Wulfman
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The Wulf Den: Training Camp Review 2009
August 20, 2009
Okay…has everyone climbed down off the ledge yet? Has enough time passed since the loss to the Oakland Raiders last week for people to stop the gloom and doom? Has perspective been restored yet? If not, then I have just one thing to tell you: LET IT GO!
Now I’m not saying it was fun ending up on the losing end of our first preseason game of the season, particularly one that ended up with such a lopsided score, and against a team that many people are predicting to finish at or near the bottom of their own division. And I’m not saying that we can’t take anything away from the game at all, positive or negative. What I am saying is that it was one preseason game, in which our starters played a grand total of two series, and from which we can garner little about the ultimate success—or lack thereof—of the Cowboys this season.
To those who want to point out the three-and-out on the offense’s first possession, I point to the way they came back in their second series and moved the ball right down the field to score a touchdown, hitting no less than six different receivers in the process. If you figure on having 6-8 possessions in a game, that would mean you’d be scoring 21-28 points per game. If your defense can’t hold your opponents below that total, you don’t deserve to win. And what about that defense? Even after a questionable pass interference call set the Raiders up in good position, the defense locked down and only surrendered a field goal.
Many others want to point at our depth and cringe, lamenting everything from not signing more free agent veterans to foaming at the mouth over the fact that Greg Ellis is no longer on the roster or that “The Mouth That Roared” is now in Buffalo. I even heard some folks crying that we should call Pacman and see if he wants to come back. People….put down the pipe and back away. Yes, our third stringers got beat by their third stringers. Big freakin’ deal! How often is it, you think, that the Cowboys will have their entire third string in the game during the regular season? If the answer to that question is anything other than NEVER, then we’ll have much bigger problems, and the season will be over for us anyway.
Do we have some unproven depth? Of course. But then, so does every other team in the NFL. In the salary-cap era, it’s impossible to always have quality veteran depth at every position. At some point, you have to let over-priced aging veterans go and let the younger guys show that they can contribute…or fall on their faces. And you can’t depend on every first or second round pick coming in and becoming a starter right away. It would be nice, but it’s not reality. Some are going to be busts, and sometimes greater football talent slides to the later rounds. But the only way for that talent to be seen is for them to play.
So rather than go postal over a lack of depth when we see all of the young guys at once, let’s consider the depth that we have, position by position.
Quarterback – Depth Prognosis: Excellent
Tony Romo is a top-5 QB in the NFL today, for all that people like to focus on his flaws rather than his production. Anyone who can be in their third year as a starter and already have broken records set by the likes of Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach, and Danny White has to be good enough.
His back-up, Jon Kitna, has shown that he is a significant step up from Brad Johnson, who simply didn’t have the arm to get the ball down the field anymore. Kitna is not going to be as mobile as Romo in the pocket, but he will be able to run the whole offense and threaten the entire field—something that Johnson couldn’t.
A lot of folks are shaking their heads about #3 QB Stephen McGee. Folks, he’s a rookie who is going to be doing nothing more than running the scout team during the week and carrying a clipboard on Sundays. He has shown all the physical tools to succeed at this level in a year or two, and with Kitna on board, he has that much time to develop.
Running Back/Fullback – Depth Prognosis: Excellent
The RBs on the Cowboys’ roster are as good as a group as any other in the NFL, bar none. Any one of the three of them could challenge for the starting job on another team. And they have enough different abilities that they compliment each other, giving the Cowboys a backfield flexibility that few teams can duplicate.
The FB position is used sparingly in Dallas, and Deon Anderson is sufficient as the starter. They likely won’t keep a back-up on the roster (although Julius Crosslin has done fine while Anderson has been out), since all of their TEs can drop back and be the lead blocker, if needed.
Wide Receiver – Depth Prognosis: Good
Many people are expecting a significant drop-off this year for the Cowboys’ #1 receiver. That may well be the case, and Roy Williams has his hands full proving otherwise. But as a group, I think they’ve shown in camp thus far why the Cowboys were willing to make the personnel moves they did this offseason.
As we entered training camp, people were fairly certain that Miles Austin and Sam Hurd were, at best, going to challenge Patrick Crayton for his starting job opposite Williams. At worst, they would have to fight off some young guys to keep their jobs. So we figured that the top four spots at the position were set. But that didn’t make us really comfortable about the depth. After all, Williams didn’t do much after coming over from Detroit last year, and Crayton seems to be a better fit as a slot receiver. As for Hurd and Austin, they have little experience as receivers, so just how certain can we be? And behind them, we had an injury-prone former QB (Isaiah Stanback), a couple of young veteran retreads (Willie Reid and Mike Jefferson), a handful of rookies (Manuel Johnson, Julian Hawkins, and Kevin Ogletree), and a reality show winner (Jesse Holley).
After three weeks of camp, however, I think the feeling is a bit different. Crayton hasn’t lost his starting job just yet…but he’s getting pushed. And it’s not because he’s having a poor camp. Rather, Hurd has been the stud of camp, catching everything that is near him…and a few that weren’t. Austin hasn’t had a bad camp either, and Williams has been very steady, building a better rapport with Romo all the time. This group as a whole has shown that there is more than enough talent to get the job done, and that there is a little depth here after all. Add in the fact that Stanback has come back from injury to show some marked improvement, and is being challenged for the fifth—and perhaps last—receiver spot by Ogletree (who, like Hurd, is putting on a show just about every day in practice), and you have to suddenly feel much better about the depth of this position.
Tight End – Depth Prognosis: Excellent
If there is one other position that has as much depth as the RB position on the Cowboys’ squad, it’s Tight End. Jason Witten is a perennial Pro-Bowler, and Martellus Bennett is showing that he may be a Pro-Bowler in the making. The best surprise of the bunch, though, may be rookie John Phillips, who has come in and handily beaten out veteran Rodney Hannah, even though Hannah has been in the system for two years. Witten might not like Bennett referring to Phillips as “Little Whitten”…but Phillips should take that compliment and be all smiles.
Offensive Line – Depth Prognosis: Average
I have no concerns over the starters on the offensive line. Oh sure, I think they need to play better than they did at times last season. But game in and game out, these starters can get the job done in both the running and passing games. The real question, though, is depth. And I’m afraid at this point, there isn’t much.
Honestly, I’m not too worried if one starter goes out for a game or three. Montrae Holland is good enough to get us through at guard, Free or McQuistan could make do on the outside, and Procter would be okay in the middle…as long as the remainder of the starting lineup stays intact. But if you have to play two back-ups on the O-line at some point—especially if one of the two is Procter—you could be in for a huge problem. From a size standpoint, I’d feel more comfortable with Gibbons in the middle in place of Procter. But I don’t think either of them would be able to handle the center duties without the rest of the starters around them.
Defensive Line – Depth Prognosis: Good
The Cowboys are above average here, simply because they have quality veterans at two of the three back-up positions. Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen are solid producers behind starters Marcus Spears and Igor Olshansky, and the line won’t lose much when they rotate in. When they have to relieve NT Jay Ratliff, however, there is cause for concern.
The player most likely to make the roster as Ratliff’s back-up at this point is Junior Siavii, a veteran from American Samoa who hasn’t played in the NFL in the last two years following micro-fracture surgery to his knee. He has had a solid camp, however, and has the size to be a nice back-up in the middle…if his knee holds up. The Cowboys have tried both Spears and Olshansky inside during training camp as additional insurance, but it looks like Siavii will get the chance to prove himself.
Linebacker – Depth Prognosis: Poor
As a unit, the starting LBs for the Cowboys are as good as just about any in the game. The only real question is whether or not Anthony Spencer is really ready to step into a starter’s role, and the only way to know the answer is to see him do it. His work thus far in training camp would suggest that he can.
The depth at the LB position, however, is absolutely frightening. As it stands right now, the back-ups would consist of three rookies and a former first-round pick who is getting his first chance to show he can do something after many have already labeled him a bust. If that doesn’t cause a little discomfort for coaches and fans alike, I don’t know what will…particularly considering the importance of the LB position in the 3-4 defensive scheme.
I’m not saying these rookies aren’t going to be good. But I can’t imagine the coaching staff wanting more than one of them on the field at a time unless they are forced to do so by injury, or unless the game is already out of hand. All three of them are making position changes from college, and that combined with the increased speed of the NFL game would be daunting for anyone. If the Cowboys can make it through the first half of the season without these guys having to play significant minutes, I think they’ll be okay. They’ve shown a lot of athletic ability and potential in camp. If they have to depend on them early or often, however, we could see the starters getting worn out by midseason, and the defense struggle down the stretch.
Defensive Backs – Depth Prognosis: Good
This was another area with some depth question marks coming into camp. After releasing CB Pacman Jones and S Roy Williams, trading CB Anthony Henry, and not re-signing S Keith Davis, there was reason to wonder. But the Cowboys insisted that they knew what they had, and what they were doing. As training camp closes, I have to say they were correct.
The free agent signing of S Gerald Sensabaugh meant that we weren’t going to get a mad scramble at the starting position opposite Ken Hamlin in training camp. What it did mean was that there were some veterans and rookies that were going to have to fight it out and show they had what it took to make the roster as back-ups and special teams contributors. Meanwhile, the battle between Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins to start at CB opposite Terence Newman has shown us that we have three starting-caliber CBs on the roster.
Considering that we likely wouldn’t see more than seven defensive backs on the field at the same time unless it was a play too strange to imagine, we really are judging depth based on two backups at CB and one at safety. The loser of the Jenkins/Scandrick battle will be one of those CBs, and Alan Ball (who has played safety during camp but can play CB as well) would be another back-up at one position or the other.
Given the fact that this leaves veteran Pat Watkins or one of the rookies to be the seventh DB on the field, if needed, and to contribute on special teams regularly, and I’d say the depth is pretty solid. And considering a couple of the remaining guys (veteran Courtney Brown and rookie DeAngelo Smith) have been practicing both positions in camp, I think the Cowboys are versatile enough to cover for a short-term injury or two, if necessary.
Special Teams – Depth Prognosis: Good
I almost skipped this section, since most of the depth on special teams is provided by back-ups at other positions. However, it appears that one of the contributors on special teams this year could, for all intents and purposes, be considered as depth for the kicker.
Rookie David Buehler connected on his lone FG attempt in the preseason game in Oakland, something that Nick Folk failed to do. Of course, Folk was kicking off of the dirt infield, and I don’t think his job as FG kicker is in jeopardy. But Buehler is also on the punt coverage teams, and is trying to show some versatility to get himself on the active gameday roster. Considering having a back-up kicker—much less one that can cover kicks—is a luxury most teams don’t have, and I think you have to feel pretty good about the depth on special teams.
Closing Thoughts
Are there reasons to be concerned about the depth on this team? Of course. Are there reasons to panic about the depth on the team? Absolutely not. There are two main positions that I think there are some legitimate concerns. Beyond that, though, the roster is as deep as it’s been in several years…and at least as solid as most other teams in the league. Suffice it to say that I believe it will be the starters that will ultimately determine how successful the Cowboys are this season. And if a few of these guys providing depth step up at the right time, the Cowboys could be very successful, indeed.
As for what that roster will look like, here’s an updated look at my 53-man roster, taking into account where injuries have popped up, the Oakland preseason game, and the cuts that have already taken place at the bottom of the roster:
QB: Tony Romo, Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee
RB: Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice
FB: Deon Anderson
WR: Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Isaiah Stanback
TE: Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, John Phillips
OL: Flozell Adams, Marc Colombo, Kyle Kosier, Leonard Davis, Andre Gurode, Pat McQuistan, Montrae Holland, Cory Procter, Doug Free
DL: Marcus Spears, Igor Olshansky, Jay Ratliff, Jason Hatcher, Stephen Bowen, Junior Siavii
LB: DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Keith Brooking, Bradie James, Bobby Carpenter, Jason Williams, Brandon Williams, Victor Butler
CB: Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Alan Ball, DeAngelo Smith
S: Ken Hamlin, Gerald Sensabaugh, Pat Watkins, Michael Hamlin
ST: Nick Folk, Mat McBriar, J. P. Ladouceur, David Buehler
Of course, there are still a couple of these spots that are up for grabs, among them the battle for the #5 WR spot and the battle for back-up C/G. Stanback gets the nod now at WR, as long as he can stay healthy, and as long as he produces as much (or more) as Ogletree in the remaining preseason games. Procter is the front-runner right now for the back-up O-line spot, and is a better alternative at C. However, Gibbons has better size to play G, and has been learning the C position as well. If he shows he can do it in a game situation, he could beat Procter out for the spot.
Assuming the roster shakes out this way, though, this leaves two spots available. They will go to two of the following: a) Kevin Ogletree as the 6th receiver (if he continues to show promise in preseason games); b) Courtney Brown or Mike Mickens (if they can show the Cowboys need to keep a 10th DB); c) Sedrick Hodge or Steve Octavien (if they can show the Cowboys need to keep a 9th LB); or d) Marcus Dixon. This will likely come down to who can contribute the most on special teams if they were needed on gameday.
Based on the way things have gone thus far, and realizing that “stashing” a guy on the practice squad is much more difficult when they’ve had an outstanding camp, I think Ogletree would have to make the roster at this point. He’s not going to be active on gameday, barring an injury to someone else. But he’s shown too much to risk another team picking him up by trying to sneak him through waivers. For the last spot, I think they’d have to keep either the extra DB or the extra LB, whichever they feel they’ll need the depth more. Given the injuries—however minor—to both starters at CB, I’d think it would mean Brown hanging around (meaning Ball could play full-time CB), and hoping that Mickens, Hodge, and Dixon all make it through waivers and onto the practice squad.
If the roster went this way, I think they’d like to get RB Keon Lattimore, WR Jesse Holley or WR Manuel Johnson, G Ryan Gibbons, TE Rodney Hannah, LB Stephen Hodge, CB Mike Mickens (if he didn’t get the last spot over Brown), and FB Julius Crosslin onto the practice squad, with the remaining spot either going to the other WR mentioned, above, or being filled by someone cut from another team as needed to provide depth at a specific position.
Wulfman
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August 20, 2009
Okay…has everyone climbed down off the ledge yet? Has enough time passed since the loss to the Oakland Raiders last week for people to stop the gloom and doom? Has perspective been restored yet? If not, then I have just one thing to tell you: LET IT GO!
Now I’m not saying it was fun ending up on the losing end of our first preseason game of the season, particularly one that ended up with such a lopsided score, and against a team that many people are predicting to finish at or near the bottom of their own division. And I’m not saying that we can’t take anything away from the game at all, positive or negative. What I am saying is that it was one preseason game, in which our starters played a grand total of two series, and from which we can garner little about the ultimate success—or lack thereof—of the Cowboys this season.
To those who want to point out the three-and-out on the offense’s first possession, I point to the way they came back in their second series and moved the ball right down the field to score a touchdown, hitting no less than six different receivers in the process. If you figure on having 6-8 possessions in a game, that would mean you’d be scoring 21-28 points per game. If your defense can’t hold your opponents below that total, you don’t deserve to win. And what about that defense? Even after a questionable pass interference call set the Raiders up in good position, the defense locked down and only surrendered a field goal.
Many others want to point at our depth and cringe, lamenting everything from not signing more free agent veterans to foaming at the mouth over the fact that Greg Ellis is no longer on the roster or that “The Mouth That Roared” is now in Buffalo. I even heard some folks crying that we should call Pacman and see if he wants to come back. People….put down the pipe and back away. Yes, our third stringers got beat by their third stringers. Big freakin’ deal! How often is it, you think, that the Cowboys will have their entire third string in the game during the regular season? If the answer to that question is anything other than NEVER, then we’ll have much bigger problems, and the season will be over for us anyway.
Do we have some unproven depth? Of course. But then, so does every other team in the NFL. In the salary-cap era, it’s impossible to always have quality veteran depth at every position. At some point, you have to let over-priced aging veterans go and let the younger guys show that they can contribute…or fall on their faces. And you can’t depend on every first or second round pick coming in and becoming a starter right away. It would be nice, but it’s not reality. Some are going to be busts, and sometimes greater football talent slides to the later rounds. But the only way for that talent to be seen is for them to play.
So rather than go postal over a lack of depth when we see all of the young guys at once, let’s consider the depth that we have, position by position.
Quarterback – Depth Prognosis: Excellent
Tony Romo is a top-5 QB in the NFL today, for all that people like to focus on his flaws rather than his production. Anyone who can be in their third year as a starter and already have broken records set by the likes of Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach, and Danny White has to be good enough.
His back-up, Jon Kitna, has shown that he is a significant step up from Brad Johnson, who simply didn’t have the arm to get the ball down the field anymore. Kitna is not going to be as mobile as Romo in the pocket, but he will be able to run the whole offense and threaten the entire field—something that Johnson couldn’t.
A lot of folks are shaking their heads about #3 QB Stephen McGee. Folks, he’s a rookie who is going to be doing nothing more than running the scout team during the week and carrying a clipboard on Sundays. He has shown all the physical tools to succeed at this level in a year or two, and with Kitna on board, he has that much time to develop.
Running Back/Fullback – Depth Prognosis: Excellent
The RBs on the Cowboys’ roster are as good as a group as any other in the NFL, bar none. Any one of the three of them could challenge for the starting job on another team. And they have enough different abilities that they compliment each other, giving the Cowboys a backfield flexibility that few teams can duplicate.
The FB position is used sparingly in Dallas, and Deon Anderson is sufficient as the starter. They likely won’t keep a back-up on the roster (although Julius Crosslin has done fine while Anderson has been out), since all of their TEs can drop back and be the lead blocker, if needed.
Wide Receiver – Depth Prognosis: Good
Many people are expecting a significant drop-off this year for the Cowboys’ #1 receiver. That may well be the case, and Roy Williams has his hands full proving otherwise. But as a group, I think they’ve shown in camp thus far why the Cowboys were willing to make the personnel moves they did this offseason.
As we entered training camp, people were fairly certain that Miles Austin and Sam Hurd were, at best, going to challenge Patrick Crayton for his starting job opposite Williams. At worst, they would have to fight off some young guys to keep their jobs. So we figured that the top four spots at the position were set. But that didn’t make us really comfortable about the depth. After all, Williams didn’t do much after coming over from Detroit last year, and Crayton seems to be a better fit as a slot receiver. As for Hurd and Austin, they have little experience as receivers, so just how certain can we be? And behind them, we had an injury-prone former QB (Isaiah Stanback), a couple of young veteran retreads (Willie Reid and Mike Jefferson), a handful of rookies (Manuel Johnson, Julian Hawkins, and Kevin Ogletree), and a reality show winner (Jesse Holley).
After three weeks of camp, however, I think the feeling is a bit different. Crayton hasn’t lost his starting job just yet…but he’s getting pushed. And it’s not because he’s having a poor camp. Rather, Hurd has been the stud of camp, catching everything that is near him…and a few that weren’t. Austin hasn’t had a bad camp either, and Williams has been very steady, building a better rapport with Romo all the time. This group as a whole has shown that there is more than enough talent to get the job done, and that there is a little depth here after all. Add in the fact that Stanback has come back from injury to show some marked improvement, and is being challenged for the fifth—and perhaps last—receiver spot by Ogletree (who, like Hurd, is putting on a show just about every day in practice), and you have to suddenly feel much better about the depth of this position.
Tight End – Depth Prognosis: Excellent
If there is one other position that has as much depth as the RB position on the Cowboys’ squad, it’s Tight End. Jason Witten is a perennial Pro-Bowler, and Martellus Bennett is showing that he may be a Pro-Bowler in the making. The best surprise of the bunch, though, may be rookie John Phillips, who has come in and handily beaten out veteran Rodney Hannah, even though Hannah has been in the system for two years. Witten might not like Bennett referring to Phillips as “Little Whitten”…but Phillips should take that compliment and be all smiles.
Offensive Line – Depth Prognosis: Average
I have no concerns over the starters on the offensive line. Oh sure, I think they need to play better than they did at times last season. But game in and game out, these starters can get the job done in both the running and passing games. The real question, though, is depth. And I’m afraid at this point, there isn’t much.
Honestly, I’m not too worried if one starter goes out for a game or three. Montrae Holland is good enough to get us through at guard, Free or McQuistan could make do on the outside, and Procter would be okay in the middle…as long as the remainder of the starting lineup stays intact. But if you have to play two back-ups on the O-line at some point—especially if one of the two is Procter—you could be in for a huge problem. From a size standpoint, I’d feel more comfortable with Gibbons in the middle in place of Procter. But I don’t think either of them would be able to handle the center duties without the rest of the starters around them.
Defensive Line – Depth Prognosis: Good
The Cowboys are above average here, simply because they have quality veterans at two of the three back-up positions. Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen are solid producers behind starters Marcus Spears and Igor Olshansky, and the line won’t lose much when they rotate in. When they have to relieve NT Jay Ratliff, however, there is cause for concern.
The player most likely to make the roster as Ratliff’s back-up at this point is Junior Siavii, a veteran from American Samoa who hasn’t played in the NFL in the last two years following micro-fracture surgery to his knee. He has had a solid camp, however, and has the size to be a nice back-up in the middle…if his knee holds up. The Cowboys have tried both Spears and Olshansky inside during training camp as additional insurance, but it looks like Siavii will get the chance to prove himself.
Linebacker – Depth Prognosis: Poor
As a unit, the starting LBs for the Cowboys are as good as just about any in the game. The only real question is whether or not Anthony Spencer is really ready to step into a starter’s role, and the only way to know the answer is to see him do it. His work thus far in training camp would suggest that he can.
The depth at the LB position, however, is absolutely frightening. As it stands right now, the back-ups would consist of three rookies and a former first-round pick who is getting his first chance to show he can do something after many have already labeled him a bust. If that doesn’t cause a little discomfort for coaches and fans alike, I don’t know what will…particularly considering the importance of the LB position in the 3-4 defensive scheme.
I’m not saying these rookies aren’t going to be good. But I can’t imagine the coaching staff wanting more than one of them on the field at a time unless they are forced to do so by injury, or unless the game is already out of hand. All three of them are making position changes from college, and that combined with the increased speed of the NFL game would be daunting for anyone. If the Cowboys can make it through the first half of the season without these guys having to play significant minutes, I think they’ll be okay. They’ve shown a lot of athletic ability and potential in camp. If they have to depend on them early or often, however, we could see the starters getting worn out by midseason, and the defense struggle down the stretch.
Defensive Backs – Depth Prognosis: Good
This was another area with some depth question marks coming into camp. After releasing CB Pacman Jones and S Roy Williams, trading CB Anthony Henry, and not re-signing S Keith Davis, there was reason to wonder. But the Cowboys insisted that they knew what they had, and what they were doing. As training camp closes, I have to say they were correct.
The free agent signing of S Gerald Sensabaugh meant that we weren’t going to get a mad scramble at the starting position opposite Ken Hamlin in training camp. What it did mean was that there were some veterans and rookies that were going to have to fight it out and show they had what it took to make the roster as back-ups and special teams contributors. Meanwhile, the battle between Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins to start at CB opposite Terence Newman has shown us that we have three starting-caliber CBs on the roster.
Considering that we likely wouldn’t see more than seven defensive backs on the field at the same time unless it was a play too strange to imagine, we really are judging depth based on two backups at CB and one at safety. The loser of the Jenkins/Scandrick battle will be one of those CBs, and Alan Ball (who has played safety during camp but can play CB as well) would be another back-up at one position or the other.
Given the fact that this leaves veteran Pat Watkins or one of the rookies to be the seventh DB on the field, if needed, and to contribute on special teams regularly, and I’d say the depth is pretty solid. And considering a couple of the remaining guys (veteran Courtney Brown and rookie DeAngelo Smith) have been practicing both positions in camp, I think the Cowboys are versatile enough to cover for a short-term injury or two, if necessary.
Special Teams – Depth Prognosis: Good
I almost skipped this section, since most of the depth on special teams is provided by back-ups at other positions. However, it appears that one of the contributors on special teams this year could, for all intents and purposes, be considered as depth for the kicker.
Rookie David Buehler connected on his lone FG attempt in the preseason game in Oakland, something that Nick Folk failed to do. Of course, Folk was kicking off of the dirt infield, and I don’t think his job as FG kicker is in jeopardy. But Buehler is also on the punt coverage teams, and is trying to show some versatility to get himself on the active gameday roster. Considering having a back-up kicker—much less one that can cover kicks—is a luxury most teams don’t have, and I think you have to feel pretty good about the depth on special teams.
Closing Thoughts
Are there reasons to be concerned about the depth on this team? Of course. Are there reasons to panic about the depth on the team? Absolutely not. There are two main positions that I think there are some legitimate concerns. Beyond that, though, the roster is as deep as it’s been in several years…and at least as solid as most other teams in the league. Suffice it to say that I believe it will be the starters that will ultimately determine how successful the Cowboys are this season. And if a few of these guys providing depth step up at the right time, the Cowboys could be very successful, indeed.
As for what that roster will look like, here’s an updated look at my 53-man roster, taking into account where injuries have popped up, the Oakland preseason game, and the cuts that have already taken place at the bottom of the roster:
QB: Tony Romo, Jon Kitna, Stephen McGee
RB: Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice
FB: Deon Anderson
WR: Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, Isaiah Stanback
TE: Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, John Phillips
OL: Flozell Adams, Marc Colombo, Kyle Kosier, Leonard Davis, Andre Gurode, Pat McQuistan, Montrae Holland, Cory Procter, Doug Free
DL: Marcus Spears, Igor Olshansky, Jay Ratliff, Jason Hatcher, Stephen Bowen, Junior Siavii
LB: DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Keith Brooking, Bradie James, Bobby Carpenter, Jason Williams, Brandon Williams, Victor Butler
CB: Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Alan Ball, DeAngelo Smith
S: Ken Hamlin, Gerald Sensabaugh, Pat Watkins, Michael Hamlin
ST: Nick Folk, Mat McBriar, J. P. Ladouceur, David Buehler
Of course, there are still a couple of these spots that are up for grabs, among them the battle for the #5 WR spot and the battle for back-up C/G. Stanback gets the nod now at WR, as long as he can stay healthy, and as long as he produces as much (or more) as Ogletree in the remaining preseason games. Procter is the front-runner right now for the back-up O-line spot, and is a better alternative at C. However, Gibbons has better size to play G, and has been learning the C position as well. If he shows he can do it in a game situation, he could beat Procter out for the spot.
Assuming the roster shakes out this way, though, this leaves two spots available. They will go to two of the following: a) Kevin Ogletree as the 6th receiver (if he continues to show promise in preseason games); b) Courtney Brown or Mike Mickens (if they can show the Cowboys need to keep a 10th DB); c) Sedrick Hodge or Steve Octavien (if they can show the Cowboys need to keep a 9th LB); or d) Marcus Dixon. This will likely come down to who can contribute the most on special teams if they were needed on gameday.
Based on the way things have gone thus far, and realizing that “stashing” a guy on the practice squad is much more difficult when they’ve had an outstanding camp, I think Ogletree would have to make the roster at this point. He’s not going to be active on gameday, barring an injury to someone else. But he’s shown too much to risk another team picking him up by trying to sneak him through waivers. For the last spot, I think they’d have to keep either the extra DB or the extra LB, whichever they feel they’ll need the depth more. Given the injuries—however minor—to both starters at CB, I’d think it would mean Brown hanging around (meaning Ball could play full-time CB), and hoping that Mickens, Hodge, and Dixon all make it through waivers and onto the practice squad.
If the roster went this way, I think they’d like to get RB Keon Lattimore, WR Jesse Holley or WR Manuel Johnson, G Ryan Gibbons, TE Rodney Hannah, LB Stephen Hodge, CB Mike Mickens (if he didn’t get the last spot over Brown), and FB Julius Crosslin onto the practice squad, with the remaining spot either going to the other WR mentioned, above, or being filled by someone cut from another team as needed to provide depth at a specific position.
Wulfman
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