Free Agent Free Safeties: Who do You Like?

[sjordan6]

Free Agent Help: Safeties

By Roy Philpott
TheRanchReport.com
Posted Feb 22, 2007

The Dallas Cowboys' struggles at free safety have been well-documented over the course of the last three seasons. Are there any free agents currently available that could be there for the taking this offseason? TheRanchReport.com takes a closer look at that question in our first in a series of Free Agent Help articles...

Entering the 2007 season, the Dallas Cowboys still have one of the most talented defensive units in the league.

However, just like each of the last three years, problems remain at free safety.

Sure, the Cowboys tried to address the area in the draft last season by selecting Florida State's Patrick Watkins in the fifth round and picking up former Texans safety Marcus Coleman. Unfortunately neither player proved to be permanent solution to the problem.

Coleman was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in November and released and Watkins spent half the season on the practice squad.

While Watkins does hold promise for the future, the Cowboys would be best served by signing a safety with NFL experience.

Yes Keith Davis remains in the mix along with Watkins and Tony Parrish, but Dallas needs a free safety with better coverage skills to compliment the play of strong safety Roy Williams who likes to play closer to the line of scrimmage.

Is a player with those kinds of skills available this year in free agency?

Looking at the list below and considering the Cowboys should end up with over $20 million in cap room- the answer is a resounding, "yes."

In fact, there are a number of talented safeties scheduled for free agency on March 2:

Mike Doss, Indianapolis Colts (could opt out) – Doss’s 2006 season was cut short with 10 games to go, but that hasn’t stopped him from accumulating 254 tackles and seven interceptions in 3-1/2 seasons of play. If he isn’t re-signed by March 2, this will be his first trip to unrestricted free agency, and the Colts might be in the worst cap shape with the most left to re-sign. Doss is likely to be a victim of their circumstances. Probably more of a strong safety than free safety candidate.

Deon Grant, Jacksonville Jaguars – After playing in every game the last six years and amassing 335 tackles and 18 interceptions, Grant could be one the players who benefits from the abundance of room many teams have under the salary cap. He appears set to test the free-agent waters and would be a solid addition for the Cowboys at free safety.

Ken Hamlin, Seattle Seahawks – Hamlin might be the best of the safety bunch if he makes it to free agency. He’s been a full-time starter for the Seahawks the last four years and produced 237 tackles and eight interceptions. Is also a true free safety with excellent coverage skills.

Michael Lewis, Philadelphia Eagles – Lewis is another strong candidate for a big contract should he hit free agency. He’s been a starter for the Eagles, and in five seasons has 318 tackles and nine interceptions.

Lance Schulters, Atlanta Falcons – After a few years of bouncing from the Titans, Dolphins and Falcons and battling injuries, Schulters is part of the free-agent market once again. He had 77 tackles for the Dolphins in 2005, but in 2004 and 2006 missed significant playing time due to injuries.

Shaun Williams, Carolina Panthers – The former Giants starter has been missing time each of the last four seasons, and those foot and hamstring injury concerns could keep his asking price in check. He has 495 tackles and 15 interceptions in nine years in the league.

Gibril Wilson, New York Giants (restricted) – Wilson has worked through a number of injuries in his three-year career and performed admirably, garnering 268 tackles and seven interceptions. Those would appear to be solid numbers if another team is willing to depart with a first-day draft pick, the likely tender the Giants will place on Wilson.

OTHER FREE-AGENT SAFETIES
Mike Adams, San Francisco 49ers (restricted)
Jordan Babineaux, Seattle Seahawks (restricted)
Yeremiah Bells, Miami Dolphins (restricted)
Jay Bellamy, New Orleans Saints
Colin Branch, Carolina Panthers
Jack Brewer, Arizona Cardinals
Dwaine Carpenter, St. Louis Rams (restricted)
Tyrone Carter, Pittsburgh Steelers
Oliver Celestin, Seattle Seahawks (restricted)
Glenn Earl, Houston Texans (restricted)
Vernon Fox, Washington Commanders
Derrick Gibson, Oakland Raiders
Robert Griffith, Arizona Cardinals
Terrence Holt, Detroit Lions
John Howell, Seattle Seahawks
Todd Johnson, Chicago Bears
Kevin Kaesviharn, Cincinnati Bengals
Terrence Kiel, San Diego Chargers (could opt out)
Keith Lewis, San Francisco 49ers (restricted)
Mike Logan, Pittsburgh Steelers
Andre Lott, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jon McGraw, Detroit Lions
Quintoin Mikell, Philadelphia Eagles
Manik Milligan, Arizona Cardinals
Anthony Mitchell, Cincinnati Bengals
Donnie Nickey, Tennessee Titans
Tony Parrish, San Francisco 49ers
Mark Roman, San Francisco 49ers
Brain Russell, Cleveland Browns
Gerome Sapp, Baltimore Ravens
Bryan Scott, New Orleans Saints (could opt out)
Guss Scott, Houston Texans
Michael Stone, Houston Texans
Omar Stoutmire, New Orleans Saints
Travares Tillman, Miami Dolphins
Troy Vincent, Washington Commanders
Chad Williams, San Francisco 49ers
Tank Williams, Minnesota Vikings
Coy Wire, Buffalo Bills
Cameron Worrell, Chicago Bears
Chris Young, Denver Broncos (restricted)

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I like Kaesviharn, Hamlin and Grant

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I would like to see what Watkins can do in his 2nd year with a coach that KNOWS the 3-4.


I think that kneejerk reaction for guys that are drafted and declared busts because a) havent gotten on field yet(Carpenter at the time) b) Watkins in his rookie season with only so many starts to his resume is not only premature but just irresponsible... like it or not... we need "some" young guys to get better and to show they can get better.... FA rarely helps ALOT....

Lets see this "Watkins" thing through... atleast for one more season ACTUALLY... we can use the Landry 3 year rule

 

[smarta5150]

Let Watkins play.


All this "Watkins is a problem" talk has been driving me crazy lately, if you havent noticed

 

[the kid 05]

Let Watkins play.


All this "Watkins is a problem" talk has been driving me crazy lately, if you havent noticed

:stupid:err... :signmast:

 

[smarta5150]

:stupid: :signmast:

I've been called worse

 

[the kid 05]

I've been called worse

damn i for got the "err..." before the

see all better^^^^^

 

[TEK2000]

Didn't Michael Lewis lose his starting job to Considine because Lewis was doing so bad in coverage? Mark him off the list for sure!

I'm also in the stick with Watkins group. There were really only 2 or 3 games that he played poorly in... the other games I thought he played quite well for a late round rookie being forced to start.

 

[montgod]

Interesting that they didn't mention Hamlin's head injury last year or the year before. Seriously could compromise his ability to play in the long run.

I guess....Grant would be the best bet out of all of them.

Don't need injury prone Schulters or Williams.

Lewis is interesting, but think he will ask for too much moola.

So that leaves, the two most affordable options, stick with Watkins and hopefully he has developed over the off-season or draft a top notch FS. We will see what happens.

 

[Crown Royal]

Michael Lewis, Philadelphia Eagles – Lewis is another strong candidate for a big contract should he hit free agency. He’s been a starter for the Eagles, and in five seasons has 318 tackles and nine interceptions.

Yeah - he was also benched by the Eagles.

 

[ddh33]

This all depends on how much money Jerry and company want to throw at the position. I think you have to be a little careful about that because Newman has big money coming and Roy and Henry already make good money. Add in the fact that corner is more of a premium position, and the possibility of moving someone like Henry to FS, and I'm not sure how desperate Dallas will be to spend money at that position...

If Dallas does want to spend money at the position, I have to believe that Ken Hamlin is going to be very near the top of the list. Hamlin is from Arkansas, which will mean a lot to Jerry. He's a true FS with range and tackling ability. He has also played next to Michael Bouleware, who is a converted linebacker. Hamlin knows all about playing next to someone who might be better closer to the line of scrimmage. And by the way, Roy is much better in covergae than Bouleware...

 

[flashback]

Sorry, ppl, Watkins is better than anyone on that list. Watkins had 3 INTs last year, thats as many as Grant gets every year, and better than Hamlin. He also had a huge fumble return against Tennessee. The guy makes plays.

I wouldn't pass on Reggie Nelson if he's there, or shy away from drafting a top cover guy and shifting Henry over, because those would be clear upgrades to Watkins. If anybody from this list is signed, I hope its to compete with Parrish for the backup job.

 

[sago1]

Count me in as a Watkins supporter. He's a 5th round pick who played decently even with some rookie mistakes; too much expected of him in his rookie year. This year (with participation in our offseason weight conditioning program) he will be much stronger physically and probably bulk up maybe 10 pounds which should help him a lot. If Phillips can ensure our front 7 bring lot more pressure on the QB, our secondary could well be outstanding (Watkins/Newman/Henry) particularly if Watkins reaches the level necessary to allow Roy Williams to consistently play much closer to the LOS.

I'd rather move Henry to FS (if Watkins can't cut it this year) and, instead of drafting/signing a FS, use our first round pick on a CB who can replace A.Glenn soon. Of course selecting a CB in first road and not a guy like Blalock won't be necessary if Jerry signs a good young FA OG who can start immediately.

 

[THUMPER]

Watkins will play a whole lot better when we actually have a passrush that puts pressure on the QB, that goes for the entire secondary.

I am not anxious to throw a bunch of money at a FA but if one of the top FSs in the draft were to fall to us, like Landry, then I would be all over that.

 

[Rampage]

while i would like to give watkins a chance im also a cowboy fan so i want to win now. so i say either watkins/Hamlin/Grant.

 

[DCBoysfan]

Watkins will play a whole lot better when we actually have a passrush that puts pressure on the QB, that goes for the entire secondary.

I am not anxious to throw a bunch of money at a FA but if one of the top FSs in the draft were to fall to us, like Landry, then I would be all over that.

I agree I would like to see Watkins in his second year. If a Landry falls to us then make a move, I think Dallas can get a safety later on in the draft to compete with Watkins. But give the kid a second year before we start throwing out big money for a FS.

 

[dalboy]

I say we draft Micheal Griffin

 

[Doomsday101]

I think Watkins will still develope into a very good FS. Being thrown into the starting mix he had some troubles but he also got better as the season wore on. My own opinion I think it is too early to be giving up on Watkins.

 

[justbob]

Watkins will play a whole lot better when we actually have a passrush that puts pressure on the QB, that goes for the entire secondary.

I am not anxious to throw a bunch of money at a FA but if one of the top FSs in the draft were to fall to us, like Landry, then I would be all over that.

I also think he will play better without looking over his shoulder for parcells

 

[austintodallas]

I like Watkins. If we can produce a pass rush under Wade's agressive sheme, he'll be just fine back there.