By Clarence E. Hill Jr.
5 in the danger zone
WR Sam Hurd
Hurd's case is cut and dried. His $1.8 million salary is too much to pay a guy to primarily cover kicks. He could be released and re-signed to a lesser contract, but he will likely opt to go elsewhere. The Cowboys have given a clue to their feelings on the subject by giving receiver Jesse Holley a look at Hurd's roles on special teams.
QB Stephen McGee
The Cowboys are unlikely to pull the trigger on McGee after one season and keep just two quarterbacks. But it's certainly something they will consider. The 2009 fourth-round pick has not shown much progress so far in camp. He will need to have some moderate success in the final preseason game to guarantee his return.
S Pat Watkins
Watkins is another excellent special teams player who is getting $1.176 million, but has no future at the safety position. Watkins has hurt his chances by missing much of camp with a knee injury, allowing the Cowboys to take a long look at rookie free agents Danny McCray and Barry Church. Both are cheaper.
FB Deon Anderson
The injuries at tight end have opened the door to the possibility that the Cowboys might keep two fullbacks. If so, then Anderson is safe. If they go with one, then rookie Chris Gronkowski has probably shown enough to push Anderson off the roster. He is not as physical as Anderson, but he is a good lead blocker and is a better pass receiver.
T Pat McQuistan
McQuistan has been here four years and has yet to push for a prominent backup role let alone a starting spot. He has been tried at tackle and guard. Nothing has taken hold. There is no future upside here. Considering he has a $1.176 million salary for this season, the Cowboys can get by with a younger and cheaper replacement.
5 on the rise
CB Bryan McCann
The speedster from SMU has really turned heads with his play in practice and games. He has gotten better over the course of training camp. He has intercepted Tony Romo in practice and knocked balls away from the likes of Miles Austin and Roy Williams. The Cowboys wish he was a little bigger, but he can no longer be overlooked.
FB Chris Gronkowski
Gronkowski was already making a roster push with his blocking and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Owner Jerry Jones compared him to former star fullback Daryl Johnston. His stock got a bigger boost in the eyes of the staff following the rash of injuries at tight end. The versatile Gronkowski was a former H-back in college.
CB Cletis Gordon
Things have finally started to click for this five-year veteran, who has bounced around the league without a permanent home. He has been dominant in training camp with a team-high 14 interceptions. He took it to the field against the San Diego Chargers with a spectacular one-handed interception.
C Phil Costa
He went undrafted out of Maryland because he has short arms. But he is smart and he is a fighter. He impresses the Cowboys because he refuses to back down from All-Pro nose tackle Jay Ratliff. The Cowboys definitely have a need for the position with guard and backup center Kyle Kosier out through at least the first two games of the season.
S Danny McCray
If there's a blueprint to making the roster as an undrafted free agent, Danny McCray has followed it to the letter. He impressed the special teams coach by making plays in kick coverage. He was near unblockable against the Chargers. Coach Wade Phillips noted that he made plays against the starters and backups in the game.
5 in the danger zone
WR Sam Hurd
Hurd's case is cut and dried. His $1.8 million salary is too much to pay a guy to primarily cover kicks. He could be released and re-signed to a lesser contract, but he will likely opt to go elsewhere. The Cowboys have given a clue to their feelings on the subject by giving receiver Jesse Holley a look at Hurd's roles on special teams.
QB Stephen McGee
The Cowboys are unlikely to pull the trigger on McGee after one season and keep just two quarterbacks. But it's certainly something they will consider. The 2009 fourth-round pick has not shown much progress so far in camp. He will need to have some moderate success in the final preseason game to guarantee his return.
S Pat Watkins
Watkins is another excellent special teams player who is getting $1.176 million, but has no future at the safety position. Watkins has hurt his chances by missing much of camp with a knee injury, allowing the Cowboys to take a long look at rookie free agents Danny McCray and Barry Church. Both are cheaper.
FB Deon Anderson
The injuries at tight end have opened the door to the possibility that the Cowboys might keep two fullbacks. If so, then Anderson is safe. If they go with one, then rookie Chris Gronkowski has probably shown enough to push Anderson off the roster. He is not as physical as Anderson, but he is a good lead blocker and is a better pass receiver.
T Pat McQuistan
McQuistan has been here four years and has yet to push for a prominent backup role let alone a starting spot. He has been tried at tackle and guard. Nothing has taken hold. There is no future upside here. Considering he has a $1.176 million salary for this season, the Cowboys can get by with a younger and cheaper replacement.
5 on the rise
CB Bryan McCann
The speedster from SMU has really turned heads with his play in practice and games. He has gotten better over the course of training camp. He has intercepted Tony Romo in practice and knocked balls away from the likes of Miles Austin and Roy Williams. The Cowboys wish he was a little bigger, but he can no longer be overlooked.
FB Chris Gronkowski
Gronkowski was already making a roster push with his blocking and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Owner Jerry Jones compared him to former star fullback Daryl Johnston. His stock got a bigger boost in the eyes of the staff following the rash of injuries at tight end. The versatile Gronkowski was a former H-back in college.
CB Cletis Gordon
Things have finally started to click for this five-year veteran, who has bounced around the league without a permanent home. He has been dominant in training camp with a team-high 14 interceptions. He took it to the field against the San Diego Chargers with a spectacular one-handed interception.
C Phil Costa
He went undrafted out of Maryland because he has short arms. But he is smart and he is a fighter. He impresses the Cowboys because he refuses to back down from All-Pro nose tackle Jay Ratliff. The Cowboys definitely have a need for the position with guard and backup center Kyle Kosier out through at least the first two games of the season.
S Danny McCray
If there's a blueprint to making the roster as an undrafted free agent, Danny McCray has followed it to the letter. He impressed the special teams coach by making plays in kick coverage. He was near unblockable against the Chargers. Coach Wade Phillips noted that he made plays against the starters and backups in the game.