So how many roster spots do we really have?

LarryCanadian

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I posted this question a couple months back.

A few things have changed since then. We are down 2 running backs (Julius and Thompson), 2 CB's (Reeves and Jones), 1 Safety (Davis), and possibly a WR (Glenn is still iffy - he did take up 1 spot of 53 man roster all year) now gone. We've added a LB that if head is ok will be on roster (Zach Thomas). Also down one DT in Ferguson. That is more spots available than we might have anticipated a few months ago.

Now someone mentioned this in another thread. Trading down for more picks isn't necessarily worth doing if only some draft picks even make team. Packaging to have more picks in the early to mid rounds makes sense, unless we take chances with perhaps redshirt types (injured for full year 2008/2009 or real developmental guys that nobody will poach off practice squad).

So the question becomes again, how many spots do we have? Stanback will take a spot this year again (did he all last year or was he part IR?). Alan Ball? Courtney Brown?

How many free agent rookies and draft picks make this team. How many draft picks do we really need. I don't see us adding too many current NFLer free agents unless a couple role players get cut before/after draft or after June 1st.

Last year and this year seem to have been 2 rare times in Dallas of late where it is difficult to make the roster for a good chunk of the picks. That is one of the reasons I think it was wise to use a pick on the place kicker last year. Filled a need and guaranteed a young talent with better chance of success at position.

I think there is some opportunity at CB obviously, Safety, backup Lbers, fullback, backup RB's (1 at least will be drafted early unless we pull some surprise move), and there will be continued battle with the young WR's Hurd/Austin/Stanback for jockeying of position. Backup QB is an option, although keeping Brad Johnson for at least 1 more yet makes a ton of sense.

LarryCanadian
 

tomson75

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There is still the chance that we may opt to move a player or two currently occupying a roster spot via a trade...

Overall, I love the thought of our practice squad becoming a difficult achievement for our young guys. Depth baby, depth.

Second year guys better improve, or their mullets get peaced!
 

dbair1967

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There arnt many thats for sure...if you look at our roster today, here are the locks already here:

QB: Romo and Brad Johnson
RB/FB: Barber and D Anderson
WR: Owens, Crayton, Austin, Stanback
TE: Witten, Fasano, Curtis
OL: Adams, Kosier, Gurode, Davis, Columbo, Free, McQuistan, Marten
DL: Spears, Ratliff, Canty, Hatcher, T Johnson
LB: Ware, James, Thomas, Ellis, Burnett, Spencer
CB: Newman, Henry, Ball
S: R Williams, Hamlin, probably Watkins
K/P: Folk and McBriar
LS LaDouceur

Thats 39

Note that I think guys like Ayodele, Carpenter, Hurd, Glenn and Bowen are people who could be traded/released/replaced depending on what happens next weekend..guys like Proctor and Berger are also not locks to stick...of these guys, Bowen is the most likely to stick IMO because 1) he is dirt cheap and 2) he actually plays pretty decent...I think Ayodele might be released before TC if he isnt traded next weekend because he isnt goign to beat out Thomas and costs too much to be a backup...if Carpenter isnt traded during draft weekend he probably stays for sure...if we counted all these guys as locks however, that'd be 46, leaving us 7 spots to fill...we currently have 8 picks plus all the rookie free agents to sign...

David
 

elcocinero

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Here is an early stab at the 53 man roster. Ive noted where we will probably have a rookie or post June 1st FA added.

Offense (26)

QB (2)
Tony Romo
Brad Johnson

RB (3)
Marion Barber
Rookie
Rookie/FA

FB (2)
Deon Anderson
Rookie/FA

WR (6)
Terrell Owens
Rookie/FA
Patrick Crayon
Isaiah Stanback
Sam Hurd
Miles Austin

TE (3)
Jason Witten
Anthony Fasano
Tony Curtis

OL (10)
Flozell Adams
Andre Gurode
Leonard Davis
Marc Columbo
Kyle Kosier
James Marten
Doug Free
Joe Berger
Cory Proctor
Pat McQuistan


Defense (24)

DL (6)
Chris Canty
Marcus Spears
Jay Ratliff
Tank Johnson
Jason Hatcher
Rookie/FA

LB (8)
DeMarcus Ware
Greg Ellis
Anthony Spencer
Bradie James
Zach Thomas
Akin Ayodele
Kevin Burnett
Bobby Carpenter

CB (6)
Terrence Newman
Anthony Henry
Rookie
Rookie/FA
Alan Ball
Evan Oglesby

S (4)
Roy Williams
Ken Hamlin
Patrick Watkins
Rookie/FA

Special Teams (3)
Matt McBriar
Nick Folk
L.P. Ladouceur
 

L-O-Jete

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I would love to say 53 and that everyone needs to earn their spot, but with the Salary cap some spots are set, but the same asinine comment was made about last years draft and how many of our draft choices made the team? Any given year you can find 15-20 roster spots, starting positions is a diffrent story, but roster spots 15-20 no problem!
 

elcocinero

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So i count 8 spots for rookies or free agents. Also i believe these people can be upgraded if the Cowboys decide to go that path.

Brad Johnson
Miles Austin
Tony Curtis
Joe Berger
Evan Oglesby

So we can fill up to 13 spots.
 

L-O-Jete

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dbair1967;2039529 said:
There arnt many thats for sure...if you look at our roster today, here are the locks already here:

QB: Romo and Brad Johnson
RB/FB: Barber and D Anderson
WR: Owens, Crayton, Austin, Stanback
TE: Witten, Fasano, Curtis
OL: Adams, Kosier, Gurode, Davis, Columbo, Free, McQuistan, Marten
DL: Spears, Ratliff, Canty, Hatcher, T Johnson
LB: Ware, James, Thomas, Ellis, Burnett, Spencer
CB: Newman, Henry, Ball
S: R Williams, Hamlin, probably Watkins
K/P: Folk and McBriar
LS LaDouceur

Thats 39

Note that I think guys like Ayodele, Carpenter, Hurd, Glenn and Bowen are people who could be traded/released/replaced depending on what happens next weekend..guys like Proctor and Berger are also not locks to stick...of these guys, Bowen is the most likely to stick IMO because 1) he is dirt cheap and 2) he actually plays pretty decent...I think Ayodele might be released before TC if he isnt traded next weekend because he isnt goign to beat out Thomas and costs too much to be a backup...if Carpenter isnt traded during draft weekend he probably stays for sure...if we counted all these guys as locks however, that'd be 46, leaving us 7 spots to fill...we currently have 8 picks plus all the rookie free agents to sign...

David

QB: Romo
RB/FB: Barber
WR: Owens, Crayton
TE: Witten
OL: Adams, Gurode, Davis
DL: Ratliff, Canty
LB: Ware, Spencer
CB: Newman, Henry
S: R Williams, Hamlin
K/P: Folk and McBriar

That's 18 LOCKS all others (not considering cap ramifications) can be upgraded; some of the locks (italics) are only such because of recent contracts. IMHO.
 

Hostile

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53 plus 8 Practice Squad slots.

:D

In all seriousness I expect a maximum 8 new faces on the 2008 roster as opposed to the 2007 roster, a minimum of 5.

Zach Thomas is one. The rest are up for grabs.
 

ABQCOWBOY

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L-O-Jete;2039534 said:
I would love to say 53 and that everyone needs to earn their spot, but with the Salary cap some spots are set, but the same asinine comment was made about last years draft and how many of our draft choices made the team? Any given year you can find 15-20 roster spots, starting positions is a diffrent story, but roster spots 15-20 no problem!

I agree with this statement a lot. Starters and play makers, I view one way. Backups and developmental players I view differently.

Locks​

76 Adams, Flozell OT
99 Canty, Chris DE
70 Davis, Leonard G
98 Ellis, Greg LB
6 Folk, Nick K
65 Gurode, Andre C
26 Hamlin, Ken S
56 James, Bradie LB
66 Johnson, Tank DT
78 Marten, James OT
1 McBriar, Mat P
81 Owens, Terrell WR
90 Ratliff, Jay DE
9 Romo, Tony QB
93 Spencer, Anthony LB
86 Stanback, Isaiah WR
55 Thomas, Zach LB
94 Ware, DeMarcus LB
82 Witten, Jason TE 6-5
68 Free, Doug OT
42 Henry, Anthony CB

That's 22 Roster spots that I believe are locks either because they are that good, because they are to early into there development to cut or because they are too valuable contractually and physically. No justifications needed.



Probable

20 Ball, Alan CB -Thin at CB and reports of improvement are good.
24 Barber, Marion RB - Would be a lock except for contract questions. Outside chance he could be traded.
67 Berger, Joe G - Valuable because he plays two positions, he is a good back up and his contract is friedly.
75 Colombo, Marc OT - Would be a lock but age and contract might make him attractive for trade.
84 Crayton, Patrick WR - Not a starter but a quality 3rd WR and good STs player.
89 Curtis, Tony TE - Easy contract and good hands make him probably.
80 Fasano, Anthony TE - Will not get beaten out by anybody we draft but could be trade bait for the right deal.
63 Kosier, Kyle G - Doesn't fit Scheme but contract is not horrible so would probably stick even if not starter but next year?
91 Ladouceur, L.P LS - Any time you can get one cheaper, you probably do it.
77 McQuistan, Pat OT - Unlikely he gets beaten out but could be traded.
41 Newman, Terence CB - Only reason he is not a lock is because of contract.
71 Procter, Cory C - Good backup, easy contract. Unlikely he is beaten out.
96 Spears, Marcus DE - Under producing. Will probably stick because of contract but could be traded.
25 Watkins, Pat S - Need all the experienced DBs we can get. Probably won't be beaten out because of inability to do anything at FS
38 Williams, Roy S - Contract probably makes any move impossible but needs to step it up. Who knows next year?

That's 15 Roster Spots that could be replaced but will probably make the team.



Show Me Something​

19 Austin, Miles WR - Will be 3rd season. Needs to take the next step or could be replaced by younger prospect.
51 Ayodele, Akin LB - Production and aquisition of Thomas make him vulnerable. Does not have attractive back up contract.
4 Bartel, Richard QB - Needs to show progress or may be roster casualty.
72 Bowen, Stephen DE - Contract is easy but can always be replaced by player with better upside.
57 Burnett, Kevin LB - Needs to show something big time. Is in contract year and will have to show he deserves the increase his Vet contract demands.
54 Carpenter, Bobby LB - Just not a good fit. Contract is an issue if all he's doing is covering kicks.
83 Glenn, Terry WR - Real health concerns may force retirement.
97 Hatcher, Jason DE - Needs to stay healthy. Young talent is always a concern
17 Hurd, Sam WR - He's gotta show something or he gets replaced by younger development player.
14 Johnson, Brad QB - Older player that has to be concerned about being replace by younger option.
34 Anderson, Deon FB - Has to be the starter. I don't think we carry two FBs.
27 Brown, Courtney S - Needs to show he deserves the roster spot. Need DBs who can play.

All 12 of these players are in jepordy either because of development, production or contracts. Some, I feel might be trade bait.



Knife Fight Club​

92 Ayodele, Remi DT
36 Butler, Quincy CB
30 Coleman, Alonzo RB
45 Cruz, Ronnie FB
37 Everett, Tyler CB
59 George, Tearrius LB
44 Hannah, Rodney TE
85 Jefferson, Mike WR
52 Long, Khari LB
23 Oglesby, Evan CB
40 Phinisee, Justin CB
50 Rogers, Justin LB
64 Siavii, Junior DT
60 Smith, Marcus DE
58 Smith, Tyson LB
43 Wishom, Jerron CB


All of these are players that are in real danger of losing there roster spots because the talent level may not be good enough to make the cut. They are in for a real knife fight to keep there positions. 3 spots available with 8 practice Squad player spots. 16 players on this list.

As I see it, there are 15 to 22 roster spots that could be available this year. Certainly, 15 will not be replaced but I would consider them as 50/50, just depending on who and what gets drafted or signed.
 

hairic

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I think we have 16 roster spots until we reach the limit of 80.
 

dbair1967

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ABQCOWBOY;2039612 said:
Probable

20 Ball, Alan CB -Thin at CB and reports of improvement are good.
24 Barber, Marion RB - Would be a lock except for contract questions. Outside chance he could be traded.

if that happens it will be next offseason, not this one

75 Colombo, Marc OT - Would be a lock but age and contract might make him attractive for trade.

he's cheap...has only a yr left and has plaed pretty well for two seasons...he isnt going anywhere this yr..probably gone after this season

84 Crayton, Patrick WR - Not a starter but a quality 3rd WR and good STs player.

I see absolutely zero scenarios where Crayton isnt on this team...he's a good role player and he just signed a contract extension

63 Kosier, Kyle G - Doesn't fit Scheme but contract is not horrible so would probably stick even if not starter but next year?

at worst, somebody beats him out and he beomes a backup, but even thats unlikely this season

91 Ladouceur, L.P LS - Any time you can get one cheaper, you probably do it.

he's arguably the best deep snapper in the league, and he also signed a long term deal...he isnt going anywhere

41 Newman, Terence CB - Only reason he is not a lock is because of contract.

huh? there's no way in heck Newman isnt here this yr

96 Spears, Marcus DE - Under producing. Will probably stick because of contract but could be traded.

I think they already said he wasnt going anywhere after the rumors floated around Senior Bowl week that he was being shopped

38 Williams, Roy S - Contract probably makes any move impossible but needs to step it up. Who knows next year?

probably at least one more season by default

The Newman thing is kinda way out there ABQ

David
 

Redball Express

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..but here goes..

Here's the breakdown as I see it..

Needs:

#2 RB
#3 CB
#3 WR

#1 PR
#1 KO R
#2 SS (lost Davis)
#1 ST player on PR and KO R teams (lost Davis)
#1/#2 FB
2-3 more misc. ST players will be added and a few cut from last year
OT (Not much depth behind Flo and Columbo is in his last year)
C (seems to be some concern with Cory Procter being enough)
#2/#3 QB( Brad Johnson just can't be our backup, that's suicide if go another year with him..we were lucky last year)
____
12-14 players needed

I'm assuming that because of the importance of the RB, CB and WR picks with our first three picks this draft needing to be spliting time as starters (i.e RB spliting with MBII, CB being a starter on the nickle passing downs and the WR playing in 3 WR sets) that those three guys will not also be spliting time on any ST units due to increased risk of injury if they do.

Meaning that we will have then also draft guys to return the kicks, too. Meaning we need to specifically draft those KR's in the later rounds for specific duty there. There is currently nobody on the present roster to fill the returner roles.

And if the C and the OT we need for depth end up playing ST as well, maybe they fall into those 3 spots I allocate for the surplus STers I suggested.

Even so..there is a minimum of 10 players we need to fill open spots and as many as 14.

That's alot IMO.

Losing Davis to Miami is going to have more of an impact than some think. He was our best ST player and he filled adequately at SS. We really are going to need at least 2 players to fill his place and maybe three players. Davis played on all the STs and was a dynamo.

We have our work cut out on this team to fill all those thru the draft and FA and the cutdown waiver wire in TC if you ask me.

Fortunately, they are all depth positions and not starters we are needing from them.

But there is more than you think going to be new faces come September. And that's assuming no injuries between now and the opener to also have to backfill on the roster.

My 2 cents.

:starspinReDBaLL ExPreSS :starspin
 

ABQCOWBOY

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dbair1967;2039629 said:
ABQCOWBOY;2039612 said:
Probable

20 Ball, Alan CB -Thin at CB and reports of improvement are good.


if that happens it will be next offseason, not this one



he's cheap...has only a yr left and has plaed pretty well for two seasons...he isnt going anywhere this yr..probably gone after this season



I see absolutely zero scenarios where Crayton isnt on this team...he's a good role player and he just signed a contract extension



at worst, somebody beats him out and he beomes a backup, but even thats unlikely this season



he's arguably the best deep snapper in the league, and he also signed a long term deal...he isnt going anywhere



huh? there's no way in heck Newman isnt here this yr



I think they already said he wasnt going anywhere after the rumors floated around Senior Bowl week that he was being shopped



probably at least one more season by default

The Newman thing is kinda way out there ABQ

David

All players on the Probable list are Probable to make the team. However, Newman is going to be very expensive. While I do not believe that he would be moved, I think you have to consider the possability that if the right offer were made, anything could happen. Because it's Newman we're talking about, who knows what a team might be willing to offer? CBs like him do not grow on trees. Teams offer real compensation for guys like that. Not likely, but stranger things have happened.
 

Rockytop6

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elcocinero;2039538 said:
So i count 8 spots for rookies or free agents. Also i believe these people can be upgraded if the Cowboys decide to go that path.

Brad Johnson
Miles Austin
Tony Curtis
Joe Berger
Evan Oglesby

So we can fill up to 13 spots.

Good post. The bottom line is that we have as many open spots as we have upgraded talent to come on board. Some we might think are locks might not be locks if a better player falls to us in the draft or becomes available via trade, etc. In the above post, upgrade is the key word.
 

dbair1967

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ABQCOWBOY;2039664 said:
dbair1967;2039629 said:
All players on the Probable list are Probable to make the team. However, Newman is going to be very expensive. While I do not believe that he would be moved, I think you have to consider the possability that if the right offer were made, anything could happen. Because it's Newman we're talking about, who knows what a team might be willing to offer? CBs like him do not grow on trees. Teams offer real compensation for guys like that. Not likely, but stranger things have happened.

exactly, so why in the world would a team trying to win postseason games and a championship want to get rid of by far our best DB and arguably the teams best player?

I just dont see any sense in it at all...

David
 
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