When we last had our individual player power rankings, we were on the precipice of summertime fun. I took a look at the team based on 2011 performance, mixed in a little bit of the observations we were hearing throughout the OTAs and in anticipation of training camp.
But now? Now we have one actual game to overreact off of evaluate! So we jump in, feet first, into our first regular season individual player power rankings.
Here's what I considered. First and foremost is current ability. How are they performing in front of our eyes? Think Nate Livings and Kevin Ogletree. The second criteria is history; I will not ignore past performance whether good or bad. Think Jason Witten and Jason Hatcher. Finally, potential plays a role in these rankings as well; a la Morris Claiborne.
Now don't get me wrong; I know down to my smallest atom that football is a team sport and nothing can be accomplished without all players on the field working in unison with each other. These rankings aren't intended to dismiss that fact whatsoever. However, individual accolades still have their place. Besides, I want to do this.
So without further ado, here's my Top Ten. Follow the jump to see the complete 53-man roster, as well as notes on the Top 22 (why do people always stop at a round number?)
Ranking | Player | Position | (LR) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | DeMarcus Ware | OLB | 1 |
1a | Tony Romo | QB | 2 |
3 | Sean Lee | ILB | 6 |
4 | DeMarco Murray | RB | 10 |
5 | Jason Witten | TE | 3 |
6 | Dez Bryant | WR | 5 |
7 | Brandon Carr | CB | 7 |
8 | Tyron Smith | LT | 4 |
9 | Miles Austin | WR | 8 |
10 | Jason Hatcher | DE | 13 |
Ranking | Player | Position | (LR) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | DeMarcus Ware | OLB | 1 | 2nd fastest to 100 sacks; 13 away from Harvey Martin's club record. Reasonable ETA: 3rd quarter Sunday. |
1a | Tony Romo | QB | 2 | After watching a replay of the win, I couldn't reasonably not give Tony a bump from the offseason rank. |
3 | Sean Lee | ILB | 6 | Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried. Take notes, David Wilson. |
4 | DeMarco Murray | RB | 10 | Yeah, I said it. Murray is looking like the real deal, and the closer Dallas needs in the backfield. |
5 | Jason Witten | TE | 3 | Witten was pure inspiration last week; hopeful he's back to form this week. |
6 | Dez Bryant | WR | 5 | Clearly concern No. 1 for opposing defenses, but not big target/catch numbers again |
7 | Brandon Carr | CB | 7 | Don't press the issue PFF; Carr completely altered everything about the Cowboys D in week 1 |
8 | Tyron Smith | LT | 4 | The next "best tackle in the game" struggled mightily against the best 4-3 DE in the game. 4 penalties, 3QB pressures |
9 | Miles Austin | WR | 8 | After a quiet first half, Austin reminded everybody of '09 Miles |
10 | Jason Hatcher | DE | 13 | The late bloomers late bloomer. Becoming uber-disruptive. |
11 | Jay Ratliff | NT | 9 | Still not practicing, defensive line goal line stand without him… slides him a bit. |
12 | Anthony Spencer | OLB | 19 | Made several huge plays but didn’t register a sack so we aren’t allowed to give him any accolades whatsoever. |
13 | Bruce Carter | ILB | 20 | He's coming, folks. Whether you hated on him or not… he's coming. |
14 | Sean Lissemore | DE | 14 | Snap total reached 27, didn't generate a lot of pressure though was stout in holding ground |
15 | Nate Livings | LG | 24 | We were told if he didn't have to pull he'd be fine, had a real good performance against tough opponent |
16 | Morris Claiborne | CB | 12 | I'm sorry Rob, was that more press coverage you ordered? Has to work on tackling though… eeesh. |
17 | Dan Bailey | PK | 11 | Split'Em. Uprights, responsibilities, kings at the blackjack table. Split'Em. |
18 | Kevin Ogletree | WR | 43 | Hey buddy, 11 targets? Two touchdowns? You seen that Laurent guy recently? |
19 | Gerald Sensabaugh | SS | 21 | Second concussion scare in two years, but seems to be ok. Good start to season coverage-wise |
20 | Mike Jenkins | CB | 16 | He's coming back and just might propel Dallas secondary to one of league's best |
21 | Doug Free | RT | 17 | Giants moved JPP around- and he got Free a couple times too. Not too many ops left before panic sets in. |
22 | Kyle Orton | QB | 18 | The world's greatest backup quarterback in the history of the world. Or something. |
23 | Lawrence Vickers | FB | 23 | |
24 | Victor Butler | OLB | 25 | |
25 | Kenyon Coleman | DE | 39 | |
26 | John Phillips | TE | 26 | |
27 | Ryan Cook | C | n/a | |
28 | Felix Jones | RB | 15 | |
29 | Orlando Scandrick | CB | 22 | |
30 | Josh Brent | NT | 33 | |
31 | Barry Church | S | 31 | |
32 | Marcus Spears | DE | N/A | |
33 | Mana Silva | FS | N/A | |
34 | Chris Jones | P | 53 | |
35 | Tyrone Crawford | DE | 28 | |
36 | Mackenzy Bernadeau | RG | 29 | |
37 | Danny McCray | S | 45 | |
38 | LP Ladoucer | LS | 52 | |
39 | Phil Costa | C | 32 | |
40 | James Hanna | TE | N/A | |
41 | Mario Butler | CB | N/A | |
42 | Alex Albright | LB | 46 | |
43 | Dan Connor | ILB | 27 | |
44 | Matt Johnson | SS | 34 | |
45 | Phillip Tanner | RB | 35 | |
46 | Andre Holmes | WR | 36 | |
47 | Dwayne Harris | WR | N/A | |
48 | Jermey Parnell | OT | 51 | |
49 | Cole Beasley | WR | 40 | |
50 | Kyle Wilber | OLB | 41 | |
51 | David Arkin | OG | N/A | |
52 | Derrick Dockery | OG | N/A | |
53 | LeQuan Lewis | CB | N/A |