Kristi Scales, the sideline reporter for the Dallas Cowboys radio network, answered questions about the team during a live chat recently. Here are some highlights:

Were there any players who didn't make the 53 that you thought would?

Scales: Cedric Thornton's release was a disappointment not just because he was one of the bigger free agent acquisitions of the past few years, but also because there are financial ramifications. Thornton entered the 2017 season as the 10th highest cap hit among current Cowboys' players. His $3 million base salary was guaranteed, part of an overall contract in 2016 free agency that called for $9 million in guarantees. He was set to count $4.25 million against this year's cap, fourth highest among Cowboys defensive players behind only Tyrone Crawford, Sean Lee, and Orlando Scandrick.

Thornton was signed by Buffalo after getting released by the Cowboys. Thanks to offset language in his original Cowboys' contract, the $775,000 he's getting from Buffalo will alleviate a little of the dead money over the next two years.

Overall, I wouldn't call the Cowboys' signing of Thornton a complete swing-and-a-miss, but it was -- at best -- a foul ball down the left field line. The veteran defensive tackle played only 13 games and totaled 1.5 sacks, 3 tackles-for-loss, 1 forced, fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 9 pressures, and 18 tackles. That's not a terrible stat line. It's okay, but not an overall goo return for their financial investment.

Now that we know that Ezekiel Elliott is eligible to play Week 1 vs the Giants, a new question arises: Will Alfred Morris be active on Sunday night for the regular season opener?

Scales: Each NFL team has seven inactives on game day. One of those inactives on Sunday night will likely be a running back. The Cowboys currently have four on the roster: Elliott, Darren McFadden, Morris, and Rod Smith. They also have fullback Keith Smith. Last year, the Cowboys kept three RBs active on game day, plus a fullback. Morris could be the odd-man-out on Sunday night with McFadden as the primary backup to Elliott, and Rod Smith being a core member of the special teams units.

Last season, Morris averaged 5 yards per rush versus the Giants in the season opener, a higher number than Zeke's 2.6 yard-per-carry average. But he played in both games against the Giants as Elliott's backup because Darren McFadden was unavailable because of an elbow injury. When McFadden returned to action for the final 3 games of the 2016 regular season, Morris was inactive. Rod Smith played instead of Morris because of Smith's prowess on special teams. The same could happen on Sunday night in this year's season opener.

Who do you think plays more games at LG for the Cowboys this year between Cooper and Green?

Scales: I think Chaz Green will be the left guard for as long as he can stay healthy. And based on his first two NFL seasons, that may not be too long. Injuries have limited him to 4 games (2 starts) in two seasons, including a hip injury that landed him on PUP (Physically Unable to Perform List) to start his rookie season. Green has the same number of surgeries in his NFL career as he has starts. If he can't stay healthy this year (and he was limited in camp, preseason this summer), then Jonathan Cooper steps in. If past is prelude, Cooper will get playing time this season.

If you could have Dak Prescott or... Andrew Luck to QB the cowboys, who would you choose (putting all $ aside).

Scales: I would go with the guy I know, the natural leader who led me to 13 wins as a rookie and has the trust/faith not only of his teammates, but of the entire organization. He also doesn't have the injury situation of Luck.

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