Dallas Cowboys: An impact player will be added this preseason
By Brad Austin
The 2015 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp looms a mere week away on the horizon. Fans are chomping at the bit to read practice reports on player performance.
How did rookie corner Byron Jones stack up against the newly retained All-Pro wide recevier Dez Bryant? Is rookie pass rusher Randy Gregory harassing the quarterback now that he’s in full pads? Who was involved in the first practice fight?
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Die-hard fans can’t get enough of juicy subplots. Training camp is the first chance to truly answer questions about promising rookies and free agents.
The possibilities are endless when hope engulfs the unknown. There is one constant Dallas fans can count on from their Jason Garrett coached team…
A new significant contributor will be added during the preseason who’s not on the current roster.
THE JASON GARRETT “PROCESS”
Garrett assumed the reigns as head coach midway through the 2010 season. The 2011 training camp was his first calling the shots. During all four preseasons under Garrett, the Cowboys have added one or more significant contributors to the upcoming season.
In 2011, wide receiver Laurent Robinson was signed a week before the regular season. He then won the second wide receiver spot and piled up 858 yards and 11 TD’s.
Derrick Dockery was also added in preseason September. The veteran left guard played in nine games with two starts. Fullback Tony Fiammetta was signed off waivers and started six games.
Kenyon Coleman was another key addition, as the big defensive end started 15 games. The 2011 Cowboys expertly churned their preseason roster, adding four heavy impact players to the upcoming season.
2012 was much less active in regards to player acquisitions between the start of camp and the opening game at the New York Giants. The one bold move came in a trade to add center Ryan Cook from the Miami Dolphins.
The Cook trade proved prophetic and prevented a catastrophe. Starting center Phil Costa injured his back the very first series against the Giants, and Cook started 11 games in his place.
The 2013 preseason saw a return to the head-hunting ways of 2011. Dallas traded for two defensive ends, Edgar Jones and Caesar Rayford. The pair played sparingly in a combined 12 games, with seven tackles between them.
Like Cook the previous year, Dallas again landed a key offensive lineman. Right guard Brian Waters joined the club five days before the first game. The six time Pro Bowler went on to excel during five starts before a torn triceps ended his career.
Preseason additions in 2014 failed to provide an offensive or defensive starter like previous years under Garrett. Yet the team did find several new contributors.
Three back-up defensive ends were acquired in Kenneth Boatright, Jack Crawford, and Lavar Edwards. Each player remains on the current roster.
The top addition last summer was back-up safety and special teams ace C.J. Spillman. His 3 tackles and two forced fumbles in the playoffs were a timely surprise. Spillman also finished third on the team with 10 special teams tackles.
REINFORCEMENTS ON THE WAY
With Garrett in charge, the Cowboys are committed to actively seeking upgrades. The preseason is a fertile landscape full of new injuries and released players.
Both aspects provide for active roster churning from camp to opening weekend. When training camp arrives next week, keep in mind that reinforcements are on the way.
If a promising running back, defensive tackle, or kick returner comes available before September 13, it’s a good bet the Dallas Cowboys will be ready to pounce.