Aug 29, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar (25) carries the ball in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

Lance Dunbar obviously made it a very difficult decision for the Cowboys’ coaching staff to cut him. In this week’s final preseason game, Dunbar recorded 105 rushing yards and a touchdown. He also through in a nifty 27 yard punt return. But Dunbar struggled with a hamstring injury which ultimately cost him his chance to make the team. It’s believed the  Cowboys will sign Dunbar to the practice squad if he passes waivers tomorrow. The North Texas alum was the Mean Green’s all-time leading rusher and scorer last year.

The final player the Cowboys cut on Friday was Jamize Olawale. Also a North Texas alum, the big bruising running/full back was actually a converted receiver in college. And Olawale made the most of his opportunities in the preseason. He recorded 122 rushing yards and a touchdown in the four games, impressing coaches, players, and fans alike. Unfortunately for the  big man, the roster numbers just weren’t on his side in Dallas.

Now that the final cuts have been made, here’s is the full list of cuts from the past two days: RB Lance Dunbar, RB Jamize Olawale, DB Eddie Whitley, G Ronald Leary, T Pat McQuistan, T Jeff Adams, DB Teddy Williams, C Harland Gunn, G Daniel Loper, DE Clifton Geathers, DB Lionel Smith, DE Baraka Atkins, DB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, TE Andrew Szczerba, DE Ben Bass, WR Saalim Hakim, WR Danny Coale, CB Josh Thomas, FB Shaun Chapas, LB Adrian Hamilton, QB Rudy Carpenter, LB Orie Lemon and WR Tim Benford.

Now the 24 hour process of evaluating waived players from other teams, and praying that some of their own waived players make it through the waiver wire, begins. The Cowboys can place eight players on their practice squad if those players pass through waivers without getting claimed.

QB Stephen McGee and DE Marcus Spears both appear to be safe for now. Obviously, the next 24 hours could change that if Dallas decides to dip into the waiver wire.  The Cowboys are still looking for offensive line help and may not be totally satisfied with their current wide receiver core. Players like veteran safety O.J. Atogwe, wideout Deion Branch, and former all-pro Dallas punter Mat McBriar are just a few of the bigger names that hit the waiver wire today. Just because Dallas has a 53 man roster now, doesn’t exactly mean the cuts are over.

But for young players like safeties Mana Silva and Matt Johnson or wideout Cole Beasley, it’s time to celebrate.  They can now officially call themselves members of America’s team.

July 30, 2012; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tackle Ronald Leary (65) enters the field on opening day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

The additional names of the players to be cut today are: DB Eddie Whitley, G Ronald Leary, T Pat McQuistan, T Jeff Adams, DB Teddy Williams, C Harland Gunn, G Daniel Loper, DE Clifton Geathers, DB Lionel Smith, DE Baraka Atkins, DB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, TE Andrew Szczerba, DE Ben Bass, and WR Saalim Hakim.

The obvious names missing from this list might be more surprising then those on it. QB Stephen McGee and DE Marcus Spears were both speculated to be on the roster bubble.Also shocking is that not one of the five running backs on the team have been cut. They are DeMarco Murray, Felix Jones, Phillip Tanner, Lance Dunbar and Jamize Olawale.

Could the team be shopping one of them for a trade? It could make sense for a player like Felix Jones, who is in the final year of his contract. And it would also explain the delay in the release of one of them in an overpopulated backfield.

Regardless, the Cowboys still have two cuts to go before the deadline tonight. Dallas traded the Miami Dolphins a seventh round pick in next year’s draft for back-up center Ryan Cook late last night, hence an additional player release is needed.

Other names who could be on that cut list tonight include G Derrick Dockery, T Jermey Parnell, LB Isaiah Greenhouse, LB Kyle Wilber, and S Mana Silva.

Aug 29, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Orie Lemon (58) on the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

Lemon had a huge game Wednesday night against the Miami Dolphins recording five tackles and an interception for a touchdown. Seeing his name on this list is somewhat of a surprise after that performance. But head coach Jason Garrett did specify that him and his coaching staff would consider the player’s entire performance from OTA’s to training camp through the preseason when making tomorrow’s cuts.

Both Carpenter and Benford tweeted about their dismissals:

Although none of the above names are a big surprise, the release of Carpenter speaks well for quarterback Stephen McGee. That is unless the Cowboys decide to only go with two quarterbacks this year. I think both fans and Dallas’ coaching staff alike hope Coale, Lemon and Hamilton pass through waivers. The Cowboys can name eight players who pass through waivers on Saturday to their practice squad.

Another noticeable missing position here is running back. The team is half back heavy right now with DeMarco Murray, Felix Jones, Phillip Tanner, Lance Dunbar and Jamize Olawale. I’d expect at least one or even two of those names waived by Friday’s 8:00 p.m. deadline.

Some of the other “bubble” names we may see on Friday include:  On Defense: – DB Teddy Williams, DE Ben Bass, DB Eddie Whitley, DE Baraka Atkins, DE Clifton Geathers, DB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, DE Robert Callaway, S Mana Silva, LB Isaiah Greenhouse, and DB Lionel Smith. On Offense -  TE Andrew Szczerba, WR Saalim Hakim, QB Stephen McGee, OT Jeff Adams, C Harland Gunn, G Ronald Leary, G Daniel Loper, T Pat McQuistan, and T Jeremy Parnell.

Also hanging in the balance is the fate of former first round pick Marcus Spears. The defensive end has been a staple of the second team for the past two years. But with names like Jason Hatcher and Kenyon Coleman out performing him and both Tyrone Crawford and Sean Lissemore knocking on the door, Spears may have already played his last game as a Dallas Cowboy.

Stay with The Landry Hat as we continue to keep you up to date with all the Cowboy roster cuts.