ROB RIGGIERI
RUTLAND, MA
Are you (not the team, you guys) comfortable with Rod Smith as Zeke's back-up should Zeke miss extended time due to injury?
David:I feel absolutely comfortable with it. Smith tallied 362 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns during Zeke's suspension last year, and that was without ever getting more than 11 touches in a game. He's talented, physical and well-rounded. Obviously, you'd prefer to have Zeke for 16 games. But I think Smith – and either Bo Scarbrough or Darius Jackson – could fill in.
Rob: Yes. Smith has shown he can do everything when asked: run, block, catch, pick up tough yards. And Tavon Austin is the mismatch player the Cowboys hope can threaten defenses in different ways. They needed that type of player when Elliott was out last year.
AL INGULLI
REDDING, CT
We cannot keep everyone, and good players get cut every year because of numbers at a certain position, scheme or coaches' biases. Who do you think is most likely to miss the team that we will come to regret later on?
David:Questions like this are what make me wonder about Rico Gathers. Clearly, from watching spring practices, he's last on the depth chart. It's not a stretch to think he might get cut. At the same time, we know how athletic he is – and we've seen what he can do in the preseason. As raw as Rico might be, I bet the Cowboys are terrified of what he might do with another team if they release him.
Rob: The receiver spot immediately comes to mind. I feel like we're always discussing how the group is largely new and unproven. But it's also pretty deep and talented, and there's no way all of them can make the 53. Lance Lenoir and rookie Cedrick Wilson clearly have ability, but there are a lot of vets in front of them.
