Post by prossman on Mar 11, 2009 6:08:30 GMT -7
DC.COM: Mailbag: Olshansky To Fill In Well For Canty?
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DallasCowboys.com Report
March 10, 2009 6:20 PM
(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)
ERIC SIKMA, FORT WORTH, TX: I don't like the idea of moving Orlando Scandrick to safety. He's small and there is no guarantee he'd be as effective at a different position. In addition, I can't remember the last time I saw the same two corners start all 16 games in a season, so having a solid third corner is always a good thing.
Nick: I agree and don't get too rattled about this Scandrick deal. I don't think you're going to see him play there that often. If he does play some safety, it will be a unique role.
Josh: I think that's partly the idea, for him to still be the third corner. If a starter went down maybe you move him back to corner, and ideally there would be some depth at safety. If the Cowboys go through with this it'll be about getting their best guys on the field. Scandrick's size is a concern, but I don't think it's prohibitive - how much more tackling responsibility does a deep free safety have than a cornerback, really? Besides, part of Roy Williams' problem was he was too big and slow. The position is changing.
Mickey: Who knows, maybe with the impending signing of strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh the Cowboys will rethink the move. I know I sure didn't like the idea of moving Scandrick to safety until hearing the idea is to move him to free safety, not the strong safety spot vacated by Roy Williams' release. That, though, to me creates a problem at strong safety since Ken Hamlin to me is not a very willing tackler, which the strong safety must be. Then again, maybe the Cowboys will be willing to allow Sensabaugh to challenge Ken Hamlin for the starting job even though the $9.5 million signing bonus he received last summer hangs over their heads..
Rob: I don't see it as a full-time thing either, only because of Scandrick's build. He's a really talented cover guy, but he doesn't have a big frame for run support. Now the Cowboys could use Scandrick in a spot safety role on passing downs like Anthony Henry did late last season. Gerald Sensabaugh is a stop-gap solution, but he's played strong and free safety as well as special teams.
RYAN RIZZUTI, ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY: I was extremely happy the Cowboys signed Igor Olshansky. I think he can fit in well at a cheap price. He seemed to have similar stats to Chris Canty. At the same age, about the same heights, and similar stats, what was the big thrill in Canty? In your opinion, can Olshansky fill in well for Canty?
Nick: I can't say I've seen much tape on Olshansky. Still working on a pronunciation on the guy, much less what he can do. But honestly, I think he should fill in nicely. Canty had size and a presence. Sometimes I think we look at his stats and look for sacks and we say he wasn't productive. Canty and Spears are pretty solid against the run. But if this new guy can do the same thing, then I think getting him at a cheap-ER price is good. I wouldn't call him cheap, but cheaper than Canty.
Josh: I'm thinking Canty got some credit for DeMarcus Ware's play over the last couple of years since Ware usually lined up on Canty's side. Olshansky might've gotten just as much money if Shawne Merriman hadn't been out for the season. With those 3-4 ends there are so many things the untrained eye doesn't see, and when a guy like Canty gets the kind of contract he got from New York, it seems like the Giants are banking on potential. But I don't think the defense misses a beat with Olshansky replacing him.
Mickey: If we are judging from stats, looks like he should be able to do just fine at that spot, and for quite a bit less than the Giants are paying Canty. I'm sure Igor will give you a good day's work for a good day's pay.
Rob: Canty's a solid player, but $7 million a year seemed too much for what he was asked to do here. I haven't seen a lot of Olshansky, but he's the same age as Canty, he's been pretty effective playing the same position in the same scheme and his contract is more cap-friendly. We'll see, but this could be a really nice signing for the Cowboys.
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DallasCowboys.com Report
March 10, 2009 6:20 PM
(Editor's Note: Each day we will take the 2 best questions for our staff writers to answer from the Mailbag. "Click here" to email questions now.)
ERIC SIKMA, FORT WORTH, TX: I don't like the idea of moving Orlando Scandrick to safety. He's small and there is no guarantee he'd be as effective at a different position. In addition, I can't remember the last time I saw the same two corners start all 16 games in a season, so having a solid third corner is always a good thing.
Nick: I agree and don't get too rattled about this Scandrick deal. I don't think you're going to see him play there that often. If he does play some safety, it will be a unique role.
Josh: I think that's partly the idea, for him to still be the third corner. If a starter went down maybe you move him back to corner, and ideally there would be some depth at safety. If the Cowboys go through with this it'll be about getting their best guys on the field. Scandrick's size is a concern, but I don't think it's prohibitive - how much more tackling responsibility does a deep free safety have than a cornerback, really? Besides, part of Roy Williams' problem was he was too big and slow. The position is changing.
Mickey: Who knows, maybe with the impending signing of strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh the Cowboys will rethink the move. I know I sure didn't like the idea of moving Scandrick to safety until hearing the idea is to move him to free safety, not the strong safety spot vacated by Roy Williams' release. That, though, to me creates a problem at strong safety since Ken Hamlin to me is not a very willing tackler, which the strong safety must be. Then again, maybe the Cowboys will be willing to allow Sensabaugh to challenge Ken Hamlin for the starting job even though the $9.5 million signing bonus he received last summer hangs over their heads..
Rob: I don't see it as a full-time thing either, only because of Scandrick's build. He's a really talented cover guy, but he doesn't have a big frame for run support. Now the Cowboys could use Scandrick in a spot safety role on passing downs like Anthony Henry did late last season. Gerald Sensabaugh is a stop-gap solution, but he's played strong and free safety as well as special teams.
RYAN RIZZUTI, ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY: I was extremely happy the Cowboys signed Igor Olshansky. I think he can fit in well at a cheap price. He seemed to have similar stats to Chris Canty. At the same age, about the same heights, and similar stats, what was the big thrill in Canty? In your opinion, can Olshansky fill in well for Canty?
Nick: I can't say I've seen much tape on Olshansky. Still working on a pronunciation on the guy, much less what he can do. But honestly, I think he should fill in nicely. Canty had size and a presence. Sometimes I think we look at his stats and look for sacks and we say he wasn't productive. Canty and Spears are pretty solid against the run. But if this new guy can do the same thing, then I think getting him at a cheap-ER price is good. I wouldn't call him cheap, but cheaper than Canty.
Josh: I'm thinking Canty got some credit for DeMarcus Ware's play over the last couple of years since Ware usually lined up on Canty's side. Olshansky might've gotten just as much money if Shawne Merriman hadn't been out for the season. With those 3-4 ends there are so many things the untrained eye doesn't see, and when a guy like Canty gets the kind of contract he got from New York, it seems like the Giants are banking on potential. But I don't think the defense misses a beat with Olshansky replacing him.
Mickey: If we are judging from stats, looks like he should be able to do just fine at that spot, and for quite a bit less than the Giants are paying Canty. I'm sure Igor will give you a good day's work for a good day's pay.
Rob: Canty's a solid player, but $7 million a year seemed too much for what he was asked to do here. I haven't seen a lot of Olshansky, but he's the same age as Canty, he's been pretty effective playing the same position in the same scheme and his contract is more cap-friendly. We'll see, but this could be a really nice signing for the Cowboys.