Fans of the Dallas Cowboys are combing through the free agent lists and waiting anxiously for the combine to try to figure out who the team may sign and draft to try and fill some of the holes that became so evident in 2011.
But when I was looking for something else, I glanced at the team roster at the mothership, and I noticed that there were a lot of names I had not seen in a while there, and a couple I had never seen at all. Normally, I would just chalk this up to stockpiling some camp bodies early, but then I noticed that most of the unfamiliar names on the list seemed to line up with the more obvious needs the Cowboys have, particularly on defense. And Dallas does have a recent history of finding starters from the UDFA and small college ranks, like Tony Romo and Miles Austin, and also in picking up players that did not work out with other teams but turned into pretty good acquisitions, like Laurent Robinson.
While most of these names will undoubtedly fade back into obscurity, I do think that there is a good likelihood that one or two of them will at least be a backup on the roster next year. And maybe, just maybe, one or two of them will turn out to be more than that. But all of these are unknown quantities, to some extent, so here is a list of them. They are all players that did not see any time on the 53 man roster (as best as I can tell), but are now listed as Dallas Cowboys.
See which of these ring a bell after the jump.
Most of these names joined the roster after the end of the regular season, some from the practice squad, and some apparently signed off the street. I am not looking at any of the free agents here, just players that are on the roster until the team cuts them.
Baraka Atkins DE 6'4" 271 lb 27 YO. College: Miami (the U). Drafted in the fourth round of the 2007 draft by the Seahawks, he saw limited action for two years, accumulating 29 tackles and 2 sacks. He was cut before the 2009 season, and was signed by both the Broncos and Steelers, but was a late cut before the regular season for both teams. He was signed to a futures contract on 01/10/12.
Mario Butler CB 6'1" 188 lb 23 YO. College: Georgia Tech. An UDFA who never saw the field during the regular season, he wound up on the practice squad at the start of the year. The first question is why he did not get a chance at any time during the season with all the problems the team had in the secondary. The second question is how likely is he to be worse than what the team put out there. His name has often come up as someone who may have some upside.
Robert Callaway DT 6'5" 312 lb 23 YO College: Saginaw Valley State. You have to wonder about someone whose name is misspelled on the team website (or maybe everywhere else?), but this one is a bit intriguing. After spending a year on the Lions practice squad, he did the same at Dallas, and there were some comments made about how he had looked good this year. Given the small college background, he might be one of those late blossomers who might come out of the off season and play a part.
Kai Forbath K 5'11" 197 lb 24 YO. College: UCLA. Was injured. Possibly an insurance policy, but I find it hard to imagine he is going to beat out Dan Bailey. Once upon a time, he may have had some small trade value, but those days seem gone forever in the NFL.
Andre Holmes WR 6'5" 208 lb 23 YO. College: Hillsdale. You don't get much smaller than Hillsdale College. Holmes was originally signed by the Vikings, but picked up for the practice squad at the end of the preseason. He is part of what I call the Laurent Robinson insurance unit, kept around in case Laurent's agent wins the argument about playing where you had success versus going for the big payout.
Orie Lemon LB 6'1" 244 lb 24 YO. College: Oklahoma State. Coming out of the preseason, there were several who thought that Lemon would be a more valuable player to have on the roster than Keith Brooking. They might have been right. He is one of the players I think have the best shot at sticking with the team and eventually playing a significant role as a backup ILB and special teams player.
Raymond Radway WR 6'3" 193 lb 24 YO. College: Abilene Christian. He was, by most estimates, exactly three seconds away from making the starting day roster. Instead, a broken leg put him on IR. Now, the team is going to see if he has recovered from the injury, and then see what happens with Laurent Robinson. If Mr. Robinson stays, then the target becomes Kevin Ogletree. Without any knowledge of how the rehab is going, I still would guess he has the best shot of anyone here of earning a roster spot. Especially if he can return kicks or punts.
Brashton Satele LB 6'0" 248 lb 24 YO. College: Hawaii. Spent a year on the New York Jets practice squad. Signed a futures contract on 01/12/12. Given his history, one of the longest of the long shots.
Justin Taplin-Ross CB 6'3" 214 lb 22 YO. College: Utah. An interesting note is that he is listed on some sites as a safety. He apparently had trouble with passing the physical due to an appendectomy, from what I have been able to gather, but I have not been able to come up with a source to back that up. Supposedly well liked by the coaches.
C. J. Wilson CB 6'1" 195 lb 26 YO. College: Baylor. Another player that is a safety when you look at some sites, but carried as a cornerback on the Dallas roster. He was a seventh round draft pick by the Panthers in 2007 and hung around, getting credit for being active in 23 games before getting cut for 2011.
Those are the unknowns. Three defensive backs, two linebackers, two defensive linemen, two wide receivers and a kicker that seems the odd man out. The others all play positions that the Cowboys either definitely need or have to be concerned about pending free agency. Could one or more of these players turn out to be part of the solution for Dallas? I would say Radway is likely to stick, and Lemon and Callaway both have a pretty good shot. Butler and Taplin-Ross are maybes, but not strong. How do you see it?
1 recs | 76 comments
Radway
I thought by watching him in the preseason he was another diamond in the rough we found. I hope that nasty leg injury heals well and he will come back strong by the start of TC. Lemon, I thought he was going to make the team, I was a little surprised he was let go. But those two are the only ones I think that have a legit shot at making it.
ol nasty - February 8, 2012
I Hope...
That JG breaks the last two coaches preferences of always playing the veteran versus giving the young player with a possibly higher ceiling and lower cost a fair shot to win the job.
Through Thick And Thin - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Based on what he did on o-line
I tend to think he will.
dunkman - February 8, 2012
And the O-line, because of the nature of the bonding
… at this position in particular, is usually the hardest nut to crack. That JG was so willing to go with youth here bodes well for his openness in other areas.
The Cowboys have had tremendous luck with UDFAs, hopefully we can strike gold on even one unknown guy. Great post, Tom!
DalaiLuke - February 8, 2012
Radway, Lemon, Holmes...
And I’m crossing my fingers for 1 of the DB’s. Also (And I feel like most of us are thinking it in many cases) Last year had no training camps, Orie Lemon will probably benefit from that this year. During pre-season, looks like RR spent time with him but he was lost on a few plays.
Baloo. - February 8, 2012
+1
Lemon will get a good look at 3d/4th ILB. I can see a lot of churn at the WR spot and they put Holmes on the roster late Dec which is a sign I think.
DB23 - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Speaking of churning the Wr spot
I would love to see Ogletree gone completely and give Holley some more playing time the man catches literaly everything thrown his way! That is a very rare quality and needs to be exploited by our offense. He would make for a great possesion guy and has lots of talent on ST too. I’m anxious to see Holmes out there as well the more compitition the better he way I see it.
Cowboys_Attack - February 8, 2012
Looked into Ogletree's dent in Cowboys Cap
Contract: 1 yr(s) / $480,000, becomes Restricted Free Agent next season. Cheaper to keep him, maybe a chess piece for trade?
Either way, WR depth is amazing, but I think Ogletree is hindering the progress of others below him. And can’t we find a Kick/Punt Returner with any of these guys?
Baloo. - February 8, 2012
I doubt they keep Ogletree.
JG has shown he is willing to cut players that don’t perform and take the cap hit. Given the cap hits Dallas took last season, $480,000 wouldn’t a huge hit. Considering you have to get your roster down to 53, I think it would be a small price to pay for opening up a spot for someone who might contribute. I also doubt he has done enough to make another team want to trade for him. Though, these are simply my opinions.
Grimlock83 - February 8, 2012
Ogletree does not have a guarenteed contract
As long as he is cut before week 1.
I also agree that Ogletree needs to go with his lack of improvement and his lack of kick/punt returning. Please churn that 4th and 5th receivers as needed….3 years is plenty to give Ogletree a chance to develop. Practice is one thing, but it is true that Holly has caught everything thrown his way, so maybe it would be good to see more of him. Again, let’s give Radaway some reps…not to mention find a PR/KR that is not a starting WR or CB.
Through Thick And Thin - February 8, 2012
really hope we keep Laurent and ditch Ogletree
scraig - February 8, 2012
look like JJ is collecting more junk
I wonder whixh one.of these scrubs.will JJ keep around for like 3-4 years then realize he suck like allan balls.
Jj got a whole nest of players to choose from this year. Whos going to be allan ball, our next under achieving KO, or our weak ass phil costa????
lostar2009 - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Dude, bitter much??
All good NFL teams find players this way, hopefully Dallas will be able to fill-in the supporting cast with quality, young players that have the potential to improve. Has Dallas always kept or cut the right players, no, but no team has.
I also truly doubt JJ makes the decision on who the 52nd and 53rd players will be…I always thought he cared more about the shiny expensive toys and not the bottom of the roster.
I would love to 53 blue-chip players, but that isn’t going to happen outside of Madden.
Through Thick And Thin - February 8, 2012
should say, "has not always kept"
Through Thick And Thin - February 8, 2012
Really ?
Cut Josh Thomas to keep a kicker sound familiar ?
football mensa - February 8, 2012
ehh, I don’t follow all the moves close enough, so you got me here….though I count D. Buehler has a shiny toy! ;)
Though, enough time lurking on here will bring me up to speed!
Through Thick And Thin - February 8, 2012
Is that FiTaT?
Or just someone highly unoriginal haha?
Ben24626 - February 9, 2012
man I had no idea at the time how much I hated that desicion!
How we could use an average CB right now.
Cowboys_Attack - February 8, 2012
what is that suppose to mean
Who is trash that jerry is picking, sound like to me u dont know nothing about football.
E.Wilson - February 8, 2012
i dont know ??? look at your JJ !!!!
Anyone who think alan ball was a starting free safety in this league SHUD BE FIRED!!!!!!
Man dont doubt be look at JJ..
lostar2009 - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Junk ?
You do understand that every team makes these types of moves. Most are camp bodys and really they can’t be signed til the start of the new football year here in a few weeks.
I laugh when I see hate on Jerry for doing things every owner/GM does. The guy can only catch a break if we win the SB and then he has to win it everys single year til he dies or he will catch hell forever
ol nasty - February 8, 2012
some of these guys are nobodies that have been floating around teams PS for years..
Now i beat you guys think we have the next miles Austin or Romo in the making ..
These guys are scrubs..
lostar2009 - February 8, 2012 via mobile
or
the next Laurent Robinson?
99yard_TD_Run - February 9, 2012
Really ?
Name me all the owners on the sidelines telling the coach what to do in a game. Name all the owners who have kept the same gm with the piss poor record Jerry has for 15 years.
I have time I can wait.
football mensa - February 8, 2012
ol nasty i'll give jerry a break when jerry finally decides
to get over his inflated ego n hire a competent GM then he can do what he does best, which is promote his product, a business man he is however a football man he is not… Do I expect a SB every season? Hell naw that’d be unrealistic expectations but I don’t think asking for more than “1” playoff win in 15 yrs is unreasonable, do u?
DarkKnight88 - February 9, 2012
You know lostar alot of small school defensive players
Don’t come into the NFL and produce out of the draft. There is a reason for that. Small schools don’t have the money in there programs to get big time coaches and assistant coaches to help train and teach technique. So they more less teach you knowledge over technique which to me is just as important on defense but can’t have one without the other to be successful in the pros. Now given the right coaching and enough time to develop there is no reason why they can’t be solid players. If you have the coaches you will have the players.
Sado44 - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Kinda suprised there were names I didnt know. Thanks Tom!
With all the talk going on about M. Butler, Radway’s injury, and then between Lemon, Callaway, and Holmes we should get around 3 guys having a role on this team next year and that could help a lot.
Cowboys_Attack - February 8, 2012
Radway and Lemon
are 2 def. keepers. Both performed very well in preseason. I was shocked when we cut Lemon but was happy that he made it back to the practice squad. If Radways leg holds up good and he comes back strong he should easily beat out Ogletree (who I want gone!). Callaway is an interesting prospect. We need a big guy on the Dline. Can he be that guy? At least a rotational guy?
textaz03 - February 8, 2012
There was a lot of talk that the Lions wanted to keep him, but their DL is so good and deep they couldn't do it.
Rena - February 8, 2012
Radway, Butler, & Lemon
With these three guys around you can at least feel comfortable stepping into draft and FA know that holes are at least plugged.
Butler is an immediate upgrade over Ball. Even if he has regressed from last preseason. Ball is just what I like to call an instant completion.
Radway, Holley, and Harris (I still think Harris is “the guy”) give you the flexibility to let Robinson walk if the money is not right.
Lemon helps at least cusion the LB spot. I’d still like to see a JAG with NFL experience at a reasonable price come in via FA.
With what we have on board right now, I’d like to see them sign Nicks and draft Brewster in the 3rd or Konz in the 2nd(If he were to slip. Trade up a little if you feel he is close enough to grab without sacrificing the rest of the draft)
This opens up a BPA strategy for at least the 1st round and maybe the 2nd. Kirkpatrick is my guy in the first if I’m drafting. Konz, Ta’amu, Thompson, Poe, or your traditional JJ injured/reach player with 1st round potential in the 2nd.
Anyone know how far Cliff Harris’ draft stock has fallen?
mfoster - February 8, 2012
I actually liked what I saw from Radway, Mario n Ori
last preseason if these 3 can step up their game a lil bit that can help with the depth issues the team has.
DarkKnight88 - February 9, 2012
I got 3 guys off this list.
Radway- Just because he was going to make the team last year before that gross injury in the last pre season game.
Mario Butler- he’s going to have all the chances in the world to prove he can play. Our secondary is that bad.
Baraka Atkins- Only because he has an awesome name.
Now, if you will all please excuse me. Tonight is Dook night. And I must focus all my hate and energy on hating those bastards.
TARHEEL PAUL - February 8, 2012
+1 on Baraka.
-1 for the team keeping him around though. 27 years old? At DE, if he can’t make the roster now then he won’t ever.
BigDumbFace - February 8, 2012
Any of those players who are 25-27 years old....
are jags. Nothing they do will seperate them. By 26 you have had time to establish yourself. Most of these guys are camp bodies.
Radway is my pick to actually contribute in 2012. I hope that Callaway can make a name for himself. I am pulling for him more than any other name because we need d linemen..
football mensa - February 8, 2012
How would Robinson been evaluated using that standard?
Last year?
Cwon1 - February 8, 2012
Robinson was playing very well for St Louis when he was injured.
They were stupid for cutting him. The guys on the list above maybe 2 , 3 at most will become significant role players.
football mensa - February 8, 2012
He was over 26......
being my main point.
I don’t think it’s a bad list;
Holmes, Callaway, Lemon, Radway, Butler all appear interesting.
Cwon1 - February 9, 2012
A guy I'm really interested in is
Andre Holmes. He’s 6’5 210 and runs a 4.5 40. Seems like a good prototype for a tall WR. You can’t teach speed but you can teach route running.
NYHorn - February 8, 2012
Andre Holmes might be the guy that lets us forget Laurent
If his demands become too rich
Rohpuri - February 8, 2012 via mobile
I would trade Austin and keep Robinson. He has a more natural feel for the game.
Trade him to the Pats. They need a big wr.
football mensa - February 8, 2012
That's Idiotic!
is what was said in the past when this subject was brought up. I, on the other hand, agree to trading him. I’d rather keep Robinson & trade Austin while he has value.
99yard_TD_Run - February 9, 2012
That's actually not a bad idea
I think we might be able to squeeze a draft pick or two out of the pats for him. I like Robinson’s instincts a lot-the way he breaks his route to come get back into Romo’s line of sight is a skill that a lot of players don’t have. You can’t coach that.
Rohpuri - February 9, 2012
+1
99yard_TD_Run - February 9, 2012
The thing the Pat might pay for is......
Ware. The pass rush is bogus.
Then again, they love draft picks and lower wage players. I don’t see it happening. Brady is on the clock from here on, the Pats can’t be that displeased with how the youth movement has gone on defense despite some draft busts.
Austin would go at the trade deadline if he is producing and the younger players are moving up. Holmes for example. He’s a cap overvalue right now.
Cwon1 - February 9, 2012
Pats hate paying receivers
It’s a culture thing. Expect Welker to get his nuts busted in FA talks.
Cwon1 - February 9, 2012
I think that
3 have a good shot to make the 53 this year and maybe four if Robinson goes someplace else
Butler
Radway
Lemon
and if LR goes than Holmes
BigBad Joe - February 8, 2012
It does boggle the mind a little
As bad as the secondary was you don’t give Butler a try at #3 or #4 CB?
TexasGarcia37 - February 8, 2012
we said the same thing about
Sam Young last yr…and then the team cut him.
ziggy19 - February 8, 2012
UDFA activity is very important.....
I only hope the Cowboys deal some players and add to the draft as well. If they have a find say at WR that should be a reason to dump Austin on someone else near the trade deadline.
Same is even more true on defense, churn the roster and get picks when and if possible.
Cwon1 - February 8, 2012
+1
99yard_TD_Run - February 9, 2012
Justin Taplin-Ross
is he FS or SS hopefully he can be the solution at FS.
ziggy19 - February 8, 2012
FS/CB
99yard_TD_Run - February 9, 2012
I'm hoping for Butler to become a contributor
not a starter but as a 3rd or 4th corner he would be really good.
CaliCowboysFan92 - February 8, 2012
If a couple of these pickups make the team.........
It would seem to allow us to trade up in the draft.Who do you think we would target.
I would love to have Claiborne (sp) playing for us.I don’t think we move up for a RB,S,OT, or QB.I don’t know about Coples.It looks like it will cost too much to move up for anything less than a sure starter.
Then again some drafts have Blackmon and Richardson falling to us so someone may trade up to get them.
This draft is going to be fun.
TCB Orange Dino - February 8, 2012
I'd love to have Coples
but wouldn’t trade up for him unless he’s really close to 14.
99yard_TD_Run - February 9, 2012
If Robinson walks, do the Cowboys get compensations picks?
Say 4.5 million a year somewhere else?
Cwon1 - February 8, 2012
Nope
He’s an UDFA. We have the option to match a contract if we tender him.
mfoster - February 8, 2012 via Android app
Radaway makes it if he has a camp like last year, Lemon has a shot, but it's not a lock
phoenix11 - February 8, 2012
I agree with Mensa
The guys around 26 yo+ are nothing more than camp fodder. Sorry Baraka.
The guys to look out for:
1) Lemon
2) Holmes
3) Radway
4) Butler
5) Taplin-Ross
I think 2 or 3 of these guys can pan out. Hopefully it’s Butler & Taplin-Ross (we are thin in the secondary).
Rohpuri - February 8, 2012 via mobile
I forgot
6) Robert Callaway-hopefully he can allow us to move Ratliff to DE.
Rohpuri - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Yep!
even if he doesn’t start we need to have ppl in a rotation to keep Ware/Rat fresh for the 4th & the long season.
99yard_TD_Run - February 9, 2012
UDFA activity is very important.....
I only hope the Cowboys deal some players and add to the draft as well. If they have a find say at WR that should be a reason to dump Austin on someone else near the trade deadline.
Same is even more true on defense, churn the roster and get picks when and if possible.
Cwon1 - February 8, 2012
I would like to see how Mario Butler develops...
nice to get a guy like that who can work his way into the secondary, even if its a 4th corner… also we need more SS the way that these teams throw 4 WRs at us. Although I think you can use Bruce Carter in that role…
scraig - February 8, 2012
Thanks for the list, I missed a couple of these signings.
Very interesting names.
The ones I expect to make the roster are Radway and Lemon.
The ones I am going to be keeping a close eye on and hoping for are Callaway, Taplin-Ross, and Butler.
I think probably 3-4 of these guys have a good shot at making the 53. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 1 or 2 of them snuck back onto the PS.
Rena - February 8, 2012
Good story Tom.
I posted a similar story to this over the weekend and was hoping to get the expert opinions of our scouts and draftniks to find out what these guys stories were coming out of college. I’d like to know if they’re similar to what is coming out now. If so, maybe we use the picks for something else and find cb help in FA. I’d like to see Mario Butler and Taplun-Ross playing this year. What about Mana Silva?
Frankster_1 - February 8, 2012 via mobile
It was just a fanpost.
But I didn’t get as many views as yours so thanks for bringing this to light.
Frankster_1 - February 8, 2012 via mobile
Sorry I didn't see your post.
I might not have done mine if the idea was already covered.
And I didn’t include Silva because the records show he was active for the last two or three games of the season. I just went with the players that are on the roster, but who did not spend any time on the 53 last season (at least as far as I can tell).
Tom Ryle - February 8, 2012
No worries..
You have a lot more info on the players and as long as more people see it, it’s totally cool. I just hope we give these guys a fair shot to earn their spot and also for us fans to think of these guys before giving the job away to another 2nd or 3rd rounder. If these guys have the same skillset as the guys in the draft then we shouldn’t waste a draft pick on cb.
Frankster_1 - February 8, 2012 via mobile
This makes me think of Sterling Moore.
Every time I saw him around the ball and making a play in the playoffs for Patriots, I became envious that we haven’t found serviceable CB help in the same way. But, it also made me hopeful that some new blood could help.
jazzbo251 - February 8, 2012
KEEPERS AND WHO THEY REPLACE
Justin Taplin Ross-Barry Church(JTR would have been on this team if not for the surgery causing him to fail his physical)
Mario Butler- Surely he can replace Walker( he supposedly was around the ball alot in camp) Let’s also remember, Mr. NoCoach, Campo is not evaluating DB talent this year.
Robert Callaway- Kenyon Coleman (keep youth here)
Ray Radway- Kevin Ogletree(Radway’s heigth and speed are better/ unless KO is lights out) Holley is a candidate as well, but he must be replaced on ST.
Lemon-Brooking/James(unless we draft an ILB or get a cheap FA)
Holmes has been mentioned a lot in this blog, but he is SLooow.
faniva - February 8, 2012
I think this is a best case scenario.
Not totally unrealistic, but it would mean hitting on almost all the semi likely candidates. I would love to see it happen, and have these guys turn out to be real football players.
Tom Ryle - February 8, 2012
Ehh...
Agree with most moves, but JTL doesn’t make this team unless Elam is let go.
Barry Church and Danny McCray are the future of our starting safety core. Ryan even said himself, “Barry Church may be a starter for this team at some point”.
mfoster - February 8, 2012 via Android app
Good post Tom
but you know what else I see here? Possible glimpse of the type of players the FO will be drafting. If the FO is signing 6’0+ CBs then it leads me to believe they will acquire similar talent in the draft. Same could be said about Callaway. This would rule out someone like Janoris Jenkins. Frankly, I believe he’s being used as a smoke screen to get someone like Coples to drop to 14 so they can get the JJ Watt that got away last year.
99yard_TD_Run - February 9, 2012
Makes a lot of sense
If you look at the players on the current roster, you notice each position has a certain body type. It’s those height-weight groupings we need to pay attention to.
Rohpuri - February 9, 2012
More & More
the FO is getting talent to match up against NY & Philly. They’re rebuilding the OL, grabbing big NTs & grabbing tall CBs. That’s why I like a group of CBs in the late rounds led by Pellerin & Marrow.
99yard_TD_Run - February 9, 2012
Robert Callaway
This is a guy I believe will make an impact for us more than most. After the second Giants loss (season finale) we signed him to a 3 year extension worth league minimum.
http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2012/01/dallas_cowboys_sign_flint_beec.html
It seems the only reason he was cut by Detroit was because of the numbers game up front. Here is another article that gives a pretty good look at him and his work ethic.
http://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/index.ssf/2011/09/flint_beechers_robert_callaway_1.html
Samson254 - February 9, 2012
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