IRVING, Texas - In returning most of his NFC East
championship roster, Wade Phillips had fewer decisions than most head coaches on
Saturday. But the Cowboys' 21 cuts to reach the league's 53-man limit still
delivered a few surprises that could lead to potential tweaks in the coming
days:
Considering Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton are the only healthy
receivers with NFL experience, many assumed the Cowboys would keep one of two
roster hopefuls, Danny Amendola or Mike Jefferson. Both were released, which
means depth is still a concern.
The Cowboys kept 11 defensive backs and offensive linemen, heavier totals
than expected at both spots. Four backup guards (Pat McQuistan, Joe Berger,
Cory Procter and James Marten) made the cut despite the acquisition of former
Broncos starter Montrae Holland. Backup cornerbacks Evan Oglesby and Alan Ball
pushed the position total to seven.
Third-string quarterback Richard Bartel was released for the second consecutive year, but the Cowboys will keep their eyes peeled for a potential No. 3. Several experienced backups were waived Saturday, including Chris Simms and Joey Harrington, and the Cowboys have expressed some interest in grooming a third quarterback behind Tony Romo and Brad Johnson.
In addition to the 21 cuts, the Cowboys trimmed their 75-man roster to 53 by
moving guard Larry Allen to the reserve/retired list. Allen was signed Friday to
an honorary one-day contract that ensures he will retire a Cowboy after 14 NFL
seasons, the first 12 in Dallas.
Most of the moves were expected - the Cowboys kept four running backs (three
tailbacks, one fullback), three tight ends, six defensive linemen and four
safeties. Sixth-round pick Erik Walden was the only waived draft choice. The
club decided against keeping an extra backup linebacker despite injuries to Anthony
Spencer (knee) and Kevin Burnett (knee). Burnett is expected to practice next
week, however.
The Cowboys will begin filling their eight-man practice squad on Sunday once
players clear the 24-hour waiver period. Strong candidates would appear to be
Bartel, Amendola, Jefferson, Walden, tight end Rodney Hannah, defensive lineman
Marcus Dixon and running backs Alonzo Coleman and Keon Lattimore.
Here's a closer look at the initial 53-man roster, eight days before the
Cowboys open the regular season in Cleveland:
Quarterback (2) Tony Romo Brad Johnson Summary: The
Cowboys kept only two quarterbacks for the third consecutive year, and Bartel is
probably headed back to the practice squad if he clears waivers. Bartel fought
hard Thursday night in his first NFL start (28-of-41, 233 yards) but didn't get
much help from his offensive line in the second half. Brad Johnson answered a
lot of questions about his age by playing well against the Broncos'
first-teamers on Aug. 16, but the Cowboys might sign a third quarterback at some
point.
Running Back (4) Marion Barber Felix Jones Tashard Choice
Deon Anderson Summary: No surprises here. Barber and Jones will
have significant roles in the offense, and Deon Anderson remains the lone
fullback on the active roster. Choice earned the third tailback spot with a
solid preseason, both on offense and special teams.
Wide Receiver (5) Terrell Owens Patrick Crayton Sam Hurd
Miles Austin Isaiah Stanback Summary: This is clearly the
most disconcerting position for Phillips because only Owens and Crayton are
healthy enough for the opener right now. Stanback (shoulder subluxation) might
be ready in time, but Austin (sprained MCL) and Hurd (high ankle sprain) won't
play. Expect the Cowboys to scour the waiver wire over the next couple of days.
Re-signing Amendola or Jefferson next week is another option, providing they
clear waivers.
Tight End (3) Jason Witten Tony Curtis Martellus Bennett
Summary: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn't discount keeping a fourth
tight end, presumably Hannah, but injuries at other positions probably prevented
that luxury. Curtis and Bennett, this year's second-round pick, could have a
bigger offensive role until the Cowboys get healthier at wide receiver.
Offensive Line (11) Flozell Adams Kyle Kosier Andre Gurode
Leonard Davis Marc Colombo Joe Berger Cory Procter Pat
McQuistan Doug Free Montrae Holland James Marten Summary:
This position could get trimmed at some point, but the Cowboys kept an extra
lineman with starting left guard Kyle Kosier (foot sprain, hairline fracture)
possibly out at least a month. McQuistan seemed to be Kosier's likely
replacement last week, but Holland could be an option depending on how quickly
he adjusts and whether the club wants to make McQuistan the primary backup swing
tackle.
Defensive Line (6) Marcus Spears Jay Ratliff Chris Canty
Tank Johnson Jason Hatcher Stephen Bowen Summary: Three
incumbent reserves (Tank Johnson, Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen) left no room
for fringe linemen like Marcus Dixon and Tyson Smith. Starters Ratliff and
Spears provide extra depth with their ability to play defensive end and nose
tackle.
Linebacker (8) Greg Ellis DeMarcus Ware Zach Thomas
Bradie James Kevin Burnett Anthony Spencer Bobby Carpenter
Justin Rogers Summary: The first eight spots appeared stable all
along. Rogers is a solid special teams player and he can play inside or outside
linebacker. Walden and Tearrius George fought for a spot in preseason, but
Burnett's progress likely made a ninth linebacker unnecessary.
Cornerback (7) Terence Newman Anthony Henry Adam Jones
Mike Jenkins Orlando Scandrick Alan Ball Evan Oglesby
Summary: Easily the most competitive position. Most assumed Ball and
Oglesby were competing for the sixth and final spot, but both performed well
enough on defense and special teams to stick around. Oglesby is no longer
practice squad eligible and Ball might not have sneaked through waivers.
Safety (4) Ken Hamlin Roy Williams Pat Watkins
Courtney Brown Summary: The total could expand to five if special teams ace Keith Davis indeed returns to Dallas after getting cut by Miami on Wednesday. Right now Watkins and Brown are the backup safeties.
Specialists (3) K Nick Folk P Mat McBriar LS L.P.
Ladouceur Summary: No need for change. Folk, McBriar and Ladouceur
are as good as it gets at their respective positions.
Here is a complete list of the Cowboys' roster moves to reach the 53-man
limit:
Reserve/Retired: Larry Allen
Waived: Danny Amendola Drew Atchison Remi Ayodele
Richard Bartel Mark Bradford Alonzo Coleman Julius Crosslin
Dowayne Davis Marcus Dixon Tearrius George Ryan Gibbons
Rodney Hannah Mike Jefferson Keon Lattimore Cory Lekkerkerker
(injury settlement) Todd Lowber Darrell Robertson Junior Siavii
Marcus Smith Tyson Smith Erik Walden
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