FSWST: Gamble on Alan Ball hasn't paid off for Cowboys

[MichaelWinicki]

Gamble on Alan Ball hasn't paid off for Cowboys
Posted Friday, Nov. 05, 2010

By Clarence E. Hill Jr.

chill@star-telegram.com

IRVING -- The play of first-year free safety Alan Ball is not what's wrong with the Dallas Cowboys' crumbling defense.

The problems are bigger and deeper than Ball's disappointing play.

He is an example of things not working out like the Cowboys hoped or planned.

One year after batting 1.000 with the decisions to jettison aging Greg Ellis and Anthony Henry for younger players such as Anthony Spencer and Mike Jenkins at linebacker and cornerback, respectively, the Cowboys went back to the well in cutting Ken Hamlin and replacing him with the unproven Ball.

Coach Wade Phillips confidently said last summer he was right then and "I think we're right in this case also."

Secondary coach Dave Campo chimed in that Ball was "a ball hawk" and "I feel very good about him."

The Cowboys were certain that Ball would be an improvement over Hamlin, who was limited in pass coverage and made few plays at free safety.


Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/05/2608676/gamble-on-alan-ball-hasnt-paid.html#ixzz14VC5fzpD

[sago1]

Most of us bought into the idea that Ball could successfully replace Hamlin. After all, the Cowboys had been right in last 1-2 years in getting rid of a vet for a younger player. Now it obvious that Ball was nothing more then a wish and hope w/o the talent needed to be a starting safety in the NFL--at least on this team. The less then stellar play by Sensa hasn't helped. Can't help thinking it was their poor play that affected the young Jenkins --who no longer could count on support from either player.

OTOH, just for the record, the Cowboys were right about Free. Of course they were pretty far off re the play of both Davis & Colombo; Kosier injuries also hasn't helped the OL either nor has our lack of quality depth. We all looking for Costa, Young, etc to show whether they could really contribute to the team in 201. Look's be realistic. Young was a 6th rounder pick & I believe Costa wasn't even drafted. We went into the 2010 seaon on a wing & a pray re the OL & that's not how football is played in the NFL.

[MichaelWinicki]

Look's be realistic. Young was a 6th rounder pick & I believe Costa wasn't even drafted. We went into the 2010 seaon on a wing & a pray re the OL & that's not how football is played in the NFL.

The trouble is the math doesn't allow a team to be stocked with top-end draft talent from beginning to end. You've got 22 starters, but probably another 6 players that are almost-starters (3rd corner, 3rd WR ect).

You get 7 draft picks a year... 3 of which are considered "prime" by many folks.

Folks say, "Well the Cowboys don't spend enough high-round draft picks on the offensive line."

Which maybe true.

But what positions aren't you going to spend the top draft picks on?

Even if you hit on every single draft pick in every draft, you aren't going to cover all the bases.

[ThreeSportStar80]

Most of us bought into the idea that Ball could successfully replace Hamlin. After all, the Cowboys had been right in last 1-2 years in getting rid of a vet for a younger player. Now it obvious that Ball was nothing more then a wish and hope w/o the talent needed to be a starting safety in the NFL--at least on this team. The less then stellar play by Sensa hasn't helped. Can't help thinking it was their poor play that affected the young Jenkins --who no longer could count on support from either player.

OTOH, just for the record, the Cowboys were right about Free. Of course they were pretty far off re the play of both Davis & Colombo; Kosier injuries also hasn't helped the OL either nor has our lack of quality depth. We all looking for Costa, Young, etc to show whether they could really contribute to the team in 201. Look's be realistic. Young was a 6th rounder pick & I believe Costa wasn't even drafted. We went into the 2010 seaon on a wing & a pray re the OL & that's not how football is played in the NFL.

I'm glad you said most... I for one never bought into the idea! I wanted Dallas to persue O.J. Atogwe.