Post by prossman on Feb 20, 2009 17:18:26 GMT -7
DMN: Blog: Safety could be trouble spot for Dallas Cowboys
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Group check: Safeties
Safety could be trouble spot for Dallas Cowboys
VERNON BRYANT / DMN
Veteran safety Roy Williams, who acknowledged he's not a good fit in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme, might have played his last down as a Dallas Cowboy.
The Dallas Cowboys have issues at safety. Ken Hamlin struggled in 2008. Roy Williams was injured – and might be on his way out. The potential replacements are unproven and could struggle to make the roster. We break it down in the final installment of our position se
12:17 PM Fri, Feb 20, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon
This is the last of a 10-part series assessing each position on the Cowboys as well as free agent and draft possibilities.
PLAYERS SIGNED THROUGH 2009: Ken Hamlin, Roy Williams, Patrick Watkins, Courtney Brown, Tra Battle
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: Keith Davis
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None
TOP NAMES ON FREE AGENT MARKET: Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia; Yeremiah Bell, Miami; Mike Brown, Chicago; Darren Sharper, Minnesota; Jermaine Phillips, Tampa Bay
TOP NAMES IN DRAFT: Louis Delmas, Western Michigan; Rashad Johnson, Alabama; Patrick Chung, Oregon; William Moore, Missouri; Michael Hamlin, Clemson
HEALTH OF THE POSITION: The Cowboys have serious issues at safety.
FS Ken Hamlin's performance dropped drastically after signing a six-year, $39 million contract. There was a revolving door at strong safety, and Roy Williams might have played his last down as a Cowboy.
Williams' run of five Pro Bowls ended after he missed most of the season with a broken forearm. He was a two-down player when he was healthy, standing on the sideline when the nickel and dime packages were on the field.
While he says he wants to return to Valley Ranch, Williams acknowledges that he isn't a good fit in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme. It doesn't make financial sense to keep Williams at his current salary. The Cowboys would create $2.18 million by cutting him. That's likely to happen, although there is a chance he could accept a paycut by restructuring his contract.
Who would replace Williams?
The Cowboys can't rely on young safeties Patrick Watkins and Courtney Brown. Watkins, who is rehabbing after shoulder surgery, can't stay healthy and struggles with the mental aspects of the game. Brown is a phenomenal athlete, but he isn't physical enough to last long in the league. They'll both have to fight to make the 53-man roster.
Keith Davis is a poor man's version of Williams as a safety - poor in coverage, average against the run. There should be a place for him on the Cowboys, but it's as the special teams captain.
It's likely that Anthony Henry will make the long-discussed move from cornerback to free safety, bumping Hamlin to strong safety. The Cowboys took a significant step in that direction by playing Henry at safety in the nickel and dime late in the season. But that's a short-term solution, with Henry turning 33 in November.
Safety ranks as one of the Cowboys' top draft priorities. There is no consensus on the top safety in the draft - none are expected to go in the first round - but Western Michigan's Louis Delmas, Alabama's Rashad Johnson, Oregon's Patrick Chung and Missouri's William Moore are considered the top tier. It wouldn't be surprising if one of those guys started for the Cowboys next season.
PREVIOUS POSITIONS: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, ILB, OLB, CB.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group check: Safeties
Safety could be trouble spot for Dallas Cowboys
VERNON BRYANT / DMN
Veteran safety Roy Williams, who acknowledged he's not a good fit in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme, might have played his last down as a Dallas Cowboy.
The Dallas Cowboys have issues at safety. Ken Hamlin struggled in 2008. Roy Williams was injured – and might be on his way out. The potential replacements are unproven and could struggle to make the roster. We break it down in the final installment of our position se
12:17 PM Fri, Feb 20, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon
This is the last of a 10-part series assessing each position on the Cowboys as well as free agent and draft possibilities.
PLAYERS SIGNED THROUGH 2009: Ken Hamlin, Roy Williams, Patrick Watkins, Courtney Brown, Tra Battle
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: Keith Davis
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None
TOP NAMES ON FREE AGENT MARKET: Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia; Yeremiah Bell, Miami; Mike Brown, Chicago; Darren Sharper, Minnesota; Jermaine Phillips, Tampa Bay
TOP NAMES IN DRAFT: Louis Delmas, Western Michigan; Rashad Johnson, Alabama; Patrick Chung, Oregon; William Moore, Missouri; Michael Hamlin, Clemson
HEALTH OF THE POSITION: The Cowboys have serious issues at safety.
FS Ken Hamlin's performance dropped drastically after signing a six-year, $39 million contract. There was a revolving door at strong safety, and Roy Williams might have played his last down as a Cowboy.
Williams' run of five Pro Bowls ended after he missed most of the season with a broken forearm. He was a two-down player when he was healthy, standing on the sideline when the nickel and dime packages were on the field.
While he says he wants to return to Valley Ranch, Williams acknowledges that he isn't a good fit in Wade Phillips' 3-4 scheme. It doesn't make financial sense to keep Williams at his current salary. The Cowboys would create $2.18 million by cutting him. That's likely to happen, although there is a chance he could accept a paycut by restructuring his contract.
Who would replace Williams?
The Cowboys can't rely on young safeties Patrick Watkins and Courtney Brown. Watkins, who is rehabbing after shoulder surgery, can't stay healthy and struggles with the mental aspects of the game. Brown is a phenomenal athlete, but he isn't physical enough to last long in the league. They'll both have to fight to make the 53-man roster.
Keith Davis is a poor man's version of Williams as a safety - poor in coverage, average against the run. There should be a place for him on the Cowboys, but it's as the special teams captain.
It's likely that Anthony Henry will make the long-discussed move from cornerback to free safety, bumping Hamlin to strong safety. The Cowboys took a significant step in that direction by playing Henry at safety in the nickel and dime late in the season. But that's a short-term solution, with Henry turning 33 in November.
Safety ranks as one of the Cowboys' top draft priorities. There is no consensus on the top safety in the draft - none are expected to go in the first round - but Western Michigan's Louis Delmas, Alabama's Rashad Johnson, Oregon's Patrick Chung and Missouri's William Moore are considered the top tier. It wouldn't be surprising if one of those guys started for the Cowboys next season.
PREVIOUS POSITIONS: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, ILB, OLB, CB.