Quite a few changes in this week’s relative value rankings.

There weren’t too many who made huge strides forward, but here are some players who have risen or fallen:

Rising: G Kyle Kosier; RB Felix Jones; RB Tashard Choice, TE Martellus Bennett, DE Igor Olshansky.

Falling: QB Tony Romo, CB Terence Newman, CB Orlando Scandrick, LB Keith Brooking.

At the bottom of this list is a poll that allows users to rate most of the main players. Please take a moment to cast your votes.
 
53. Curtis Johnson, LB

Last week: 53

vs. N.Y. Giants: Did not play.

Notes: Leaving Johnson at the bottom position again this week. We don’t know much about him.

52. Duke Preston, C

Last week: 50

vs. N.Y. Giants: Did not play.

Notes: Fortunately, Dallas has had no injuries on the offensive line; as a result, Preston hasn’t been active.

51. Pat McQuistan, T

Last week: 49

vs. N.Y. Giants: Did not play.

Notes: Won’t be surprised if we never see McQuistan this season . . . or ever again in the NFL.

50. Montrae Holland, G

Last week: 46

vs. N.Y. Giants: Did not play.

Notes: Another veteran who probably won’t be in the league much longer.

49. Stephen McGee, QB

Last week: 51

vs. N.Y. Giants: Did not play.

Notes: I’ve seen some irrational calls to give McGee his shot already. Um, no.

48. Jason Williams, LB

Last week: 52

vs. N.Y. Giants: Did not play.

Notes: It would be helpful to know if Williams will be effective as a pass-rusher. He’ll likely only be a special-teamer, though.

47. Michael Hamlin, S

Last week: 48

vs. N.Y. Giants: Did not play.

Notes: I haven’t seen an update on Hamlin’s injury.

46. Kevin Ogletree, WR

Last week: 47

vs. N.Y. Giants: Did not play.

Notes: He isn’t likely to see action any time soon, but he might make the roster at some point this season.

45. Cory Procter, C/G

Last week: 44

vs. N.Y. Giants: Backup lineman and special teamer.

Notes: He sees action as a blocker on special teams. Nothing noteworthy to add.

44. Victor Butler, LB

Last week: 43

vs. N.Y. Giants: Saw actions on special teams.

Notes: Butler should have had a tackle on a kickoff return, but the returner slipped right under Butler.

43. Doug Free, T

Last week: 42

vs. N.Y. Giants: Backup lineman and special teamer.

Notes: Similar to Proctor, Free is a body on special teams. Nothing noteworthy about his performance.

42. John Phillips, TE

Last week: 40

vs. N.Y. Giants: Third tight end.

Notes: Phillips is a blocker, so he does not get many opportunities to stand out.

41. Marvin White, S

Last week: 39

vs. N.Y. Giants: One special teams tackle.

Notes: White recorded one tackle on a kickoff return.

40. Alan Ball, CB

Last week: 38

vs. N.Y. Giants: Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles.

Notes: Missed a tackle on a punt return by Dominik Hixon in the first quarter, though the play was called back due to penalty. His two tackles came on kickoff returns.

39. L.P. Ladouceur, LS

Last week: 37

vs. N.Y. Giants: Long snapper.

Notes: No screw-ups. That’s good.

38. Jon Kitna, QB

Last week: 36

vs. N.Y. Giants: Did not play.

Notes: Curious whether anyone starts calling for Kitna to replace Romo. Ridiculous, I think, but the frustration level when it comes to Romo is pretty high right now.

37. David Buehler, K

Last week: 35

vs. N.Y. Giants: Kickoff specialist.

Notes: After Dallas took a 24-20 lead in the third quarter, Buehler kicked the ball deep in the back of the end zone for his sole touchback. Several other kicks also reached the end zone.

36. Pat Watkins, S

Last week: 34

vs. N.Y. Giants: Special-teamer.

Notes: Watkins was on the ground near a few tackles, but he did not record one.

35. Steve Octavien, LB

Last week: 33

vs. N.Y. Giants: Special-teamer and backup linebacker.

Notes: He helped to bring down Ahmad Bradshaw on one punt return along with Bobby Carpenter and Sam Hurd. Carpenter got the credit, though.

34. Stephen Bowen, DE

Last week: 41

vs. N.Y. Giants: Recorded one tackle.

Notes: Bowen’s one recorded tackle came on a first down play in Dallas territory. Bowen held Brandon Jacobs to a two-yard gain.

33. Junior Siavii, DT

Last week: 45

vs. N.Y. Giants: Two tackles.

Notes: Siavii picked up two consecutive tackles when the Giants drove into Dallas territory with a 27-24 lead in the fourth quarter. Siavii’s stops helped the Cowboys to hold New York to a field goal.

32. Jason Hatcher, DE

Last week: 32

vs. N.Y. Giants: Backup defensive lineman; recorded one assist.

Notes: It looked like Hatcher got a good push.

31. Bobby Carpenter, LB

Last week: 31

vs. N.Y. Giants: Nickel linebacker; recorded one defensive tackle and two special teams tackles.

Notes: Carpenter was near the ball on defense on a few plays, and he was active on special teams. However, he was called for defensive holding on a third down play deep in Giant territory, giving the Giants new life.

30. Deon Anderson, FB

Last week: 30

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting fullback.

Notes: Anderson did not touch the ball. On a goalline play in the second quarter, Anderson went right to block before Marion Barber tried to jump the pile. I thought that a lead blocker usually tried to clear a linebacker on those types of plays.

Update, 9/23: On further review, Anderson made at least three solid blocks on plays were Marion Barber was able to cut back.

29. Sam Hurd, WR

Last week: 26

vs. N.Y. Giants: Backup receiver; 1 rec., 7 yards.

Notes: Hurd did not record a special teams tackle, and he was limited to one reception.

28. Orlando Scandrick, CB

Last week: 25

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting corner; six tackles, two pass defenses.

Notes: Scandrick made a couple of nice plays, but he was also burned. He got the start tonight, and given that the Giants threw the ball all over the place, Scandrick gets some of the blame.

27. Miles Austin, WR

Last week: 24

vs. N.Y. Giants: Backup receiver; 1 rec., 20 yards.

Notes: Austin shows big-play potential, but not often enough. I will move him up eventually, but two catches (even though they were both significant) just not justify a bump forward.

26. Mike Jenkins, CB

Last week: 23

vs. N.Y. Giants: Third corner; four tackles, one pass defense.

Notes: Jenkins didn’t technically start, but he had the outside receiver in the nickel. Jenkins could have had a pick on the Giants’ opening drive. I thought he looked better than Scandrick.

25. Tashard Choice, RB

Last week: 29

vs. N.Y. Giants: 2 att., 8 yards; 1 rec., 3 yards.

Notes: Choice made plays to convert two third downs on the Cowboys’ first touchdown drive. He could have had a very long run on a third-down draw, but Kenny Phillips tripped him up. With Marion Barber likely out for one to two weeks, Choice’s value.

24. Ken Haml
in, S

Last
week: 22

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting safety; six tackles, two assists.

Notes: I thought Hamlin used to be a good form tackler. He seems to rely much more on throwing his body on tackles, and he missed a few again. He also bit on a play-action fake on a play that resulted in a 49-yard completion to Mario Manningham. He also completely blew a run blitz in the third quarter on a 19-yard run by Ahmad Bradshaw.

23. Gerald Sensabaugh, S

Last week: 21

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting free safety; four tackles, two assists.

Notes: Unlike the Tampa Bay game, Sensabaugh did not have any big plays against the Giants. He seems like a solid safety; but then again, the Cowboys gave up 330 passing yards.

22. Anthony Spencer, LB

Last week: 20

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting outside linebacker; two tackles (both for losses), one pass defense.

Notes: Spencer made some good plays on run support, though he also should have had contain on a few plays but ran upfield too far. Spencer is getting some pressure on the quarterback, but he can’t seem to close in quickly enough to get a sack.  He nearly had an interception in the first quarter but was only able to tip the ball.

Anyone else notice that Greg Ellis has three sacks in two games with the Raiders?

21. Mat McBriar, P

Last week: 18

vs. N.Y. Giants: 4 punts, 43.5 average, one punt inside the 20.

Notes: McBriar didn’t average his 50 yards per punt, but he was effective.

20. Nick Folk, K

Last week: 19

vs. N.Y. Giants: One field goal of 47 yards.

Notes: Folk remains automatic.

19. Igor Olshansky, DE

Last week: 28

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting defensive end; recorded one tackle.

Notes: Olshansky made more of a push than he did against Tampa Bay. Although he only recorded one tackle, his presence was more noticeable.

18. Marcus Spears, DE

Last week: 15

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting defensive end; one pass defense.

Notes: Spears had a game similar to Olshansky– nothing especially noteworthy, but the line must have done its job to shut down the New York running game.

17. Keith Brooking, LB

Last week: 12

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting linebacker; two tackles, one assist, one pass defense.

Notes: There was a bit of a mixed reaction about Brooking’s performance against Tampa Bay. I thought he looked good, and several other writers mentioned him as a possible defensive player of the game. Others said he missed assignments. Against New York, I think his performance was shaky. He wasn’t around the ball as much, and he missed tackles on both Brandon Jacobs (understandable) and Steve Smith (inexcusable).

16. Martellus Bennett, TE

Last week: 27

vs. N.Y. Giants: 1 rec., 11 yards.

Notes: Romo tried to get the ball to Bennett on a third down play on the opening drive, though Bennett was not the first option nor was he open. Bennett’s first reception of the night came on the team’s first touchdown drive, when he caught a hitch pass and drove his way a few extra yards to the Giant 2. He was also used heavily as a blocker, lining up next to Marc Columbo to double-team Justin Tuck.

15. Marc Columbo, T

Last week: 16

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting right tackle.

Notes: The Giants did not record a sack and really did not generate pressure from the Cowboys’ right side. Columbo had a quiet game, but it seemed effective.

14. Patrick Crayton, WR

Last week: 13

vs. N.Y. Giants: 1 rec., 4 yards; 1 rush, 20 yards.

Notes: Crayton would have had a 36-yard reception late in the second quarter, but the play was called back due to a tripping penalty on Flozell Adams.

13. Flozell Adams, T

Last week: 14

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting left tackle.

Notes: Some will say that Flozell should drop further because of his tripping penalty on Justin Tuck in the second quarter. And, to be sure, the penalty cost the Cowboys 42 yards (negated a 36-yard completion and cost six yards). Last week, I dropped him because of his penalty against Tampa Bay. I won’t do it again because he shut down both Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, the latter of whom was held to one tackle and no sacks.

12. Roy Williams, WR

Last week: 6

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting receiver; 1 rec., 18 yards.

Notes: If nothing else, Williams has shown that he is a good blocker at
the receiver position. One reception isn’t going to silence his
critics, though. Near the end of the first half, Williams had a chance
to make a play near the goalline, but the ball bounced off his hands.

11. Terence Newman, CB

Last week: 8

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting corner; four tackles, one assist.

Notes: Newman did not have a good game against the Giants. On a few plays, the lack of a pass rush hurt, but receivers were able to get open by giving Newman quick moves. New York also had success running slants in front of Newman. Newman doesn’t look like he has slowed down as far a general speed, but reaction time has been very poor. Good reason to worry.

10. Jay Ratliff, NT

Last week: 11

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting nose tackle;

Notes: Ratliff had several great plays against the Giants. He shot the gap to blow up at least two runs, and he also made a nice play covering and then tackling Ahmad Bradshaw in the flat.

9. Bradie James, LB

Last week: 10

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting middle linebacker; two tackles, three assists, one pass defense.

Notes: James was more active against the Giants. I did not see any missed tackles. He showed some leadership with his comments after the loss.

8. Tony Romo, QB

Last week: 2

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting quarterback; 13/29, 127 yards, 1 TD, 3 Int.

Notes: Romo didn’t have to win this game, given that the running game was working so well. But when the team needed him to be safe with the ball, he threw picks.

7. Kyle Kosier, G

Last week: 17

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting left guard.

Notes: Kosier had several huge blocks, especially on touchdown runs by Tony Romo and Felix Jones.

6. Leonard Davis, G

Last week: 7

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting right guard.

Notes: The Giants got no push up the middle, indicating that Davis and Gurode did their jobs.

5. Andre Gurode, C

Last week: 5

vs. N.Y. Giants: Starting center.

Notes: I think Gurode is about as solid as they come. The Giants were not able to get pressure up the middle.

4. Felix Jones, RB

Last week: 9

vs. N.Y. Giants: Backup running back; 7 att., 96 yards, 1 TD.

Notes: His 38-yard kickoff return set up the Cowboys’ first touchdown. His 56-yard touchdown set up Tony Romo’s touchdown run in the third quarter. Jones then scored on a seven-yard touchdown run to give Dallas a 31-30 lead in the fourth quarter. He was a little bit hesitant on a couple of runs and a couple of returns, and he also fumbled a kickoff return. However, he made up for it with his other plays.

Jones is going to have to carry a greater load this week with the injury to Marion Barber.

3. Marion Barber, RB

Last week: 4

vs. N.Y. Giants: 18 att., 124 yds., 1 TD

Notes: Barber is a big-game back. He cuts back and to the outside as well as any running back in the league, and he was one of big keys to the Cowboys staying in the game. However, a quad injury could keep Barber out of action for a week or two.

2. Jason Witten, TE

Last week: 3

vs. N.Y. Giants: 5 rec., 33 yards, 1 TD

Notes: Witten caught a few key passes, but it was a generally quiet night.

1. DeMarcus Ware, LB

Last week: 1

vs. N.Y. Giants: 6 tackles, no sacks.

Notes: Ware just missed getting sacks on a couple of plays. The Giants double-teamed him most of the game, using either a tight end or a running back along with the tackle block Ware.

Poll