Alan Ball at corner with Hamlin at safety

[theogt]

I've read on the interwebs today that Alan Ball played slot corner in 2-minute drills with Hamlin getting the nod at starting free safety. This is due to Scandrick being out.

Looks like they may think Hamlin is a better answer at safety than any of our other corners at nickel corner.

However, in the team drills, Marquis Floyd stepped in as 3rd corner with Ball at safety.

Separately, it sounds like Dez had an up and down day, while McGee looked sharp and Austin had a good day.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

I'm not sure what to take from this.

Thanks for posting.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I've read on the interwebs today that Alan Ball played slot corner in 2-minute drills with Hamlin getting the nod at starting free safety. This is due to Scandrick being out.

Looks like they may think Hamlin is a better answer at safety than any of our other corners at nickel corner.

However, in the team drills, Marquis Floyd stepped in as 3rd corner with Ball at safety.

I think ideally they would like to keep Ball at corner. It has been noted that many times wade has talked about the size of Ball possibly being a concern.

So I think they want Hamlin to win the job with Kwasi working out sometime this year or in the future.

But that is just my opinion.

Will go further and say that if they don't think Hamlin can do the job, then they might consider paying out the money for Atogwe...but I think they are really hoping they don't have to go that route.

 

[JohnsKey19]

I think ultimately our lack of depth behind Scandrick is going to be a major factor in what the staff chooses to do at FS. Who knows - its still early and maybe one of the unknown CBs step up during training camp. I'm not too confident in that possibility.

 

[67CowboysFan]

I just watched Wade's press conference and according to him, Ball needs to be able to play both positions because when teams go 4 wide, Ball takes the second slot receiver.

 

[AbeBeta]

Sounds to me that we are projecting another player coming in at FS. Ball isn't great at either position, so splitting his reps isn't a great approach

 

[theogt]

Cowboys' fourth corner is still Ball
June, 1, 2010 3:23 PM CT
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By Tim MacMahon

IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys’ fourth cornerback is the frontrunner to start at free safety.

Wade Phillips doesn’t see a problem with Alan Ball being such a busy man. Ball worked at free safety in the Cowboys’ base defense and the slot corner in the substitution practices during Tuesday’s practice, which Orlando Scandrick watched while wearing a bulky cast on his left hand.

“He needs to be able to play other positions,” Phillips said when asked whether he’d prefer for Ball to be able to focus on free safety. “That’s one of his strengths. When they go four receivers, he plays the slot receiver opposite Scandrick. We need him to be able to do that.”

The Cowboys also probably need better depth at cornerback, especially considering that Terence Newman will turn 32 in September.

It’s not an issue that has anybody at Valley Ranch reaching for the panic button. The Cowboys aren’t likely to pursue any free agents at the position soon, although that’s a possibility as training camp approaches if the young players on the roster don’t perform.

Scandrick’s injury gives Jamar Wall, Cletis Gordon, Marquis Floyd and Bryan McCann a chance to prove they’re worthy of a roster spot.

“It’s going to be a test to see if those guys come through, for sure,” Phillips said. “We have three solid corners – three good corners, really. We’re strong there, but we’d like to see someone step up as the fourth corner.”

For now, that guy is Ball, who would seem to have his hands full in his first season as a starting free safety.

 

[theogt]

Sounds to me that we are projecting another player coming in at FS. Ball isn't great at either position, so splitting his reps isn't a great approach

I'd have to agree that this doesn't sound as if it's a situation where we're set with what we have.

 

[RainMan]

I'd have to agree that this doesn't sound as if it's a situation where we're set with what we have.

I don't want to hijack this thread into another Atogwe thread, but doesn't this smell like we're hoping we can land him? I doubt we'd throw huge money at him, and don't really think we should. But I can't help but think our staff is looking at Atogwe and hoping we can get him on our terms.

Wade seems more confident in Ball's ability as the fourth corner than he does in his free safety abilities, and I don't know that Mike Hamlin is good enough or proven enough for us to pencil in as the starting safety anytime soon.

One other thing: People have used the fact that we haven't signed any free agents as evidence that we "won't" sign any, when Jerry has in fact stated free agency isn't necessarily over. Given we're limited in our options of who we can go after with the Final 8 plan or whatever, maybe this is one guy we've been saving up for?

 

[jobberone]

I flipflop on Atogwe. On odd days I want him. Of even days he costs too much. In a SB year I have a hard time swallowing not paying the guy. In the end I have faith in Wade handling the situation. If Wade said we needed to get Atogwe then I think Jerry would go get him.

 

[RainMan]

I flipflop on Atogwe. On odd days I want him. Of even days he costs too much. In a SB year I have a hard time swallowing not paying the guy. In the end I have faith in Wade handling the situation. If Wade said we needed to get Atogwe then I think Jerry would go get him.

I'm in the same boat. If there's anything I trust Wade on, it's how to run his defense. And with a pretty good safety becoming available, it's not as if we're forced to go with scraps at the position if that's what we feel we have.

I do think Atogwe has become overrated by some segments of the site, but I also think he'd be a vast upgrade over Alan Ball. My question is -- even if he's that much of an upgrade, is he worth commiting big cap dollars to? I'm not sure he is.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Too bad Akwasi couldn't be healthy to flash his athletic ability during the OTAs.he's really the only new guy who I believe has the ability to be a factor in any of our defensive packages.

It appears the staff is either preparing for MHamlin to be FS or adding a vet, not necessarily Atogwe.

 

[CooterBrown]

Much ado about nothing. Of course, this time of year, why not speculate?

My own take on it is that Wade is exactly correct. Ball is better than any of the other CBs after Scandrick. So, if you need a fourth to cover the slot, he's your guy. Safety is easier to play than CB, so if you need to add a DB to the defense, add one of those. Darren Woodson usually took the slot guy when he played. (No, I am not proclaiming Ball to be the next Woodson.) I think it helps teamwork if you can minimize the substitutions back there.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think ideally they would like to keep Ball at corner. It has been noted that many times wade has talked about the size of Ball possibly being a concern.

So I think they want Hamlin to win the job with Kwasi working out sometime this year or in the future.

Will go further and say that if they don't think Hamlin can do the job, then they might consider paying out the money for Atogwe...but I think they are really hoping they don't have to go that route.

Right on the :money:

 

[AbeBeta]

I'd have to agree that this doesn't sound as if it's a situation where we're set with what we have.

The general coaching attitude has been for years that you don't ever want to make 2 position changes to cover one injury - so it seems unlikely we are projecting Ball as a starter.

One the same note it seems downright reckless to project Hamlin as a starter.

 

[AbeBeta]

I flipflop on Atogwe. On odd days I want him. Of even days he costs too much. In a SB year I have a hard time swallowing not paying the guy. In the end I have faith in Wade handling the situation. If Wade said we needed to get Atogwe then I think Jerry would go get him.

Thing is I think he's a guy you can get for a decent 1 year deal. He's looking to show he's healthy and make big money later.

If I'm that guy going in to a pay day year, I sure as hell want to do it with a team that has a shot of playing prime time and more than 16 games.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I'm not sure what to take from this.

Thanks for posting.

Sheeeet it be that we is toast in the secondary. They be good yeah but they is not veteran accomplished exceptin Newman. Now he know how to play but he is getting old i say.
Man we aint got no chance. A Favre or even that New Orleans QB could slice and dice our secondary.
You dont believe it? These young guys might be gud but they mostly aint veteran players, like with experience.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Scanning the OTA notes around the league I dont see a lot of head coaches making comments that their starting free safety needs to keep his 4th CB skills sharp.

Yeah, I'm thinking we're not exactly set there yet.

 

[RainMan]

Scanning the OTA notes around the league I dont see a lot of head coaches making comments that their starting free safety needs to keep his 4th CB skills sharp.

Yeah, I'm thinking we're not exactly set there yet.

:laugh2:

Well put.

 

[67CowboysFan]

Scanning the OTA notes around the league I dont see a lot of head coaches making comments that their starting free safety needs to keep his 4th CB skills sharp.

Yeah, I'm thinking we're not exactly set there yet.

Not many teams run a defense like the Cowboys either.