Dallas believes Pat Watkins can still emerge as a starter down the line

[Gryphon]

Dallas believes Pat Watkins can still emerge as a starter down the line.

The Cowboys may have settled for Ken Hamlin on a one-year deal because they're planning on Watkins as their starting free safety in 2008 and beyond. An athletic freak, the 6-5 Watkins should benefit from his season to learn.

Source: San Antonio Express-News

 

[TEK2000]

Wonder where they got this information. Anyone else seen any quotes from coaches or Jerry saying as such?

I hope Watkins turns out to be a solid starter for us.

 

[Gryphon]

Cowboys Insider: If Watkins wants to start again, he needs to learn to speak up
Web Posted: 05/18/2007 09:33 AM CDT
Tom Orsborn
Express-News

Free safety Ken Hamlin isn't afraid to speak his mind.

And for the leadership-weak Dallas Cowboys, that's a good thing.

The Cowboys signed Hamlin in free agency to play center field and serve as the quarterback of the secondary. One of the problems last season with starting rookie Patrick Watkins opposite Roy Williams was the former Florida State standout's understandable reluctance to play traffic cop in a defensive backfield that include a perennial Pro Bowler (Williams) and two veteran corners (Anthony Henry and Terence Newman).

The 26-year-old Hamlin, the former Arkansas standout who received a one-year contract last month from Jerry Jones, won't have that problem, Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart says.

"I think Hamlin brings an awful lot to us and the reason why he does is that when you have a young guy (Watkins) who has to tell an All-Pro like Roy Williams, 'Do this,' and, 'Go there,' and, 'Back up,' and, 'I got him,' he may not say anything," Stewart says.

"But when you got a guy (Hamlin), a seasoned (four-year) veteran who has been a starter in this league and has played well, he doesn't mind saying things like, 'You get back. I'm coming down.' That's what Hamlin brings to us – he's a good communicator and also a very good player."

So have the Cowboys given up on the 6-foot-5 Watkins, a fifth-round choice, ever starting again?

No way, Stewart says.

Watkins recorded three interceptions last season in an up-and-down campaign that saw him begin the season as a starter, lose the job and then show flashes late after Bill Parcells again made him a regular.

"He has a lot to learn and he's young, but Watkins is a potential starter in this league," Stewart says. "When you are paired up with Roy Williams and you are fresh out of Florida State, there are not a lot of things you feel you can tell Roy Williams to do.

"But now that you have an older guy (Hamlin) who is telling Roy how to do it, Pat has a chance to watch how it's done and once you watch how it's done, you can put your own personality on it when you are a starter."

With Hamlin signing only a one-year deal, Watkins could still be the team's free safety of the future.

Of course, it all depends on whether he can find his voice.

 

[lane]

pat watkins showed me enough in his first year that he can definitely be our next free safety for years to come..

for a rather thin fellow.. he can hit like michael.

has good instincts like mike too.

 

[AbeBeta]

Would you have a guy on your roster who you didn't think could contribute meaningfully?

 

[TEK2000]

Thanks Gryphon for posting the article. That's a good read.

 

[cowboyjoe]

i am still high on watkins too, i think he has the talent to excel

at same time though, he has to show the work in offseason, to prove himself, and get stronger and faster in the offseasoning conditioning, if he does that, then i say, yes give him that change

he has unbelievable talent, good size, at 6-4 1/2 about 215, with 4.48 in 40 and has a 44 inch vertical leap i think, now that is being able to really get up there.

finally if he works at it, improves it in weight room, etc, and studies, then yes, i think in long term he is answer at free safety. I think there was another tall safety m hanks, a tall skinny safety that played for the 49ers, and he was about 6-3 or 6-4 i think, so give him a chance, let him be groomed by hamlin, if watkins doesnt prove himself, and hamlin shows he can handle the free safety spot and do it well, then we can always resign hamlin

 

[gimmesix]

Wonder where they got this information. Anyone else seen any quotes from coaches or Jerry saying as such?

I hope Watkins turns out to be a solid starter for us.

Jones said after acquiring Hamlin that Watkins is "the future." Now, if Hamlin plays great, something tells me that future will be fairly far away.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I sure have my fingers crossed for it......thanks

 

[Mansta54]

Hamlin is gonna be HUGE in WP defense.

 

[dogunwo]

Watkins will be awesome because he is like 6'8" or something..........