Making The Cut: Cowboys Release 15 Players
POSTED: 6:24 pm CDT September 2, 2006
UPDATED: 7:07 pm CDT September 2, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys cut 15 players from their roster on Saturday to get down to the NFL-mandated 53-man roster.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the release of offensive tackle Rob Petitti, who started 16 games last season in his rookie year. The Cowboys also released fourth-round draft pick Skyler Green, who had been doing a lot of work with the special teams.
"Yeah, I was surprised," Petitti told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I don't know what happened. I thought I played well in preseason. I worked hard in the offseason. But Parcells didn't want me here for some reason, and it's his decision."
The release of Petitti is largely due to the impressive play of rookie lineman Pat McQuistan who got a lot of work in the preseason following the calf injury to Flozell Adams.
Second-year wide receiver Terrance Copper, who also had extensive work on the special teams, was also released following the impressive performances of rookies Sam Hurd and Jamaica Rector against the Vikings on Thursday.
On the offensive side of the ball, the team released center Matt Tarullo, tackle Dennis Roland, tight end Tony Curtis, wide receiver Damarius Bilbo and running back Keylon Kincade.
The team also released third-string quarterback Matt Baker. Dallas Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells said throughout training camp that the team would only carry two quarterbacks into the season, so the release of Baker was expected.
On defense, the team released outside linebacker D'Anthony Batiste, linebackers Rocky Boiman and Junior Glymph, defensive end Stephen Bowen, safety Willie Pile and nose tackle Montavious Stanley.
The final roster move of the day was reallocating linebacker Carl-Johan Bjork to the team's practice squad.
The team is still carrying two kickers, something Parcells had hoped to avoid, but was unable to do so after kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed two field-goal attempts in overtime during Thursday's preseason finale against the Vikings. Kicker Shaun Suisham has been very effective on kickoffs in the preseason -- and Vanderjagt has managed only one kickoff in four preseason games.
To further complicate Parcells' roster, veteran safety Marcus Coleman has been handed a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Coleman will not be available until Oct. 9. The suspension means that Coleman will miss games against Jacksonville and Tennessee as well as divisional opponents Washington and Philadelphia.
Coleman's first game could be Oct. 15 against the visiting Houston Texans.
UPDATED: 7:07 pm CDT September 2, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys cut 15 players from their roster on Saturday to get down to the NFL-mandated 53-man roster.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the release of offensive tackle Rob Petitti, who started 16 games last season in his rookie year. The Cowboys also released fourth-round draft pick Skyler Green, who had been doing a lot of work with the special teams.
"Yeah, I was surprised," Petitti told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I don't know what happened. I thought I played well in preseason. I worked hard in the offseason. But Parcells didn't want me here for some reason, and it's his decision."
The release of Petitti is largely due to the impressive play of rookie lineman Pat McQuistan who got a lot of work in the preseason following the calf injury to Flozell Adams.
Second-year wide receiver Terrance Copper, who also had extensive work on the special teams, was also released following the impressive performances of rookies Sam Hurd and Jamaica Rector against the Vikings on Thursday.
On the offensive side of the ball, the team released center Matt Tarullo, tackle Dennis Roland, tight end Tony Curtis, wide receiver Damarius Bilbo and running back Keylon Kincade.
The team also released third-string quarterback Matt Baker. Dallas Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells said throughout training camp that the team would only carry two quarterbacks into the season, so the release of Baker was expected.
On defense, the team released outside linebacker D'Anthony Batiste, linebackers Rocky Boiman and Junior Glymph, defensive end Stephen Bowen, safety Willie Pile and nose tackle Montavious Stanley.
The final roster move of the day was reallocating linebacker Carl-Johan Bjork to the team's practice squad.
The team is still carrying two kickers, something Parcells had hoped to avoid, but was unable to do so after kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed two field-goal attempts in overtime during Thursday's preseason finale against the Vikings. Kicker Shaun Suisham has been very effective on kickoffs in the preseason -- and Vanderjagt has managed only one kickoff in four preseason games.
To further complicate Parcells' roster, veteran safety Marcus Coleman has been handed a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Coleman will not be available until Oct. 9. The suspension means that Coleman will miss games against Jacksonville and Tennessee as well as divisional opponents Washington and Philadelphia.
Coleman's first game could be Oct. 15 against the visiting Houston Texans.
posted by The Gryphon at 11:52 AM
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