DMN Blog: Hamlin Anxious To Compete At Free Safety

[speedkilz88]

Mike Hamlin anxious to compete at free safety
Todd Archer / Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips



Mike Hamlin did not play a defensive snap last season, according to secondary coach Dave Campo. He had one special teams' tackle, too. He was active for all of six games in large part because of a fractured right wrist.

The wrist is 100 percent now and Hamlin is looking forward to competing with Alan Ball for the starting free safety spot.

"I know I'm going to make my mark," Hamlin said. "I want to make as many plays as possible and show the coaches the things I've got and let them make a decision. I want to be a guy they can depend on."

Hamlin, a fifth-round pick out of Clemson, felt lost last year after the injury. In the mini-camp and the early part of training camp, he made a lot of plays over the middle of the field. He left Clemson as the school's leader with 43 starts and was third in interceptions with 14.

"When you're hurt you don't feel like you're part of the team," Hamlin said. "You try to just stay involved and do the same things as everybody else does. You've got to keep your mind focused on everything ... Last year was learning the game even though I wasn't on the field. I watched and learned and saw how the veterans carried themselves and how to handle situations."

During next week's organized team activities he'll get another chance to show the coaches what he learned.

 

[Duane]

Hopefully between Ball, Hamlin and AOA we'll have a decent safety opposite Sensi.

 

[21Savage]

Why do they keep saying he played no defensive snaps last year? He came in for ball on a few goal line defensive snaps against the Chargers. In the Raiders game also.

If a nobody like me knows this (just from watching the games), what are these guys getting paid to cover the team for?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Hamlin is lucky he plays a position that doesn't have a true returning starter. He has the opportunity to earn that starting job if not week one at some point in the season.

I'm thrilled we at least have some serious competition for that position and not someone just being given a starters job. Let's hope someone steps and takes the job.

 

[brymatt94]

Michael Hamlin Clemson stats: 281 tkls 2 ff 14 int.

 

[Jon88]

That's a lot different than the other Hamlin. He was anxious about his check.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

That's a lot different than the other Hamlin. He was anxious about his check.

He was too slow to cash them however.

 

[peplaw06]

Why do they keep saying he played no defensive snaps last year? He came in for ball on a few goal line defensive snaps against the Chargers. In the Raiders game also.

If a nobody like me knows this (just from watching the games), what are these guys getting paid to cover the team for?

I guess that's why they said "according to Campo?? I thought it was odd when I read that.

 

[dcfanatic]

Why do they keep saying he played no defensive snaps last year? He came in for ball on a few goal line defensive snaps against the Chargers. In the Raiders game also.

If a nobody like me knows this (just from watching the games), what are these guys getting paid to cover the team for?

He said Dave Campo said this. If he can't trust the coach of the kid then who can he trust?

Hamlin was in on 10 defensive snaps by the way.

 

[Jon88]

He was too slow to cash them however.

Too lazy is the better word.


He was a peice of ****.

 

[TheCount]

I'm very excited to see Hamlin compete as well, he could definitely snatch this thing.

 

[jobberone]

I think it's going too far to call K Hamlin a POS. He was solid but not worth the money being paid relative to what we have in Ball. That's the bottom line.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I think it's going too far to call K Hamlin a POS. He was solid but not worth the money being paid relative to what we have in Ball. That's the bottom line.

Fine. He was a ****ty thief.

 

[21Savage]

He said Dave Campo said this. If he can't trust the coach of the kid then who can he trust?

Hamlin was in on 10 defensive snaps by the way.

I said that because it was about the third article in which I saw that statement. Also, you'd think that if me as a fan, only watching tv, can remember that then one of these guys who get paid to go to the games will notice as well.

 

[JPostSam]

eager to compete. *eager*, not anxious!



(sorry. i had to.)

 

[CowboyManDan]

I'm anxious to see Hamlin play in some games. Some teams had him ranked as a 3rd round talent, the rest of them had him in the 4th. We stole him in the 5th. He has a lot of college experience (4 year starter) and supposidly can make plays on the ball. Let's see it.

I'm thinking these guys could split time, which also give the option of Ball being the 4th corner if we need him to be. Cause if one of our top 3 CBs goes down, we're in trouble if not for Ball.

 

[DCBoysfan]

I'm glad, Dallas drafted M. Hamlin so lets get a chance to see what he can do. I'm not mad at K. Hamlin, he turned a great year into a big contract. He didnt to live up to it, and he got cut, thats life in the NFL.