A Deeper Look Into The Dallas Cowboys 2011 Roster
by Tom Ryle on Sep 4, 2011 4:00 AM CDT
in Dallas Cowboys General
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PrintThe last major hurdle has been cleared before the Dallas Cowboys open the 2011 season against the New York Jets. I don't know about you, but I am frankly glad to be able to stop guessing and start talking about the players that the Cowboys will take into this year's campaign. (If you need a quick review, check here.)
It was a relief in some ways. Igor Olshansky was finally cut, a move many of the posters here were calling for no later than three minutes into the Denver preseason game. In others, it was surprising, or perhaps a bit disappointing.
Some of the posters here were certainly let down to see Akwasi Owusu-Ansah not make the team. A lot of the posters here had a very high opinion of his athletic abilities and felt he needed some more time. I was always a bit ambivalent about him and thought he never quite seemed to catch on to his position. But I know it hurts to lose a pet cat. They are such precious little creatures.
More after the jump.
I was a bit disappointed in one name that didn't get cut, Sam Young. I was just about ready to lay money on the team going with nine offensive linemen, and he was a clear number 10 in my mind. I look at him, and wonder if that spot could have been better spent on Orie Lemon or Josh Thomas. Young players that have shown some flashes in camp are much more valuable to me than someone who I suspect is this year's answer to Alex Barron. (I know, you hate to see that name. Which is my point.) If there is any decent OT out there who is now available after the cuts, I would look for Young to be the first person to drop off the 53. I actually think he is on the roster to protect Jermey Parnell, another raw young player the coaches seem eager to invest some more coaching in.
That brings up the numbers themselves. 10 linemen, four running backs and four tight ends are all numbers that could be seen as a bit high, although the lack of a pure fullback does offset at least one of those. On the defense, I was really expecting to see one more ILB and one more CB, and another S or OLB would not have been a bad thing, although the talent might not have been there. The one player I think could have definitely made a contribution was Orie Lemon. He could at least have played until Bruce Carter was ready, and then he might have proven himself valuable enough to maybe consider keeping him over Keith Brooking. As I have said, I like Keith, except for those hyper rah-rah speeches before games, but he only has so much left in him. I really hope Lemon can get onto the PS, because I think we may need him in a few weeks.
I do slip into speculation when I see there are seven DL and seven total LB bodies on the team. I wonder if Rob Ryan has some ideas for other ways to use players like Jay Ratliff, Clifton Geathers and Sean Lissemore that don't fit easily into the standard 3-4 mold. I expect to see several formations this year that have more of a 4-3 look, with the DL getting a chance to go after the quarterback, too.
Although I don't fully understand all of the decisions here, I don't find most of them very shocking. The team has by and large gotten rid of all the dead weight and stayed true to the idea of playing the best people. I cannot find one name on the cut list that I can clearly say is better than the players that made the team at that same position.
One thing that does make me bang my head against the wall is going with two kickers. Again. I cannot really see that as anything other than wasting a roster spot. I would much rather see Orie Lemon on the team. But that would have meant keeping one all around capable kicker, and instead we have two half kickers to cover the job. I am one of those who love seeing David Buehler mash a returner, but hopefully he will almost never have to do that. I just cannot understand why we can't find a competent field goal kicker who can also kick the ball into the back half of the end zone on a regular basis. I tell you, it's a curse.
Now, the team will be waiting to see who is available from other teams. And it has to sign a practice squad. Todd Archer at ESPN has a take on a possible PS. It's a pretty good guess, I think, but if one of the current 53 is cut, then the team may bump one of the PS players, depending on who is eligible. And of course, we don't know who will clear waivers. We snatched Parnell off another team's PS.
But the main issue is settled. I will watch with interest to see what else may happen, but now it is time to start focusing on the start of the season.
I feel reasonably good about this group. Now to see how they play against the Jets.
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AOA was a favorite
But he never did much accept a fairly nice punt return in last years pre-season game. This year, he tackled OK but his returns were uninspiring. Harris upstaged him in the last game by making a much more efforted punt return right after AOA’s 4 yard return.
Hopefully, he can be retained to the PS but don’t really understand the new PS rules even though they’ve been explained.
However,
It was actually good to see that Cowboys leadership made tough decisions – the correct ones for the team. There will be other “pets” along the way but for now, the best 53 for the future are currently on the roster.
This season, there will be improvement and let down. But it will shape them for the future. Again, the Cowboys are building for the future in the correct way obtainin talent via RKGs (coaching their potential up to max capacity vs. drafting great potential but having to deal w/ the headache of self-centered players).
Viva the Cowboys in 2012-2013.
by Tyrone Jenkins on Sep 4, 2011 4:20 AM CDT up reply actions
I can live with cutting AOA, but cut Josh Thomas for someone like Sam Young?
No way….We have lost Josh for years and maybe for his whole career….Jamar Wall was by far worst player and he didnt make it to the PS…there is no way Josh Thomas is going to make it to the PS….one team will surely chase him, because of his talent….I would like to see rather Young gone…well know I want to know if it was JG decision, even if yes, I m not going to agree with this….
before there was law, there were the Cowboys!!!
JT was hurt....injured his hammy
no need to carry a backup corner that would only be playing on special teams with a hamstring injury that could linger. I think he had potential and I hate to see him go but I wish him luck with the Panthers
"We were going to go out to Valley Ranch and use it as an opportunity to get back out in the heat and work, and I open up the curtains this morning very early and all of a sudden it was 68 and raining," Garrett said. "I said to the players, 'How big was the group prayer last night?' -Jason Garrett
by TruBluToTheCore on Sep 4, 2011 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
he is slow
its cover 2 corner, cant play man to man, good only for off coverage…poor man asante samuel
before there was law, there were the Cowboys!!!
Our depth on our Defense kind of worries me
and 2 roster spots for kickers that arent that good baffles me, should’ve cut Buehler when he missed that extra point against Arizona last season…. If they cost us a game this year, I’m going to lose my mind. Has to be a good kicker somewhere
Billion dollar dream and hundred dollar nightmares
+1 100% agree....
I love Red, but clearly this roster is slanted towards the offense, where is the love for D? It was our biggest weakness last year, give me some more depth/choices, please!
Should have cut Buehler..if the other guy can’t kick it near/in the end zone from the 35, he should not be an NFL kicker!
Let’s go!!!
No logical reason to keep Young and 2 kickers.
Young is a waste of time. That is 2 roster spots being wasted.
At least they cut AOA.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
by football mensa on Sep 4, 2011 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions
i see the gmen
cut gabe watson.
a big body to stop the run at 333.
by oneforthethumb on Sep 4, 2011 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Keeping Buehler Makes Sense
Completely disagree about getting rid of Buehler. I totally hate the rule, but if it’s going to be in place, I want to see 100% touchbacks this year from Buehler. That kind of field position will really help our defense. The sad fact is that that rule change will substantially take the return game out of the NFL, and it devalues special teams players like return and cover men. If AOA’s best skill was as a returner, there just wasn’t going to be a place on the roster for him, especially if we have others equal for the few returns we’re going to get. But that kickoff rules change will totally change the complexion of the game, particularly when it comes to field position, so I know Jerry’s a loon but on this one, I think he’s completely right to have a kicker that can always put it out of the endzone and then hopefully one who can reliably put it between the uprights. (And though obviously it would be nice to have one player who can do both, obviously we don’t).
Buehler wasn't great at touchbacks last year
I think Nick Folk had more touchbacks than Buehler.
No, but I didn't see anyone else put it through the uprights yet...
Buehler focusing on KO only could be good, he had 29 in 2009 and they moved the ball up for him. He’ll probably get 75% if he stays at KO only. If this team comes together there could be a lot of KOs…
He was asked to kick the ball high not far, Joe wanted it that way
by Musiccitynorm on Sep 4, 2011 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
+1
"We were going to go out to Valley Ranch and use it as an opportunity to get back out in the heat and work, and I open up the curtains this morning very early and all of a sudden it was 68 and raining," Garrett said. "I said to the players, 'How big was the group prayer last night?' -Jason Garrett
by TruBluToTheCore on Sep 4, 2011 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Yup
I remember the interview during the preseason last year. They knew he could put it through the center of the endzone nearly every time. They wanted to try directionally kicking it high to force the returner into one corner of the field so the coverage team had a better chance of stopping them short of the 20. The idea was to force the opponents to have to go more than 80 yards to score.
It didn’t work as well as they had hoped. Buehler put a couple out of bounds.
Rabid and luvin' it
I don't anticipate the Cowboys picking up anyone of note.
I don’t really see how it fits in with the apparent new philosophy. Digging through other people’s trash for veterans that weren’t good enough to make a roster elsewhere might result in some gems for a team that is a few role players away, but this team needs more than can be found in the recent cuts. I think picking up anyone except very young, very cheap guys is an exercise in futility for the current squad.
by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 4, 2011 8:34 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
new philosophy?
Garrett`s always talking about continuing to get better, looking at ways to improve. I really doubt that players should get too complacent around him.
The same
thinking as JJ in the 90’s.
Churn the bottom portion of the roster.
by oneforthethumb on Sep 4, 2011 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Garrett is a rookie head coach, correct?
So whatever he is doing that is different than the previous regime is a new philosophy. Prior to this year, they were not cutting veterans in favor of young players.
by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 5, 2011 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't as well.......
BlockquotedI don’t anticipate the Cowboys picking up anyone of note
But I do see them churning the bottom of the roster a bit.
"A mind focused on doubt and fear cannot focus on the journey to victory."
would they do this in an attempt to get better?
and a way to improve? if so, then I would argue it is a player of note.
I believe you always look to get better no matter what right?
Even if that means an upgrade on the 53rd man of the roster.
"A mind focused on doubt and fear cannot focus on the journey to victory."
At first glance you might think this
But other teams have relative strengths compared to Dallas, so the Giants might look for a Josh Thomas while Dallas might try to pick up a discarded DL, while the Eagles could be interested in dropping the average age of their OL to under 40. They don’t have to pick up a star, just someone marginally better than what they have.
Don't believe everything you think.
by dunkman on Sep 4, 2011 8:48 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
would not surprise me
if we lose Josh Thomas and even Mario Butler, last yr we lost Jamar Wall? if we lose them at the expense of keeping 2 kickers or Sam Young hopefully it will not be in vain when we reflect on this later on.
How is it losing them?
They were cut.
by Baked Potato Soup on Sep 5, 2011 12:20 AM CDT up reply actions
think of tavares gooen from Baltimore
highly rated LB that just couldn’t beat out the LB depth that Baltimore has
"We were going to go out to Valley Ranch and use it as an opportunity to get back out in the heat and work, and I open up the curtains this morning very early and all of a sudden it was 68 and raining," Garrett said. "I said to the players, 'How big was the group prayer last night?' -Jason Garrett
by TruBluToTheCore on Sep 4, 2011 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Gooden...hate my keyboard
"We were going to go out to Valley Ranch and use it as an opportunity to get back out in the heat and work, and I open up the curtains this morning very early and all of a sudden it was 68 and raining," Garrett said. "I said to the players, 'How big was the group prayer last night?' -Jason Garrett
by TruBluToTheCore on Sep 4, 2011 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I think they'll pick up a linebacker
3 is just not enough
by One.Cool.Customer on Sep 4, 2011 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions
which LB out there do you see as an upgrade?
was hoping Lemon would make it but if we can secure him to the PS that would be good.
Maybe, Carter is back in 6 weeks,
We went with 4 corners last year,
by Musiccitynorm on Sep 4, 2011 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Where did Lofa Tatupu end up signing?
by Mac_Eleven on Sep 4, 2011 9:24 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The Pats cut Brandon Merriweather?
I haven’t been online for a couple days, what’s the story behind that? Sorry if this is a dumb question that has been discussed at length
by StillHateTheGiants on Sep 4, 2011 9:30 AM CDT reply actions
PFF graded him one spot worse than Alan Ball last year, 79th out of 85 safeties.
by One.Cool.Customer on Sep 3, 2011 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 13 recs
showoff
nice box!
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
by Realist Larry on Sep 4, 2011 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions
thank you I didnt want to have to go back and find that again!
13 recs haha
Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player
haha well mine grabbing the link for me
so I can bookmark and and link it to anyone spraying the nonsense of selling a BB cast off.
BB is the greatest used carsalesman ever.. and if he couldn’t sell it, I don’t want it.
Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player
Not saying BB is god
but a young safety doesn’t just get cut for no reason. Plus he “launches” way too much. Thats one of my main reasons I don’t want him.
Tony Romo 2011's League's Most Valuable Player
Meriweather Please!
I’ll take him over Sam Young!
by Atxmarks on Sep 4, 2011 9:33 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Would i take him over sam young?
Yes But do i want the Cowboys to sign him? No. Hell no. He is a walking example of the pro bowl being a joke. Bellicheck knows what he is doing.
We're here to win football games. The way to do that is to tell him and to get on him at the right times. I do that when you guys (media) don't see and watch.''
What else makes a strong leader?
"You win,'' Romo said. "You're a very good leader once you win.
"That's' what we're going to do.''
Last I heard the guy was a good safety
Not so much? He’s not better than our 3rd or 4th?
by StillHateTheGiants on Sep 4, 2011 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Sure he's better than our 3rd or 4th
but thats not sayin much.
We're here to win football games. The way to do that is to tell him and to get on him at the right times. I do that when you guys (media) don't see and watch.''
What else makes a strong leader?
"You win,'' Romo said. "You're a very good leader once you win.
"That's' what we're going to do.''
by TARHEEL PAUL on Sep 4, 2011 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions
HOOP THERE IT IS!! HOOP THERE IT IS!!!
I expect to see several formations this year that have more of a 4-3 look, with the DL getting a chance to go after the quarterback, too.
Jeff Fisher comes from the same tree Rob Ryan does and he runs a 4-3 using the same defense, The Titans began to get smaller and smaller until they could not stop the run.
Rob Ryan has used Spencer at DE and brought Butler in to play OLB, a win win for a lot of posters on here, Hes run a 3-3 consistantly with Spencer playing DE some, I expect to see a version of the Titans 4-3 with Spencer and Ware playing DE, Ratliff and Hatcher playing DT, under sized but very quick.
You can not label Rob’s defense as just a 3-4, it will have so many looks from 1-5 to 5-2,,yes he has a package with one down lineman,
by Musiccitynorm on Sep 4, 2011 9:41 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
WHOOP well done norm !!!!...
Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.
Winston Churchill
Go Cowboys!!
by scotscowboyfan on Sep 4, 2011 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions
maybe they will try to move Lemon to the PS
if another team tries to take him then they cut Young and move him to the the 53…. wishful thinking anyways
its preseason watch the players individually. igor is garbage!
by yehti on Sep 4, 2011 10:16 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Practice makes perfect I guess.
Rec’d.
Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable. -- Tom Landry
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. -- Emo Philips
by Pnut Gallery on Sep 4, 2011 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
following up on our discussion of Brandon Tate … I wanted to see what was happening with him …
sounds like injuries might be a problem …
Tate does have his supporters. ESPN.com’s K.C. Joyner identified Tate as New England’s “V-Factor” in a recent ESPN the Magazine story identifying players that, like Michael Vick, are home run threats for their team. Writes Joyner:
Want to know how Tom Brady tied for second in the NFL in yards per stretch vertical attempt (20-plus yards)? Look no further than Tate. His ability to break open on corner, post and go routes was key to the two-year pro catching six of 12 stretch vertical targets for 241 yards and two TDs last season.
Tate caught 24 passes for 432 yards with three touchdowns last season. But like with his kickoff returns, his production diminished as the season wore on. According to stats logged by Pro Football Focus, over Tate’s final nine games, he caught only nine passes in 20 targets, all three of his drops coming in that span (conversely, all three receiving TDs came Week 8 and later).
Maybe the most telling moment came in Thursday night’s exhibition finale against the Giants when New York’s Da’Rel Scott broke free on a fake punt. Tate, back to return the would-be punt, had a chance to make the saving tackle, but Scott motored away from him. Earlier in the game, on a punt return, Tate got chased down by Giants long snapper Zach DeOssie. The extra gear that Tate boasted at the start of the 2010 campaign simply seems to be missing early this season.
You know what Kenny Powers says? Fundamentals are the crutch of the talentless.
by Fan in Thick and Thin on Sep 4, 2011 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd like to give a shot at
Brent and Geathers being together as DT’s on the inside and maybe allow Rat to sit at DE on one of the ends.
to you Norm..congrats...
Here’s a theoretical play from 2010: Snap. Tony takes 7 step drop. Tony looks left at Miles, who is doubled, and looks right to where Roy Williams should be…but instead sees Colombo on his back and a Defensive End foaming at the mouth jumping over Marc’s carcass. Tony proceeds to run like hell and look for Witten
-by CotySaxman on Jul 11, 2011 7:50 AM PDT
Am I the most optimistic Cowboys fan in the World? Yes, due to an "unfortunate accident" to the previous holder of the title.
by I am Ironman!!! on Sep 5, 2011 1:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Tom, I was just wondering
if we could get your take on Orie Lemon being cut.
Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable. -- Tom Landry
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. -- Emo Philips
I don't know if I can shed much light.
I liked him because he had looked pretty good in camp and preseason, and the team is thin at ILB until Carter comes back. As far as I can tell, he and Thomas were the last two out, and they are the only ones I would think would be worth keeping (sorry all you AOA fans). I couldn’t tell you who is better, but Lemon was more needed just from a numbers standpoint (the team kept 5 corners, all of whom I assume graded out ahead of Thomas, who was struggling in the games). I really hope both Lemon and Thomas can get onto the PS. They are both likely young players who were hurt badly by the lockout, which, I might mention, sucked.
The thing I do question is whether Young is better for the team than Lemon. Personally, I hope the team signs a competent swing tackle and drops Young, because I don’t get a warm fuzzy thinking about him going in if Free or Smith gets dinged up. In that case, I would not feel as bad about Lemon, because the team used Young to get to where they needed to be.
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
seconded
The thing I do question is whether Young is better for the team than Lemon.
One backup for those three?
"Everything is on the One." -- George Clinton, Parliament/Funkadelic
With an improved defense, everything should be on the One.
I was actually just being facetious
But your explanation works too. Seems like a lot of us on here are thinking along the same lines.
Football is an incredible game. Sometimes it's so incredible, it's unbelievable. -- Tom Landry
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing. -- Emo Philips
by Pnut Gallery on Sep 4, 2011 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
Sign another safety
Honestly, i like Sensabaugh, but i don’t love him. Now, i love Brandon Meriweather. Cowboys, do something good this offseason and sign him please.
Killer B's
That’s my nickname for Bailey and Buehler.
They will be either killing our opponents will constant touchbacks and fg’s or killing us fans with short kicks and shanks. Unfortunately I can see both happening on a week to week basis.
Hopefully more good than bad.
" I cannot find one name on the cut list that I can clearly say is better than the players that made the team at that same position."
This is the same thought I felt after seeing the roster. Ii would though like to see us cut Sam Young and replace with a veteran there. I’d also like bring back Mario Butler. Two kickers – yikes! But expect that will be resolved by week 6.
you need to learn how to qoute this stuff in blocks!
catch up with the times man.
by Musiccitynorm on Sep 4, 2011 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Will you be teaching a class on how to do that?
It could be titled “Try, try again…and again…and again…damn it! I’ll get it right some day.” :-)
I like to see the youth movement, and of course am very glad they kept Choice. But I see 4 weaknesses
3 ILB’s? It’s a long time before Carter is available, and even then he won’t be ready for full-time work. There is a lot of pressure on Lee and Brooking (we know what we have in James).
Cutting Gurode. despite all the excitement about “JG’s lighter, quicker OL for the type of ofense he runs,” the Cowboys just left the gut of the OL a huge ?? and made Romo vulnerable. Gurode was slower, but no one here had even heard of ‘the guy with the long name’ before the last 2 games. So he and Costa had beter be ready for the big boys starting next week. The Jets will be sending people up the middle and JG’s gamble had better work, or they just switched last year’s weak link Colombo for a new one at Center.
Keeping McGee and the 2 kickers. As for Buehler, if your special teams coach can’t get confident that his coverage will hold a return to around the 20 consistently, he’s not doing his job. They have to waste a spot because he can get touchbacks? Is JoeD that unsure of his coverage? That’s a spot that could have been used for someone else, as is McGee’s.
If McGee’s not good enough his 3rd year to be trusted at backup, cut him and start over with another young developmental guy. He should be ready by now, and able to beat out a 40-year old.
If he’s not, why think he’ll make a huge leap next year?
It’s going to be a crazy year. There are some definite holes, and some strengths, on this team. I’d feel a lot better if Austin had played and we’d actually seen hints of the “explosive offense” we are all counting on! And maybe they’ll sign a player and fix one of these things.
But I feel that in all the excitement right now about getting younger, the Gurode gamble may come back and bite them. I’m wondering if the injury was a part of it too, then it would make more sense.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
I'm concerned about the ILB depth as well.
Carrying only 3, you’re automatically in scrambling plan B mode if one of them gets hurt in Week 1 or 2.
If Lee gets dinged on the shoulder, then we have no one backing up James and Brooking.
I don’t really get it, but then I’m not the DC.
"Everything is on the One." -- George Clinton, Parliament/Funkadelic
With an improved defense, everything should be on the One.
As long as the players can do what is asked of them
I don’t see why not. As norm has tried to point out (many times) RR doesn’t just run a traditional 3-4
I hope that all three of you are right, and you probably are.
"Everything is on the One." -- George Clinton, Parliament/Funkadelic
With an improved defense, everything should be on the One.
Was thinking about it
If you were a rival center looking up field and behind our DL you saw someone like Ware at ILB, wouldn’t that make you hesitate a little bit on the coming play…
3 ILBs is insane
Forget big injuries. What do you do in a game when one of your ILBs gets a concussion and has to sit for the rest of the game? Now if Sean Lee gets a concussion or strains a hamstring we’re relying on Bradie James and Keith Brooking for 3 downs with no one to spell them on long drives?
That’s crazy.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are your Sugar Bowl champions... and for the 7th year in a row Michigan still sucks.
by Blue Eyed Devil on Sep 4, 2011 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed, hope is not a plan
Brooking is on his last legs, James is getting up there although still apparently good against the run, and Lee has an injury history. Their relief: A guy coming off an ACL tear. Alrighty!
I will put my take on several of these.
I agree about the 4 RB’s and 3 ILB’s. It leaves us uncomfortably thin, especially with Lee’s injury history.
Gurode, I like that cut. He let a lot of rushers run past him last year on stunts and twists. I don’t see Costa as being a big drop off, if he is a drop off at all. And I had heard of the K man before the last 2 games. (I keep looking at his name and my 1st thought is motorcycles…) He was mentioned several times as the best of the UDFA OL guys and good PS candidate. However with Gurode gone I am glad they kept him on the 53, safer that way for us as no one can poach him.
I really think there were several factors in the Gurode cut. Including his waiting so late to have his leg cleaned up, meaning he would miss most of TC. Is that a indication that he was ducking work, didn’t try to stay in shape, wasn’t the RKG?
It showed to me that he made little if no effort to come in ready to work.
2 Kickers? I agree that I would prefer 1, however only what, 1/2 the NFL teams have a really good kicker that can do both well? If 1/2 have them, the others seen to be continually looking for a upgrade at kicker yearly.
Keeping Kitna and McGee both. While only keeping 2 would be nice for roster spots, remember we have a almost all new, inexperienced OL. We very well might need all 3 QB’s again this year.
McGee, Raf has a nice article about McGee and his development.
McGee looked like an NFL quarterback…The dump-off, take-off McGee of ’09 and ’10 slowly disappeared.
http://www.cowboysnation.com/2011/09/most-important-off-season-move-that-can.html
I like the Gurode cut as well. Having a new guy at the spot does not automatically mean guys will come streaming through because the new guy can’t stop him. I like Costa and his work eithic and that alone I think will keep him from making big mistakes.
2 Kickers? I agree that I would prefer 1, however only what, 1/2 the NFL teams have a really good kicker that can do both well? If 1/2 have them, the others seen to be continually looking for a upgrade at kicker yearly.
If they really wanted Buehler I wish they would have just given him the entire load. No use going half way, at least he could get a workout and possibly make his FG kicks better.
I did a whole post about McGee back when I was unintentionally auditioning for the front page.
Check it out here if you want. It lays out why McGee should be looked at more like a second year QB than a rookie, and how the team won’t really be able to make a valid decision on his role until next season.
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
He's signed through 2013.
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
If McGee’s not good enough his 3rd year to be trusted at backup, cut him and start over with another young developmental guy. He should be ready by now, and able to beat out a 40-year old. If he’s not, why think he’ll make a huge leap next year?
i think this is poor analysis. experience is a huge deal and McGee just hasn’t gotten that much in 3 years.
Because there just aren’t that many football games (16) there’s a really limited opportunity to practice actually playing games. QBs who start in a pro system have a big head start over QBs who don’t.
Take McGee vs. Bradford for example. Bradford got 31 starts at Oklahoma in a pro-style offense and then 16 games last year. So right now Bradford has 47 games of experience. McGee had basically zero games in a pro style offense in college and 2 games last year. When you consider that Bradford’s had 47 games of ‘practice’ and McGee has had 2 … you start to get a sense of the disadvantage McGee is at.
I’m not crazy about McGee as I’ve written before. I just disagree with the logic that a green QB like McGee would have hit is ceiling at the 3 year mark with all of 2 games of experience.
You know what Kenny Powers says? Fundamentals are the crutch of the talentless.
by Fan in Thick and Thin on Sep 4, 2011 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Agree on Austin
Does anyone have a sense of what Austin’s physical condition is? Seems like everyone is assuming that he’ll be 100% for game 1, but that seems like a pretty big if.
I do not believe that Dallas kept Young with the intent of having him play in Dallas.
Offensive tackles are usually overvalued, and teams scour practice squads and waiver wires to find a capable reserve. I would not be surprised if Dallas tried to deal Young to someone (Chicago, Miami, or New England) for a 6th or 7th round pick.
I also think Choice is still trade bait (Detroit or Cincinnati). Murray showed that he has the potential to be an excellent complement to Felix Jones. Tannner also shows a burst and big play ability: Tashard does not. Choice is the only running back on the Dallas roster that does not flash big play potential, and having the other three is by design.
Unlike others, I do not think that Rucker is on the team until Martellus gets healthy. I would no be surprised if Dallas received a phone call from the Chiefs on Friday, when head coach, and former Cowboys wide receiver coach Todd Haley learned that his starting tight end will be out for the season. Personally, I would take anything above a 6th round pick for Bennett, but it would be intersting to see what another team (like Kansas City) may offer.
Dallas’ best chance to get a high draft pick, however, may be trading Victor Butler after the season if he accumulates anything more than eight sacks (I know, big if…). In Rob Ryan’s super top secret multiple defensive scheme, Rob may have many more opportunities for Butler to help inflate his sack numbers.
As far as th players that are on the Cowboys roster, I would like to see Church and Geathers get more snaps. I have not seen anything special from Kenyon “Strong Dog” Coleman. He seems like a slightly more mobile version of Igor Olshansky. Gerald Sensabaugh is incredibly inconsistent, and from what I have seen of Church to this point, he makes more plays and is not a liability in the passing game (despite not having good speed).
I also suspect that the Cowboys coaching staff will get Bruce Carter in on special teams and nickel situations after his 6 week PUP stay. His development will instantly improve the interior of the defense: I feel Bradie James is woefully overrated, which is funny since he has never made a Pro Bowl or anything.
Hopefully the Cowboys will also tinker with Ratliff at defensive end this season. I have been against the idea, but with a switch from a one-gap scheme to a two-gap scheme, I wonder if the Cowboys would maximize his productivity over the outside shoulder of a guard. That move would also give Lissemore and Brent more opportunities at nose tackle, which would benefit this team now and in the near future.
As far as the kicker position, I take it for what it is. Dallas does not have any one kicker that can kickoff or make field goals with regularity. If Bailey struggles, I expect Forbath will be given every opportunity after his 6 week PUP stay is over to snatch the job away from Dan.
Overall, I am hoping that the culture established in training camp continues throughout the season. I believe that it will, and the coaches will continue to provide opportunities for the younger, up and coming players to gain experience, make plays, and improve as the season rolls along.
If it were up to me, I would start sizing the guys for their Super Bowl rings now. This is by far the best I have felt about a team since Jerry won his first Super Bowl.
by ScarletO on Sep 4, 2011 11:14 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Forbath - recovering ?
Is he recovering or is he already getting better and able to practice informally without the team?
Just wondering how quickly he can get strength/rhythm back after the injury
Thanks.
But think how cool it would have been if instead of saying Young, I would have said Holland?
Missed it by that much…
Hmmm ,who are we picking up?.
must be something in the works..
Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.
Winston Churchill
Go Cowboys!!
by scotscowboyfan on Sep 4, 2011 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Dockery looks like the player who they worked out earlier
by scandrick32 on Sep 4, 2011 11:57 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Thats what Eatman is tweeting
"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"
Is he a mobile pulling guard?.
Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.
Winston Churchill
Go Cowboys!!
by scotscowboyfan on Sep 4, 2011 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions
He might not be as fast as some of the Youglies but he is lighter than Holland
and had started over 100 straight games before an injury last season. Apparently Shannahan doesn’t think that he can fit into his zone blocking scheme there.
"This is a simple game, you throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the the ball, you got it?!"
And he is just a stop gap
Probably better than Holland, but who gives us some interior experience until Costa, Nagy, Arkin and Kowalski get some seasoning.
Holy good Lord
And the youth movement is complete.
"I will not and have not ever forgiven Crayton. I wish him the worst luck of any player ever." - footballmensa 08/17/11
Not quite yet...
but getting there.
Still need to replace Newman, Brooking (even if it’s just depth behind Lee, James and Carter), Kosier and Coleman.
Hopefully, we already have a few of those replacements on the team (Scandrick, Lemon, Arkin/Nagy and Lissemore. Just got to get them to step up into the position and make the incumbents expendable or find someone that can.
Rabid and luvin' it
Hard to top our fan base for being on top of things.
I was going to tweetblog/write about Holland …and hope that we would pick up Brian Waters… but was beaten to Both punches because you guys already posted it and Bill up in New England just picked up Brian Waters. Dang it!
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