With everyone and their mommas releasing their version of the Cowboys projected roster come September 5th, I figured I might as well throw my hat in the ring. I'll probably provide a couple different versions of this; especially once we get into training camp and actually have something more substantial than accolades heaped on players wearing shorts and shirts or based off of collegiate highlight videos.
I might even build some projections based on a specific mindset about what positions the team is prioritizing. For now though, we'll just simply project the best men equipped to help in 2012.
QB (3) Tony Romo, Kyle Orton, Rudy Carpenter
I strongly dislike Stephen McGee's game.
RB (3) DeMarco Murray, Felix Jones, Phillip Tanner
No surprise here, Lance Dunbar to the Practice Squad where he'll probably be pached by the Patriots or Redksins
FB (1) Lawrence Vickers
WR (6) Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Kevin Ogletree, Andre Holmes, Danny Coale, Cole Beasley
As a fan, I pray there is a veteran addition to knock Ogletree off the roster. Either that or a body snatching event that happened over the offseason. can't risk Beasley going to PS.
TE (3) Jason Witten, John Phillips, James Hanna
Hanna drops passes when wide open, but his physical skills means he'll get the chance with the big club.
OL (9) Tyron Smith, Nate Livings, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Ron Leary, Doug Free, Jermey Parnell, Bill Nagy, Kevin Kowalski, Phil Costa
I think this number grows to 10 when the Cowboys sign a veteran backup tackle not named Pat McQuistan.
DL (6) Jay Ratliff, Sean Lissemore, Jason Hatcher, Marcus Spears, Tyrone Crawford, Josh Brent
LB (9) DeMarcus Ware, Sean Lee, Bruce Carter, Anthony Spencer, Victor Butler, Dan Connor, Kyle Wilber, Adrian Hamilton, Alex Albright
CB (6) Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne, Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Mario Butler, Justin Taplin-Ross
Mike Jenkins stays on the roster for this projection, although I would say it's 60-40 he get's traded before the season kicks off.
S (4) Gerald Sensabaugh, Barry Church, Matt Johnson, Danny McCray
I have a strange feeling Church and Johnson will make Brodney Pool expendable.
ST (3) Dan Bailey, Mat McBriar, LP Ladoucer
McBriar's coming back, book it!