Dallas Cowboys Roster Cuts: 6 Players Who Are on the Bubble

As the Cowboys head toward the end of training camp, so will the careers of some Cowboys players. Undrafted rookies, free agents and veterans all have the potential to here the dreaded phrase “get your playbook” at the end of practice.

The cut-down date to get to 53 players isn’t until September 3rd, but you best believe that players have their eyes planted firmly on that date.

Some names on the list may surprise a few and some won’t.

Here are six Cowboys who are in danger of having to carry their playbook with them out of the locker room come cut-down day.

Tashard Choice, RB

Until I see evidence that the Cowboys are for sure going to keep Choice, there is no reason for me to believe that he’ll remain on the roster to start opening day.

I really believe that head coach Jason Garrett wants to find another running back to replace Choice, and he’s doing his due diligence to find him.

Choice is hurt and hasn’t shown much in training camp. Running back Lonyae Miller was heralded as his replacement, but that was before he stunk up the joint in the Cowboys first preseason game against the Broncos.

I still believe that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will try to trade Choice, but if not, I think that Choice is on the bubble.

Shaun Chapas, FB

Chapas will need to show that he can perform better than current starting fullback Chris Gronkowski: quick, fast and in a hurry. He has yet to do that, and until he does, his job is in danger.

The Cowboys will not keep two fullbacks, and there is no reason to believe that Chapas will overtake Gronkowski unless he turns his camp around.

Igor Olshansky, DT

Igor is making $3.4 million bucks in 2011, and after his performance in Denver, it may be easy for Dallas to let him go.

He’s also playing behind the recently signed Kenyon Coleman due to Coleman’s knowledge of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s playbook and his ability to stop the run.

Coleman probably won’t lose the job, and Olshansky will probably play elsewhere in 2011.

David Buehler, K

Buehler’s almost-missed field goal against the Broncos did nothing to cement his standing as starting kicker for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys just haven’t had any luck with kickers as of late, and there is no reason to hang onto Buehler if the team has zero confidence in him. I think he’ll be cut before the season starts.

Brandon Williams, LB

Linebacker Victor Butler is starting to push Anthony Spencer for his job and looks to have a greater role on defense this season. Can’t say the same for Williams as he’s just middle of the pack right now.

If his camp performance fails to improve and he doesn’t impress Ryan, then Williams will find himself on the street looking for work pretty soon.

Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, DB

I believe that he’s in Dallas for special teams reasons due to his speed, but with the new kick-off rule, he has no real standing with the team any longer. 

The Cowboys went out and signed veteran safety Abe Elam and brought back safety Gerald Sensabaugh, so besides special teams, Owusu-Ansah has no real spot with Dallas.

Look for the second-year man to be on the outs in Dallas.