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(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)
CORRY SIMMONS - DALLAS, TX: With all the injuries, that one roster spot for a long snapper is vital. Is it worth keeping L.P. Ladouceur to do just that when you have a guy who can be a reserve linebacker and cover kickoffs as well in Matt Stewart?
Nick: Not a bad question at all, and one that was tossed around earlier in the summer. But with all of the emphasis on special teams and field position, and now asking the deep snapper to have more of a directional snap that not's exactly straight back to the punter, I think it would be too costly to make the switch. Yes, he's a luxury. And you don't want to find out how luxurious it really is.
Josh: Well, since it's looking like Matt Stewart could make the team now because of the injury problems with Stephen Hodge, maybe he would be active some weeks instead of Ladouceur. He's not nearly as good at it at Ladouceur is, but I haven't seen him screw up royally or anything yet. This is the kind of thing you want to really be careful with, though. One bad snap will lose you a game on most occasions.
DAVE GREEN - GALVESTON, TX: In a recent mailbag post, you all expressed concern about the lack of point production from the first team offense in the preseason despite several long, methodical drives. However, if the Cowboys can control the clock in the regular season, won't that pave the way for a big second half for the running backs, pounding away at tired defenses? And won't that keep the Cowboys defense fresh and aggressive?
Nick: Two good points. That's something you don't find out in the preseason. I would call that a glass-half-full outlook, but it's not a bad one. We'll see if that happens. The problem is, the Cowboys better be in the lead in the second half for those running backs to pound away.
Josh: Yes, that's certainly one of the positives. But what if your offense doesn't capitalize on all its scoring chances? If you just let teams hang around you will lose some games you should have won. Of course, the Cowboys might not have much of a choice with this one. Not sure they have the firepower to be a quick strike offense anymore.
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