My apologies, Pat Watkins.

[gimmesix]

Up until the final preseason game, I had written you off. Now, you are shining on special teams without making the boneheaded penalties that partially led me to call for your head.

I still don't think much of you as a safety, but you have been a kick coverage machine, and especially were against the Falcons.

 

[Funxva]

Hahah, Backhanded compliment?

 

[Daudr]

Up until the final preseason game, I had written you off. Now, you are shining on special teams without making the boneheaded penalties that partially led me to call for your head.

I still don't think much of you as a safety, but you have been a kick coverage machine, and especially were against the Falcons.

He's been pretty damn good at the safety position the last couple of weeks too.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

I'd rather see Watkins out there than Ken Hamlin.

6 Games into the season and I have seen enough of Ken Hamlin. And enough of Newman. Two of the supposed leaders in the secondary. No leading by example, there.

 

[Smith22]

Yes, Watkins is doing a good job on ST. I still don't want him logging any serious time at safety.

 

[skinsscalper]

He's been pretty damn good at the safety position the last couple of weeks too.

Agreed

I'd rather see Watkins out there than Ken Hamlin.

6 Games into the season and I have seen enough of Ken Hamlin. And enough of Newman. Two of the supposed leaders in the secondary. No leading by example, there.

How much worse than Hamlin could he possibly be?

Disagree on Newman, though. He may not be a Pro Bowl caliber CB, but the guy is pretty damn steady. I DO like what I'm seeing from Mike Jenkins, though.

Until Newman's skills seriously nose dive I don't understand how anyone could complain about a Newman Jenkins combo. I just don't see Scandrick as being ready to take over the spot opposite Jenkins just yet. If our biggest concern about our CB corp is whether or not Newman or Scandrick should be starting, then that's a pretty damn good problem to have.

My, how many forget the Reeves/Jones/Hunter days.

 

[gimmesix]

Hahah, Backhanded compliment?

Didn't intend it that way. I just haven't seen enough from him as a safety to say he's suitable for extended playing time.

People bash Ken Hamlin because he's out there every play, so he has a lot more opportunities to make mistakes for them to bash. I'm not saying he's great, but no one brings up his good plays, like the pass he broke up and almost intercepted against Tony Gonzalez.

Watkins also has had some good plays, but he's also been out of position when he is on the field and has terrible tackling form. The funny thing is, his tackling form looks just fine when he's flying downfield full speed on special teams.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Yea, he has played well...and how about Alan Ball??? Dude has looked very good this season.

 

[Drederick Tatum]

...
I still don't think much of you as a safety, ...

Pat Watkins doesn't even know you exist.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

Yea, he has played well...and how about Alan Ball??? Dude has looked very good this season.

I was just about to give props to #20. Ball has been straight ballin' and I'm real pleased with Watkins too. I hope they keep coming of age.

 

[CaptainMorgan]

Yea, he has played well...and how about Alan Ball??? Dude has looked very good this season.

Yep and he had a very nice pass defelection against the birds.

 

[gimmesix]

Pat Watkins doesn't even know you exist.

He doesn't? I'm so disappointed.

 

[Sportsbabe]

...
I still don't think much of you as a safety, but you have been a kick coverage machine, and especially were against the Falcons.

I think Watkins would be better paired with Jenkins (if that's possible). I can never forget Bill raving about him in practice. Bill doesn't give anybody praise. I think Watikins is a more instinctive player and needs a system where he can show case those instincts.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Yea, he has played well...and how about Alan Ball??? Dude has looked very good this season.

Ball has played well. I'd bench Newman and try Ball out there. It can't hurt to see what Ball can do. I've seen what Newman can do, and it ain't squat. Newman has been the WORST CB for the Cowboys this year to date.

Newman is still looking for his jock after Finneran juked him silly.

No QB is afraid to throw it at Newman. If Jenkins continues to play better, Newman will continue to see a lot of balls coming his way. Which means he will be getting burned a lot.

 

[Bluefin]

I think Watkins would be better paired with Jenkins (if that's possible). I can never forget Bill raving about him in practice. Bill doesn't give anybody praise. I think Watkins is a more instinctive player and needs a system where he can show case those instincts.

I don't trust Patrick Watkins to be where he is supposed to be in coverage, which may be part of the reason we moved him from free safety to strong safety last year.

Unfortunately, I do trust Ken Hamlin to be invisible in pass coverage, which is a problem.

I don't expect him to be on the team next season.

But we are stuck with him for now, because despite the lacks of positive plays, he is "the QB" of the secondary with a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.

I don't know if Gerald Sensabaugh could take over that role if we wanted to try Watkins or Mike Hamlin beside him (which we won't do).

 

[DeaconBlues]

Ball has played well. I'd bench Newman and try Ball out there. It can't hurt to see what Ball can do. I've seen what Newman can do, and it ain't squat. Newman has been the WORST CB for the Cowboys this year to date.

Newman is still looking for his jock after Finneran juked him silly.

No QB is afraid to throw it at Newman. If Jenkins continues to play better, Newman will continue to see a lot of balls coming his way. Which means he will be getting burned a lot.

Newman had a good game. He got beat on the TD, but it took an excellent throw to get the score. The remainder of the game, not only was he solid, but Ryan rarely threw in his direction, which is a sign of good coverage.

 

[MetalHead]

Watkins had a hell of a game sunday...his play on ST made a difference.Watch the tape.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Newman had a good game.

If that is Newman having a good game (which it wasn't), I'd hate to see him when he is having a bad day.

Newman was plain awful.

 

[gimmesix]

I think Watkins would be better paired with Jenkins (if that's possible). I can never forget Bill raving about him in practice. Bill doesn't give anybody praise. I think Watikins is a more instinctive player and needs a system where he can show case those instincts.

I don't know because he looks lost at times when playing the deep middle. For all the speed he's got, he doesn't seem to read where the ball is going well or make a good break on it. Of course, some of that could be what coverage we're in, but he really doesn't do much when he's in there ... and I think it's because of a lack of instincts.

His physical ability allows him to shine on special teams, but it seems his lack of football smarts holds him back on defense.

I could be wrong about that, of course, but it's what it looks like to me.

 

[Venger]

Man if ALL we ever get out of Watkins is his recent special teams play, then welcome Mr. Permanent Roster Spot. Having a player who can consistently put an end to a return is GOLD.