Dallas Cowboys: 6 Players Who Need to Step It Up or Face the Chopping Block

During Sunday night’s game against the San Diego Chargers the Cowboys looked flaccid at times. There were miscommunication issues on defense, and the few bright spots on offense came from running back Felix Jones and the Cowboys offensive line.

Because of the lack of spirit and managed play against the Chargers, some Cowboys players may find themselves on the chopping block.

Let’s take a look at six Dallas Cowboys players who are in danger of being cut.

Tashard Choice, RB

Choice’s name will remain on this list until he actually practices and sees time on the field. He’s being pushed by running backs Lonyae Miller and Phillip Tanner, and if he continues to play on the sideline, he’ll soon have to find employment elsewhere.

Personally, I believe it would be a mistake on the part of the Cowboys to let such a talented player go, but players can only show their worth when they're on the field and not off of it.

Igor Olshansky, DT

Olshansky was pushed around by the Chargers offensive line on Sunday, mirroring the same play we saw from him against the Broncos in the Cowboys first preseason contest.

Igor came over from San Diego in 2009 and has failed to make a great impact on the defensive line. Olshansky’s best game in 2010 came against the Jaguars, where he totaled six tackles. While he’s not a sack master, his failure to register a sack in 2010 was disappointing.

As long as Kenyon Coleman continues to play well, Olshansky’s days in Dallas are numbered.

David Buehler, K

Buehler…Buehler… Buehler. David’s job security is about as shaky as President Obama’s right now, and if we were to hold a vote to decide if Buehler should keep his job, he would lose that vote.

Buehler is sort of, kind of in a fight with rookie kicker Dan Bailey, but neither kicker got a chance to kick the ball on Sunday against the Super-Chargers.

David will have to prove that he’s consistent enough to keep the job. But what’s working in Buehler’s favor is that the Cowboys haven’t seen enough of Bailey to hand him the job.

Chris Gronkowski, FB

The Cowboys are unsettled at the fullback position, and unless rookie Shaun Chapas or Gronkowski blow the coaches out of the water, it will remain that way.

There is the thought that the Cowboys may elect to keep four tight ends and no fullback and allow Chapas and Gronkowski to get in the wind. But I like Chapas, and I thought he played OK against San Diego.

If he just shows enough to warrant Dallas cutting Gronkowski, then I think the job is his to lose.

Jesse Holley, WR

This may be the end of the road for the former North Carolina Tarheel. Rookie Dwayne Harris looks good, and Kevin Ogletree is just about locked into the third receiver slot.

Holley is a little bit of a fan favorite as he was the winner of Michael Irvin’s reality show 4^th and Long, where he won an invitation to Cowboys training camp, and he actually made the team.

He’s a tough player, but as of right now, he has yet to show why he warrants a roster spot with the ‘Boys this season.

Brandon Williams, LB

There is still hope that Williams will show-up and prove himself before the Cowboys make final cuts. As of right now, Alex Albright has a better shot of making the team over Williams due to Brandon’s inconsistency.

Albright is an undrafted rookie free agent, and his play has caught the eye of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

So it may be so long Brandon Williams.