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.

Dallas got off to a slow start, allowing Miami to navigate up and down the field thanks to untimely penalties and a solid running game led by Daniel Thomas, but the Cowboys held the Dolphins to only a pair of field goals in the first half to accomplish an impressive feat: no preseason opponent crossed the end zone against Rob Ryan’s defense in the first 30 minutes of play in all four games. Despite the backups playing, that is still an impressive statistic and the defense should definitely gain some momentum from that heading into the regular season.

Fourth-year quarterback Stephen McGee may have played his last game as a Cowboy, going 9-18 for 124 with no touchdowns or picks, but struggling to find a rhythm and consistently move the offense. He made some good throws under duress –and wasn’t exactly helped by a few drops by wide receivers– but McGee didn’t show anything that would indicate the Cowboys HAVE to keep three qb’s on the roster. (More on McGee Below)

Aug 29, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar (25) breaks a tackle of Miami Dolphin safety Jimmy Wilson (27) during the second quarter at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

Linebacker Orie Lemon had the play of the first half for Dallas, reading Miami quarterback Matt Moore’s eyes attempting to throw to the other end of the field and intercepting him in stride. Lemon scampered 26 yards for the pick six and gave Dallas a 10-6 lead that would never be relinquished.

If there had to be a player of the game, however, it would definitely be rookie running back Lance Dunbar out of the University of North Texas. Dunbar came into this game looking to provide coaches with more than just a glimpse of his talent –he only had limited action the previous three games– and delivered at a high level. He finished the game with 15 carries for 105 yards, the highlight being a 58-yard touchdown run in the third quarter in which Dunbar busted through the hole after a broken tackle, and was off to the races. It was a breakout performance for the undrafted rookie and may have caused the coaches to seriously consider his value as a “Darren Sproles” type of player who could provide some energy on punt returns and short pass/run plays.

Here are some other observations from the game

*Wide receiver Kevin Ogletree had an early drop on a comeback route when the ball popped out of his hands after a perfect throw by McGee, but came back later and beat his man on a go route and drew a 43-yard pass interference penalty. Ogletree looks ready to contribute and has always been a good route runner, but can’t afford to drop easy first downs come season time. He finished the preseason with 10 catches for 147 yards.

* Cornerback Teddy Williams may have sealed his fate with a fumble on a kickoff return. He was in the process of a solid return and wasn’t hit very hard, but the ball came loose and was recovered by Dolphins kicker, Dan Carpenter–yes, a kicker maintained possession in the “scrum”. Williams is fast, but that seems to be his only real asset and it would be a surprise if he made this team.

* Linebacker Victor Butler continued his stellar preseason, collecting a sack on Moore after he blew by his man with ease. Butler should contribute to the pass rush this year and could supplant Anthony Spencer if he fails to make an impact on defense.

*Dallas finished the game with 238 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground. The Cowboys running backs only hit pay dirt five times all of last season.

*Running back Phillip Tanner looks to have secured the third running back spot. Tanner showed good burst and explosiveness in his playing time, gaining 48 yards on 9 carries and a 1-yard score. Fans definitely hope he can be a complimentary back who can spell DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones from time to time. Dunbar performed very well, but Tanner’s size should give him the edge.

*Penalties were a negative in first half for Dallas. These replacement refs have been whistle-happy at times, but even that fact can’t mask the eight penalties called against the Cowboys in the first half.

*Staying on the subject of those replacement refs, they missed a clear pass interference call on Dolphins cornerback Richard Marshall. Marshall grabbed Ogletree around the waist as he turned to catch the ball and that is a penalty every time. Consider myself amongst those most worried about the impact on the game these refs are going to have–a negative one.

* Cornerback Lionel Smith took a blow from Dolphins fullback Jorvorskie Lane on a tackle attempt and sustained a concussion. Lane lowered his shoulder and layed the lumber on Smith.

*Should Felix Jones be worried? Both Tanner and Dunbar both looked good and could make it a tough decision for coaches. Each of them have their talents and could contribute significantly if given playing time this year.

Aug 29, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Stephen McGee (7) throws a pass in the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

*Dan Bailey is the man. The kicker nailed another trio of field goals and added to his perfect preseason, nailing his eighth in a row. Bailey could cement himself as an elite kicker this upcoming season, he hit 32 of 37 last year.

*Safety Mana Silva looks to have solidified himself a spot on the roster. He proved throughout the preseason that he’s a guy who can hit and always knows where the ball is.

**The Curious Case of Stephen McGee. Might as well start making the film now. McGee is such an enigma at times, he can show no pocket presence on one play and miss a wide open receiver in the middle of the field, but on the next play, can stay in there and deliver a strike down the sideline. It’s this inconsistency that frustrates coaches and makes it a real toss-up if he is going to make the team or not.

Injuries

*Cornerback Lionel Smith sustained a concussion on that hit by Lane and did not return.

* Guard Derrick Loper left the game with a hamstring strain.

*Wide receiver Andre Holmes tweaked his knee but should be ok.

All in all, a good win for the Cowboys, but it’s now a seven-day countdown to the start of the regular season against the defending champ New York Giants.

Time to get to work, men.

These next 16 count.

Like Nicki Manaj’s body needs a hero the Dallas Cowboys need a MASH unit on site in Oxnard California, the location of the team’s training camp. First round draft pick Mo Claiborne felt like he tweaked his knee during Wednesday’s practice and was held out of practice this past Friday due to a minor MCL sprain in the cornerback’s knee. A MRI this past Friday revealed no major structural damage only the minor sprain. Claiborne will be held out at least a week for all the precautionary reasons.

Is it something in the water out in Oxnard with eighteen players out for yesterday’s Blue & White Scrimmage? Likely not but the Cowboys have been bombarded by the injury bug early on in training camp.  Obviously these things are going to happen when two hundred plus pound men are running and colliding with one another at full speeds. Nonetheless with both the rookie cornerback and Mike Jenkins currently on the mend from last seasons shoulder injury, Orlando Scandrick has taken over first team reps for the time being. Jenkins flew back to Florida Friday to have his shoulder looked at by his resident physician.

Aug.1, 2012; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar (25) runs the ball during training camp. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Anthony Spencer tweaked his left hamstring Wednesday and is day to day leading to Victor Butler getting the first team reps opposite of Demarcus Ware. Spencer did not participate in yesterdays Blue & White Scrimmage.

Offensive Guard Kevin Kowalski has tendinitis in his ankle and has been placed on the PUP, making his push to compete at center with Phil Costa that much more cumbersome.

Mackenzy Bernadeau’s injury during the off season has recovered nicely enough to have him removed from the PUP list and should begin practicing in the next week or so. And on the flip side of the O-line now a training camp injury to Nate Livings has put the starting guard positions into upheaval.

Bernadeau has been seen gearing up for his conditioning tests which bodes much better than Mo Claiborne and Nate Livings recent injury news. That has three expected starters currently being held out of practice sessions due to the ever unavoidable injury bug.

Bill Nagy suffered a high ankle sprain and we all know how long that injury takes to recover from. Therefore the Cowboys had no other choice but to entertain Montrae Holland, Daniel Loper and Derrick Dockery on Friday. That evening the Cowboys signed both Dockery and Loper. Former Cowboy Montrae Holland and Dallas couldn’t reach a deal. It appears the Cowboys were not willing to put playtime time incentives into his offer obviously something Holland and his agent pushed for.

Currently David Arkin and UFA rookie Ron Leary are taking first team reps at guard in absence of both Nagy and Livings. And the Cowboys really want to see if Ronald Leary is capable of taking over one of the starting guard positions.

Phillip Tanner has a broken hand that will require surgery but will likely continue to command a secure hold on the number three running back position once the season opens. The Cowboys signed former Tennessee State RB Javarris Williams for depth purposes

One of the UDA rookie wide receivers currently at camp that had hopes of making the team that is in desperate need of finding a solid number three wide out now finds himself on the outside looking in. Salim Hakim is due to see a hand specialist after chipping a bone in his finger that was sustained by the combination of a loose ball drill and a wet surface on the mat involved in said drill.

Rookie defensive end Tyrone Crawford re-aggravated a calf injury that had been plaguing him since mini-camp but was recovered nicely to be able to participate in yesterdays scrimmage.

Josh Brent & Sean Lissemore have both been filling the void at defensive tackle left by an injured Jay Ratliff. With Lissemore’s versatility to play both the defensive end spot and D-tackle position injured Marcus Spears roster spot could be in jeopardy.

On a non-football injury note, despite being confident with his ability early last month, UDA rookie wide receiver Cole Beasley had apparently not had his heart in football for some time now and has decided to walk away from the game but has since had a change of hear about his change of heart. Beasley has returned to the team after handling some personal matters at home and gave Jason Garrett a “I’m fully committed to this team” diction.

On a lighter note Gerald Sensabaugh’s injury status changed Friday after passing his conditioning test with the help of Mike Jenkins joining in at some point through the test as Sensabaugh seemed to be struggling. The Cowboys safety was able to complete the test despite laboring and was cleared to return as a full practice participant.

Fourth round draft selection Danny Coale also performed his conditioning test along with Sensabaugh and was removed from the PUP list Saturday and will take part in his first official Cowboys training camp practice on Tuesday. The wide receiver competition will begin to heat up as the young receivers all continue to push one another for the number three wide receiving assignment.

Miles Austin tweaked a hamstring yet again and will be out at least one week but the Cowboys staff assures us that they are being preventative with the wide receiver and there is no major cause for concern. The Cowboys added WR David Little due help fill the void at wide receiver during the current injury crisis.

Cowboy fanatics should be crossing fingers and giving thanks to lucky stars in hopes that all the near misses and minor injuries have yet to, nor will, lend to the way of the Heinrich safety pyramid.

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