Veteran Brodney Pool needed a good start to Dallas Cowboys training camp if he had intentions of winning the starting spot at free safety. As it turned out he went the opposite route, failing his conditioning test -- which not only kept him out for two days of practice but opened the door even wider for his competition, Barry Church.

So the Cowboys’ decision to cut Pool on Monday morning shouldn’t come as a big surprise. He was brought in for his experience, not only in the league but in Rob Ryan’s defense. Pool played for Ryan and current defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson in Cleveland.

The Cowboys also released cornerback Isaac Madison, a rookie free agent from Arkansas. The two roster spots were created to sign rookie wide receiver David Little (Midwestern State) and running back Javarris Williams, a former draft pick of the Chiefs in 2009.

But Pool’s release likely means Church has won the starting job, at least for now. With veteran Gerald Sensabaugh also starting, the Cowboys will likely use him at free safety and move Church to the strong safety position, although Church said “it’s really interchangeable. We play both.”

Pool was one of seven free-agent signings back in March, but the Cowboys gave him only a $100,000 signing bonus. Since he doesn’t have a big history in playing special teams, he either had to win the starting job or else.

He saw the latter come to pass Monday morning.

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