Dallas Cowboys Make Final Cuts: Gordon, Siavii Left Off Roster

The Cowboys made their final cuts today before the 5 pm deadline and while most of the cuts weren't surprising, there is one that definitely stands out. 

Cletis Gordon, who had an outstanding preseason in the fight for the fourth cornerback spot, was among those released. Gordon had one interceptions during the preseason  and a reported 10 during camp. He was constantly praised for his work ethic and effort on the field.

The Cowboys could sign another corner but it seems more likely that they'll just go with three corners (Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, and Orlando Scandrick) considering Alan Ball and Akwasi Owusu-Ansah both have experience playing the position. 

Another surprising cut was defensive tackle Junior Siavii, who played in 15 games last year as Jay Ratliff's backup. Instead, the Cowboys kept rookies Josh Brent and Sean Lissemore, who missed parts of camp and preseason with a groin injury. 

Cornerback Jamar Wall was the only 2010 draft pick not to make the team as he looked very hesitant in limited action. However he could be signed to the practice squad, as well as Bryan McCann, who also has a good shot to make the practice squad. 

The Cowboys also tried to trade Sam Hurd, but decided to keep him in Dallas when they couldn't negotiate a trade to their liking. Hurd said this on the Cowboys website, "I was never nervous, If I don't control it, why worry about it? It was in God's hands."

Many (including me) thought that Deon Anderson's days in Dallas were over with the emergence of Chris Gronkowski; however, the Cowboys kept both, since Gronkowski has experience as an H-back. The Cowboys will most likely use Gronkowski as the third tight end since they only kept two cutting DajLeon Farr and Martin Rucker. 

The Cowboys have 24 hours to put a claim out on a player and then can sign as many as eight players to their practice squad. Here's my projection of the Cowboys players they will most likely be able to hold on to. 

1) Jamar Wall 

2) Lonaye Miller 

3) Jesse Holley 

4) Manuel Johnson

5) Marcus Dixon

6) Bryan McCann

7) Cletis Gordon 

8) Steve Octavien 

Here are the 20 players who were cut today:

OT Will Barker 
OG Travis Bright 
DE Marcus Dixon 
RB Herb Donaldson 
TE DajLeon Farr
CB Cletis Gordon 
WR Jesse Holley 
WR Manny Johnson 
OLB Curtis Johnson 
CB Bryan McCann 
RB Lonyae Miller 
LB Steve Octavien 
TE Jason Pociask 
TE Martin Rucker 
DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen
LB Brandon Sharpe 
DE Junior Siavii 
OL Mike Tepper 
CB Jamar Wall 
CB Teddy Williams