Pondering Cowboys' options on 46-man roster
Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas -- During the course of a season it can be easy to come up with a 46-man gameday roster. Injuries and the rhythm of the season can make the inactives an easy thing to figure. Week 1 of a regular season, however, is not one of those times.
There are so many variations that coaches can go through that make it hard to predict.
Let’s talk about the Dallas Cowboys' options for tonight’s opener against the New York Giants: Four tailbacks, five receivers, four tight ends, eight offensive linemen, nine defensive linemen.
At least early, it is hard to see how the Cowboys get Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and Christine Michael to the game. There isn’t enough snaps for all of them, and Michael just won’t know enough of the offense to make it worth having him in a role.
Some eyebrows were raised when the Cowboys kept fullback Tyler Clutts and four tight ends. As with the tailbacks, it’s almost impossible to get all five active for a game. If they can't get a fourth tight end to the game, should they have kept Geoff Swaim on the 53-man roster? If they can’t take a fullback to the game, should they have kept Clutts?
The Cowboys liked what Lucky Whitehead did in the preseason at receiver and in the return game, but will he reprise those roles in the regular season or do they go with Devin Street? In terms of snaps, Whitehead might be able to do more than Street, who has been slowed with an ankle injury.
The Cowboys have liked to dress seven offensive linemen on game day with a backup guard/center and tackle. If they continue that route, then Mackenzy Bernadeau and Darrion Weems would be in those roles Sunday. But what about La'el Collins? He could be on the outside looking in.
The Cowboys were wise to keep as many defensive linemen as they did. Finding them is difficult, but they can’t get them all to the game. Rookie Ryan Russell will have time to develop in practice. The final spot comes down to Ken Bishop and Davon Coleman. Bishop is the bigger run defender. Coleman is the better pass rusher. Pass rush always trumps run defender.
So as you ponder the 46-man roster, here is the guess at tonight’s inactives: Michael, Jordan Mills, Collins, Street, Bishop, Russell and Swaim.