Cowboys to add two "futures" players - Safety Taplin-Ross, OLB Atkins

[Midswat]

January, 10, 2012

By Todd Archer

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys will sign safety Justin Taplin-Ross and outside linebacker Baraka Atkins to “futures” contracts but they have some background with these players.

The Cowboys agreed to a deal with Taplin-Ross as an undrafted free agent after the lockout ended, but he failed the team physical. He started 13 games in 2010 at Utah and finished with 41 tackles to go with a sack, two interceptions and 4.5 tackles for loss.

Atkins, 6-4, 271 pounds, was among 17 players to work out for the Cowboys last month. He was a fourth-round pick by Seattle in 2007 and played defensive end. He will play outside linebacker for the Cowboys. He has not played since 2009 and went to camp in 2011 with the Steelers as an outside linebacker.

The Cowboys signed their five practice squad players to futures contracts last week: cornerback Mario Butler, linebacker Orie Lemon, defensive tackle Robert Calloway, wide receiver Teddy Williams and cornerback C.J. Wilson.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

So they did in fact sign Butler to a futures. Good.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

So they did in fact sign Butler to a futures. Good.

I was confused by this as well. When the original list came out, i don't remember seeing Butler's name in the report. Good to know he'll be back, as i thought he played pretty well in preseason. Im suprised no team took a chance on him at any point during the season, yet Josh Thomas got signed by 2 or 3 different teams.

 

[DoomsdayDefense]

I have no recollection of Butler from the pre-season, but he's mentioned by fans regularly. What's his story?

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I have no recollection of Butler from the pre-season, but he's mentioned by fans regularly. What's his story?

He had a very good camp. An UFDA. Played well in preseason. Many of us hoped that he would knock Ball off the team, but Ball had the fumble recovery for a TD against the Vikings in preseason, and so Ball stuck and Butler went to the PS.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

He had a very good camp. An UFDA. Played well in preseason. Many of us hoped that he would knock Ball off the team, but Ball had the fumble recovery for a TD against the Vikings in preseason, and so Ball stuck and Butler went to the PS.

I thought for sure with how poorly our secondary was playing all year, and with some of the injuries we had, he'd at least get a call up for a week or two to give him a chance to show what he could do. Couldn't have been any worse. Same with Lemon (and Arkin, thought he was on the 53).. i'd have liked to see those guys get a chance at positions where we were clearly getting poor production.

 

[Midswat]

I thought for sure with how poorly our secondary was playing all year, and with some of the injuries we had, he'd at least get a call up for a week or two to give him a chance to show what he could do. Couldn't have been any worse. Same with Lemon (and Arkin, thought he was on the 53).. i'd have liked to see those guys get a chance at positions where we were clearly getting poor production.

We, as a team, do a horrible job of playing young guys.

Ball or Frank Walker should've given way to Butler.

Brookings/Bradie's playing time should've been given (moreso) to Carter. Even Lemon, like you said.

And yeah, why Arkin never even got a snap is beyond me.

I guess it's hard to play unprovens when you're in the playoff race despite being 8-8, but this isn't a one year thing. This team has operated like this for years.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I thought for sure with how poorly our secondary was playing all year, and with some of the injuries we had, he'd at least get a call up for a week or two to give him a chance to show what he could do. Couldn't have been any worse. Same with Lemon (and Arkin, thought he was on the 53).. i'd have liked to see those guys get a chance at positions where we were clearly getting poor production.

They brought in Walker and someone else. I thought it was very stupid. And I'm afraid we're in for much of the same. I have a feeling that Ball will be back. The guy is not going to get any better, and his experience amounts to shit.

 

[dbair1967]

We, as a team, do a horrible job of playing young guys.

Ball or Frank Walker should've given way to Butler.

Brookings/Bradie's playing time should've been given (moreso) to Carter. Even Lemon, like you said.

And yeah, why Arkin never even got a snap is beyond me.

I guess it's hard to play unprovens when you're in the playoff race despite being 8-8, but this isn't a one year thing. This team has operated like this for years.

They started Nagy on opening day, and had he eventually not got hurt who knows how many games he would have started.. Costa had never started before this yr and was a "young guy"

Tyron Smith is the youngest player in football, he played almost every snap. Murray would have ended up with well over 1000 yds had he not got hurt. They went with a rookie kicker. They played Albright alot too.

Not sure you can say that this current staff does a horrible job of playing young guys.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

They started Nagy on opening day, and had he eventually not got hurt who knows how many games he would have started.. Costa had never started before this yr and was a "young guy"

Tyron Smith is the youngest player in football, he played almost every snap. Murray would have ended up with well over 1000 yds had he not got hurt. They went with a rookie kicker. They played Albright alot too.

Not sure you can say that this current staff does a horrible job of playing young guys.

They do have a tendency opf holding onto older and underperforming players longer than they should.

 

[Midswat]

They started Nagy on opening day, and had he eventually not got hurt who knows how many games he would have started.. Costa had never started before this yr and was a "young guy"

Tyron Smith is the youngest player in football, he played almost every snap. Murray would have ended up with well over 1000 yds had he not got hurt. They went with a rookie kicker. They played Albright alot too.

Not sure you can say that this current staff does a horrible job of playing young guys.

Murray didn't get playing time until Choice played his way off the roster and Felix got hurt.

We always go with unprovens at kicker. Besides, I said players.

Costa got playing time because our other option was Kowalski.

I think we played more young guys this year on account of us trying to work the cap in our favor - which according to Norm we did with the cutting of several vets last year.

But I do think you bring up a good point that we did play more younger guys this year, than we normally do.

Hopefully that's a Garrett philisophy. Best man plays.

Eliminate those comfort zones in the lockerroom.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Kowalski is better than Costa.

 

[dbair1967]

Kowalski is better than Costa.

I thought he looked better too, hopefully they come to the same conclusion this offseason, unless a vastly better alternative is added via free agency or draft.

 

[Rock Slamdance]

I for one have had enough of safeties with hyphenated last names.