Elam in 2012?

[perrykemp]

I was excited that we managed to sign Elam this past off-season - he knew the Ryan system and had performed reasonably well in Cleveland.

He seemed to play well in the first 6-8 weeks or so, however, I've seen very little impact from him since then...

Is he a guy worth bringing back next season? Are we going to get any better as a team starting guys like Elam?

My thought on Elam specifically is that we don't resign him, we draft a young safety, and throw into him into the action.

 

[Suave]

I was excited that we managed to sign Elam this past off-season - he knew the Ryan system and had performed reasonably well in Cleveland.

He seemed to play well in the first 6-8 weeks or so, however, I've seen very little impact from him since then...

Is he a guy worth bringing back next season? Are we going to get any better as a team starting guys like Elam?

My thought on Elam specifically is that we don't resign him, we draft a young safety, and throw into him into the action.

I wasn't excited about the Cowboys signing him. Yes, he is serviceable (and an upgrade over Ball), but he provides very minimal playmaking ability. Until the Cowboys draft/sign an impact player on the back end, they will continue to struggle. One would think Jerry would have finally figured it out by now, but he continues to roll the dice with mediocre players.

 

[JohnsKey19]

No. And it's not so much what he hasn't done this year. He's solid. But it's apparent the Cowboys need something different on the back end. Re-signing Sensabaugh locks in one S spot, some would say unfortunately, so that leaves only Elam's spot as a position that can be upgraded.

 

[Suave]

I haven't seen many preliminary mock drafts for the 2012 draft class, but I think there will be quite a few quality Safeties and Cornerbacks available (much better than last year's class). This is a golden opportunity to draft at least one of them to rebuild and regain credibility in the secondary.

 

[Eskimo]

I've heard the CBs are good but Safeties are weak this year.

I'd bring Elam back on a 1-year deal again until we find a better inhouse solution. Church is a SS but is too slow to play CF. Sensy is a decent SS.

 

[casmith07]

I think we have to bring him back next season. There isn't really someone else on the waiver wire or in the draft that's going to come in and be able to effectively "quarterback" the defense and at the same time provide solid, but not game-breaking play.

A lot of the guys that we've signed or brought in are insurance (Elam, Coleman) -- basically stopgap veteran players that are capable of keeping this team competitive until the exact guy we're looking for comes along.

Fans need to understand that it's not about having Ed Reed at every position, but basically not having a liability at any position. What you ideally want is at least one "playmaker" in each unit. Pass rush we have Ware, Linebacking we have Lee. I think we're still in search of that guy in the secondary, but I would go with Sensabaugh for this year. He's been strong and has come up with some big INTs and big tackles in run support at times too.

 

[Suave]

I've heard the CBs are good but Safeties are weak this year.

I'd bring Elam back on a 1-year deal again until we find a better inhouse solution. Church is a SS but is too slow to play CF. Sensy is a decent SS.

The 2012 Safety class can't possibly be weaker than this year's class. Not ONE Safety was projected to go in the first round, and this proved to be true because not one Safety was drafted in the first round.

 

[Woods]

I'd bring Elam back for next year.

I don't think he'll break the bank. And importantly, it does not preclude the team from drafting another Safety high if they really like one in the Draft.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Fans need to understand that it's not about having Ed Reed at every position, but basically not having a liability at any position.

That is soooooooooo true.

 

[Bigtommyb]

I was excited that we managed to sign Elam this past off-season - he knew the Ryan system and had performed reasonably well in Cleveland.

He seemed to play well in the first 6-8 weeks or so, however, I've seen very little impact from him since then...

Is he a guy worth bringing back next season? Are we going to get any better as a team starting guys like Elam?

My thought on Elam specifically is that we don't resign him, we draft a young safety, and throw into him into the action.

I would have to say no! His father just passed away so maybe he was sick before that and explains the mediocre play since week six. He is better then Ball but needs an upgrade. I believe ss should be our second round pick. With passrushing OLB first.

 

[Chuck 54]

I WAS excited over anyone who actually played safety in the NFL instead of Ball, the converted 4th string CB.

However, Elam did absolutely nothing for us this season except help get us lined up as we learned the new defense.

I can't remember a big tackle or interception or hit or fumble caused or recovered...the guy made no big plays.

This offseason should be about a playmaker at safety, getting a younger run stuffer at ILB, drafting another starter at CB and signing at least one more CB in free agency for depth.

And definitely upgrade the DL.

That's a lot to accomplish in one offseason, but even getting some of it done will make us a better team.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't think we should be stuck on keeping him. Yes, he was the right sign to make with a short offseason, but that won't be a concern this year.

It's not like we have to have a guy who has played in the system before... Elam was already at Cleveland when Rob got there, right? So new players can learn the system. And Sensabaugh knows it now anyway, and will definitely be here with the new contract.

I expect us to keep Elam, though, because he's Ryan's guy.

 

[Bigtommyb]

I WAS excited over anyone who actually played safety in the NFL instead of Ball, the converted 4th string CB.

However, Elam did absolutely nothing for us this season except help get us lined up as we learned the new defense.

I can't remember a big tackle or interception or hit or fumble caused or recovered...the guy made no big plays.

This offseason should be about a playmaker at safety, getting a younger run stuffer at ILB, drafting another starter at CB and signing at least one more CB in free agency for depth.

And definitely upgrade the DL.

That's a lot to accomplish in one offseason, but even getting some of it done will make us a better team.

I agree first three picks defense! Also a couple F/A. Offense doesn't need much maybe depth at Ol and switch Free and Smith.

 

[tupperware]

I was excited that we managed to sign Elam this past off-season - he knew the Ryan system and had performed reasonably well in Cleveland.

He seemed to play well in the first 6-8 weeks or so, however, I've seen very little impact from him since then...

Is he a guy worth bringing back next season? Are we going to get any better as a team starting guys like Elam?

My thought on Elam specifically is that we don't resign him, we draft a young safety, and throw into him into the action.

He's no Charlie Peprah.

 

[big dog cowboy]

This offseason should be about a playmaker at safety, getting a younger run stuffer at ILB, drafting another starter at CB and signing at least one more CB in free agency for depth.

And definitely upgrade the DL.

It wouldn't upset me if the entire draft was on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Eskimo]

The 2012 Safety class can't possibly be weaker than this year's class. Not ONE Safety was projected to go in the first round, and this proved to be true because not one Safety was drafted in the first round.

I think it is the same this year.

 

[Eskimo]

It wouldn't upset me if the entire draft was on the defensive side of the ball.

I'd like one OG in the first 3 rounds.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I don't think we should be stuck on keeping him. Yes, he was the right sign to make with a short offseason, but that won't be a concern this year.

It's not like we have to have a guy who has played in the system before... Elam was already at Cleveland when Rob got there, right? So new players can learn the system. And Sensabaugh knows it now anyway, and will definitely be here with the new contract.

I expect us to keep Elam, though, because he's Ryan's guy.

I figure he will be back also, and only cause we have more pressing needs in the draft so we will have to attack them with our higher picks, plus there is probably noone worth a high pick at safety anyway.

I do think a safety will be drafted though, probably later in the draft to develop behind Elam and hopefully take his spot eventually. There are so many safeties that were taken late and contribute to their teams presently (George Wilson was a WR in college for god sakes) that I don't see why we can't do the same.

 

[dgr81]

5 years/$40 million sounds about right

 

[Patton]

Elam is a JAG. Of course he will be back.