2009 Dallas Cowboys: Position Battles

Because the Cowboys have signed so many of the starters to long-term extensions there aren’t many true battles. A team that finished 9-7 is essentially married to the following: Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Jason Witten, Martellus Bennett, Jay Ratliff, Flozell Adams, Marc Colombo, Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Bradie James, DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Ken Hamlin, Terence Newman ... etc. You get the picture. Even if the Cowboys wanted to gut their roster from that disappointing team they couldn't.
So what battles do exist are enticing, there just aren't many.

Running Back
Starter: Marion Barber
Backup: Felix Jones
Third: Tashard Choice

In his first season as a starter Barber proved that he remains better suited in the closer’s role. He does not have breakaway speed, and his punishing style lends itself to burnout. In his first year as a starter last season he burned out, and broke down. Injuries limited him to 13 games, and he averaged 3.7 yards per rush.

Jones was every-bit the burner the team hoped he would be. He averaged 8.9 yards per carry, but a toe injury suffered on Oct. 12 knocked him for the season. It was a devastating loss to an offense that could not replace his speed. When he's in the game he can do things no other player on the field can, and he opens holes for other players.

Choice, a fourth-round pick from Georgia Tech, was the surprise of the offense last season. Plugged into the lineup after Barber and Jones were hurt, he rushed for 472 yards and averaged 5.1 yards per carry.

Wide Receiver
Roy Williams is the No. 1. Period.
So it’s a battle between Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin for No. 2. The Cowboys know what they have in Crayton - a fairly reliable route runner with good hands. He does not have deep speed. And at 30 years old he's not going to find speed now>

Austin, in his fourth year after he was undrafted out of Monmouth, may be the deep threat the offense needs. He had 13 catches for 278 yards last season with three touchdowns. Injuries limited his time, and the focus on Terrell Owens and Jason Witten made him an after thought in the game plan. But he has serious speed, and the Cowboys are quietly hoping they have their No. 2 behind Roy Williams.

Cornerback
Terence Newman is the starting cornerback. But when the Cowboys traded Anthony Henry to the Lions for Jon Kitna in the offseason it opened up a spot opposite T-New.

The better cover corner right now is second-year pro Orlando Scandrick. A fifth-round pick from Boise State last year, he carries a massive chip on his shoulder and has the confidence (arrogance?) of a five-time Pro Bowler. He is ready to breakout.
But he is battling former first round pick Mike Jenkins.
There is a debate on the staff who is better. Because he was a first round pick and received a first round bonus, go with Jenkins as the starter even if Scandrick is the superior player right now.

- Michael Tyman