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.

The above video commentary is the expressed opinion of its author only. It is not necessarily the opinion or views of The Landry Hat, its staff, its sponsors or Fansided LLC. Due to the strong language used in this video, viewer discretion is advised.