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Vol. 3: MacMahon's 53-man roster projection
August, 15, 2011
By Tim MacMahon
This is the third of our weekly educated guess at what the Cowboys' 53-man roster will look like after final cuts.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Tony Romo
Jon Kitna
Stephen McGee
At some point, McGee either needs to move up the depth chart or the Cowboys will have to move on from him. For now, he appreciates the opportunity to continue learning from Kitna.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
Felix Jones
DeMarco Murray
Tashard Choice
Lonyae Miller
Murray’s extended absence due to a hamstring injury makes it hard to cut Choice, who at least has a strong grasp of the playbook. Miller shouldn’t be judged on his nine-carry, 11-yard preseason opener, considering the lack of holes.
FULLBACKS (1)
Chris Gronkowski
Seventh-round rookie Shaun Chapas hasn’t done anything to take Gronkowski’s job yet.
TIGHT ENDS (3)
Jason Witten
Martellus Bennett
John Phillips
Maybe the Cowboys opt to keep a fourth tight end (Martin Rucker) and go without a fullback, a position Phillips has played some.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
Miles Austin
Dez Bryant
VETERAN TBD
Kevin Ogletree
Dwayne Harris
Harris’ five-catch, 127-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Broncos was promising, but the Cowboys won’t rely on a sixth-round rookie as the third receiver. Ogletree is letting an opportunity slip through his hands.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10)
Doug Free
Kyle Kosier
Andre Gurode
David Arkin
Tyron Smith
Montrae Holland
Sam Young
Phil Costa
Bill Nagy
Jermey Parnell
Holland’s sore back could be a blessing in disguise. It forces the coaching staff to seriously consider starting the much more athletic Arkin.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6)
Jay Ratliff
Marcus Spears
Kenyon Coleman
Josh Brent
Jason Hatcher
Sean Lissemore
Igor Olshansky ($3.4 million salary) was a cut candidate even before the Broncos consistently blew him off the ball.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
Bradie James
Keith Brooking
Sean Lee
Kenwin Cummings
It looks increasingly likely that second-round pick Bruce Carter will begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he continues to recover from knee surgery. That probably leaves Cummings and undrafted rookie Orie Lemon competing for a roster spot.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
DeMarcus Ware
Anthony Spencer
Victor Butler
Alex Albright
It’s time for Brandon Williams to do something to justify his spot on the roster. Fellow 2009 fourth-rounder Butler seems to be on the verge of earning a significant role.
CORNERBACKS (6)
Terence Newman
Mike Jenkins
Orlando Scandrick
Alan Ball
Bryan McCann
Josh Thomas
A veteran is still a possibility here. Before anybody gets too excited about Ball, remember that there was a reason the Cowboys moved him to safety.
SAFETIES (4)
Abram Elam
Gerald Sensabaugh
Barry Church
Danny McCray
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah’s best chance to stick is to break a couple of long punt returns in the preseason.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Mat McBriar
KICKER TBD
L.P. Ladouceur
David Buehler and Dan Bailey don’t inspire any confidence. The Cowboys should sign the best available kicker after final cuts, which might mean bringing back Kris Brown.
August, 15, 2011
By Tim MacMahon
This is the third of our weekly educated guess at what the Cowboys' 53-man roster will look like after final cuts.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Tony Romo
Jon Kitna
Stephen McGee
At some point, McGee either needs to move up the depth chart or the Cowboys will have to move on from him. For now, he appreciates the opportunity to continue learning from Kitna.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
Felix Jones
DeMarco Murray
Tashard Choice
Lonyae Miller
Murray’s extended absence due to a hamstring injury makes it hard to cut Choice, who at least has a strong grasp of the playbook. Miller shouldn’t be judged on his nine-carry, 11-yard preseason opener, considering the lack of holes.
FULLBACKS (1)
Chris Gronkowski
Seventh-round rookie Shaun Chapas hasn’t done anything to take Gronkowski’s job yet.
TIGHT ENDS (3)
Jason Witten
Martellus Bennett
John Phillips
Maybe the Cowboys opt to keep a fourth tight end (Martin Rucker) and go without a fullback, a position Phillips has played some.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
Miles Austin
Dez Bryant
VETERAN TBD
Kevin Ogletree
Dwayne Harris
Harris’ five-catch, 127-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Broncos was promising, but the Cowboys won’t rely on a sixth-round rookie as the third receiver. Ogletree is letting an opportunity slip through his hands.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10)
Doug Free
Kyle Kosier
Andre Gurode
David Arkin
Tyron Smith
Montrae Holland
Sam Young
Phil Costa
Bill Nagy
Jermey Parnell
Holland’s sore back could be a blessing in disguise. It forces the coaching staff to seriously consider starting the much more athletic Arkin.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6)
Jay Ratliff
Marcus Spears
Kenyon Coleman
Josh Brent
Jason Hatcher
Sean Lissemore
Igor Olshansky ($3.4 million salary) was a cut candidate even before the Broncos consistently blew him off the ball.
INSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
Bradie James
Keith Brooking
Sean Lee
Kenwin Cummings
It looks increasingly likely that second-round pick Bruce Carter will begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he continues to recover from knee surgery. That probably leaves Cummings and undrafted rookie Orie Lemon competing for a roster spot.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (4)
DeMarcus Ware
Anthony Spencer
Victor Butler
Alex Albright
It’s time for Brandon Williams to do something to justify his spot on the roster. Fellow 2009 fourth-rounder Butler seems to be on the verge of earning a significant role.
CORNERBACKS (6)
Terence Newman
Mike Jenkins
Orlando Scandrick
Alan Ball
Bryan McCann
Josh Thomas
A veteran is still a possibility here. Before anybody gets too excited about Ball, remember that there was a reason the Cowboys moved him to safety.
SAFETIES (4)
Abram Elam
Gerald Sensabaugh
Barry Church
Danny McCray
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah’s best chance to stick is to break a couple of long punt returns in the preseason.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Mat McBriar
KICKER TBD
L.P. Ladouceur
David Buehler and Dan Bailey don’t inspire any confidence. The Cowboys should sign the best available kicker after final cuts, which might mean bringing back Kris Brown.
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