In light of today's news, here is a list of the 52 players who made the team. Similar to a power rankings list, these players are listed in order of their relative value. Of course, these rankings only represent my opinions about these players.
Two factors I considered in compiling this list: (1) the player's talent and production potential; and (2) how badly the team would suffer if the player went out for the season.
52. Michael Hamlin, S
The rookie from Clemson broke his wrist and will be out six weeks. He will be a special teams player when he returns. It is tough to say what impact he will have, and since he's injured, he gets the Least Valuable Player ranking-- at least for now.
51. Jason Williams, LB
Williams was the team's highest draft pick in 2009. He suffered a high ankle sprain and will be out for about a month. His value should rise once he returns.
50. Stephen McGee, QB
McGee is yet another rookie who was injured during the preseason. He will run the scout team when he returns from a sprained ankle.
49. Curtis Johnson, LB
Johnson played defensive end for the Colts in 2008. Dallas picked Johnson up on September 2 and plan to convert him to an outside linebacker. Given the change in position and his lack of experience with the team, he starts at #49.
48. Cory Procter, C/G
Procter started 11 games in 2008 at left guard, but he was hardly impressive. With the signing of Duke Preston, it looked as if Procter's days may be numbered, but Procter made the squad.
47. Steve Octavien, LB
Dallas signed Octavien late in 2008 after placing Kyle Kosier on injured reserve. Octavien will be a special teamer for the Cowboys in 2009.
46. Victor Butler, LB
Butler is another of the three rookies who both made the squad and is healthy enough to play at this point. He will be a backup at linebacker and a special teams player.
45. Junior Siavii, DT
Siavii was originally a second-round pick by the Chiefs but was out of football for three years. Dallas released him last year, but he made the team in 2009.
44. Doug Free, T
Free did not look good against the Vikings, raising concerns about the depth of the Cowboys' line.
43. Stephen Bowen, DE
Bowen provides depth on the defensive line, but not much more. He had 16 tackles and one sack in his first three seasons.
42. David Buehler, K
Buehler made the team as a kickoff specialist, and he may also contribute in other ways.
41. Kevin Ogletree, WR
Ogletree beat out Isaiah Stanback for the #5 receiver spot. If Dallas uses all of the receivers more than it has in the past, then Ogletree may get some opportunities.
40. John Phillips, TE
Phillips made the squad as a blocking tight end. That is probably more action than Ogletree will see.
39. Jason Hatcher, DE
The former third-round pick has had 5.5 sacks in three seasons.
38. Montrae Holland, G
Dallas traded for Holland in 2008 to provide depth, but the former starter for the Saints and Broncos struggled with his weight. He was not especially impressive during preseason in 2009, but he looked better than Procter.
37. Alan Ball, CB
Ball is a pretty good special teams player, and perhaps he is bit low on this list. He will rise if he makes some plays in nickel and dime formations.
36. Duke Preston, C
The Cowboys signed Preston late in training camp, and some expected his signing to lead to the release of Procter. Preston can play both center and guard.
35. Pat Watkins, S
Watkins was one of the players on the bubble during training camp, but a very strong performance against the Vikings in the final preseason game helped him to secure a roster spot.
34. Pat McQuistan, T
Like Free, McQuistan did not look good against the Vikings.
33. Bobby Carpenter, LB
Carpenter saw a lot of action during the preseason, and he did not look bad for the most part. However, he still does not look like a starter, and most still consider him to be a complete bust.
32. L.P. Ladouceur, LS
Never underesstimate the value of a good long snapper.
31. Deon Anderson, FB
The Cowboys probably won't use a fullback in many of the team's packages, meaning that Anderson's value is limited. Anderson has also been hurt during the preseason.
30. Miles Austin, WR
Austin might have competed for the #2 receiver slot, but he has not looked as strong as expected. He has also been hurt. Still, he has greater speed than any of the other receivers.
29. Sam Hurd, WR
Hurd reportedly looked good during training camp, but he has once again struggled with injuries.
28. Jon Kitna, QB
Kitna is certainly an upgrade over Brad Johnson, but there will also certainly be a drop-off in quality if Kitna has to fill in for Tony Romo in 2009.
27. Tashard Choice, RB
Choice's value will rise if the team truly uses three backs in 2009. He was great in December while filling in for an injured Marion Barber.
26. Gerald Sensabaugh, S
The Cowboys struggled with Roy Williams in coverage. The team then struggled more when Williams was injured in 2008. If Sensabaugh can provide solid coverage, his value will shoot up quickly.
24/25 (tie) Mike Jenkins, CB; Orlando Scandrick, CB
Scandrick will split time with Jenkins at corner. Several reports have indicated that Scandrick outperformed Jenkins during training camp, but Jenkins has not looked bad during the preseason.
23. Martellus Bennett, TE
Bennett has a huge upside, and most expect the Cowboys to run out of two tight end sets to use Bennett more in the passing game.
22. Nick Folk, K
Folk would probably be a little bit higher, but he has looked a little bit shaky during the preseason.
21. Patrick Crayton, WR
Crayton will once again be the team's #2 receiver, as well as one of the punt returners. A 50-catch season like the one he had in 2007 would be nice.
20. Mat McBriar, P
McBriar is quite a weapon as a punter, and the team missed him when he was injured in 2008. He looked better as the preseason progressed.
19. Igor Olshansky, DE
Olshansky replaces Chris Canty and might even be an upgrade.
18. Keith Brooking, LB
Brooking replaces Zach Thomas (who was, incidentally, released today by the Chiefs). The Cowboys hope that Brooking will bring some leadership into the locker room.
17. Marcus Spears, DE
This is contract season for Spears, who has underachieved at times but had a strong season in 2008.
16. Anthony Spencer, LB
Spencer became the starter at outside linebacker with the release of Greg Ellis. Spencer showed playmaking ability in 2008, but Dallas is going to need him to be more consistent in 2009.
15. Kyle Kosier, G
Kosier's value became apparent in 2008 when he missed 13 games. His health in 2009 will be vital.
14. Marc Columbo, T
Columbo has been steady at right tackle for the past three seasons. Adding to his relative value is the lack of a strong backup.
13. Ken Hamlin, S
Hamlin did not have a great season in 2008, managing only one interception and missing a few tackles. It would certainly help if he could return to his 2007 form.
12. Jay Ratliff, NT
Ratliff should probably be higher on this list, but it's hard to put a nose tackle ahead of the others ahead of him. We'll see if he can be a disruptive force again this season.
11. Bradie James, LB
James is one of the leaders of this squad, and he has become a great middle linebacker in the 3-4. He had eight sacks and 80 tackles in 2008.
10. Terence Newman, CB
With the team's trade of Anthony Henry, Newman is the only veteran presence among the team's cornerbacks.
9. Flozell Adams, T
Adams' value is based less on his dominance at left tackle and more on a great deal of concern that would arise if he missed any time with injury.
8. Leonard Davis, G
Davis made the Pro Bowl once again in 2008 thanks to another solid season at right guard. He also played left tackle during training camp, though he did not make this move in any of the preseason games.
7. Roy Williams, WR
Williams will have plenty of chances to show that the Cowboys did not make a mistake by trading several draft picks, including a first-rounder, to obtain the former Longhorn.
6. Andre Gurode, C
Gurode has been steady at the center position since 2006, and he has made three consecutive Pro Bowls. His value is even greater given the lack of a strong backup.
5. Felix Jones, RB
Odd that a backup running back would be so valuable, but Jones make be the team's mosts dangerous weapon. Dallas certainly missed him in 2008 when he missed 10 games with a toe injury.
4. Marion Barber, RB
Some believe that Barber is on the downside of his career, based on his running style and the injuries he sustained in 2008. As of now, though, he is the team's workhorse at running back.
3. Jason Witten, TE
Witten may catch 90 to 100 passes this year. The team needs this type of production to help make up for the loss of Terrell Owens.
2. Tony Romo, QB
A number of fans are frustrated with Romo, but the fact remains that the team cannot win without him.
1. DeMarcus Ware, LB
Ware should have won the defensive player of the year award in 2008. He was simply dominant.
By Matt Cordon
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