Dallas Cowboys Update: Crayton Finally Moved

Dallas Cowboys Update: Crayton Finally Moved

In a move that the betting world was expecting for some time, the Dallas Cowboys moved wide receiver Patrick Crayton. It was originally thought that the Cowboys       would simply cut Crayton prior to the start of the regular season, but in a move of respect the Cowboys traded Crayton to the San Diego Chargers.

The NFL betting experts are calling San Diego a Super Bowl contender this year, and with the status of superstar receiver Vincent Jackson up in the air, acquiring Crayton makes sense for the Chargers. If Jackson does come back this season for the Chargers, then San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers will have two good targets to throw to.

The move helps solidify the places of rookie receivers Dez Bryant and Kevin Ogletree on the Cowboys’ roster. Bryant was a huge factor in the NCAA football betting that went on last season, and now that he is cleared to play in the opening game against the Washington Redskins, Bryant looks to make an impact at the pro level as well. Ogletree is a developing rookie that is making a name for himself on special teams.

The Cowboys look to be beaten up on the offensive line as they enter the opening week of the season. Most notable is the injury to starting right tackle Marc Colombo who has been sidelined for weeks with a bad knee. Also on the shelf is guard Kyle Kosier who has been fighting a knee injury all training camp.

Neither offensive lineman practiced early this week, and Colombo’s status for the opening game has been in doubt for at least two weeks. Without two of their starting five offensive linemen in place for the season opener, and the guard spot left open by the release of Flozell Adams still a sore spot for the Cowboys, that could leave a huge door open for the Washington Redskins on opening day.

The football betting world is familiar with final cut-down day in the NFL preseason. It is the single most brutal day in training camp as teams have to cut down from 75 players to 53 in one day. One of the players the Cowboys let go was nose tackle Junior Saivii. Some observers of the team thought Saivii was a lock to make the team because he is the only other true nose tackle on the team besides starter Jay Ratliff. As Ratliff’s back-up last season, Saivii would come in on third down and special teams plays to help give Ratliff a rest. But with Saivii gone, the Cowboys now need to get creative.

Defensive lineman Marcus Spears could be called in to play nose tackle from time to time as well as rookie Josh Brent. Spears has very little experience at nose tackle and almost none at the pro level. If Ratliff gets injured this season, it is doubtful that the Cowboys would turn the nose tackle position over to Brent, or permanently move Spears to the middle. In that scenario, Saivii could find himself back on the Cowboys roster playing nose tackle.