Pick Eight -- Linebackers

Eight, I would think, would be the absolute maximum number of linebackers the Cowboys could keep. Add in 8 DLs, 6 CBs and 4 Ss and you are up to 26 players on defense. You also have 3 specialists. That would leave only 24 players for offense. Given the surplus talent at running back and tight end, it is going to be difficult to keep both 8 LBs and 8 DLs … probably impossible.

I had been speculating, along with many others, that Al Singleton might not make this team. I no longer think that is possible. Singleton is still the first-team SOLB, with Burnett, a green rookie (even though he is highly talented), as his backup. Since it looks like they will have yet another rookie (Ware, who has his own problems with the scheme and a new position) starting at WOLB, I doubt if they will want to throw Burnett out there with the starting unit, too. Not with everyone learning new responsibilities in the front seven. That would just be too great a potential for mental mistakes. Maybe later in the season Burnett will be ready to start. But, for now, Singleton makes this team.

I had thought earlier that Ogbogu might not make it. But he has had a good week, and showed well in the last scrimmage. This is going to be another tough area to make cuts.

I am looking forward to the Arizona game, so that these things can start shaking themselves out.

Kevin Burnette, Demarcus Ware, Dat Nguyen, Scott Shanle, Kalen Thornton, Bradie James, Ryan Fowler, Al Singleton.

Those were the eight LB that I had on my mock 53-man roster.

2-C: Al Johnson, Andre Gurode
3-G: Larry Allen, Stephen Peterman, Marco Rivera
3-OT: Flozell Adams, Jacob Rogers, Kurt Vollers
0-FB:
4-TE: Jason Witten, Dans Campbell, Sean Ryan, Brett Pierce
4-HB: Juluis Jones, Tyson Thompson, Marion Barber III, Anthony Thomas
3-QB: Drew Bledsoe, Tony Romo, Drew Henson
5-WR: Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton, Quincy Morgan, Terrance Copper

1-K: Billy Cundiff
1-P: Matt McBriar
1-LS: Jeff Robinson

5-DE: Chris Canty, Greg Ellis, Kenyon Coleman, Marcus Spears, Jay Ratliff
3-DT: Jason Ferguson, Laâ€â"¢roi Glover, Thomas Johnson
8-LB: Kevin Burnette, Demarcus Ware, Dat Nguyen, Scott Shanle, Kalen Thornton, Bradie James, Ryan Fowler, Al Singleton
4-S: Keith Davis, Lynn Scott, Roy Williams, Justin Beriault
6-CB: Aaron Glenn, Anthony Henry, Terrence Newman, Lance Frasier, Bruce Thornton, Jacques Reeves

That is my list of players making the team. It allows 8 DL, 8 LB, 8 OL, 4 TE, and the three specialist.

If Ogbogu sticks, it just reinforces the idea that Parcells has been stockpiling 3-4 guys since he got here. No wonder the 4-3 stank last year!

Matt,

That’s a fine list, and might be pretty close to the final verdict, but they might want to keep an extra offensive lineman. Petitti or Noll or Walters would be candidates for that.

A lot will depend on injury. If someone they are counting on (like Flozell Adams, for instance) gets a minor injury that keeps him out of the first couple of games, they will have to go long at that particular position.

I read an artilcle concerning Shanle, where he has been moved behind Dat at WILB, and that Parcells thinks he’s the best coverage LB on the team. The article also noted that he has already been suspended once for violating the NFL steroids policy while playing with the Rams.

Matt,

I agree with Mr. Bill. You won’t be off by more than two or three names. The biggest name I see missing is Petitti, and it may cost a guy like Jacques Reeves or Tyson Thompson his job. A LOT will depend on how Thompson
looks returning kicks in the preseason games.

I would add, I think Lynn Scott is likely a goner if a decent FS become available, either in a late cut or in a trade.

A very good list. I also believe they will find a way to keep Petitti. I believe they will also find a way to keep Bickerstaff.

After revising my list I thought that I should add Pettiti. The only problem is I don’t know which of those 53 I can see leaving. If I had a choice it would be Singleton but it will likely be Thompson or A-train. I know A-train would be a surprise but if MB3 can be the change of pace back the boyz are looking for, and if Thompson can produce on ST’s he should be in. However, that would only leave three RB.

What a luxury to have a LS (J. Robinson). Granted that every pass they have thrown him as a TE is a TD, that’s still only around three. You just want to see everybody make the team.

I like Matt’s team except that with OT J. Roger’s shoulder discomfort I think Petitti makes the team.

I think A Train and L Scott are on the edge. Depends on MB3 and TT’s progress during pre season.

What are the specifics on the pup list? Once on it you do not count against the roster but you are inactive for 5 weeks? So a broken foot TE or a bad knee DL or FS or any other injury would be able to get a little extra time to recover and learn. They players on the pup can not practice during those 5 weeks but have a few weeks after that to practice without counting against the roster?

What players will be cut, and likely still be around for the practice squad? I would not think Thompson, Ratliff, or Petitti would still be around to be placed on the practice squad. Is there any limitations as to what players can be on the practice squad?

As with any list this early it all depends on who gets injured!

Thanks for any help you can give with my questions.

I don’t know if I’m violating blog etiquette here, but I’m blogging the Cowboys this year. I’ve got a link to here, from there, but I’m not looking for reciprocation, I’m just letting anyone interested know. Rafael, this is a nice place, feel free to delete my post if I’m in the wrong here. My site is:

http://footballagogo.blogspot.com

I would have emailed you to ask, but I don’t see where I could do that.

I don’t think Thomas Johnson sticks. With Ratliff and possibly Spears able to play inside, I think they try to get Johnson on the practice squad. If they lose him, it was just a roll of the dice. Eight DL in a 3-4 is overkill. I think they do keep 8 LB, and without Johnson, keep another OL, probably Petitti.

For the 8 LB, I think O’Neil’s special teams play gets him on the roster over Ogbogu, but that could change depending on how each adapts to the 3-4. If Ogbogu can play LB, it would be 1) shocking, and b) a pleasant surprise, given his size.

az

Matt,

It ain’t easy, is it?

I am certain that we will be forced to cut people this year who can play in this league. That’s a good problem to have, but it is still a problem.

Maybe we can work a trade where we have excess talent. That isn’t as easy as it sounds, since most teams would rather pick over the cuts or just work with what they have. But, it’s possible.

rmac,

We don’t have anyone who is eligible for PUP. We placed Allen on PUP and Campbell on Non-Football-Injury [NFI — it works the same as PUP] at the beginning of training camp. But, they have been taken off those lists and can’t go back on. Once training camp gets under way, the PUP and NFI lists are closed. Those lists are strictly for players who have existing problems when camp opens.

You are correct about how PUP works once the regular season starts. But, that will be of no use to us this year.

The practice squad is limited to those players who have had less than 1 year accrued in the NFL AND to players who have been active for less than 9 games, regardless of how many years they have been in the league. Also, no player may be on a practice squad for more than two years. [Being on a practice squad for at least 3 games counts as a year, in this case.]

In other words, all rookies and almost all first-year players are eligible. For other players, you have to count active games. Again, though, you can’t be on the practice squad more than two years, regardless of the other rules. Theoretically, that last rule could eliminate a first-year player, since you don’t accrue NFL seasons while on the practice squad.

Thanks for the info Mr. Bill

I would tend to agree with Matt’s linebacker list, but believe it’s an either or choice, 8 DL or 8 LB.

Ogbogu serves both, so he makes the list. Thomas (DT) goes to Practice Squad. (+1)

Only two of the three TEs make it out of Robinson, Ryan, & Pierce (who only makes it if he can long snap). (+2)

Only two of the three year two CBs make (Thornton could go PS) (+3)

Lynn Scott goes or Berriault to PS (+4)

Pettitie, Noll (or FA OT), Bickerstaff/Polite/Barnes, and Goolsby (or some other surprise). I also wouldn’t be too surprised if Thornton doesn’t make it and is replaced by a playmaker.

Watch for a late trade for a named person. OT, FS, & WR all have potential upgrade possibilities. We’ve got plenty of cap room. My bet, at least one trade/pickup

Fighter:

About the trade, I don’t know, in recent history it hasn’t worked, the short time the player has to gel with the team and to learn the playbook can be a mountain though to climb.

About Thornton I can say something in favor of having him, and it’s that he won’t play much, with Ware manning the starter job, and with the Defense playing more than 50% of the snaps in the 42 nickel and 4-3, he won’t have many plays, unless Ware comes down, case in which I’m already crossing my fingers…

I do believe that 7 DLiners and 7 LB’s could be enough, and would alow to add insurance depth at FS and the 9 OLiners Parcells always likes to have.

My 7 DLiners would be: Spears, Ferguson, Glover, Ellis, Canty, Coleman and Ratliff. With Canty and Spears playing at times DT in the 42 Nickel packages, there’s no longer reason to keep Carson. Wannabe Pepper and Jermaine Brooks to PS.

And LB’s: Nguyen, Ware, James, Burnett, Thornton, Shanle and Ogbogu. I’ll keep harping on Ogbogu, just like I did for Thompson in his due time, I just like the guy, maybe I’m wrong this time around. I can see Burnett starting in the season opener, he’s a smart player who will make mistakes in preseason and will watch a lot of film to see where does he needs to make up. Thornton or Singleton? That’s a coin toss…

Maybe 8 LB’s is the final number, I just don’t know…

I’ll make my new 53 man roster on Sunday, prolly.

What are your thoughts on possibly T Walter or M Tarullo making the O line instead of A Gurode. BP likes players that can play more than 1 position and both Walter and Tarullo are C/G O line players and Gurode has shown that he is not a consistant G. Gurode has been playing 1st team center the last few days but maybe that’s BP giving him one last look before he makes a final decision on him.

Here’s the interesting part of Parcells’ problem of picking who to keep. He’s got a practice squad he has to fill out also, but he’s got to pick guys he thinks will clear the wires and be available for him to keep on the practice squad. I agree with Chandus about Johnson, Carson, and Jermaine Brooks, although I’m not sure Brooks or Carson would clear.

Parcells has got to keep some of the guys he knows won’t clear. Ratliff for example. If we tried to put that guy on the PS, we can kiss him goodbye. I think the same goes for Tyson Thompson. This is the guy I’m afraid of losing. I know we’ve got good backs ahead of him, but I don’t want to see this guy turn up in Washington, New York, or Philly as a backup, and we have to face him. I think Parcells’ practice squad strategy has to be a big consideration when he decides who to keep.

are we that good and deep? True our defense sure is looking to improve and some of those cuts can find their way onto another team.

You know initially I was a littel surprised by the thought of Anthony Thomas making this team. But Julius, Marion, Thompson and if Polite makes it as a FB……..Thomas is going to have to do better than his 3.3 eddie george numbers in CHI to make this backfield.

I live in New Jersey and just found out anyone with DirectTV around here has the Cowboys game live on ESPN Alternative.

I think we need to watch the Arizona game real close to get a better picture of our 53 man roster as of right now.

Yeah, Jon, he would need to be better, but one thing in his favor is that he wasn’t known in Chicago as a pass catcher and as I’ve heard he’s a good pass catcher in here. Again some more evidence in the first two preseason games would give us all we need.

Everyone on here seems all ready to keep Thomas Johnson on the roster after he kicked Torrin Tuckers butt in a scrimmage. I think at this point he’s a bit of a reach especailly if you are going to say we won’t keep Pettitie who is now working with the 1st team.

Lou – the game is on the NFL channel. Anyone with direct TV will have it on replay

im sure im not the first to say it but let me emphasis on this, WE ARE NOT OLD! our D is insanely young! roy willaims T. newman anthony henry,ware, spears, canty, burnett, bradie james, all our young ass coners, dat has been around for a while but still has TONS left in the tank. but then we have ferguson, ellis and glover, and again been around for a while but manage to find themsleves way more than productive year after year after year.offense, of course we have bledsoe, but hey its hell of a lot better than vinyn if you ask me, and to be honest vinny really wasent our problem last year. he had absolutly no help till julius came back. now back to age. WR YES, age is a problem. johnson and glenns bodies cant take too much more of this childs game.they do however have morgan and crayton ready and willing in the shadows. we got julius marion barber, A train and tyson thompson. OL is nothing to worry about we have four pro bowlers on that line including tight end jason witten,(witten, adams, allen, and rivera) and OL’men can play well into their late thirtys. so need not worry. we will get a young QB and a young WR, and no one will be calling us young anymore, we are about two players from becomeing a very very young team. im excited. go cowboys

Hey with our 1st preseason game hours away. It brings a new era to the GREATEST sports franchise in the world .. the 3-4 defense!! Scrappy, we are young, and by the looks of it talented too. So talented at some positions, that good football players will get the ax. .. When the brain trust of Parcells and Jones upgraded positions like DT, CB, and OG, they not only upgraded the starting positions, but the starters from last season got pushed back on the depth chart. Not a lot of teams do that, usually a F.A. signing simply replaces a departured player .. not here! Parcells has put his mark on the Cowboy organization for a long time to come .. I hope we treat him well, and he gets to enjoy the riches!!! ….. Lets go Cowboys!!!!

A few things I am looking forward to as the preseason opens tonight .. The position battles. Who is going to step up? The one battle I am keeping a close eye on is the 3rd receiver spot. I love what Crayton can bring to this team!! If he can make plays with his feet .. wow!! What an option for Parcells!! With his passing and running ability, boy he could be that guy that all defenses have to be aware of, just making everyone else more of a threat. .. Can’t wait to see Demarcus Ware!! … Maybe the last thing, but certainly not the least is us Cowboys fans creating a name for our defense!! Just a suggestion, but we should start a thread with all the fans weighing in with their nicknames for this defense .. Then at the end of the preseason we acn vote on a name for it!!

Thanks for the heads up Lou!

I just confirmed the game is on Directv channel 213, ESPNa at 10pm EST. I also know it will replay Monday at 7am EST on NFL Network.

Interesting to note about another upcoming broadcast (I haven’t read the blog as thoroughly lately, so excuse me if this is repeat info), but Gary Hogeboom, a former Cowboys QB that some of you undoubtedly will remember, is a contestant on the new Survivor: Guatemala.

Eric how about “Ware-Wolves”…or the “A-Team” cuz we are Americas team?Anyone else have any good ideas?

I submit that Doomsday Defense is tried and true and a Cowboys tradition. But, that was the 4-3 and this is now. In April, on the heels of the Canty selection, I suggested Tsunami Defense and I still like it. I don’t know how these labels stick but I do know they are applied after the fact not before.

Is everyone just as excited as I am???It’s about to start!!!!!!!!Got the ribs,wings and cold beer ready!!!!!!!GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!

Cash,
you make an excellent point.

SS,
Not to rain on your parade but after what happened in Southeast
Asia i don’t think Tsunami anything is going to fly….especially in
the pc world of todays press.

When Spears was drafted, he refered to playing a 3-4 DE as “taking out the garbage”. There could be a play on that somehow.

StarStruck:

Just got off the phone with DirecTV – ESPN usually puts an alternate game up like they have set for 10PM ET tonight but due to blackout and other restrictions, they may decide not to air the game, even though it’s listed.

I hope that’s not the case, but if it is, I’ve already got TIVO set for 7AM Monday …

Hope Rafael made it to Oxnard – I haven’t heard from him yet…

“Ground Control to Major Raf …” :lol:

… How about this? ..“The House of Doom: Doomsday II” .. I can see it now, the signs “Be-WARE of the House of Doom …. Doomsday Lives”.

i believe it is also on espn extra. direct tv it is channel 213, im preying i get it. i want to watch it tonight not monday morning at 6 am

ericr,
i like the sound of another doomsday defense alot. i hope it comes true

Ground Control

Say it isn’t so! I changed my plans for the evening just so I could watch the game! Look at you, calling DirecTv, whipping out your Bowie knowledge…Ain’t you something? :)

I wonder if Rafael took his clipboard?

Keep an eye on your inbox.

Ground Control

213 went from black screen to playing Allman Bros.! A signal is coming through!

is it me or on dc.com you cant listen to the game without the nfl pass from real player???

213 it is on direct tv. but it is cardinals network so itll prolly be there announcers, which i dont care i just want to watch….

No, I cant get it either, though it does says listen now on Dallas Cowboy.com

what do you guys think of an open thread for games so people can comment as they go?

i know its early but damn we look like crap right now, bledsoe been on his back 4 times already

Wow! The best player on our team so far tonight is McBriar.

very true

no pressure what so ever on the qb, this is gross to watch, i really hope tis is just because its early.

exactly,no QB pressure at all,safety(davis)…..messing up……10-0 Cards

early thoughts: o-line needs alot of work, davis needs some more time to learn, d-line needs more pressure, mcbriar is a good punter.

Well,we know one thing…….McBriar is a keeper!

lol!!! true

Good Romo’s in now,we should score….

romos good in preseason games, so yah we should score.

Mike he’s never played in a season game….but threw 85 TD’s in college,he’s good…..

yah i know he hasnt, i was saying hes good in preseason. didnt he throw the winning td against the raiders last year in preseason…

But don’t read anything into that….lol

Almost,after that throw to the goal line he snuck it in….

whitten has looked like hes in regular season form

Points!!!

YES we scored

Points!!!

he couldve made a 56 yarder there nice kick billy

At WOLB: I don’t see Ogbogu making it, but from what I am hearing I could be wrong. O’Neil, Thornton AND WARE for sure.

WILB: Nguyen for sure.

SILB: Shanle to start, James to backup.

SOLB:Burnett for sure, Singleton may start start the season there and be replaced by Fowler or O’Neil (Burnett to start). I am just not sure about Singleton.

huh? i don’t get it