FWST: Mac Engel: Is it a job or a pink slip?
Is it a job or a pink slip?
Staff writer Mac Engel predicts the makeup of Cowboys' 53-man roster
By Mac Engel
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Quarterbacks (2)
Tony Romo He can play, but is he special enough for the big money?
Brad Johnson He's reliable, not flashy.
Cuts Richard Bartel, Matt Moore
Running backs (3)
Julius Jones This contract year is the biggest season of his life.
Marion Barber III Will he see the ball more in 2007?
Tyson Thompson Alonzo Coleman could take this spot.
Cuts Arliss Beach, Coleman
Fullbacks (2)
Oliver Hoyte The former linebacker would fight a starving grizzly if asked.
Deon Anderson Natural fullback could evolve into the starter.
Cut Lousaka Polite
Wide receivers (6)
Terrell Owens He could have a monster year.
Terry Glenn If he's healthy, speed makes him a threat.
Patrick Crayton He's hoping to prove he's more than a No. 3.
Sam Hurd He's improving, but don't expect him to play much unless there's an injury.
Miles Austin His kick returns secure him a spot.
Isaiah Stanback A great athlete, but he's still raw.
Cuts Damarius Bilbo, Mike Jefferson, Jerheme Urban
Tight ends (3)
Jason Witten Expect another Pro Bowl season.
Anthony Fasano The Cowboys want more in his second year.
Tony Curtis He had a great camp and preseason, and could push Fasano.
Cuts Adam Bergen, Rodney Hannah
Offensive linemen (9)
Flozell Adams Contract year could mean a great year.
Kyle Kosier The blue-collar brawler has been decent since his arrival.
Andre Gurode Pro Bowl-caliber player is the leader of the line.
Leonard Davis He's at the correct spot at guard and should dominate.
Marc Colombo The Cowboys hope he's as effective as he was last season.
Cory Procter He's a solid backup center or guard.
Pat McQuistan He will be the swing tackle.
Doug Free The fourth-round pick was progressing well until being injured.
James Marten The third-round pick struggled and probably will be inactive for games.
Cuts Joe Berger, Trey Darilek, Matthew Tarullo
Defensive linemen (6)
Marcus Spears This is a make-or-break year for the 2005 first-rounder.
Jason Ferguson He's a reliable pocket-collapsing force.
Chris Canty It's time to prove he was a fourth-round steal.
Jay Ratliff The 2005 seventh-rounder will back up at nose tackle or end.
Jason Hatcher He could be a force as a third-down rusher.
Remi Ayodele Insurance.
Cuts Stephen Bowen, Marcus Smith
Linebackers (8)
DeMarcus Ware He's becoming one of the game's best.
Bradie James It looks like he's flying and will be a force.
Akin Ayodele He's a steady, smart, consistent run stuffer.
Greg Ellis When will he be ready to play? Will he be the same?
Anthony Spencer The rookie will have growing pains.
Bobby Carpenter Inside, outside? He doesn't seem to have a fit yet.
Kevin Burnett If he could only stay healthy ...
Junior Glymph Insurance.
Cuts Khari Long, Blair Phillips, John Saldi
Cornerbacks (5)
Anthony Henry When healthy, a solid corner.
Terence Newman He's one of the game's top corners, if healthy.
Aaron Glenn The Cowboys are OK with him as their third corner.
Jacques Reeves This is probably the role he's best suited for.
Joey Thomas He's a wonderful comeback story, but was exposed a bit in the preseason.
Cuts Alan Ball, Quincy Butler, Nate Jones
Safeties (6)
Roy Williams He could return to his rookie-year form.
Ken Hamlin The Cowboys are banking on him as the answer at free safety.
Keith Davis His play on special teams keeps him on the team.
Pat Watkins The developing second-year player shows promise.
Abram Elam He's a threat to Davis for playing time.
Courtney Brown He showed potential on defense and special teams.
Kicker (1)
Nick Folk The Cowboys are crossing their fingers he'll settle this spot.
Cut Martin Gramatica
Punter (1)
Mat McBriar He's one of the NFL's best.
Long snapper (1)
L.P. Ladouceur He never messes up, making him invaluable.
Note: Some of the players cut could be brought back on the practice squad.
Staff writer Mac Engel predicts the makeup of Cowboys' 53-man roster
By Mac Engel
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Quarterbacks (2)
Tony Romo He can play, but is he special enough for the big money?
Brad Johnson He's reliable, not flashy.
Cuts Richard Bartel, Matt Moore
Running backs (3)
Julius Jones This contract year is the biggest season of his life.
Marion Barber III Will he see the ball more in 2007?
Tyson Thompson Alonzo Coleman could take this spot.
Cuts Arliss Beach, Coleman
Fullbacks (2)
Oliver Hoyte The former linebacker would fight a starving grizzly if asked.
Deon Anderson Natural fullback could evolve into the starter.
Cut Lousaka Polite
Wide receivers (6)
Terrell Owens He could have a monster year.
Terry Glenn If he's healthy, speed makes him a threat.
Patrick Crayton He's hoping to prove he's more than a No. 3.
Sam Hurd He's improving, but don't expect him to play much unless there's an injury.
Miles Austin His kick returns secure him a spot.
Isaiah Stanback A great athlete, but he's still raw.
Cuts Damarius Bilbo, Mike Jefferson, Jerheme Urban
Tight ends (3)
Jason Witten Expect another Pro Bowl season.
Anthony Fasano The Cowboys want more in his second year.
Tony Curtis He had a great camp and preseason, and could push Fasano.
Cuts Adam Bergen, Rodney Hannah
Offensive linemen (9)
Flozell Adams Contract year could mean a great year.
Kyle Kosier The blue-collar brawler has been decent since his arrival.
Andre Gurode Pro Bowl-caliber player is the leader of the line.
Leonard Davis He's at the correct spot at guard and should dominate.
Marc Colombo The Cowboys hope he's as effective as he was last season.
Cory Procter He's a solid backup center or guard.
Pat McQuistan He will be the swing tackle.
Doug Free The fourth-round pick was progressing well until being injured.
James Marten The third-round pick struggled and probably will be inactive for games.
Cuts Joe Berger, Trey Darilek, Matthew Tarullo
Defensive linemen (6)
Marcus Spears This is a make-or-break year for the 2005 first-rounder.
Jason Ferguson He's a reliable pocket-collapsing force.
Chris Canty It's time to prove he was a fourth-round steal.
Jay Ratliff The 2005 seventh-rounder will back up at nose tackle or end.
Jason Hatcher He could be a force as a third-down rusher.
Remi Ayodele Insurance.
Cuts Stephen Bowen, Marcus Smith
Linebackers (8)
DeMarcus Ware He's becoming one of the game's best.
Bradie James It looks like he's flying and will be a force.
Akin Ayodele He's a steady, smart, consistent run stuffer.
Greg Ellis When will he be ready to play? Will he be the same?
Anthony Spencer The rookie will have growing pains.
Bobby Carpenter Inside, outside? He doesn't seem to have a fit yet.
Kevin Burnett If he could only stay healthy ...
Junior Glymph Insurance.
Cuts Khari Long, Blair Phillips, John Saldi
Cornerbacks (5)
Anthony Henry When healthy, a solid corner.
Terence Newman He's one of the game's top corners, if healthy.
Aaron Glenn The Cowboys are OK with him as their third corner.
Jacques Reeves This is probably the role he's best suited for.
Joey Thomas He's a wonderful comeback story, but was exposed a bit in the preseason.
Cuts Alan Ball, Quincy Butler, Nate Jones
Safeties (6)
Roy Williams He could return to his rookie-year form.
Ken Hamlin The Cowboys are banking on him as the answer at free safety.
Keith Davis His play on special teams keeps him on the team.
Pat Watkins The developing second-year player shows promise.
Abram Elam He's a threat to Davis for playing time.
Courtney Brown He showed potential on defense and special teams.
Kicker (1)
Nick Folk The Cowboys are crossing their fingers he'll settle this spot.
Cut Martin Gramatica
Punter (1)
Mat McBriar He's one of the NFL's best.
Long snapper (1)
L.P. Ladouceur He never messes up, making him invaluable.
Note: Some of the players cut could be brought back on the practice squad.
posted by The Gryphon at 11:16 AM
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