DMN Blog: What to do at safety

[WoodysGirl]

12:47 PM Tue, Mar 03, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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It looks like one of the more underrated safeties available in free agency, Jim Leonhard, is about to join the Baltimore-to-New York express by leaving the Ravens for the Jets.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, have yet to address their biggest need of the off-season now that the backup quarterback spot is settled. Roy Williams has asked for the team to make a decision on his future today, which, of course, they don't have to listen to but it's clear he is on his way out at some point.

But what should the Cowboys do? The names in free agency are not that great. Darren Sharper is an interesting name but he's up there in age. I like Mike Brown, but he's always hurt. James Butler from the Giants? I can't say he did much for me when the Cowboys played against the Giants. Sean Jones? He is a hitter but does not have much coverage skills.

We need to forget the notion strong safety, free safety. The position has changed. Those spots are interchangeable. The Cowboys need to do something, and maybe it's taking a low-money risk on Brown. But they also need to go to the draft for a player too.

Excluding Williams, they have Ken Hamlin, Pat Watkins, who is coming off reconstructive shoulder surgery, Tra Battle, Courtney Brown and Jerome Carter at safety right now. Keith Davis is a free agent, and I'd bring him back because of his leadership and special teams' ability. He has more value to the Cowboys than another team.



http://www.***BANNED-URL***/images/ice3/icons/blog.gif Comments (3) Leave comment | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail entry

 

[ddh33]

Isn't the Bullocks kid from N.O. available now? Didn't the Cowboys like him once upon a time, or have injuries ruined him?

 

[CarlAllDay]

out of that group i'd say sean jones and i like him the most out of all the safeties available.

i really like o.j atogwe but he is franchised.

and phillips from tampa bay is pretty solid to me.

but im also comfortable with patrick chung, or william moore(which im very happy he is dropping because he's an animal forget senior bowl and combines check the film and he's 6'2 230 and ran a 4.51 forty and his body is solid not flabby like roy williams

 

[Canadian BoyzFan]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who see's Jones as terrible in coverage.

 

[BAT]

I would take a vet min w/incentives on Brown. The guy is always injured, but he has great intangibles and instincts for the position.


If healthy, he is better than Hamlin.

 

[khiladi]

I thought we were free-ing up cap-space by releasing TO?

 

[Canadian BoyzFan]

I thought we were free-ing up cap-space by releasing TO?

I see what you did there.

 

[jterrell]

sharper and a draft pick makes sense.

would have to be on a cheap deal though like kitna and brooking.

we def need to get killa davis back for Special Teams.

forget messing around again without that guy covering kicks.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Blow up the the whole safety position.. Keep Hamlin cause of his contract.. Keep Davis for special teams and depth. The rest of those guys can go. Watkins, Brown, RW.. Draft a FS and a SS.. Sign a veteran like Sharper to Mentor the new guys... Hopefully the new guys can tackle and cover..

 

[TellerMorrow34]

There are some options there. I'd just like to see us do something for the position but I particularly like the Jones kid. Butler is ok and Sharper would be really nice if he was about 3 years younger.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Mike Brown, former Bears safety, is the clear favorite for me in this free agent S class. Brown has the most talent by far, and I'm not concerend about his age because when he has played the last few seasons he has shown the speed needed to play S. His only problem is that he gets hurt often, but that's because he likes to dish out the hits. What's promising is that he never suffers the same injury twice, and he has come back strong from all injuries he has had. So for that, I would at least give him a look.

I'm hoping Dallas brings him in for at least a physical. If he passes he'd be a good signing. I also would not want Dallas to hand him the job; I would still draft a SS and have the rookie, Mike Brown and Keith Davis compete for it. I would even keep Roy Williams if he can re-work his deal, to come in in specialized packages. Otherwise, if a guy like Brown, or the rookie, wins the SS job, then Dallas can cut Roy Willimas outright (or trade him0 and slot Keith Davis into those packages, as he also plays special tems full-time.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

restructure Roy and draft his replacement

that's all I can think of

 

[TellerMorrow34]

That wouldn't be a bad idea, in regards to Roy, IMO.

 

[Stash]

I'd prefer Sharper because I feel he's a playmaker, but I wouldn't mind taking a chance on Mike Brown as well.

Either way, I would draft a safety as insurance and a long-term option.

 

[Alexander]

Mike Brown, former Bears safety, is the clear favorite for me in this free agent S class. Brown has the most talent by far, and I'm not concerend about his age because when he has played the last few seasons he has shown the speed needed to play S. His only problem is that he gets hurt often, but that's because he likes to dish out the hits. What's promising is that he never suffers the same injury twice, and he has come back strong from all injuries he has had. So for that, I would at least give him a look.

He's also running out of body parts to injure. Saying he is hurt "often" is being very generous. What's the use of signing a free agent and keeping your fingers crossed he doesn't get hurt?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

That wouldn't be a bad idea, in regards to Roy, IMO.

there isn't anything better that comes to my mind

 

[Hostile]

I'd take Roy over all of the other names mentioned in that article. Restructure his contract and draft a Safety at 51.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'd take Roy over all of the other names mentioned in that article. Restructure his contract and draft a Safety at 51.

only Chung

 

[Woods]

I'd take Roy over all of the other names mentioned in that article. Restructure his contract and draft a Safety at 51.

I hope this is what we end up doing.

We use RW for certain packages. Defensive packages where he can excel. And we use a cover Safety for other types of packages.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I could see that end up being what happens. Keeping Roy under a restructured deal for one more season, maybe two, in order to groom his replacement.