The Dallas Cowboys trimmed their roster down to the mandated 53-man roster and in some surprising moves already made in Big D this season, I was curious to see who they would keep, cut and put on the practice squad. 'Fourth and Long' winner, Jesse Holly ( the dude that won that Michael Irving show that only lasted one season) made the receivers list while no fullback being kept, were among a few of the surprises for 'The Boys'. Here's a look at the 53 that made the cut as the Cowboys get ready to open the season September 11th in New York against the Jets. As you and I both know, this could and probably will change throughout the season, but here is a look at the initial roster.

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    Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
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    Quarterbacks



    • Tony Romo
    • Jon Kitna
    • Stephen McGee

     Of course, Tony Romo gets the start, and if the new young line can block, he should see some pretty impressive stats. Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten and Felix Jones will give Romo plenty of weapons. Kitna and McGee looked pretty good in preseason and should be pretty good backups. 


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    Running Backs


    • Felix Jones
    • DeMarco Murray
    • Tashard Choice
    • Phillip Tanner

    The Cowboys kept four running backs on the roster and now that Marion Barber is in the windy city, it's time for Felix Jones to shine and prove that his injuries are not going to be a problem.   Tashard Choice is more than capable to carry the load as well giving the Cowboys a double threat. 

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    Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
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    Wide Receivers


    • Miles Austin
    • Dez Bryant
    • Kevin Ogletree
    • Dwayne Harris
    • Jesse Holley


    The Cowboys might have one of the best receiving tandems in the league with the duo of Dez Bryant and Miles Austin. If both can stay healthy, they should provide Romo with some very solid weapons in 2011. Ogletree is a good slot receiver while the addition of Harris and 'Fourth and Long' winner, Jesse Holley, give the Cowboys some pretty solid backups.

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    Ronald Martinez
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    Tight Ends


    • Jason Witten
    • Martellus Bennett
    • John Phillips
    • Martin Rucker

    Obviously, Pro-Bowl tight end, Jason Witten gets the start here, but the intriguing thing is that the Cowboys kept four tight ends mainly because they did not keep any fullbacks. So, that means all tight ends will get plenty of work from out of the backfield. Martellus Bennett has a high ankle sprain, but John Phillips has shown is versatility and should step in nicely for the inured Bennett backing up Witten.

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    Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
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    Offensive Line


    • Doug Free
    • Bill Nagy
    • Phil Costa
    • Kyle Kosier
    • Tyron Smith
    • Montrae Holland
    • David Arkin
    • Jermey Parnell
    • Sam Young
    • Kevin Kowalski

    The Cowboys sort of cleaned house on the offensive line this year.  By getting rid of Leonard Davis, and Marc Columbo, plus releasing Andre Gurode, the Cowboys went young.  In fact, only 2 out of the 5 starters from last year's 6-10 team are back this year.  Dallas is keeping a lot of offensive lineman this year because of past injury problems on the line.  We'll see if this young group will give Romo some much needed time to throw.

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    Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
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    Defensive Line


    • Kenyon Coleman
    • Jay Ratliff
    • Marcus Spears
    • Jason Hatcher
    • Josh Brent
    • Sean Lissemore
    • Clifton Geathers

    Dallas signed former Cowboy, Kenyon Coleman who's been with the Browns the past few seasons, to compete with Igor Olshanksky.  Coleman won, as the Cowboys, once again, are going younger, especially with their backups. Coleman played under new Cowboy defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan,  while with Cleveland, so he has a slight edge over knowing the D a little better than everybody else.

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    Scott Halleran/Getty Images
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    Linebackers


    • Anthony Spencer
    • Bradie James
    • Keith Brooking
    • DeMarcus Ware
    • Sean Lee
    • Victor Butler
    • Alex Albright
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    Rick Stewart/Getty Images
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    Cornerbacks


    • Terence Newman
    • Mike Jenkins
    • Orlando Scandrick
    • Alan Ball
    • Bryan McCann

    Both starters, Newman, and Jenkins, have not played a down in preseason so far this year making cornerback a definite weakness on the team.  Orlando Scandrick has proven he can start, while Ball and McCann did have a pretty good preseason and should be decent backups.

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    Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
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    Safeties


    • Gerald Sensabaugh
    • Abram Elam
    • Barry Church
    • Danny McCray

    Ever since the days of Roy Williams and Darren Woodson, the safety position has been an ongoing problem for Dallas.  This year, that problem may continue as Gerald Sensabaugh and Abram Elam try to anchor the defensive backfield. Sensabaugh, who was resigned because no other team expressed an interest in him, is not the best in the business, however he's not the worst.  With injuries to their corners, I sense a lot of double teaming this year and hope the Cowboys don't get smoked for long pass plays all season.  We shall see.

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    Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
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    Specialists


    • David Buehler
    • Dan Bailey
    • Mat McBriar
    • L.P. Ladouceur

    The Cowboys will, once again, keep two kickers.  Dan Bailey will be the field goal kicker while David Buehler will handle kickoffs.  Bailey is more consistent with field goals, but Buehler is a beast on the field during kickoffs.  Seriously, the dude can kick the heck out of the ball, and is one of the only kickers I have ever seen tackle and hit like a linebacker.  Pro-bowl kicker, Mat McBriar is one of the best punters in the league while L.P. Ladouceur has been handling long snapping duties since 2005.

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