News: Cowboys Free Agent Big Board: Playing It Safe At Safety

[CCBoy]

Cowboys Free Agent Big Board: Playing It Safe At Safety
http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...ree-agent-big-board-playing-it-safe-at-safety

...Isa Abdul-Quddus
The Detroit Lions are reportedly interested in Iloka to upgrade their safety position. This would leave their own free agent, Isa Abdul-Quddus looking for a new job and would fit in nicely in Dallas. The Cowboys like young guys with a lot to prove. Similar to Church, Abdul-Quddus is an undrafted player that worked his way onto the roster. Last year, he started out as just a specials team's player, but he eventually won a starting job. He is a strong run-stopper and is very similar to Barry Church (wearing the same number probably helps), however Abdul-Quddus is solid in pass coverage. Plus, he's already demonstrated that he likes teeing off on a familiar foe.


Tyvon Branch
Branch was the odd man out when it came to who got the starting nod. With Eric Berry and Husain Abdullah on the team, it was hard to earn snaps. But when Abdullah went out will a concussion, Branch stepped in and played well. He could easily start for several teams in the league with Dallas being one of them.

The Cowboys are desperately in need of players who can generate takeaways. Branch had a pick and a fumble recovery last season, both of which he took to the house.

Prediction: Possible. The surplus of free agent agents with his skillset could drop down the price a bit. The Cowboys will be shopping a low-priced contributor...

 

[CCBoy]

...Being able to play in space and pressing up makes Jones a viable all-around player for defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli to utilize for better matchup purposes. We know Jones can handle his business in the slot – mainly against flex tight ends that are threats in the passing the game.

The question is…

Will the Cowboys add another defensive back that could interchange with the versatile Jones? The Cowboys play lots of single high safety, and Jones has the range to cover ground in a centerfield role. Barry Church is a decent tackler as a box safety, handling underneath responsibilities, but like J.J. Wilcox, Church has had his struggles in space, taking bad angles and is limited in coverage skills. We know that upgrading on the perimeter at cornerback could take place this off-season, but safety is also a position the Cowboys can strengthen up.

Starting with some pending free agents at safety, Eric Weddle (31) has been one of the best centerfield roamers and hunters at the line of scrimmage, contributing against the run and on blitzes in his nine seasons with the Chargers, but going the younger route would be the wiser direction for the Joneses to take.

On the youngling side of the respective position, Tashaun Gipson (25) is another safety with a range and ball skills. In his four seasons with the Browns, Gipson has displayed his ball-hawking skills, breaking up and intercepting passes while becoming offensive with the ball in his hands. After making the Pro Bowl in ’14, last season was an injured riddled year for Gipson, who’s numbers spiraled downward with a mere two interceptions and passes broken up. From what the buzz sounds like, the Browns may let Gipson hit the market.

If the Cowboys are going to make a pitch at him, his price range won’t be cheap, considering his numbers have been up to par with the best of defensive backs with 15 takeaways (14 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery), 324 yards returned off of interceptions and finding pay dirt twice in his young career.

Then there’s George Iloka (25), a strong safety with a big frame, listed at 6-4, 225 pounds. Iloka plays with intensity, and his physicality makes him one the most intimidating players laying hard hits on pass catchers and ball carriers in his vicinity. He has the length and size to play the ball in coverage and fill the deep half of the field while playing on the line of scrimmage. Since becoming a starter in his second season with the Bengals, Iloka has exhibited his aggressiveness and discipline as a well-rounded safety. His estimated value should be in the $5 to $6 plus change million a year range if the Cowboys are to look his way to add a thumper type that can also roam the backend...


Read more at http://cover32.com/2016/03/02/upgrading-safety-vital-dallas-cowboys/#Hfk1omSkh2vgV18b.99

 

[DCBoysfan]

I don't Dallas signing the 31 yr old Weddle they have stayed away from over 30 yr old FAs the last couple of years, it will be interesting to see who they target.

 

[therock1982]

Gipson and illoka would be nice pairing and enable bj to take over from carr

 

[StarBoyz83]

I don't Dallas signing the 31 yr old Weddle they have stayed away from over 30 yr old FAs the last couple of years, it will be interesting to see who they target.

I think weddle will go to the giants. I don't see dallas signing a safety.

 

[BAT]

Weddle is not only the best option in center field, but he would be the best mentor for Jones, or whoever they line up at Safety. Whether a draft pick or one of the young guys on the roster, Cowboys need vet leadership AS WELL AS playmaking if the secondary is to improve.

 

[stilltheguru88]

If Church starts next year that tells me dallas isnt serious about a championship.