Who gets the final spot?

[gimmesix]

In looking at possibilities for the 53-man roster, I've come up with 52 "sure-bets," mostly sticking with the players who were already on the team, plus the draft choices.

The exceptions are Evan Oglesby being knocked off by the corner depth and Justin Rogers by the sixth-round pick (or Darrell Robertson or Tearrius George, if you prefer).

So the question is who gets the final spot? Here are my options:

Do we finally keep three quarterbacks? (Richard Bartel)

Or a second fullback? (Julius Crosslin/Ronnie Cruz)

Or a fourth tailback? (Alonzo Coleman)

Perhaps a fourth tight end? (Rodney Hannah)

Do any of the receivers convince us to keep seven if they can't beat the incumbents? (Danny Amendola, Mark Bradford, Daniel Polk)

Maybe we go with a ninth linebacker. (Rogers, George, Robertson)

Or a seventh defensive lineman. (Marcus Dixon)

I don't think we go with more than 10 offensive linemen (same group as last year) and more than six corners isn't likely. I could see keeping a fifth safety, but I'm not sure we have one worth keeping, with Dowayne Davis being the only addition at the position.

Gimme your thoughts.

 

[AsthmaField]

I think Rodgers stays on the 53, if you ask me. Wade was itching to get him as soon as the Pats tried to sneak him on their practice squad. New England was upset too, that we nabbed him.

Give him a year in an NFL strength program and a year's experience in Wade's scheme and I think he's going to be an asset for us.

Walden though, seems like a guy they really liked too, so we just don't know.

I have a hunch that they might take Walden and make him into a swing guy who can play ILB and OLB. Phillips said something after the draft about possibly making one of the later guys into an inside backer. At 6'-2" and 238 pounds, he has good size for inside, IMO.

I could see a few scenario's where both Walden and Rogers could make the squad if they go light elsewhere.

 

[gimmesix]

I think Rodgers stays on the 53, if you ask me. Wade was itching to get him as soon as the Pats tried to sneak him on their practice squad. New England was upset too, that we nabbed him.

Give him a year in an NFL strength program and a year's experience in Wade's scheme and I think he's going to be an asset for us.

Walden though, seems like a guy they really liked too, so we just don't know.

I have a hunch that they might take Walden and make him into a swing guy who can play ILB and OLB. Phillips said something after the draft about possibly making one of the later guys into an inside backer. At 6'-2" and 238 pounds, he has good size for inside, IMO.

I could see a few scenario's where both Walden and Rogers could make the squad if they go light elsewhere.

Considering the value of linebackers in the 3-4, I could easily see Dallas going long at the position, if the Cowboys elect not to keep a third quarterback.

 

[speedkilz88]

In looking at possibilities for the 53-man roster, I've come up with 52 "sure-bets," mostly sticking with the players who were already on the team, plus the draft choices.

The exceptions are Evan Oglesby being knocked off by the corner depth and Justin Rogers by the sixth-round pick (or Darrell Robertson or Tearrius George, if you prefer).

So the question is who gets the final spot? Here are my options:

Do we finally keep three quarterbacks? (Richard Bartel)Totally depends on how he performs. If he doesn't do anything to draw attention, back to the practice squad.(or some other qb)

Or a second fullback? (Julius Crosslin/Ronnie Cruz)Not a chance.

Or a fourth tailback? (Alonzo Coleman)Slim chance, very slim.

Perhaps a fourth tight end? (Rodney Hannah)Slim chance but I think if he shows a lot of promise they will make room.

Do any of the receivers convince us to keep seven if they can't beat the incumbents? (Danny Amendola, Mark Bradford, Daniel Polk)I think they have to make the top six or hope for the practice squad.

Maybe we go with a ninth linebacker. (Rogers, George, Robertson)Maybe the most likely position because these guys are normally STs guys.

Or a seventh defensive lineman. (Marcus Dixon)I think he has to beat out Bowen or else hope for the practice squad.

I don't think we go with more than 10 offensive linemen (same group as last year) and more than six corners isn't likely. I could see keeping a fifth safety, but I'm not sure we have one worth keeping, with Dowayne Davis being the only addition at the position.I think 9 is even a possibility. It could come down to who is the better player between Berger and a guy at another position.

Gimme your thoughts.

I have also heard in more than one articles that Wade has said that Walden could play inside. They think he is really fast and a big hitter and expect him to be a good STs guy.

 

[mmillman]

Glenn is the wildcard at wr

 

[AsthmaField]

Here are my guesses:

Do we finally keep three quarterbacks? (Richard Bartel)

I don't think so, unless Bartel has improved to the point that we just can't stand to lose him. Not with Stanback and Crayton available to play emergency 3rd QB if we happen to lose both the other's in a game. Our roster is just too deep to try to develop a 3rd QB on the 53 man roster. On a rebuilding team, I could see doing it, but not in Dallas. Not in 2008 IMO.

Or a second fullback? (Julius Crosslin/Ronnie Cruz)

I don't see any way this would happen. IMO we'd keep 4 TE's before 2 FB's.

Or a fourth tailback? (Alonzo Coleman)

I don't think so. If we happened to keep 4 RB's, I think it would likely be Lattimore if he somehow is about 50 times better than everyone thinks. Most likely, we keep 3 and Lattimore (or possibly Coleman) go to the PS.

Perhaps a fourth tight end? (Rodney Hannah)

It's possible, I suppose, if Hanna has simply blown up in the past year and is just so good that we can't hide him and that we think he'll do enough on special teams to warrant cutting a DB like Ball or Brown (who I like better than Hanna to make the squad). Most likely Dallas will try to stash him one more year and make the decision on him in 2009.

Do any of the receivers convince us to keep seven if they can't beat the incumbents? (Danny Amendola, Mark Bradford, Daniel Polk)

I think that Amendola has a very good chance. That will be a popular opinion around here, but I do think he's good enough and what he brings is different enough from the other WR's that he might stick. Also, so many teams wanted him as an UDFA that there is virtually no chance he makes it to our practice squad. So, if we want to see what he can become (read: Jerry and/or Wade is intrigued by him), then he'll have to make the 53. That ups his chances IMO. Plus, Jerry and Wade (who used to be in SD) won't want to be in San Diego's shoes and be guilty of releasing the next Welker.

Also, I could see Glenn calling it quits if he's not A-OK before training camp. Wade won't want to keep one of the 53 spots for him again... this roster is just too talented and deep to do that again. We're already going to be cutting some talented players with NFL futures, as it is without keeping a WR who does nothing. In that case, I'd say Amandola is a shoe-in (unless he bombs) and Bradford or Polk then move up to possibly making the 53 if they're good enough.

Maybe we go with a ninth linebacker. (Rogers, George, Robertson)

I already posted my thoughts on our LB's. In essence I see:

OLB: Ware, Spencer, Ellis, Rogers, Walden (also at ILB)
ILB: James, Thomas, Burnett, Carpenter

We might be able to keep Walden because we have so many players who (like Walden) can play more than one position. L. Davis, Ellis, McQuistan, Henry, etc. If they don't like the last guy on one of those positions, we might go light there and heavy at LB. That is assuming they really like Walden (or Robertson).

Or a seventh defensive lineman. (Marcus Dixon)

Unless Dixon really, REALLY surprises, I don't see him knocking Bowen out or us keeping 5 DE's. Bowen was really nice in pass rushing situations and Ellis can play DE in some instances like he did last year. Plus, I don't think very many teams are waiting to get Dixon off of the practice squad. I think we shash him for a year there and re-evaluate him next year.

I don't think we go with more than 10 offensive linemen (same group as last year) and more than six corners isn't likely. I could see keeping a fifth safety, but I'm not sure we have one worth keeping, with Dowayne Davis being the only addition at the position.

I see pretty much the same on the OL too. If Wade likes a guy like Walden and doesn't want to cut Rogers, for instance... then I could see letting Berger or Proctor go and letting McQuistan play at G (we have 5 OT's in Adams, Colombo, Free, Martin, and McQuistan... with L. Davis able to play OT in a pinch).

At CB I see: Newman, Henry, Pacman, Jenkins, Scandrick, and Ball. Any more than that is hard for me to believe. Of course, Henry could be a swing guy for FS. With so much nickel and Dime being played, it is just about DB's you need to look at and not really break it down into CB's and Safeties anymore.

I don't think we keep a 5th safety.

I think the S's are: Hamlin, Williams, Brown, and Watkins, with Henry possibly playing some.

That would be 10 DB's: Newman, Henry, Pacman, Jenkins, Scandrick, Ball, Hamlin, Williams, Brown, and Watkins. That's my pick with the possibility that a surprise elsewhere (Walden, Amendola, Polk, etc.) could knock off Brown, Ball or maybe even Watkins.


I know it was a lot... but, well, you asked for it!

 

[gimmesix]

I have also heard in more than one articles that Wade has said that Walden could play inside. They think he is really fast and a big hitter and expect him to be a good STs guy.

I think on Berger it would take Dallas successfully moving Pat McQuistan or maybe James Marten to guard. Right now, we only would have one interior backup if we didn't keep Berger.

The three tackles are what is making us go with 10 at the position, and I don't think we get rid of any of them.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't see any way this would happen. IMO we'd keep 4 TE's before 2 FB's.

I agree on most of your thoughts, esp. that Bartel will have to blow us away to make this roster.

I highlighted this one because I do think four tight ends could be a possibility since the position really covers two backup spots and is useful on special teams.

I also don't believe we'll keep a second fullback unless someone like Crosslin just really stands out at the position and on special teams.

 

[speedkilz88]

I think on Berger it would take Dallas successfully moving Pat McQuistan or maybe James Marten to guard. Right now, we only would have one interior backup if we didn't keep Berger.

The three tackles are what is making us go with 10 at the position, and I don't think we get rid of any of them.

Both played OG in college so thats why I think they could let Berger go if they like someone better at another position. Procter is the other possibility but so far they have went to him over Berger when filling in.

 

[gimmesix]

Both played OG in college so thats why I think they could let Berger go if they like someone better at another position. Procter is the other possibility but so far they have went to him over Berger when filling in.

Yeah, I think Proctor is the primary interior backup, so Berger's job would likely be on the line unless he's improved.

I also know that McQuistan and Marten both spent time at guard in college (in fact, I believe it was the only position McQuistan played), but they still would have to prove to be viable options at the position before we cut Berger.

I do think that's a possibility, though, because carrying 10 linemen is a bit of a luxury, and it would open up another spot to be filled by one of the players/positions I mentioned.

 

[AsthmaField]

I also know that McQuistan and Marten both spent time at guard in college (in fact, I believe it was the only position McQuistan played), but they still would have to prove to be viable options at the position before we cut Berger.

IMHO, McQuistan will be our starter at LG with Kosier and Proctor being the backups.

That'll make LT Adams and Free with RT being Colombo and Martin.

I really hope I'm correct about McQuistan because that'll mean that our LG position (one of the few weak spots, IMO) will be even better than it was last year.

 

[rusteezcuz]

Out of those options, I'll go with the 9th linebacker. If for no other reason, special teams help.

 

[Hoofbite]

I'd vote totally against 3 QBs.

Have been against it for a few years. If Bartel performs well enough to earn a spot then Brad Johnson had better be gone. Don't think there is such a wasted spot as that 3rd QB spot.

 

[sago1]

The Cowboys will really have to believe Bartel can replace Johnson in 09 to keep him as our #3 QB. If they don't want to keep a #3 QB, they could try trading him by showcasing him in a few preseason games.

If McQuistan or Marten is moved to OG, then Berger is on the bubble; don't had tough preseason until last preseason gamebelieve he was activated at all in 07. Wade already said we will keep 6 CBs; doubt we keep more then 4 safeties but it will be real interesting to see how Watkins & Courtney Brown look in TC/preseason games. We are just too tight to keep more then 1 FB; same goes for 3 TEs but if Hannah is really coming on then we got a problem.

We got some big decisions to make at WR; carried 6 last year (a huge luxury) although Glenn didn't really contribute; 50-50 might be optimistic; we'll know lot more after June minicamp. Keeping fingers crossed cause there no player on the team who has the speed/ability stretch the field like Glenn. If Glenn can't comeback & we don't pick up a vet WR (I believe we will add a vet but not 1 of the 3 we thinking of), 1 spot then opens up. Hopefully Stanbach hype isn't just talk & he really can contribute at WR this year; his size/speed would really help but could threaten Austin particularly if either Amendola or Bradford look really good.

 

[gimmesix]

IMHO, McQuistan will be our starter at LG with Kosier and Proctor being the backups.

That'll make LT Adams and Free with RT being Colombo and Martin.

I really hope I'm correct about McQuistan because that'll mean that our LG position (one of the few weak spots, IMO) will be even better than it was last year.

I'm hoping for McQuistan to get a chance there as well. The question we need answered is if he's a better option as a starter than Kosier. I would like for him to be, but just don't have enough evidence to say that he is.

No matter what, though, I'd love for one of the tackles to be trained inside and show enough ability that we don't have to keep 10 linemen.

 

[gimmesix]

If Bartel performs well enough to earn a spot then Brad Johnson had better be gone. Don't think there is such a wasted spot as that 3rd QB spot.

I don't see that happening. I can't picture Dallas relying on such a young, inexperienced player as its primary backup when it thinks it has a Super Bowl team.

But if Bartel performs well enough to deserve the spot, I think Dallas would really struggle in making a decision to keep or cut him. He wouldn't replace Johnson this year, but if his progress is good enough, then Dallas could eye that role for him next year (and possibly even put him in instead of Johnson in blowouts).

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Glenn is the wildcard at wr

Amedola is our Ace.

Ace trumps Wild Card.

 

[gimmesix]

The Cowboys will really have to believe Bartel can replace Johnson in 09 to keep him as our #3 QB.

I agree with this. It can't be a plan to just see how he develops, but Dallas has got to believe he can supplant Johnson to keep Bartel.

 

[rusteezcuz]

I'm starting to hear talk and I'm reading things suggesting a 3rd QB might be the way we go.

 

[AbeBeta]

I think we will be loathe to lose another developmental QB -- if Bartel shows anything -- even in garbage time in pre-season he's going to stick