For the second time in three seasons, Cowboys are over roster limit
By "Skip Kitwaller"

Pre-Season 2086 (Dallas, TX) - Cowboys fans are reeling at the breaking news coming out of Dallas. General Manager Flip Sides has once again missed the crucial deadline for teams to be under the 53 man limit.

League officials announced a short while ago that the Cowboys would be losing the rights to recently drafted Safety Eric Odomes, the former Texas A&M standout, along with their second round selection in next season's College Draft (2087). The penalties were enforced to get the Cowboys' roster to the 53 man limit before Monday's Waiver Wire Claim day.

Sides could not be reached for comment, but unnamed sources with the Cowboys' front office say that the team's management is embarrassed at the slight and will be offering discount prices for their pre-season games at their home games.

Three seasons ago (2083) the Cowboys lost the rights to two highly touted rookies, defensive linemen Mike Barrett and Casey Rapid. Barrett was drafted by Dallas in the 2nd round and Rapid in the 3rd round. The League Rule with a roster infraction is that the team is forced to waive players in the reverse order they were drafted (or signed in Free Agency) until they reach the 53 man limit.

In 2083, the Cowboys had a few players they had drafted in lower rounds than Barrett and Rapid, but the team had traded them away, thus exposing the two talented defensive players.

Ironically, the Cowboys had to waive Safety Eric Odomes because he was their only selection in last Monday's College Draft. Even though the team had seven other rookies on their roster, those players were drafted by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday and then traded to Dallas after the draft had concluded. If the trade had occurred prior to the draft, the team would have waived Wide Receiver Dermontti Eastburn.

The Cowboys admittedly have been very forthcoming about their errors and have established a strong committment to championship form (last NFC Title was in 2075). They also admit that losing Mike Barrett and Casey Rapid hurt the franchise as both players have become starters for their respective teams despite their young age.

Mike Barrett got his first start for the New England Patriots last season while Casey Rapid is a two year starter for the Baltimore Ravens.