IRVING, Texas - A couple weeks back, the staff writers for this site decided to answer a few of the team's most pressing questions heading into training camp, which is now less than a week away before the team departs for Oxnard, Calif. on Thursday.
While some of those questions were tougher than others, especially on the Terry Glenn saga which still hasn't been resolved, others likely won't be answered for a while.
The one that gave me the most trouble was the question asking which player will rise from obscurity in training camp.
Now, of course that's going to be tough. If we knew which player would stand out to become the surprise, then obviously they wouldn't be much of a surprise.
But still, there are some good candidates.
(And oh, if you liked that idea of us all answering those questions, you're in luck. That appears to be one of the many changes on our website this year, not to mention the new design that was revealed over the weekend.)
OK, so back to the players who could make some noise in training camp. I had a hard time pinpointing just one guy. That's why we're going to focus on five players that might be able to rise from obscurity.
After changing my pick a few times, I ended up taking wide receiver Mike Jefferson, who spent all of last year on the practice squad. While those avid Cowboys fans are already aware of Jefferson, and probably know he originally went to the University of Arizona before transferring to Montana State for one year of college, he's still a rather unknown commodity.
When it comes to the wide receiver position, certainly it starts with Terrell Owens. And definitely, something is about to go down regarding Glenn as well. And even with the backups behind Patrick Crayton, expect some serious competition between Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Isaiah Stanback. Even rookie free agent Denny Amendola has gotten some pub during the off-season.
But none of that should matter to Jefferson. The good thing for him is the right people are fully aware what he can do.
Last season, Jefferson quietly went about his business all season long and by the end of the year, he had made huge strides from an undrafted rookie free agent just a few months earlier.
In fact, one offensive coach told me that Jefferson not only made the biggest improvement from any offensive player from the start of the year to the end, but had any team made a serious attempt to sign Jefferson from the practice squad, the Cowboys would've definitely kept him around, probably moving him up to the 53-man roster.
So don't forget about this guy in training camp. He'll have his work cut out for him, but the fact the Cowboys didn't draft any receivers shouldn't limit the club from keeping the best prospects.
OK, here are four other guys that I wanted to take on that list, too.
Alan Ball - Not sure a seventh-round pick from last year can fly under the radar but with this secondary and these cornerbacks, it's easy to get overlooked.
The Cowboys will thrive if Terence Newman, Anthony Henry and especially Adam Jones play like they're expected. It'll be a bonus if draft picks Mike Jenkins or even Orlando Scandrick can contribute.
But even with all of that, there still could be room for at least one more cornerback on the roster. And that's where Ball has to shine, or at least outplay the likes of Evan Oglesby and Quincy Butler.
Physically, Ball doesn't even look like he did last year as a rookie. Credit strength coach Joe Juraszek for helping the young cornerback develop his body, but he certainly looks like he can be more physical than he was a year ago.
It won't be easy to make a difference at this position, but watch out for Ball at cornerback.
Cory Lekkerkerker - Anyone with this name has to be on a list, right? But when you look at what has transpired on the offensive line, just in the last few months, something should tell you the coaching staff isn't too excited about the depth on the line, especially at tackle.
Since the draft and rookie free agency, the Cowboys went out and added three veterans, including tackles Lekkerkerker and Ryan Gibbons, along with guard Adam Stenavich. All three have game experience, which is certainly more than James Marten and Doug Free can say, and even Pat McQuistan hasn't been tested much in regular-season games.
That is why there is a place for a veteran such as Lekkerkerker to find a role. I'm giving him the leg up on Gibbons because of his ties to the staff.
Before signing with the Cowboys this summer, he spent two years with the Chargers and then last year in Miami. Hmm, that's funny, his new position coach, Hudson Houck, was also with San Diego for those same two years before going to Miami last year.
Not only does Houck know Lekkerkerker, but head coach Wade Phillips should as well, seeing he at least coached in San Diego at the same time.
There must be a reason the coaches are looking for some outside help. Obviously, they aren't sold with the backups behind tackles Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo, which means there is a chance for someone, especially a player already with ties to the staff, to jump into the mix.
Junior Siavii - I promise I'm not just picking out the fun names. And if you're wondering, this one goes like "Say-uh-vee." But seriously, this guy has a legitimate chance to find his way on the team, too.
The nose tackle position certainly will have some company, with Jay Ratliff returning and trying to stave off Tank Johnson for the starting role. Of course, it looks like if Johnson wins the job, then Ratliff will probably move over to defensive end. If you heard one Wade Phillips press conference last year, you know two things: The Cowboys went 13-3 and the coach loves Jay Ratliff.
But, that doesn't mean there isn't a place for another nose tackle to plug the middle. The club still has Remi Ayodele on the roster, but Siavii is the guy I think could challenge for a roster spot.
At 6-5, 330 pounds, this guy is a huge force inside. And with the versatility that both Ratliff and Johnson have to play defensive end, especially in a four-man front, then you can always have room for another run-stopper who can fill some space.
In fact, I've heard it more than once from the halls of Valley Ranch that a reason the Cowboys felt confident enough to trade Jason Ferguson away to the Dolphins before the draft was because they already had two established vets in Ratliff and Johnson, AND, and they have high hopes for Siavii.
Alonzo Coleman - OK, so where does this guy fit? Not sure I can answer that. Thankfully, that's not what this article is about. It's about guys who will turn some heads and make the decisions somewhat tougher on the coaches.
Where does the fourth running back fit into the picture when it's clear he can't jump into the top three? Again, that's not saying Coleman can't become one of the top three backs. But let's face it, we know Marion Barber is starting and Felix Jones will have a huge role. Also, fourth-round pick Tashard Choice will have a role as well.
Realistically, the best Coleman can do is probably fourth.
Coleman, who spent last year on the practice squad, just won't get many opportunities to shine.
But, there is a reason the Cowboys kept him around all last year despite the fact he missed nearly all of training camp injured.
An undrafted rookie free agent from Hampton last year, Coleman is more in the mold of a Felix Jones. In fact, he's even smaller, listed at 5-9 and 202 pounds. But he's very quick and has good vision for being a smaller back.
Don't know where he fits. But then again, I recall another player who entered camp in Oxnard, Calif., one year as fourth on the depth chart a position that would only keep three players, if that. As it turned out, he finished up No. 2 on the depth chart and is now the current starter. Of course, not everyone is as fortunate as one Tony Romo, but then again, it's just another example that anything can happen.
Plain and simple, if Coleman can prove that he is a player, the Cowboys will find a role for him.
*******
OK, so there are five guys. Of course, I could probably list about 10 or 15 more. Then again, what fun is that? Sure, someone will develop into a training camp surprise, the fun part is figuring out who?
So, I left out guys like Amendola, who might be able to find a role, especially if he can thrive as a punt returner. Watch out for another undrafted receiver in Mark Bradford. This guy just might be the most polished of the rookie receivers.
And I'm not sure quarterback Richard Bartel belongs on this list. Everyone knows the quarterbacks, so it's hard to call this guy an unknown. It's doubtful he will jump Brad Johnson as the backup, but he just might do enough in camp to force the club to keep three quarterbacks. If he's good enough to stick around, don't expect the Cowboys to release him with a hope for a return to the practice squad. They got burned last year when they cut Matt Moore, who went to Carolina and ended up starting a game against the Cowboys late in the season.
OK, there's a few names to keep an eye on. And yes, even on a team that has bigger-than-life players such as T.O. and Romo and cast of other budding superstars, there is always room for a few dark horses to join the party.
In about a week or two, we should start figuring out who this year's crop will be.
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Nick Eatman - 
