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MOBILE, Ala. -- ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper went back in history and redrafted the 2006 class for every team.

That year the Cowboys drafted linebacker Bobby Carpenter from Ohio State. Carpenter's claim to fame might have been that NFC wild-card playoff loss at Seattle where he played out of his mind.

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Carpenter was a disappointment overall.

Kiper now says the Cowboys should have taken South Carolina cornerback Johnathan Joseph with the 18th pick. Kiper also says Houston should have bypassed Mario Williams with the top pick and selected Haloti Ngata, the defensive tackle from Oregon.

Here's a link to Kiper's selections (you need to be an ESPN Insider to view it).

We look at the Cowboys' draft picks that year:

Bobby Carpenter, first round, LB: The Cowboys could never find a role for Carpenter, whether it was at inside linebacker or outside linebacker. He just wasn't physical enough and always seemed overmatched. The best thing about Carpenter is he became one of Tony Romo's closest friends. After the Cowboys moved on from Carpenter, with a trade to St. Louis for tackle Alex Barron, he switched teams again. Carpenter played for Detroit in 2011 and picked off a Romo pass in the second half as part of the Lions' dramatic rally to overcome a 24-3 deficit.

Anthony Fasano, second round, TE: A physical tight end that just never took his game to the next level. He wasn't going to compete on Jason Witten's level, but he wasn't athletic enough, like Martellus Bennett was, to warrant more playing time. Cowboys eventually traded him to the Miami Dolphins. Fasano has been pretty good in Miami, catching 18 touchdowns in four seasons while Bennett has just four in four seasons.

Jason Hatcher, third round, DE: It took some time but Hatcher finally emerged as the pass-rushing end the Cowboys thought they had when they selected him from Grambling. Hatcher eventually took a starting role at end this season from Marcus Spears, a former first-round pick. Hatcher finished the season with a career-high 4.5 sacks. He will probably start at end in 2012. Hatcher is the only player from this draft class still on the team.

Skyler Green, fourth round, WR: Bill Parcells had plans for this man. The problem was that the plans were a mess. A returner, a wide receiver and a running back eventually, Green couldn't find any playing time. The Cowboys should have passed on him unless they had a defined role for him, and they didn't.

Patrick Watkins, fifth round, S: He started nine games his rookie season, picking off three passes and knocking down seven more. But Watkins wasn't physical enough for the defensive coaches and while a free safety had trouble making plays on the ball. He didn't play in the NFL last season after spending 2010 in San Diego. He was long and lean, very athletic, but just couldn't find consistency.

Montavious Stanley, sixth round, DT: He's bounced around among five NFL teams, including two stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Stanley just wasn't a fit with the Cowboys. He had the size to play inside (6-2, 302 pounds), but like most late round picks, he didn't play with the needed consistency.

Pat McQuistan, seventh round, T: He might have been a nice find to possibly replace either Flozell Adams or Marc Colombo at one of the tackle spots, but he never developed into what the Cowboys hoped. He played mainly on special teams before going to Miami in 2010. He did start eight games for the Dolphins and in 2011 he played 10 games for the New Orleans Saints.

E.J. Whitley, seventh round, G: The Texas Tech alum was the 224th player selected that year. He didn't do enough to warrant a roster spot.

IRVING, Texas -- One of Jason Garrett’s final messages to the Cowboys’ players on Monday was to watch the playoffs and let the feeling burn a little and serve as motivation in the offseason.

If the players take Garrett up on that message, then they will see some familiar faces playing or coaching on wild-card weekend. There are 10 former players among the six teams playing this weekend and five former coaches.

Cincinnati – Mike Zimmer, Pacman Jones, Dennis Roland
Pittsburgh – Shaun Suisham
Houston – Wade Phillips, Reggie Herring, Bobby King
New York Giants – Chris Canty. (Isaiah Stanback is on the practice squad.)
Detroit – Bobby Carpenter, Leonard Davis, Stephen Peterman
New Orleans – Pat McQuistan, Scott Shanle, Sean Payton

Only Denver and Atlanta do not have former Cowboys players and coaches.

After cutting veteran safety Patrick Watkins on Monday, the Cowboys still need to release four more players from the 80-man roster. Some teams have done so already, such as the Jets, Bengals and Chiefs.

Dallas has some interesting decisions to make at a few positions, so here's our weekly look at the bubble players.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The bubble: Mike Tepper, Travis Bright, Will Barker and Pat McQuistan

Outlook: It seems 10 players will earn checks this fall who are offensive linemen. The injury to Sam Young (sprained MCL in right knee that keeps him out three to four weeks) won't hurt his status. Young, Doug Free, Alex Barron, Marc Colombo and Robert Brewster are the tackles in 2010. The inside positions are unsettled somewhat. Bright is a long shot to overtake Phil Costa as the No. 3 center, but McQuistan could make a case for himself if Montrae Holland struggles vs. Miami on Thursday night. But we doubt it.

WIDE RECEIVER

The bubble:Sam Hurd and Jesse Holley

Outlook: Hurd has done a decent job of catching the ball, but he's not making anybody say, "Hey he should be on the team because he's special." Special teams is the same way. The Cowboys know he can do it, but there are some younger players who have more upside than Hurd. Holley was in the lead to make this team on special teams, but fell off the last two games. The Cowboys should keep five wide receivers. At some point, Dallas might try to trade Hurd for a sixth- or seventh-round pick. If that can't happen, Hurd could be sent home.

TIGHT END

The bubble:Martin Rucker and Scott Sicko

Outlook: When Rucker (hamstring) was deemed healthy, he was able to participate in practices and games but he hasn't impressed anyone enough. Sicko had to be convinced to come to training camp, and he should have stayed home. A concussion also slowed his progress. The Cowboys have an interesting decision here because they could keep Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett and then go with two fullbacks. If it happens, Rucker and Sicko will go home. But Sicko could be worth keeping. If he clears waivers, he could move to the practice squad.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The bubble: Pat Watkins, Jamar Wall, Bryan McCann, Danny McCray

Outlook: It's about consistency. McCray had three special teams tackles last week vs. San Diego. So how many did he have vs. Houston on Saturday? Zero. If McCray makes this team, it's because of his special teams work. Barry Church is a better safety than him, and it seems McCray is missing in action against the run. Watkins can still make this team over McCray, but if it's a financial thing, McCray makes $320,000; Watkins will earn $1.17 million. (UPDATE: Watkins was officially cut Monday morning.)

NOSE TACKLE

The bubble:Junior Siavii and Josh Brent

Outlook: There are some in the organization that love Brent, but Siavii is a better run stopper and he could move to end if necessary. Siavii, overall, is a better player, but it wouldn't be a surprise if the Cowboys kept three nose tackles. In 2006, they did. Brent, if he stays, will be inactive on Sundays.

LINEBACKER

The bubble:Leon Williams, Steve Octavien, Brandon Sharpe, Victor Butler, Jason Williams and Brandon Williams.

Outlook: Jason and Brandon Williams (not related) will be here, but not without some raised eyebrows. Octavien and Butler played steady, so their spots seem secure. The Cowboys could go with nine linebackers, or maybe 10. If it's 10, who is better: Leon Williams or Brandon Sharpe?

Here are the things that stood out when I studied the Hall of Fame Game:

*Offensive tackle Doug Free was able to carry over the nice two weeks of camp that he had in San Antonio into the game against the Bengals.

Free was patient, athletic and played with power. His footwork was solid and his hand placement was dead on. Free showed the ability to adjust on the move and mirror Antwan Odom without any difficulty. When he had to get push in the running game, he was able to work his hands inside and play with leverage.

There is a real ease of movement in his game. He did not play out of balance or on the edge at all.

*With Marcus Spears out of the game with a knee injury, it was an opportunity for Jason Hatcher and Stephen Bowen to get some work with the first group. Was impressed with Bowen and not with Hatcher.

Bowen was an up-the-field player and was a huge factor in the pass rush with his ability to work in the games that Phillips was using against the Bengals in passing situations. Bowen was relentless in his effort to get to Palmer and O’Sullivan.

Bowen played with nice technique the running game as well. He can be difficult to handle when he is on the move. Bowen has a feel for how to free himself from blocks.

Thought it was a missed chance for Hatcher. Like the player and what he brings, but there were limited flashes as compared to Bowen. Hatcher didn’t play off the blocks as well.

Don’t know if his elbow might have been a factor, but he seemed to get tied up at times. Didn’t see him control the blocker like he had in the past. Know he is a better pass rusher than what he showed.

Hatcher was a solid nickel player in 2009. Needs to play better with this chance.

*Outside linebacker Victor Butler was all over the field on Sunday night. Run or pass, it didn’t matter.

Butler plays with high effort, motor and intensity. Butler is always chasing the ball and he knows how to finish plays. He is a difficult player to block because he keeps coming at you. He doesn’t take plays off.

Butler was solid in coverage in showing the ability to adjust to the back in the flat and drive on the ball to make the play.

As a pass rusher, he plays with a burst to and around the corner. He doesn’t give blockers much of a hitting surface as he rushes. Able to move and twist his body on the move without losing speed.

The area you that you have to like the most about this player is that he is always around the action.

*Thought that Mike Hamlin played well at safety, but the player that caught my eye was rookie Danny McCray.

McCray was having a quiet camp until the lights came on at Fawcett Stadium. Watched him in practice as special teams coach Joe DeCamillis worked him on several units but really didn’t think much of it. McCray showed the ability to release off the two-man jam as the “gunner” and make two tackles in the second quarter on the punt team.

On defense, McCray showed some good awareness to read quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan as wide receiver Andre Caldwell went vertical and from the middle of the field was able to work himself into position to make the interception that ended the half for the Bengals. If there was an area that the Cowboys struggled with in 2009, it was their ability for the safeties to show range and make plays on the ball. McCray gave the coaches some hope that might change.

Liked the way that McCray also showed physical play in the flat. Ball goes to the outside, and he is coming forward, driving the ball carrier out of bounds.

In my book, McCray went from a player that might not have been a factor to one you have to keep your eye on the next four games.

*Just from what I have seen in camp and what took place during the game, this club can not afford an injury to any of their inside offensive linemen on the first unit.

I know that guard Montrae Holland was out with a hamstring injury, but that doesn’t change my view at all. To see Pat McQuistan and Mike Tepper struggle is a cause for concern.

Granted, Tepper is only a rookie but there were far too many plays where he was overextended and off-balance and unable to sustain his blocks. McQuistan will fight you, but he really is limited. There are times where he also gets overextended and really struggles when he has to deal with a power rusher. McQuistan really has a hard time getting any type of movement in the running game.

Quarterback Stephen McGee was required to move in the pocket way too often because of breakdowns inside.

I didn’t feel like that Travis Bright and Phil Costa played poorly at center, which was somewhat of a bright spot here.

My thoughts from Thursday practice:

*When you are building your team, you set out with a plan in mind to try and obtain more talent than your division opponents and the other teams in the league. That talent is added through the draft or through free agent signings. To the organization, free agents are the players that you can’t add during the draft that fill in your roster.

One of the best additions to this roster in several years has been that of linebacker Keith Brooking. From a personnel man’s standpoint, Brooking is a dream. He brings toughness, smarts, leadership and passion to the game.

When studying him during practice, you see a sideline to sideline player. When the ball goes outside, Brooking defeats blocks to get there.

Guard Pat McQuistan tried to reach him on a play in 9-on-7 but Brooking used his hands to control McQuistan, work outside and make the tackle. In the same drill, Brooking took on fullback Deon Anderson -- same result, fires his hands inside, takes on the block to make the tackle.

In pass coverage, he is no different in his ability to read and react to the football. In the nickel, backs or tight ends in his area are tightly covered. Tashard Choice tries to run an option route inside but Brooking is right there in coverage, tight on his hip to defend the ball.

In pro free agency, you have the opportunity to help your team or hurt your team with your additions. In this case it was a huge get for the Cowboys.

*There is no doubt in my mind that nose tackle Jay Ratliff is a “Blue” player. In the Cowboys scouting lingo that would be an “elite” player. A real difference maker, one that can turn the direction of a game by his play.

As wonderful as it is to have a “Blue” player, you need players behind him that are not “Orange” or “not for us”. When you study the backups at the nose tackle spot, you see some borderline “Orange” players.

Junior Siavii does nothing for me to be real honest and by taking a shot on a supplemental pick in Josh Brent, the club might be thinking the same way. There are too many times where Siavii gets hooked up on blocks and cannot escape. In one-on-one pass rush drills, he has trouble with Travis Bright and Phil Costa.

The Cowboys have to be looking forward to Brent getting back into the rotation soon because in the short time that he was in there, he mixed it up well.


*Speed will always get you a look regardless how much football you have played. This is the case of the newest Cowboy Teddy Williams.

A much decorated track star from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Williams donned the pads for the first time since high school and took part in an NFL practice.

The first thing that popped into my mind about this was when Jerry Jones broke into the NFL one of the owners he really leaned on was Oakland Raiders owner, Al Davis. This is the type of move that Davis would make. Get a guy that can really run and give him a look.

Davis fell in love with a former Cowboy that could really run in Randal Williams. Williams hung around for a couple of seasons until Davis realized, he could not play.

In my view, there really is no harm in this at all. Williams didn’t look totally out of water to me moving around. Even if he makes mistakes, his speed can run him out of a lot of problems.

My thoughts from Sunday's practices:

* The slimmer Marion Barber appears to a better Marion Barber. I liked the way he was able to find the hole and hit it with a little burst. There were times today where the plays were not blocked cleanly but he was able with vision to see where his space was and adjust on the move to gain positive yards. He was able to take good gains and make them into big gains. Maybe for the reasons of health in 2009, that wasn’t always the case. Marion has always been that complete back. What I mean is that in this offense you need to carry the ball, catch it when asked but more importantly be a dependable blocker. Marion was one of Bill Parcells’ favorites for this reason alone. I truly want to see more Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, but this new version of Marion Barber might be hard to get off the field.

* When you start to talk about offensive line depth, you are just one play away from losing a starter for several games or maybe the season. In 2009, Doug Free stepped into a difficult situation and played so well that they released a long-time starter at left tackle and put him in the lineup. This camp is very important for several players, but on the offensive line, it’s critical. Pat McQuistan has been here since 2006, and early in his career played like he could develop into more than just a backup. Today was not one of those days where he would want to sit in the film room and watch tape with Hudson Houck and his other teammates. There were struggles in both the running and passing games. McQuistan just doesn’t play strong, and when he plays against a defender with power, it’s hard for him to sustain his block. Robert Brewster was another guy that I felt struggled today, but he hasn’t been here as long as McQuistan, so maybe there will be better days ahead as camp progresses.

* I understand all the talk in the offseason from Patrick Crayton and the disappointment he has shared about his role on this team. You can fault him for being honest, but the bottom line is that he has the trust of this quarterback. Romo will throw the ball to him without hesitation. There is nothing flashy about Crayton, and at the start of this camp he has delivered some dependable plays. Patrick will never have great speed or quickness, but he will make up for it with his ability to find a way to get open and catch the football in traffic.

Sixth in a series breaking down the Cowboys by position (previous entries):

Roster locks: Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Kyle Kosier

Good bets: Montrae Holland, Travis Bright

On the bubble: Pat McQuistan

Long shots: Phil Costa

The Pro Bowlers need to perform better than they did last season, when unheralded Kyle Kosier was the most consistent player in the group.

Andre Gurode failed to secure his man too many times. He failed to get to the second level too many times. He didn’t finish his block too many times. You’re always going to have mental mistakes and consistency issues with him. I see guys running through and making plays on him. I see guys getting off blocks and making plays. He shouldn’t have been a Pro Bowler last season.

Leonard Davis is extraordinarily strong, but he struggles in space and against quick players. If you bull-rush him, he’s going to beat you. If you make him move and get to his outside shoulder, he’s going to have problems. In the San Diego game, when the Cowboys couldn’t punch the ball in from the 1-yard line, Davis was a significant part of the problem because he did a poor job of adjusting to the run-through linebacker. The longer he has to hold his block, the harder it is because he doesn’t have the athletic ability to sustain blocks. He has to grab and hold. The weakness of the offensive line is center and right guard.

Kyle Kosier doesn’t have great size for a guard, but he has tremendous desire and determination. He knows how to finish blocks and is consistent down after down, run or pass. He does a nice job of tying up his man in the running game and is effective when he pulls. He’s good in space and very good in combination blocking, working well with the tackles.

The plan is for Kosier to slide over to center if Gurode goes down, but Kosier has never played center. This presents an opportunity for Bright, a guard who focused all offseason on learning the center position. He’s been in the Cowboys’ program for a year and has a chance to prove that he deserves a roster spot this preseason. He could be the guy that bumps Pat McQuistan off the roster.

Montrae Holland is an expensive insurance policy again. He’s a short-area, phone-booth type of player. He’s not quick or agile. He doesn’t offer much other than strength.

Cowboys backup tackle Pat McQuistan signed his tender contract on Wednesday.

McQuistan, a seventh-round draft choice in 2006, has played in just 40 games in his career and never has made an impact on a consistent basis.

He played in seven games last season on special teams.

Kevin Weidl of Scouts Inc. takes another look at some of the best tackles in the draft.

We’re looking at it this morning because the Cowboys cut veteran left tackle Flozell Adams on Good Friday.

Doug Free is expected to take over the left tackle spot, but the Cowboys might have to draft a tackle in the first or second round in case Free struggles.

Here’s Weidl on the tackles: “Overall, [Trent] Williams is perhaps the most athletic tackle prospect in this class outside of Bruce Campbell, but we rate [Russell] Okung slightly higher because of questions in scouting circles regarding Williams' commitment, passion for the game and overall character. No one is saying he's a bad kid but some wonder whether he will put in the necessary work and preparation on and off the field.”

The tackles on the veteran roster are Marc Colombo (right tackle), Pat McQuistan (left) and Robert Brewster (right).

Colombo is solid as the starting right tackle, he's fully recovered from his leg surgeries of 2009. Yes, Colombo had a bad Minnesota, game, but let's not forget, before he was injured, he was playing pretty good.

McQuistan has been with this team since 2006 and still hasn't made an impact. Brewster spent the season on reserve/PUP with a chest muscle injury.

It might be time for the Cowboys to draft a tackle to improve the depth on the offensive line, especially at the tackle position.

The fifth in a series looking at each of the Dallas Cowboys’ position groups:

Players: Flozell Adams (signed through 2013), Marc Colombo (signed through 2012), Doug Free (signed through 2010), Robert Brewster (signed through 2012), Pat McQuistan (restricted free agent)

What went right: Free’s development was extremely encouraging for a franchise that had endured a horrible stretch of offensive line draft busts.

Free, a fourth-round pick in 2007, was impressive enough filling in at right tackle for Marc Colombo (broken fibula/torn ankle ligaments) in the final seven games that there was some debate about whether the veteran should have reclaimed the starting job for the playoffs.

Free isn’t as physical as Colombo, who is considered the line’s leader, but the younger tackle has good athleticism and never gives up on plays. His downfield block on Felix Jones’ long touchdown run in the regular-season finale – Free sprinted diagonally across the field and shielded a defensive back to escort Jones into the end zone – was one of the rare times a tackle gets featured on the highlights.

Adams has his flaws, but he’s still an outstanding run blocker who would start at left tackle for most teams in the league. The Cowboys averaged 6.3 yards per run behind left tackle, which ranked third in the league.

What went wrong: Let’s start with the end. The Minnesota Vikings’ defensive ends made the Cowboys look awful in Dallas’ lopsided playoff loss. Colombo, who rushed back from injury for the playoffs, clearly wasn’t 100 percent as he got dominated by Ray Edwards.

Adams, 34, is showing signs of age. He’s always had a lot of false starts (six this season), but he was penalized several other times because he had to make up for being beaten by quicker foes. He allowed eight sacks, which was tied for the 14th most in the league. Colombo, 31, also wasn’t as effective as he was the previous season before he was injured.

Third-round pick Robert Brewster, who could end up moving inside to guard, basically lost a year of development. He has yet to put on shoulder pads as a pro after missing the entire season due to a torn pectoral suffered while lifting weights during the summer.

What’s next: Free’s development prevented tackle from being a desperate draft need, but it’s still a top priority. The Cowboys must prepare for a future without Adams and Colombo.

It will be interesting to see if Free is given a legitimate chance to earn a starting job, either at left or right tackle. His performance as Colombo’s replacement merited that kind of opportunity.

Adams is likely to return despite his big contract and declining talent. He is still valued around Valley Ranch, although this could be the longtime left tackle’s final season with the Cowboys.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Welcome to the Metrodome for the NFC divisional round game between the Cowboys and Vikings.

Here are Cowboys inactives: Stephen McGee is the third quarterback. CB Cletis Gordon, S Mike Hamlin, LB Jason Williams, C/G Duke Preston, T Pat McQuistan and LB Curtis Johnson.

Expect Marion Barber to start at running back today with his swollen knee.

Here are the Vikings inactives: Sage Rosenfels is the third quarterback. Wr Jaymar Johnson, CB Karl Paymah, TE Garrett Mills, LB J Leman, C Jon Cooper, DE Jayme Mitchell and DT Letroy Guion.

It's cold outside, of course. The conditions inside are great. Ran into one of the Vikings' assistant coaches, and he said he expects a close game. (That's insightful.)

The possibility of Flozell Adams being suspended for his cheap shot on Justin Tuck is particularly concerning because of Marc Colombo's absence.

Doug Free, who has been groomed as Adams' backup, has done an adequate job filling in while Colombo recovers from ankle surgery and a broken fibula. If Adams is suspended, the Cowboys will have to figure out whether they're better off with Free playing left or right tackle.

It's unlikely that the Cowboys would trust Pat McQuistan, the fourth tackle, to play in a crucial game. The more likely scenario is that right guard Leonard Davis would move to one of the tackle spots with Montrae Holland filling in for him.

Adams claimed through his agent that he thought the final play of the first half was still alive when he blind-sided Tuck. After watching the video of the play and considering the bad blood between Adams and Tuck, it's doubtful that the NFL will buy that explanation.

It'd be stunning if the NFL didn't take some sort of action against Adams. They might decide to fine him for the fourth time this season -- and second time for an illegal shot on Tuck. If the league determines a harsher punishment is merited, the Cowboys will have to play two backup offensive linemen in a must-win game against the San Diego Chargers.

You'd hope that the longest-tenured current Cowboy wouldn't put a personal grudge above the good of the team, but that's exactly what Adams did.

IRVING --Paul McQuistan, who worked out with the Cowboys two weeks ago, signed with Jacksonville on Saturday.

McQuistian, a guard, is the twin brother of Cowboys tackle Pat McQuistan. When the Cowboys worked out Paul McQuistan it was the first time all season they invited a player to Valley Ranch.

You have to wonder if the move to workout Paul McQuistan, 6-6, 315 pounds, who was a seventh-round pick by Oakland in 2006, was an attempt to wakeup some other linemen such as Duke Preston and Montrae Holland. On Friday, Jerry Jones mentioned how well Holland had been working.

There was a thought with right tackle Marc Colombo getting hurt, he will miss at least six weeks with ankle and leg injuries, the team would sign another lineman. But coach Wade Phillips said that wouldn't be the case.

IRVING, Texas -- All signs point toward kickoff specialist David Buehler playing Sunday despite a right pinky toe that he said is fractured.

Buehler had limited participation in Thursday’s practice, but he did kick off. Coach Wade Phillips saw enough to feel comfortable with Buehler, who is tied for third in the NFL with 17 touchbacks, handling those duties against the Washington Redskins.

“He bombed it like he usually does,” Phillips said, “so that was good to see.”

*Cornerback Mike Jenkins, who missed most of the fourth quarter in Green Bay with a bruised left biceps, isn’t having any problems with the arm.

Jenkins, who leads the Cowboys with three interceptions, picked off a couple of passes during today’s practice.

*Felix Jones will continue to serve as the Cowboys’ primary kickoff return, but that could change if he plays a larger role on offense.

Phillips said Jones would return the first kickoff Sunday, but there is a possibility that Kevin Ogletree could play that role as the game goes on.

*Reserve tackle Pat McQuistan, who has been inactive for every game this season, needs to only prepare to play the right side.

If left tackle Flozell Adams is injured, Doug Free would move from the right to left side. Right guard Leonard Davis would move to left tackle in case of an emergency.

IRVING, Texas -- Doug Free replaced Marc Colombo in Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers, but that doesn't necessarily mean Free will be the long-term fill-in while the veteran right tackle recovers from ankle surgery and a broken fibula.

Coach Wade Phillips said the coaching staff wanted to discuss the situation before deciding on Colombo's replacement. Phillips said the Cowboys might not commit to a starter at right tackle until later in the week after working different players at the position.

The 6-6, 313-pound Free, who was the only active backup tackle Sunday, has worked mostly at left tackle.

"He did fine," Phillips said. "He didn't hurt us."

Pat McQuistan (6-6, 317), a four-year veteran who has been inactive for every game this season, practices at right tackle on the scout team. Moving Pro Bowler Leonard Davis over from right guard is another option. Cory Procter or Montrae Holland would replace Davis in that scenario.

The coaches have to determine whether it's worth making changes at two positions to fill one spot. They might also want to weigh Davis' lack of comfort with playing right tackle, which he did for one season with the Arizona Cardinals.

"I can play left tackle easier than I can play right tackle," Davis said when asked about the possibility of moving over to replace Colombo.