Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to inform you that the team has finalized its 53-man roster.
Some players earned the chance to wear the famous star on their helmets, while others aspired for an invitation to the practice squad.
In either case, this Dallas Cowboys team is one of the most physically gifted NFL teams this season.
Like it or not, they had a surplus of talent at certain positions, and we knew this day would come when they would need to release talented players to fit under the league-wide roster mandate.
Were the right players released? Heck, that’s not for me to say. The front office made decisions in the best interest of the team. However, I can speak about some of the unexpected names that were mentioned as being released or waived.
Shall we take a closer look at some of these names?
With a thin linebacker depth, the release of Cox come as a surprise to some
I’ll be the first to admit my compass was off on this.
I wrote a story weeks ago declaring that Jabril Cox would be safe, and that proclamation hinged on the linebacker depth, or lack thereof.
Well, I stand corrected.
The depth at the position didn’t save the former Bayou Bengal from the initial chop. My gut tells me he will likely find his way back to the practice squad.
Jabril is still a young player with loads of talent.
Dallas chose Cox in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. While injuries slowed his development, he never regained any momentum.
His draft stock was predicated on his ability to play in space and to be a hybrid linebacker with coverage abilities.
Cowboys’ LB position group is an interesting one. Depth isn’t great, so I figured Jabril Cox would make the 53 https://t.co/PpaD7l6Q9D
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 29, 2023
Within two years of being drafted, he stands on the outside looking in as a waiver wire candidate signaling for another team to secure his services.
His story seemed all but over in Big D when DeMarvion Overshown stepped on the field. It was clear the rookie was leaps and bounds ahead of Cox.
Unfortunately, Overshown tore his ACL and will be out for the season.
Jabril should be safe now, right?
Not quite – Dallas appears to be ready to lean on the safety group, which, if we are being honest, is the way to go.
It still seemed like he would get a reprieve considering he is finally healthy from the knee and the fact that both Leighton Vander Esch and Damone Clark stand in front of him with injury histories of their own.
Isaiah Land was impressive, but it wasn’t enough to make the cut
This cut was more about disappointment than surprise. I’ll be the first to admit that.
Isaiah Land did enough to make the roster if the job he applied for wasn’t where it currently stands. Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, Dante Fowler and Sam Williams will make it difficult on any drafted player to latch on.
If you throw in Junior Fehoko and Chauncey Golston, it was darn near impossible for the undrafted free agent to stick with this team.
Well, he put his best foot forward and created his own storyline.
It goes without saying but I’m not a part of the Cowboys’ decision-making circle, but I would bet my bottom dollar there was long conversation about Mr. Land.
Isaiah Land as a developmental Pass Rusher was 2nd in the entire league in pre-season pressures.
I ain’t about to be all up in arms about it but it’s gon sting if he gets sniped. Big fan of this kid’s game #Cowboys ✭ pic.twitter.com/LxgyEzTFez— Landon Holifield ✭ (@TheLandoShow) August 30, 2023
The title ‘Sack King’ fit him so well. He looked the part and could have served at the linebacker or defensive edge positions.
He didn’t rack up the sacks like he did at FAMU, however, he was around the quarterback.
Pressures are as crucial as actual sacks. Land gave offensive tackles fits at the line of scrimmage.
It seems like a foregone conclusion that he should return to the metroplex. He has a coach in Dan Quinn, who wanted him from the beginning. He knows the system and can continue his surge to an active roster where his ally lies.
Unfortunately for myself and other fans, we have to play the waiting game to determine if some other team witnessed the same burst and get-off we saw these past three weeks.
I’ll assume Dallas wants him back on the practice squad.
Let’s speak it into existence even though weirder things have happened.
T.J. Bass’ surge to the top affected Matt Farniok
Matt Farniok made the active roster last season as a second-year player. He offered position flexibility that appealed to Dallas but didn’t ultimately save him this year.
The offensive line coach was the most significant difference between this year and last. Out of the door was Joe Philbin, who had a voice in the room and liked Farniok.
Did Mike Solari feel the same way?
I believe he did not. Well, at least not enough for him to grab one of those sacred spots.
Of the three guys listed in this post, he has the best chance to clear waivers and land back on the practice squad should Dallas offer him a spot.
Matt went from a guy who would one day push or maybe even replace Tyler Biadasz at the center spot. In the preseason, we saw more times where the team wanted to see him play the guard position.
With Brock Hoffman, Matt Farniok and Alec Lindstrom released, per sources, the Cowboys do not have a backup center on the roster behind Tyler Biadasz. An emergency option could be Zack Martin, but Cowboys' top priority might be center/guard combo w/ claims or signings.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 29, 2023
Granted, it was always pretty but I believe the play of T.J. Bass impacted decisions. Farniok’s position flexibility wasn’t as hyped up as before.
Dallas now needs a backup center to go into the season. The front office knows they’ll have options, especially at that spot.
Even if Farniok doesn’t clear waivers, Brock Hoffman more than likely will. He has played some center at Virginia Tech. It’s a numbers game, and Dallas is playing it very well.
Alec Lindstrom was signed to the practice squad last year as well so maybe they kick the tires there.
Maybe I’m out on an island with this take, but I didn’t believe this team was ready to move on from Matt.
