it shakes out. Ware and Spencer, meanwhile, are picking up where they left off and looking like a twosome terror that could be even tougher with a little rest provided by Williams, Johnson and/or Butler.
Inside linebackers (4)
STARTERS Keith Brooking, Bradie James
BACKUPS Sean Lee, Jason Williams
PUP Stephen Hodge
ANALYSIS Whether Dallas carries six OLBs probably depends on if Hodge is able to come off PUP and make an impact, especially as a special teammer. If that’s the case, he could take Octavien’s spot, but right now, he remains a regular-season PUP candidate. Lee also needs to get well and get back on the field, but he showed before his injury that he’s got the mental and physical skills to handle either ILB job and the coverage skills to be an asset as a nickel linebacker. He’s ahead of Williams in that battle as Williams shows he has promise but still needs work on the mental aspect of his transition to 3-4 ILB. When Williams is able to cut loose, his physical skills shine ... but it might take a few seasons for him to get all the way there, just as it did with James. James and Brooking appear stalwart in the middle, and Brooking continues to show savvy coverage skills that should keep him in the game some on passing downs.
Cornerbacks (5)
STARTERS Mike Jenkins, Terrence Newman
BACKUPS Orlando Scandrick, Cletis Gordon, Jamar Wall
PRACTICE SQUAD Bryan McCann and/or Teddy Williams
ANALYSIS There seems to be little doubt that Jenkins is Dallas’ best corner, and he’s been playing like it in camp. He, Newman and Scandrick have all been beaten at times, which should be expected in some drills, but also have all had their moments and have shown Dallas has a solid top three. After that, there appears to be a fairly steep fall-off, but Gordon, Wall and McCann have all had their moments. Wall, especially, seems to be showing a propensity for making plays on the ball and getting better by day. With Dave Campo proclaiming that Alan Ball will focus strictly on safety, it appears that two of those three will make the roster, while the other will be a PS candidate along with raw speedster Williams.
Safeties (4)
STARTERS Gerald Sensabaugh, Alan Ball
BACKUPS Mike Hamlin, Barry Church
INJURED RESERVE Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
ANALYSIS If Owusu-Ansah ever gets on the field, it will probably affect the dynamics of the secondary positions, with either Church, Cletis Gordon or Jamar Wall not being kept on the 53. For now, though, Owusu-Ansah’s injury gives Church a great chance of making the roster, and he’s proving to be worthy of it with solid coverage and hitting ability. He’s also making Patrick Watkins expendable, especially if someone steps up on special teams, and there appear to be several candidates, including Kevin Ogletree. Ball appears to be holding off Hamlin for the starting free safety spot, and has even occasionally shown playmaking ability that hasn’t been seen previously.
Punter (1)
STARTER Mat McBrair
ANALYSIS There’s been no threat against McBriar’s job as punter, and the only “competition” has already been cut. His job as holder, though, bears watching, although David Buehler seems to be happy with him and Joe DeCamillas has said some of the blame McBriar accepted for last year’s follies were probably undeserved. Whatever happens as holder, though, his ability as a punter is unquestioned as he continues to work on placing the ball along the sidelines to improve his already impressive skills.
Kicker (1)
STARTER David Buehler
ANALYSIS Buehler is making the Cowboys’ front office look smart for entrusting him with all the place-kicking work. He still has to show he can do it in games, but going 20 of 24 on field-goal attempts in team work so far has to have Dallas feeling pretty good about being able to carry one kicker for field goals and kickoffs. The extra kicking duties also don’t appear to be affecting his kickoffs, although kicking directional might be. Buehler’s been working on that and still seems to get the ball inside the 5 when he does it.
Long snapper (1)
STARTER L.P. Ladouceur
ANALYSIS About the only time anything’s been written about Ladouceur is when he was sick Saturday and couldn’t participate in practice. That just goes to show you how much his expertise is taken for granted.
