Can’t find anything to confirm it yet, but they did release CB Cletis Gordon today to make room for someone. A returner would make sense.

Hmm…

Here’s what Todd Archer has to say about Rossum:

Here’s an issue of adding Rossum – he plays only one spot. The Cowboys are already carrying two kickers, a third quarterback and a longsnapper on the roster. Adding another one-position player to the roster is difficult. They appear to be ready to do the 54-man shuffle with running back Chauncey Washington from the practice squad to active roster while Marion Barber and Felix Jones recover fully from injuries.

I don’t know what Rossum has left in the tank and I don’t know if that is worth a roster spot. But he has a history with special teams coach Joe DeCamillis.

We need the help in the return game and this should certainly add a little excitement to punt returns. Plus, Rossum is extremely knowledgeable about DeCamillis’s schemes since they worked together in Atlanta (assuming the time line in my head is correct). Considering that most of DeCamillis’s moves seem to be working, I see no reason not to trust him on this one.

Here is a scouting report

Rossum is an aging veteran player who has experience as a cornerback, but in reality, at this stage of his career, he is just a return specialist — and a very marginal one at that. He is very small with a diminutive frame, which is a huge drawback as a cover man and with his ability to break tackles with the ball in his hands. He can still handle spot duty as a defensive back, but he isn’t nearly as explosive, quick or athletic as he once was. However, he plays hard and is experienced in reading routes. As a cover man, he can be out muscled by the bigger wide receivers in the league and doesn’t offer much against the run. As a returner, he is extremely sure handed, but his explosiveness with the ball in his hands has greatly diminished. He sees the holes and alleys like he always has, but struggles to get to where he needs to be.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/players/scouting?playerId=1638

Didn’t Rossum lead the league, or rank among league leaders, in returns last year? Thought I saw where he was one of the best in 2008.

that is a huge step up, maybe next year we will actually draft one

Joe D knows this guy, he knows what he brings to the table and he must know that whatever Rossum is it is better than crayton and newman.

After that game, Joe D must have talked to WP and said we need something better and if a good player becomes available, we need to get them a proven returner because these two guys are not cutting the mustard. I like the move because it is a coach holding the players accountable. So even if Rossum is only as good to a little better than newman and crayton it shows them that the team is going to try to find someone else to do the job.

I would also like to add that this affects felix (when he gets back), crayton, and miles because one did punts and the other did KR; so now rossum will take these duties from these players. Miles no longer has to fill in even if felix comes back, felix is soley put on offense, and I believe crayton will be put in as the slot guy. I think this move impacts crayton most of all. I say that because if miles no longer covers ST plays he will be seeing more playing time, crayton is the one who will be the odd man out, the ST play for crayton is now gone because rossum is now there. I think that crayton needs to read between the lines and see that he needs to make everything count from here on out; because next year for him is looking a little murky.

As long as he doesn’t come in and muff punts, I’m cool with the move. It’s more important (In my mind…) to have someone that can make something happen/not screw things up on special teams. Crayton has been downright awful so far. Rossum knows what he’s doing, and has been a decent/good (If not great) return man through his career.

It doesn’t matter that he’d be taking a roster spot from a player that would probably never see the field, anyhow.

I know, I know… Depth, Depth, Depth.

Good dig, what_the_crap!

Rossum is expected to sign a one-year, veteran-minimum contract with the Cowboys on Wednesday morning. A Dallas native who played at Skyline High School, Rossum left for Notre Dame before joining the Philadelphia Eagles as a third-round cornerback in 1998.

Linky

… I put the possibility out there last night as a fan shot.

It’s about time we added a return weapon.

I absolutely love this move.

Work Ogltree in rotation more he need the reps.The guy is fast with quick feet. HE was taking returns out of the in-zone and was taking it to at least the 20.

Sooner or later u had the feel he was going to take one home with a couple of blocks. He did had one miscue with a fumble but he can be work on as a rookie.

Once again a rookie talented is stall (ex. Choice). If anything we need to bring in someone for the o-line. It has become apparent that Flozell can no longer block or keep his poise.

I remember a comment Madden said about him " You would think he was a bum by all the penalties but he is one of the elite tackles " so u would look pass the flags.

NOT any more ,he cant block at the LT position anymore, he killed a couples of drives,plus the flags. The guy was getting beat on a 1 on 1’s. The line collapse on a 3 man rush A 3 MAN RUSH!!!!!! ( Flo still could not contain his man).

I hope we come out this bye with adjustments to the line. I can not c Flo starting next season or the remainder of the season as the LT.He may be a guard and they could possibly swing Davis to LT , but FLO might b threw.

The line need help and i mean real bad that should have been our area of interest. Instead of an old timer as a kick returner.

I seriously disagree with the scouting reports saying that Rossum is a marginal return man. He averaged 26.8 on kickoffs and 14.9 on punts just LAST SEASON. Far from marginal. More like pretty damn good. More like better than anyone we have.

With Felix limping, and Austin set to take on a bigger role on offense, how does this not make sense? And dead the Ogletree talk. I’d like to see him contribute on offense, but I was sitting in the endzone at the KC game and from my vantage, Ogletree’s vision is subpar. Plus one fumble out of bounds is all I need to see.

Rossum still has great speed and is a major upgrade for the Cowboys return game.

But if Scandrick 32 is on board and endorsing Rossum, then I’m sold. Age doesn’t matter, the player himself matters more. Is he still productive? People are saying he is one of the best at his position. This directly affects Felix too. I’m liking the sound of this. We should have Felix concentrating on being a reciever more than a Kick/Punt returner, So I feel this is nothing but a positive. Are we also looking at Matt Jones?

Fairly low risk (hurts depth a bit) and could pay fairly big rewards

whatever you do just don’t put T.Newman back there no more! I tell you that guy is a bust or a buster! He is scared to get hit, scared to tackle and can’t keep up with WRs. I can’t figure who he has fooled thinking he is some kind of special player but he is not. I watch him during the game and he really causes some crucial mistakes, whatever they do I hope they do not use Newman no more!!!!!