Last Year In Dallas ?

We all know that this is the team's last year in Texas Stadium, but I think there are several players spending their last season playing for The Cowboys as well.

Here's my list of 'name' guys I don't expect will see the new stadium in 2009:

OT Marc Colombo - Too many big-ticket contracts coming up to pay Colombo as well. He's played well, but I think the team turns to one of the younger guys to step up at RT.

WR Terry Glenn - Assuming that he makes the roster this year, there's little chance he's back for 2009. Degenrative conditions are just that - degenerative. His knees won't get better with time.

WR Miles Austin - I think he'll get beaten out this year. I think he's gotten all the chances to develop that he's going to get. And with so many kick returners being added, he no longer has that role keepig him around.

CB Anthony Henry - Too much money, too many injuries. Unless Henry has a stellar, healthy 2008, it will be his last in a Cowboy uniform. The team has made a serious investment at the cornerback position and can't afford to keep everyone. Newman gets the long-term contract.

OLB Greg Ellis - His paranoia finally becomes reality as he's shown the door. Spencer will show himself worthy of starting and finances will show that you can't keep everyone. I think this year's draft tips the Cowboys' hand that they're looking for younger and cheaper at OLB.

DE Marcus Spears - Disappointing first round draft choice never developed into what the Cowboys had hoped. And you can get 'average' for less than what Spears is making.

QB Brad Johnson - End of the road for the aging veteran. If Johnson is forced into action in 2008, I think the Cowboys are in trouble. Father Time has seriously eroded his skills.


On the Bubble - Here are some guys the jury is out on for 2009:


LB Bobby Carpenter - He gets another chance because the cost of moving him was too high. Steps into the perfect role behind Zach Thomas. He gets it or he gets going.

SS Roy Williams - Has struggled the past several seasons in coverage and is not the dominant force he once was. His career is at a crossroads and he has one year to get it together in Dallas.

DE Chris Canty - Strictly a numbers issue. The Cowboys would like to keep him around - at the right price. With so many key players' contracts coming due, the Cowboys may not be able to keep everyone. If Canty's asking price gets too high, he may not stick in Dallas.


And the one I hate typing:


RB Marion Barber - I'm hopeful that he and the Cowboys work out a long-term deal but that's far from certain. Several factors are working against it - from his asking price, to the drafting of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, to the current lifespan of an NFL running back. Teams are cautious of investing huge dollars in such a physically-demanding position and few running backs run with the physical style that Barber does.

Anyone else have some 'names' to add to the list or disagree with those I've mentioned?

Great post TD...

However, you forgot TWO names that will be a coin flip on who stays and who goes.  Terrence Newman and Terrell Owens are in the final year of their contracts and I seriously doubt the Cowboys can pay both 10 MIL a year.  With market value and all, that will be the going rate for those two.  So I would venture to say that both of them are on the bubble as well.  Depends on who is more valueable at the position and who is expendable.

Gonna go out on a limb and say its safe to say that Owens will be the one still in a Cowboys uniform, after this year.  Nothing against T-New, but this years draft(2 CB's and NO WR's) and acquiring Adam "Pacman" Jones, tells me T-New is the one that is expendable.