Dallas Cowboys Roster Defensive Battles

Dallas Cowboys-Roster Battles: Defense

While there are needs for improvement on the offensive side of the ball, the Achilles heel of the Cowboys last season was clearly their defense. Rob Ryan talked a big game, as that entire Cinnabon chugging family typically does. The problem was that Cowboys defense, once again, took a siesta in the fourth quarter of games in the most important part of the season. Although they were much better than 2010, they need to improve greatly if the Cowboys are going to be a contender this season. Like his fat brother, Rob Ryan got his stomach tied up this off-season to lose weight. Hopefully his mouth will tie up a bit and the defense’s play can speak for itself. That being said, here are the roster spots that should be claimed on defense.

Defensive Line:

Hatcher & Lissemore will be key DLine figures

Jay Ratliff will once again be a staple at the nose guard position but his age and tendency to wear down late in the season mean others will have to step up. I fully expect that, barring injury, Jason Hatcher has a breakout season at defensive end, and maybe even becomes a defensive leader since he thinks the team is lacking in those. Sean Lissemore should step up this season and play an important role on the defense. Last season he was constantly in the mix creating pressure. Marcus Spears may be overpaid but he is solid against the run and should have at least one more productive season in him. Rookie Tyrone Crawford will see some playing time at D-End while Josh Brent will be the other backup nose guard. The Cowboys like his size and he may get some more playing opportunities this year...

Linebackers:

 This is another area where we will see a changing of the guard. The Cowboys were plagued by the slow play of the nursery combo of Brooking/B. James and the inconsistent and ultimately disappointing play of Anthony Spencer.

Carter is an athletic FREAK

Demarcus Ware and Sean Lee will be the two most important players on the defensive side of the ball this year (and Claiborne could be too). Anthony Spencer received the franchise tag (only because the FA field was dreadful) and will start but will be pushed for playing time. Victor Butler will be the one doing the pushing. He seems to always be near the QB in the limited time that he saw the field last season and I think his playing time expands exponentially. The real battle to watch will be between Bruce Carter and free agent pickup Dan Connor. Connor is a Penn St. Alum, who wasn’t sexually molested, and is a very instinctive player. He will be exceptional against the run but lacks the athletic ability that Carter possesses. Carter is coming off a meaningless 2011 where he spent the first half of the season on injured reserve. I think he will ultimately start this year at the other ILB position but both will play a significant role...Rookie Kyle Wilber will be a pleasant surprise I believe. The other two linebackers will be Alex Albright, a special teams stand-out and I do believe that 7^th round pick Caleb McSurdy makes the team because he just sounds like a football player.

Saftey:

The Great White Hope-Matt Johnson

This has been the Cowboys herpes for the past decade. Player after player has been brought in and all have failed to have any lasting success, if they ever had any at all. Gerald Sensebaugh has been retained as the free safety and will start. He is a decent player, nothing great but certainly capable of contributing in a positive way. The Cowboys signed Brodney Pool from the Jets to play the other safety position. If anyone saw him play last year then they know this signing is repulsive. He is terrible and softer than a bag of hair. I think he gets cut. Instead I think Barry Church and rookie Matt Johnson battle it out. Church is very athletic, performed well as a nickel corner last year and has a bit more experience, so I give him the nod. I am interested in Johnson though, he made a ton of plays in college. Danny McCray will take the 4^th spot over Pool...he’s done good things in the past and can contribute on special teams.

Cornerback:

MJ could be the best 3rd CB in the NFL...If he tries

Last season this was the Cowboys weakest position. This season it may be the strongest. The additions of Brandon Carr via free agency and the drafting of LSU phenom Morris Claibourne give the cowboys 2 starters who are significant upgrades over their counterparts last season. To be fair, one of those counterparts, is Mike Jenkins, who is now disgruntled with his ambiguous role in the Cowboys secondary and has asked for a trade...Jenkins performed admirably last season while playing very banged up and his talent is Pro-Bowl calibre when he wants it to be. Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick will play the respective 3^rd and 4^th CB roles and this gives the Cowboys the best depth at the position that I can remember...as long as Jenkins plays hard. After those 4, there a multitude of young cornerbacks to choose from; I think the cowboys carry 6 CB’s with Mario Butler and rookie Isaac Madison finishing out the defensive side of the roster.

Dallas Cowboys: Offensive roster battles

Dallas Cowboys: Key Position Battles- Offense

The Cowboys roster has gone through a major metamorphosis this past off-season. The core is still intact but Jason Garrett and D-Coordinator Rob Ryan have tried to fill the complementary and need spots with “their type of guys.” Essentially this means talented but boring, anti-flash but hard working, grinders. Guys who truly love the game and will check egos at the front door and come do work.  In training camp, Garret and Ryan hope to see who these guys really are as they widdle down the roster. So while we wait anxiously for training camp lets take a look at potential roster spot battles. Offense up first.

QB:

Could be time to put McGee out of his misery

I think Tony Romo is safe to make the team and Kyle Orton is the best insurance policy the Cowboys have had since Staubach and Don Meredith were both on the team.  The third spot will be tricky though. Stephen McGee has not showed us anything worth poppin champagne over and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Cowboys go with only 2 QB’s on the roster or maybe give Rudy Carpenter a chance to supplant McGee for the #3 spot.

 RB:

Phillip Tanner

 Demarco Murray will tear it up this year and Felix Jones will likely play his final season with a star on his helmet. The 3^rd running back spot will be very important, as both Murray and Jones are injury-prone. Phillip Tanner showed good burst last season in limited opportunities but the Cowboys are also high on undrafted rookie Lance Dunbar. I think it will come down to whomever performs better on special teams. I think Tanner ultimately makes the game-day roster but I think the Cowboys will try to retain Dunbar for the practice squad.

FB: Lawrence Vickers

The tight ends will fulfill any other needed fullback duties like they always have but Vickers will be an unheralded hero opening up holes for D. Murray.

Danny Coale...when will the Wes Welker comparisons become over-cliched?

WR: This will be one of the two most important battles in camp. Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are a given. The third receiver spot is the biggest question mark on this team. I think the train has left the station for Kevin Ogletree…He’s squandered the ample opportunities that he’s received. The Cowboys will have Dwayne Harris, Danny Coale, Andre Holmes and Cole Beasley fight it out with Ogletree. I think all of them have a place on the team, Beasley going to the practice squad.  I think Coale becomes the third receiver in the long run because of his slot abilities but Holmes will be the initial 3^rd WR because of his athletic ability.

John Phillips

Tight Ends:

Jason Witten- next question…John Phillips will secure the #2 spot and have a surprisingly productive year. 6^th round speeders James Hanna will get opportunities to make plays also.

O-Line:

Bill Nagy could add some manliness to the center position

Tyron Smith will turn into an elite left tackle this season and Doug Free will regain his 2010 form back on the right side. I believe newly signed free agents Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau will get their starting guard spots. The real battle will be at center. Phil Costa MUST be replaced he is a complete joke. I like Bill Nagy to win this job…he showed promise at guard last season before breaking his leg. He would be at least a physical improvement over Costa. Some analysts like Kevin Kowalski as a possible solution. Lets hope not…best case scenario is Nagy wins the starting job and Costa backs him up with the ability to fill in a guard. They brought back Pat McQuistian as a swing guard, which is a solid move. Rookie FA Ronald Leary could be a huge sleeper pick if his knee holds up. David Arkin will have to show something to stay on the roster but he should because they’ll likely carry 10 linemen.