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Mailbag: Must Stanback Prove He Can Stay Healthy?

DallasCowboys.com Report
July 23, 2009 4:54 PM
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 OTHER RECENT NEWS

Off-Season Program Begins Tuesday For Injured Rookies  2/8
Rob Phillips: Saints' Rise Should Lend Some Perspective  2/8
Mailbag: Monday, February 8, 2010
As Expected, Smith Gets First-Ballot Hall of Fame Call  2/7
Spagnola: Payton's Aggressive Nature Has Super Results  2/7
A Look Back At Emmitt's Hall of Fame Career  2/7
Notes: Committee Denies Haley For HOF Once Again  2/6
What Great RBs - Past & Present Are Saying About Smith  2/6
Haley Has Strong Canton Credentials  2/5
Barry Sanders On Emmitt's Legacy, Records & Felix  2/5
 

(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.)

GORD BERLINGHOFF - CONAUGHT, ON: If Isaiah Stanback is injured again this training camp do the Cowboys keep him or do they go with another guy?

Josh: He's definitely on the hot seat, injured or not. His transition to wide receiver has been slow, and after missing basically the entire summer after knee surgery, it's hard to believe he's madeany real strides in the off-season. If Manny Johnson shows something, or one of the other young guys, they could definitely take his job. As much a threat as everyone claims he is on kickoff returns, I think I'd much rather have Felix Jones back there, and we haven't really seen him return punts yet. Maybe the Wildcat will be his saving grace.

Rob: Stanback is probably the fifth receiver heading into camp. But if he re-injures his knee or suffers another setback, yes, his job might be in jeopardy. The guy has so much natural ability, the Cowboys have been very patient with him. He's just had a lot of bad luck with injuries that have slowed his transition from college quarterback. If he stays healthy, Travis Wilson, Manuel Johnson and Kevin Ogletree will really have to stand out on offense and special teams to beat him out.

Nick: That's a pretty vague question. How long is Stanback out? Is it another shoulder injury? How well was he playing before the injury. Is "another guy" better than him. Lots of questions about the wide receiver position. Personally, I think the Cowboys need to be looking at every team in the league and explore trade possibilities. This position still needs an upgrade to me.

ARNOLD KASSANOFF - DALLAS, TX: Greg Isdaner is a big, tough offensive lineman out of West Virginia who was an undrafted free agent. What are his chances of making the team?

Josh: Think practice squad. I think he has a chance to be a player one day, just because of his body and the way he moves. He's got this burly, squat look to him - he just looks like an NFL guard to me. But there are a few guys with more experience above him. Hard to imagine him beating out a Pat McQuistan or a Doug Free. Maybe if he's better than Ryan Gibbons, who was on the practice squad last year, he'll get to stick around in some fashion.

Rob: We'll have a better idea once the pads come on, but numbers-wise the odds are slim. Guard depth is important with Kyle Kosier returning from foot surgery, but Montrae Holland and Cory Procter (now the second-team center) can play the position, too. The question probably is, can Isdaner edge out someone like Pat McQuistan? Most of the incumbent backups can play multiple positions -- Procter at center/guard and McQuistan at tackle/guard -- and third-round pick Robert Brewster might eventually be able to play tackle and guard. Isdaner looks like he's strictly a guard.

Nick: Not good. I say that because he was an undrafted rookie. That's all we know about him. Generally, undrafted free agents have a slim chance to make the team. However, it happens every year and why not this guy. The key for any backup lineman will be versatility. You can't be a backup guard without playing another position, too. Hopefully for him, he can play some center or tackle, if needed.
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