The 53 man roster

[Manster7588]

Offense

Dallas Cowboys' projected*roster July, 18, 2014

By Todd Archer ESPN.com

IRVING, Texas -- Examining the Dallas Cowboys' roster:

QUARTERBACKS (2)
Tony Romo, Brandon Weeden
The;Kyle Orton watch is over now that the Cowboys released the veteran backup. The timing of it is a surprise, and Jason Garrett spoke optimistically all offseason about Orton’s return. Now the Cowboys turn their attention to Weeden as Romo’s backup. Weeden had a productive spring, running the first-team offense as Romo recovered from back surgery. The Cowboys haven’t kept a third quarterback since 2011, and Caleb Hanie and Dustin Vaughan will have work to do to crack the 53-man roster

RUNNING BACKS (4)
DeMarco Murray, Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle, Tyler Clutts
The last two spots could be up in the air. Randle, a fifth-round choice, will be pushed by free-agent pickup*Ryan Williams*in the preseason. Williams, a former second-round pick, was not able to stay healthy in Arizona. The Cowboys have given him a chance to win a backup job. Clutts did a nice job as a late-season pickup in 2013. He is more versatile than undrafted rookie J.C. Copeland, but I don’t think having a fullback on the 53-man roster is set in stone.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley, Dwayne Harris, Devin Street
I debated whether to go with a sixth, but later on you will see why I stuck with five. It is possible the Cowboys will look for a veteran in the final cuts if they feel limited by their depth because of injury, but I think they like the overall group. They will work their No. 3 receiver role on a rotation basis, but Beasley could emerge as a bigger threat on third down. There will be a lot of eyes on Williams, who takes over the No. 2 role on a full-time basis. Bryant is set for another Pro Bowl-type season.

TIGHT ENDS (3)
Jason Witten, Gavin Escobar, James Hanna
Witten remains near the top of the game at his position. His total catches were down last year, but his touchdowns were up. Escobar’s role figures to expand, especially as a No. 3-type receiver. Hanna has the inside track on the third spot, but I have a feeling the Cowboys will be looking for more of a traditional blocker, especially if they want to get away from the fullback spot to open up a role elsewhere.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Tyron Smith, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, Doug Free, Ronald Leary, Jermey Parnell, Darrion Weems, Brian Clarke
The top six are set, with Bernadeau or Leary fighting it out for the left guard position and the loser becoming the top backup on the interior. Parnell is in the final year of his deal, and if Weems develops, I wonder if the Cowboys would look for a trading partner. They have invested a lot in Parnell in time and money for him to be a backup, so it would be a risk, but perhaps one worth taking. Weems had a decent offseason. Clarke gets the nod as the No. 9 guy right now, but veteran Uche Nwaneri could work his way into the mix.

 

[Manster7588]

Defense

DEFENSIVE LINE (10)
George Selvie, Henry Melton, Terrell McClain, DeMarcus Lawrence, Jeremy Mincey, Tyrone Crawford, Ben Gardner, Davon Coleman, Ken Bishop, Martez Wilson
I think the Cowboys will go heavy here, especially considering what happened last year and the numbers they have thrown at the position this year. Four of them are rookies -- Lawrence, Gardner, Bishop and Coleman. I believe Anthony Spencer and possibly Amobi Okoye will start the year on the physically unable to perform list, so they don’t make this 53-man roster with the idea that they join the team after the sixth game of the season. Wilson garnered the last spot over a 2013 starter, Nick Hayden, but there will be a few players in the mix for the final few spots, including Ben Bass.

LINEBACKER (7)
Bruce Carter, Justin Durant, Kyle Wilber, DeVonte Holloman, Anthony Hitchens, Rolando McClain, Will Smith
Carrying seven linebackers might be a little heavy, but I have special teams in mind when it comes to Will Smith. He benefits from having only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. The Cowboys spent the offseason telling us games are won and lost up front, so carrying an extra offensive or defensive linemen could get in this mix as well. McClain gets a spot only because of his experience. Backups of Holloman, Hitchens and Smith would be tough considering their youth, and I can see the Cowboys looking for veteran backup help around the final cut dates.

CORNERBACK (5)
Brandon Carr, Orlando Scandrick, Morris Claiborne, Sterling Moore, Terrance Mitchell
Carr and Claiborne have to play exceptionally well for this defense to have a chance, and they might have to do it without much help from a consistent pass rush. Scandrick is coming off his best season, and Claiborne will have to beat him out to reclaim the starting spot. Moore can play inside and out. Mitchell showed in his limited offseason work that he can make plays. Last year’s fourth-round pick, B.W. Webb, will have to fight for a spot. Based on his offseason work, he did not make the cut for this roster.

SAFETY (5)
Barry Church, J.J. Wilcox, Jeff Heath, Jakar Hamilton, Ahmad Dixon
Church is the only player without questions. The Cowboys are projecting the other four with their biggest bet on Wilcox. He enters camp as the starter, but he could be pushed by Heath and Hamilton. Dixon will be more of a special-teams threat if he is to make the roster. Hamilton showed some playmaking in the offseason. No Matt Johnson? Not right now, especially after he couldn’t practice -- again -- for most of the offseason.

SPECIALISTS (3)
Dan Bailey, Chris Jones, L.P. Ladouceur
Perhaps Cody Mandell can push Jones, but Jones is the more consistent punter and has a good rapport as a holder for Bailey. Ladouceur remains one of the best long-snappers in the game. This group won’t change during the summer unless there is an injury.

 

[Manster7588]

Two quick take a ways. One good one bad.

The good is Archer has us releasing two decent D linemen in Hayden and Bass.

The bad is he has Heath on the roster.

 

[UK Cowboy]

It's interesting, if this list were the actual, there would be some fairly talented guys at RB, FB, WR, OG, DT and DE that didn't make the roster. That has to be a positive sign.....

 

[jarntt]

Boy is this an early one...

A lot I disagree with, but I don't want to get into particular players. I think we will have a TE on the roster that can block. Don't know if that means a 4th or goodbye to Hanna, but we need one very badly.

On Heath...I've yet to see a writer not have him as all but a lock. I think they read too many of their own articles. I only see him making the team via injuries or complete busts on the other guys we brought in. I have a gut feeling that there may be a spot on the roster for a pure cover safety. One of the UFDAs (honestly can't even remember his name) seemed to fit that mold.

I can't imagine deciding on OL or DL before they even put pads on, so there's no sense reading that part.

When is training camp? Next week or the week after?

 

[ROMOTOOWENS]

TC begins the 22nd. Of course they wont practice until the 24th I think . The UDFA at Safety was a guy from Auburn named Ryan Smith. At CB, there were 2 udfas - Phillips and Patmon

 

[ROMOTOOWENS]

I found it interesting he didnt have Nwaneri?? making the team. It seems at LB and Safety, Archer thinks we are young and will possibly go out and get a vet . At Oline though, he has us cutting the vet.

 

[PDay8810]

couldn't say who but bet your ass Archer misses on no less than 5 players.


Hopefully some spots are won and lost by the actions of training camp and exhibition games or this becomes bum's boys team again

 

[ROMOTOOWENS]

I believe it was Archer that had Heath as a lock last week. I have always liked Archer better than most of the others anyway.

 

[PDay8810]

I believe it was Archer that had Heath as a lock last week. I have always liked Archer better than most of the others anyway.

what does that have to do with anything? really?

I like Archer better than most of the jack licks. I'd just like to think nobody should be able to pick the final 53 in July from a perianal 8-8 football team

 

[ROMOTOOWENS]

I will say this and I know he is not here to argue this, but twist brought up a hell of a point a month ago when he mentioned Harris and Beasley, along with Dez being FAs after this season. I know the league is littered with WRs just hanging on and there are plenty out there for the taking, but Washington and Boyd both have the height, speed, and potential. I just dont think we can get away with trying to make them the next Tim Benfords- meaning guys that sit on our PS for 2 yrs. I think we go 6 WRs

 

[ROMOTOOWENS]

what does that have to do with anything? really?

I like Archer better than most of the jack licks. I'd just like to think nobody should be able to pick the final 53 in July from a perianal 8-8 football team

I totally agree. When I read the article posted by Manster - after I read it I looked at the date it was written. I was thinking it might be something written 2 months ago, not a week before TC. 2 months ago meaning the way things might look before the OTAs

 

[Manster7588]

Boy is this an early one...

A lot I disagree with, but I don't want to get into particular players. I think we will have a TE on the roster that can block. Don't know if that means a 4th or goodbye to Hanna, but we need one very badly.

On Heath...I've yet to see a writer not have him as all but a lock. I think they read too many of their own articles. I only see him making the team via injuries or complete busts on the other guys we brought in. I have a gut feeling that there may be a spot on the roster for a pure cover safety. One of the UFDAs (honestly can't even remember his name) seemed to fit that mold.

I can't imagine deciding on OL or DL before they even put pads on, so there's no sense reading that part.

When is training camp? Next week or the week after?

Not sure what a lot means here but I'd say Archer is pretty close to being right. I can see your point regarding the TE position, and I'm hoping a few S push heath to the cut line. Archer could very well be spot on with the rest of the roster. Yes I agree it's too early to set the roster but it just gives us something to talk about.

 

[tomodach10]

Boy is this an early one...

A lot I disagree with, but I don't want to get into particular players. I think we will have a TE on the roster that can block. Don't know if that means a 4th or goodbye to Hanna, but we need one very badly.

On Heath...I've yet to see a writer not have him as all but a lock. I think they read too many of their own articles. I only see him making the team via injuries or complete busts on the other guys we brought in. I have a gut feeling that there may be a spot on the roster for a pure cover safety. One of the UFDAs (honestly can't even remember his name) seemed to fit that mold.

I can't imagine deciding on OL or DL before they even put pads on, so there's no sense reading that part.

When is training camp? Next week or the week after?

If heath is cut, that will be positive. He was god awful last year.

 

[ArlingtonCowboys100]

The Cowboys are in trouble if Randle and Heath see lots of minutes. They both suck. In Randles case some times it is just better to say we made a mistake and find an upgrade, even if it is an undrafted FA. But knowing Jerrah he will keep him around.

 

[ArlingtonCowboys100]

I also dont think Street should be the "lock" because he is nothing great. Cowboys need more speed at WR.

 

[Ekspozed]

I also dont think Street should be the "lock" because he is nothing great. Cowboys need more speed at WR.

You're right, our WRs suck because they are not blazers. lol

I don't think it's too early to project the team roster at this point. Some of you are uptight for that. I don't see why a Dallas Cowboy writer can't write about who he thinks will make the final roster. He can then write another article comparing it.

I don't think his list is too far off. Yeah we have been an 8-8 team, but that means we can't guess on who we think makes the team? lol

Oh boy, TC needs to start now...

 

[Schmoopy1000]

I can see Street as a lock. It is the way of Jerry Jones. Unless a player completely sucks balls. Jerry's ego wont cut the 1st 4 players in his draft the 1st year.
As it looks it looks as if Street has already been penciled in at #3 on the depth chart. He may get forced down the depth chart by the end of training camp but don't see him being cut this year.

2014 NFL Draft Results: Nine Dallas Cowboys Winners And Losers - Blogging The Boys

(look at the WR section)

Also found it interesting the Cowboys liked Jimmie Ward. That was the Safety I liked.