So here's the starting Roster and Grade (IMO)

[jamesdojr]

These are the guys I thoink will and should be our starters. And for fun I gave them grades... Oline worries me. I think Claiborne is going to be a beast straight out of the gate. I'm predicting 6 ints this year at least. I hope Crawford and Lissemore start on the ends. The Coleman and Hatcher experiment is dead. They're career backups. Whatcha think? Carter is the big unknown. If not him, I think Connor starts but to me, he's a C+, maybe a B.

A - Romo
A - Murray
A - Vickers
A - Witten
A - Austin (when healthy)
B - Bryant (I think he breaks out this year and becomes an A)
A - Smith
D - Livings
D - Kowalski
C - Mackenzy Bernadeau
B - Free (Could be an A right tackle)

C - Crawford
A - Ratliff
C - Lissemore
B - Spencer
A - Lee
? - Carter
A - Ware
A - Claiborne
A - Carr & (B - Jenkins)
C - Sensabaugh
C - Poole

 

[fortdick]

Where did Mackenzy come from?

If Poole is only a "C", then Johnson may take that spot.

 

[jamesdojr]

Oh. I put his first name.... MacKenzy Bernadeau. My bad!

Where did Mackenzy come from?

If Poole is only a "C", then Johnson may take that spot.

 

[Tabascocat]

With the help of our O-line coach, I think Livings and Kowalski are gonna be pleasant surprises (crosses fingers).

 

[fortdick]

Oh. I put his first name.... MacKenzy Berdeau. My bad!

Okay, but I think it will be Kowalski.

 

[jamesdojr]

Kowalski at Guard? I thought he backed up Costa at Center last year and was actually much better. Costa was an F, BTW

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Okay, but I think it will be Kowalski.

 

[Disturbed]

Interesting to think about. Games are won in the trenches, and the perceived weak point for the Cowboys is the lines. I hope some of the young guys step up this year to solidify both groups.

Offense overall = B (would be A except for oline)
I would put in Nagy and Arkin at guard. I hope Livings and Mackenzy are backups...

Defense overall = B (dline pressure concern)

 

[jamesdojr]

Yeah... As much as I love the Claiborne pick. Having 2 Ds on the Oline, is not encouraging.

You have to wonder if you'd rather have>

A - DeCastro
C - Bernadeau
A - Carr
B - Jenkins

OR

D - Livings
C - Bernadeau
A - Claiborne
A - Carr

Interesting to think about. Games are won in the trenches, and the perceived weak point for the Cowboys is the lines. I hope some of the young guys step up this year to solidify both groups.

Offense overall = B (would be A except for oline)
I would put in Nagy and Arkin at guard. I hope Livings and Mackenzy are backups...

Defense overall = B (dline pressure concern)

 

[Disturbed]

I like the players we drafted, but I have to admit that I was a little puzzled by the Cowboys not picking up an offensive linemen in the 4th. There were several available...the Matt Johnson pick could have been a guard.

I think the Cowboys need to start drafting an offensive linemen or two each year. You need depth and quality at this position (FA is a horrible way to fill this need). It seems to get overlooked every year -- and then someone gets hurt and things go south.

 

[fortdick]

Kowalski at Guard? I thought he backed up Costa at Center last year and was actually much better. Costa was an F, BTW

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The OP had Bernadeau at center

 

[perrykemp]

IMHO, my criteria for a "A" player would be anybody who is top 5 at their position. You have 7-8 guys like that in your post. I have three:

Ware
Witten
Lee

T. Smith, Dez Bryant have an opportunity to become Top 5 in this coming season. I think Claiborne has an opportunity to be Top 5 by 2013. Murray I think is Top 10 but probably will never be Top 5.

 

[jamesdojr]

I think top 5 is pretty strict. My criteria is can they dominate. Do they have the talent todominate week in and week out.. There are 100s of WRs in the NFL. I think top 5 is a little strict. But that's your criteria - which is cool. just disagree.
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IMHO, my criteria for a "A" player would be anybody who is top 5 at their position. You have 7-8 guys like that in your post. I have three:

Ware
Witten
Lee

T. Smith, Dez Bryant have an opportunity to become Top 5 in this coming season. I think Claiborne has an opportunity to be Top 5 by 2013. Murray I think is Top 10 but probably will never be Top 5.

 

[jamesdojr]

And Murray is a freakin beast. Guy is capable if 1600+ yards. Was probably on pace for close to that...

IMHO, my criteria for a "A" player would be anybody who is top 5 at their position. You have 7-8 guys like that in your post. I have three:

Ware
Witten
Lee

T. Smith, Dez Bryant have an opportunity to become Top 5 in this coming season. I think Claiborne has an opportunity to be Top 5 by 2013. Murray I think is Top 10 but probably will never be Top 5.

 

[RS12]

Free more like a C IMO, got alot to prove, and yes I know he was OK at RT before. Ratliff more like a B.

 

[jamesdojr]

Yeah I think LT was too much for Free. He was very good at RT.

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Free more like a C IMO, got alot to prove, and yes I know he was OK at RT before. Ratliff more like a B.

 

[Westcoasthabsfan]

Yeah I think LT was too much for Free. He was very good at RT.

________________

i hope you are right!

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I don't get why people believe that our young offensive line will be just as bad this year as they were last year. That's just hard for me to believe. Not saying they will become studs but there is no way they will be playing like rookies again in their second year. No way. People underrate the jump these players make from year 1 to 2 and the Callahan signing.

 

[jamesdojr]

Good Point but wasn't Houck one of the best Oline coaches. Why is callahan going to be so much better than Hudson? And I think they might be better but I graded based on what I think. I just don't see a high upside on Costa, Kowalski, Livings, and Bernadeau. Nagy might have a little. I think Arkin has the biggest upside. I hope he wins the job and becomes a really good player but that's just my wishful thinking.

____________________________________________

I don't get why people believe that our young offensive line will be just as bad this year as they were last year. That's just hard for me to believe. Not saying they will become studs but there is no way they will be playing like rookies again in their second year. No way. People underrate the jump these players make from year 1 to 2 and the Callahan signing.

 

[jobberone]

Kowalski at Guard? I thought he backed up Costa at Center last year and was actually much better. Costa was an F, BTW

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Ok. Why was Costa an F?

 

[DFWJC]

With the help of our O-line coach, I think Livings and Kowalski are gonna be pleasant surprises (crosses fingers).

You have to assume the team thinks so too.