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Q: How did Travis Bright perform against the Raiders? Did his run blocking get any better? How about his pass blocking? For the strongest guy on the team, he wasn’t explosive against the Bengals.
Dusty McGuire
A: Bright struggled quite a bit against Oakland. I credited him with giving up a sack, and he was dominated on a few other plays. He was also over-matched in the run game. Overall, I gave him a “D” for the game.
Bright’s struggles forced me to leave him off of my latest 53-man roster projection. Instead, I opted for Phil Costa, whose versatility could be an asset to a Dallas team without a true backup center. Kyle Kosier was the backup center before he went down with an MCL sprain, but even he never took a snap at the position in his career.
Q: Who are some sleepers who could make the roster or players who are expected to make it but might not?
Kerry Delmas, Plano, TX
A: There are actually quite a few roster spots up for grabs. I don’t know how many players are “sleepers” per se, but a few unheralded guys I expect to make the team are supplemental seventh-round nose tackle Jose Brent, cornerback Bryan McCann, tight end Scott Sicko, and guard Phil Costa.
Brent is a high-energy player who reminds me of Jay Ratliff. I have personally guaranteed he earns a roster spot. McCann is another one of my favorite players. Behind the “big three” cornerbacks, he has the best cover skills. Sicko is almost a necessity after John Phillips season-ending ACL tear, and like I said above, Costa has a great opportunity after Kosier’s injury.
There are also a few players I am not projecting to make the roster, yet still could sneak in with good play over the final three preseason games. These would be fullback Chris Gronkowski, wide receiver Jesse Holley, safety Danny McCray, and cornerback Teddy Williams.
Gronkowski’s versatility is his biggest asset, although I’m not sure the Cowboys can retain fullback Deon Anderson, Sicko, and him. Two fullbacks and three tight ends on a pass-first team would be strange. Holley has been great on special teams and could take Sam Hurd’s roster spot. I haven’t been as high on McCray as others, but he’s performed well in practice. Finally, it will be tough for the Cowboys to part ways with the freaky athleticism, speed, and upside of Williams.
As far as big-time “surprise” cuts, don’t expect too many. However, you could see wide receiver Kevin Ogletree, wide receiver Sam Hurd, safety Michael Hamlin, inside linebacker Jason Williams, and up to three draft picks not make the squad.
Ogletree has looked terrible over the first two preseason games, although he has apparently turned up the intensity as of late. If the Cowboys deem Holley ready for prime time, Hurd and his $1.75 million salary will walk. Hamlin is very unlikely to get released, but he hasn’t shown much in the first two preseason games and there are talented rookies (McCray and Barry Church) breathing down his neck. Jason Williams looked better in the second preseason game, but the Cowboys may opt to keep another Williams–Leon–over him. Finally, don’t be surprised to see cornerback Jamar Wall, defensive tackle Sean Lissemore, and right tackle Sam Young not make the team, although Young has the best shot.
Q: Do you think we will see more screen passes from the Cowboys this season?
Mark Owens, Jacksonville, FL
A: Yes I do, and for a few reasons. First, the offensive line is obviously a bit suspect right now. Left guard Kyle Kosier is already going to be out for the first couple of regular season games. The unit does have the potential to play well, but they also have the potential to implode. Screen passes are a great way to compensate for a struggling line.
Further, the Cowboys will try to get running back Felix Jones in the open field as much as possible. While he has yet to show he is a totally natural pass-catcher, screen passes could be an effective way to get him the ball in a non-traditional way, if he can handle it.
The Cowboys also like to run screens to their wide receivers, and with great run-after-catch receivers like Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, why not? You could see even more smoke, bubble, and quick screens this season to combat the blitz, particularly against teams like the Eagles.
The key for Dallas will be being unpredictable in their usage of screen passes. Last season, the rate of screens more than tripled following playaction passes. If the Cowboys can utilize them in the right situations, such as when they anticipate a blitz or a heavy pass rush, screens could become an effective tool in their offensive arsenal.
Q: How do you come up with your overall player grades for each game?
Jonathan Bales (I just wanted to answer this question)
A: Well self, the overall grades (as seen here) are a combination of grades from different components of each position. For example, I give linemen a run blocking grade and a pass blocking grade. Because the Cowboys pass 60 percent of the time, I have decided to weight the pass protection 1.5 times as much as the run blocking grade (to represent the 3:2 pass-to-run ratio). I do a similar thing for each position, and the methodology is basically the same as that which I use for my yearly grades.
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The NFL Preseason is rolling. That means that depth charts are changing and injuries are happening. We have updated our Wide Receiver Redraft Rankings and Average Draft Position (ADP) this week to help you get current on your fantasy football draft board.
Here are some thoughts on some rankings movement and some possible sleepers to watch in preseason:
Santana Moss (#25 to #17) Things have been really quiet on the Santana Moss front other than the whole HGH thing. Here is the the thing; Donovan McNabb is looking good.
Santana Moss is still the No. 1 WR in Washington. This is a hook up waiting to happen. Moss has historically been up and down during fantasy seasons, but things are looking up with having the most talented QB he has ever played with tossing him the ball.
Johnny Knox (#40 to #36) Johnny Knox is often ignored while fantasy owners look at Devin Aromashodu as the possible breakout star at WR for the Bears. This is largely based on Aromashodu’s targets at the end of last season by Jay Cutler. There is a different offense in town now and Johnny Knox may just be the best suited for it.
Wide receivers coach Darryl Drake is calling all three of the WRs at the top of the depth chart starters. When it comes time for someone to separate himself from the pack, watch for Knox. He may be a steal at his current ADP.
Sleeper Alert! More late round guys that could pay off.
Laurent Robinson (#44) Aside from Steven Jackson, you are not likely to find any fantasy football superstars on the Rams. We could however, see a WR step up with all that attention given to Jackson. He should land as one fo the starting WRs for the Rams and might be worth a late pick for a team trying to play catch up a lot. Keep a close eye on his camp.
Harry Douglas (#50) With Michael Jenkins out with a shoulder injury, Douglas can make a case for the starting spot opposite Roddy White. Keep an eye on the depth chart, he may be worth throwing one of those last two picks at.
Here is how the Top 5 shake out with ADP. The highest and lowest pick used on them in mock drafts are included as well. Check out our Wide Receiver Redraft Rankings to view the Top 50 with ADP.
| Rank | Player | Bye | ADP | HIGH | LOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Johnson, HOU | 7 | 1.06 | 1.02 | 1.11 |
| 2 | Randy Moss, NE | 5 | 1.09 | 1.03 | 2.07 |
| 3 | Larry Fitzgerald, ARI | 6 | 2.03 | 1.07 | 3.01 |
| 4 | Miles Austin, DAL | 4 | 2.03 | 1.08 | 3.05 |
| 5 | Roddy White, ATL | 8 | 2.07 | 1.09 |
3.03 |
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Kim Kardashian is giving Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin plenty of motivation for the upcoming season. Kardashian gave the world a sneak-peek of her new 2011 calendar with this oily bikini look. Kardashian warned that the photo would only be up on her Twitter account for one night so get over there and check it out.
Because of this glorious occasion, here are 10 more shots of Kim.
Last season, the Dallas Cowboys got a huge monkey off their back when they recorded their first playoff win in 13 years. Now, the expectations have been raised. Owner Jerry Jones wants to see his Cowboys playing in Super Bowl XLV, in their new Cowboys Stadium come February.
Offense
The Cowboys boast one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the NFL. Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo and a talented receiving unit helped Dallas put the sixth-best passing offense on the field last year.
Led by Marion Barber, a talented running back corps also helped the Cowboys feature the seventh-best running attack.
Romo is as fun a quarterback to watch as there is in the NFL. I love the way this guy can scramble to buy time. He was terrific in 2009, when he threw for nearly 4,500 yards and 26 touchdowns with just nine interceptions.
Romo will have no shortage of weapons to work with in the receiving unit. Wide receiver Miles Austin had a coming out party in 2009, catching 81 passes for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Cowboys added another playmaker by drafting Dez Bryant at the end of the first round, who could prove to be an absolute steal. His presence also figures to get more out of Roy Williams, who has been a disappointment since coming over from Detroit. And lastly, Jason Witten is one of the very best in the business at the tight end position. He hauled in 94 passes for 1,030 yards and two scores last year.
Dallas will have the potential to dominate with its running game. The trio of Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice combined to rush for nearly 2,000 yards in 2009. Barber figures to share even more of the work load this season, and that won’t be a bad thing when you consider that Jones and Choice both averaged better than 5.5 yards per tote.
Defense
The Cowboys finished as the second best scoring defense in the NFL last year, giving up only 15.6 points per game. Led by Big Jay Ratliff up front, the Boys were especially tough on the run, allowing only 90.5 yards per game on the dirt (No. 4 in the NFL).
Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware is an animal. With an 11-sack campaign in 2009, the guy now has 64.5 for his career. That’s good for an average of 12.9 sacks per season.
Joining Ware in the linebacker unit is Anthony Spencer. The Cowboys are hopeful that he can build on his solid 2009 campaign, when he produced six sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
The Boys must replace departed safety Ken Hamlin, but a unit anchored by Terrence Newman and Mike Jenkins should be just fine. Wade Phillips has a lot of confidence in defensive backs Alan Ball and Orlando Scandrick as well.
Prediction: 1st NFC East
The Cowboys have the fewest question marks of any team in the NFC East. If they can avoid the injury bug, I like their chances of bringing home another NFC East title. Take a look at my 2010 NFL predictions to see which teams I have winning the other seven divisions.
Put your trust in world champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd for more winners against the NFL odds this season.
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With two preseason games in the books, we’ve actually already learned a fair amount about the Cowboys. In both the Bengals game and the Raiders game the Cowboys showed us glimpses of what this coming season could be like.
There have been some great stories, such as the emergence of cornerback Bryan McCann (who I predicted would make the team months ago) and linebacker Leon Williams (who I completely missed on).
On the other hand, the ‘Boys now know they could be slightly thin at tight end after John Phillips went down with a season-ending ACL tear. Other players may not be injured, but their poor starts are surprising (Kevin Ogletree and Robert Brewster, for example).
When I altered my last 53-man roster projection to create the one you see below, the key was to not overreact to the Cowboys’ first two games. There are three to go, which may be a blessing in disguise for a Dallas team that has a lot to sort out on the back end of its roster.
Offense
QB
1. Tony Romo
2. Jon Kitna
3. Stephen McGee
This is a no-brainer. Barring a devastating injury, Romo, Kitna, and McGee will be your Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks in 2010.
Didn’t make the cut: Fourth-stringer Matt Nichols could be stashed on the practice squad.
Overall Position Grade: A-
RB
1. Felix Jones
2. Marion Barber
3. Tashard Choice
I have Jones listed on top due to projected touch distribution, not his starting status (or lack thereof). He is too talented for the Cowboys to not feed him the ball early and often.
Perhaps a running back rotation like this is just what the ‘Boys need.
Altogether, this may be the top running back trio in the NFL. Check out my grades for their 2009 play.
Didn’t make the cut: Herb Donaldson has shown little explosion in preseason, and undrafted free agent Lonyae Miller has been just average.
Overall Position Grade: A-
FB
1. Deon Anderson
I’ve explained the importance of Anderson ad nauseam. He even showed some pass-catching ability against the Raiders (don’t expect much more of that).
Didn’t make the cut: Chris Gronkowski has shown he can be a threat in the passing game, although his blocking is nowhere near the level of Anderson. He could make the team as a H-Back-type player, even if Anderson is retained.
Overall Position Grade: B-
TE
1. Jason Witten
2. Martellus Bennett
3. Scott Sicko
I just couldn’t see Sicko making the team before Phillips was injured. Even with a projected increase in three-receiver sets this season, the Cowboys run enough two and three-tight end formations that Sicko’s presence is now needed.
Didn’t make the cut: DajLeon Farr did a commendable job in making no obvious mental errors against the Raiders, despite being signed just two days prior. Still, he’s a long shot.
Overall Position Grade: B+
WR
1. Miles Austin
2. Roy Williams
3. Dez Bryant
4. Patrick Crayton
5. Kevin Ogletree
6. Sam Hurd
Will the Cowboys keep five receivers or six? Their decision has a rather large impact on a number of other positions. I think the possible shift in offensive philosophy means six is the number.
Didn’t make the cut: Jesse Holley has a really great shot at unseating Hurd, especially since Hurd is due $1.75 million—quite a bit of money for a special teams player. In the end, I think Hurd gets one more shot.
Overall Position Grade: A-
OT
1. Doug Free
2. Marc Colombo
3. Alex Barron
4. Sam Young
The play of this group will be crucial to the Cowboys’ 2010 fortunes.
Free has looked pretty comfortable at left tackle, but Colombo struggled at right tackle before recently going down with a knee injury. His two-four week absence could force the Cowboys to keep an extra tackle on the roster.
If so, it will probably be Robert Brewster. Let’s play this one by ear.
Didn’t make the cut: Like I said, Brewster could make the team by default, though his preseason play has certainly not justified it.
Overall Position Grade: C-
G
1. Kyle Kosier
2. Leonard Davis
3. Montrae Holland4. Phil Costa
I substituted Costa for Travis Bright because Bright has really struggled in the preseason and Costa’s versatility (he can play center) is valuable.
Yeah, the Cowboys plan to work Kosier in behind Gurode, but the guy hasn’t taken a snap (or given one, actually) from the position in his entire career.
A Gurode injury would also force the Cowboys to make two alterations to the offensive line–one at center and one at left guard–and I doubt they want to do that.
Didn’t make the cut: Bright has struggled too much in the first two preseason games for me to justify leaving him on the roster.
Don’t count out the possibility of the Cowboys moving Brewster to guard, but his lack of experience there would be quite a risky proposition.
Overall Position Grade: B-
C
1. Andre Gurode
The Cowboys don’t even have another true center on the roster.
Didn’t make the cut: Kosier, Costa, and even Bright could all get a look at center in the preseason.
Overall Position Grade: B (due to lack of depth)
Defense
NT
1. Jay Ratliff
2. Junior Siavii
3. Josh Brent
Surprised at three nose tackles? Don’t be.
Brent has shown enough potential that the Cowboys will not be able to put him on their practice squad. In fact, I’ve gone as far as to guarantee he makes the 53-man roster.
However, the Cowboys probably don’t want a supplemental seventh-rounder being the primary backup to Ratliff, so Siavii will likely make the team. He’s shown enough (in the run game, anyway) this preseason to justify his stay.
Also, don’t forget Brent could be used at defensive end. In reality, that’s where this “extra” roster spot has come.
Didn’t make the cut: Sean Lissemore, the Cowboys seventh-round pick in the April draft, has just been injured too long to make an impact. His versatility surely intrigues the Cowboys (he can also play defensive end), but his path became a lot more difficult once the Cowboys acquired Brent.
Overall Position Grade: B
DE
1. Marcus Spears
2. Igor Olshansky
3. Stephen Bowen
4. Jason Hatcher
Will Spears still be a starter when he returns?
Bowen and Hatcher have played magnificently in his absence, so it isn’t a sure thing. Hatcher is actually Spears’ backup, so he’d be the guy.
Could the Cowboys really only keep four players at a position that requires so many substitutions? The addition of Brent to the roster (at NT) makes me think it is possible.
Didn’t make the cut: As you can tell here, I love Marcus Dixon. Unfortunately, he has yet to stand out in either preseason game.
He has the requisite skill set and I’m personally rooting for him, but he needs to step up in a hurry.
Overall Position Grade: B-
ILB
1. Bradie James
2. Keith Brooking
3. Sean Lee
4. Jason Williams
James and Brooking look like players in their mid-20s so far this preseason. They are flying around to the ball and together they comprise the “heart” of the Dallas defense.
Didn’t make the cut: It is so hard for me to leave Leon Williams off of this roster, but I am having trouble deciding whose spot he should take. It would be tremendously difficult for the Cowboys to cut Jason Williams, and he would never clear waivers to make it to the practice squad.
I just can’t see the Cowboys keeping five inside linebackers. From which position do they “take” a roster spot? Leon Williams’ future, like that of a lot of players, could strangely be linked to that of Sam Hurd.
Unfortunately, Williams isn’t practice squad eligible.
I’ve also seen a few projections with Stephen Hodge making the roster, but I just can’t see Dallas making room for him.
Overall Position Grade: B
OLB
1. DeMarcus Ware
2. Anthony Spencer
3. Victor Butler
4. Brandon Williams
5. Steve Octavien
I substituted Octavien for Curtis Johnson here. It is possible the Cowboys keep neither player and just roll with four outside backers, but Coach Phillips loves depth at the position.
If the Cowboys do only keep four outside linebackers, they may very well retain five inside LBs.
Didn’t make the cut: I don’t think Johnson’s special teams ability is any better than that of Octavien, but Octavien has shown more pass-rush ability.
Overall Position Grade: A (almost A+)
CB
1. Mike Jenkins
2. Terence Newman
3. Orlando Scandrick
4. Bryan McCann
No changes here.
I’ve loved McCann since the Cowboys signed him and he’s done nothing to change my opinion. He’s shown tremendous athleticism and coverage ability. If he can continue to prove he can hold up physically, I think he obtains the fourth (and last) cornerback spot.
The versatility of the safeties (Akwasi Owusu-Ansah and Alan Ball) allows the ‘Boys to keep just four CBs.
Didn’t make the cut: Dallas suddenly has a “problem” of depth at cornerback. I don’t think rookie Jamar Wall is an NFL-caliber player yet, but veteran Cletis Gordon and even track star Teddy Williams could both make the team.
Williams’ potential in particular is insane, but how do you use a roster spot on a player who hasn’t played football in five years? Will he make it to the practice squad?
Overall Position Grade: B+
S
1. Gerald Sensabaugh
2. Alan Ball
3. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
4. Michael Hamlin
5. Barry Church
The big question is whether Dallas will retain five safeties.
I think they will due to the lack of a true strong safety. Owusu-Ansah is a lock to make the team and Hamlin is probable (although I haven’t been overly impressed with his play this preseason), but both players are strong safeties.
Church is probably the best of the Cowboys’ backup strong safeties.
Didn’t make the cut: No matter how things shake out, I think Patrick Watkins has already played his final season in Dallas.
Danny McCray also has a chance to nab the final safety spot, but he’s probably better suited on the practice squad.
Overall Position Grade: C-
Specialists
LS
1. L.P. Ladouceur
Overall Position Grade: A
K
1. David Buehler
Buehler has looked pretty good on field goals in the preseason.
He is six-of-seven thus far and he struck the ball very well on Thursday against Oakland. If the Cowboys do need to bring in another kicker, they will have to release a very good player at another position.
Overall Position Grade: B- (A+ for kickoffs and a giant question mark on field goals)
P
1. Mat McBriar
Overall Position Grade: A
KR
1. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
2. Dez Bryant
3. Kevin Ogletree
PR
1. Dez Bryant
2. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
3. Patrick Crayton
Overall Returner Grade: B+ (Based on potential)
Additions
TE Scott Sicko
G Phil Costa
NT Josh Brent
OLB Steve Octavien
Departures
TE John Phillips
G Travis Bright
DE Marcus Dixon
OLB Curtis Johnson
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