Safety analysis

[Wood]

With so many new names being added and trying to see who will actually start. Here is quick analysis of current group (40 times included):

Name Age Ht Wt 40 yard dash
Gerald Sensabaugh 26 6'0 204 4.40
Alan Ball 25 6'1 176 4.52
Michael Hamlin 24 6'2 214 4.62
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah 22 6'1 207 4.33
Barry Church 22 6'2 219 4.68
Danny McCray 22 6'1 212 4.46

With Sensabaugh locked in as starter and emphasis at creating turnovers from other Safety spot.... Hamlin looks poised to challenge Ball immediately with Akwasi on their heels. Of the group Akwasi was turnover machine in college with Hamlin showing good hands and instincts. Church was a "in the box" S due to his insticts but dropped many potential interceptions.

 

[DavidS]

I thought Ball had a much faster 40 time personally.....

 

[Wood]

i thought his 40 time would be faster too considering he plays corner also..but this is from his pro day:


Fri, 20 Apr 2007 03:44:19 -0400

Gil Brandt, of NFL.com, reports Illinois CB Alan Ball measured a height of 6-foot-1 1/2 and a weight of 183 pounds at his Pro Day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds and 4.53 seconds, the short shuttle in 4.18 seconds and the three-cone drill in 6.75 seconds. He measured a 36-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-4 broad jump and completed 11 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press.

 

[Monster Heel]

Well, Alan Ball was a 7th round pick. Corners with big time speed tend to get picked in the mid rounds at worst unless they can't play. A lot of times, you see a corner rise in the draft not based on tape, but them proving they can run.

 

[KingintheNorth]

I know the Apologists will get upset but as excited as I am about this team's chances I really feel like we are throwing a couple of JAG's back there at safety. Sensabaugh and Ball don't exactly strike fear into the hearts of opposing QB's or Coordinators. Mike Hamlin hasn't really proven anything yet and I really feel he's a Strong Safety type. So playing him along with Sensabaugh scares me.

I'm not saying we must sign INSERT RANDOM BIG MONEY FREE AGENT NAME HERE but I'm a little disappointed with our Let's roll with what we have mentality. Safety play has been our downfall recently and IMO some upgrades were needed. Our pass rushers and corners are playing at a high level right now, I just wish we had the safeties to back them up and capitalize on QB mistakes craeted by those pass rushers.

I'm super excited about Akwasi but I'm not sure he's ready to contribute. He does seem to have the athleticism and cover skills that would make him an asset as a Free Safety.

 

[jbsg02]

Had no idea that Sensabaugh ran that fast of a time! wow!

 

[DavidS]

I know the Apologists will get upset but as excited as I am about this team's chances I really feel like we are throwing a couple of JAG's back there at safety. Sensabaugh and Ball don't exactly strike fear into the hearts of opposing QB's or Coordinators. Mike Hamlin hasn't really proven anything yet and I really feel he's a Strong Safety type. So playing him along with Sensabaugh scares me.

I'm not saying we must sign INSERT RANDOM BIG MONEY FREE AGENT NAME HERE but I'm a little disappointed with our Let's roll with what we have mentality. Safety play has been our downfall recently and IMO some upgrades were needed. Our pass rushers and corners are playing at a high level right now, I just wish we had the safeties to back them up and capitalize on QB mistakes craeted by those pass rushers.

I'm super excited about Akwasi but I'm not sure he's ready to contribute. He does seem to have the athleticism and cover skills that would make him an asset as a Free Safety.

Ball played really well last year when he replaced Sensabaugh for a few games. I have faith in our staff and in Alan

 

[zrinkill]

You cannot have probowlers at every position.

Sensy and Ball will cover things until AOA and Hamlin are ready to take over.


Hopefully.

 

[CF74]

Had no idea that Sensabaugh ran that fast of a time! wow!

Yeah and Hamlin2 is much bigger than I thought he was.. If Ball can stay healthy long enough for AOA to learn the ropes we may be aight...

 

[TonyRomo09]

am i the only one who thought sensa was a baller last year? we didn't get beat deep, he should have had a few INTs if not for his cast..

 

[Doomsday101]

am i the only one who thought sensa was a baller last year? we didn't get beat deep, he should have had a few INTs if not for his cast..

For a one handed safety I thought he did a great job for us last season. I'm thrilled he will come into this season with both hands.

 

[TonyRomo09]

For a one handed safety I thought he did a great job for us last season. I'm thrilled he will come into this season with both hands.

agreed!

 

[Angus]

Bryan McCann can play safety as well as cornerback. Might as well include him.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

With so many new names being added and trying to see who will actually start. Here is quick analysis of current group (40 times included):

Name Age Ht Wt 40 yard dash
Gerald Sensabaugh 26 6'0 204 4.40
Alan Ball 25 6'1 176 4.52
Michael Hamlin 24 6'2 214 4.62
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah 22 6'1 207 4.33
Barry Church 22 6'2 219 4.68
Danny McCray 22 6'1 212 4.46

With Sensabaugh locked in as starter and emphasis at creating turnovers from other Safety spot.... Hamlin looks poised to challenge Ball immediately with Akwasi on their heels. Of the group Akwasi was turnover machine in college with Hamlin showing good hands and instincts. Church was a "in the box" S due to his insticts but dropped many potential interceptions.

are you sure about ball? I thought he was better than a 4.4 in college.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I know the Apologists will get upset but as excited as I am about this team's chances I really feel like we are throwing a couple of JAG's back there at safety. Sensabaugh and Ball don't exactly strike fear into the hearts of opposing QB's or Coordinators. Mike Hamlin hasn't really proven anything yet and I really feel he's a Strong Safety type. So playing him along with Sensabaugh scares me.

I'm not saying we must sign INSERT RANDOM BIG MONEY FREE AGENT NAME HERE but I'm a little disappointed with our Let's roll with what we have mentality. Safety play has been our downfall recently and IMO some upgrades were needed. Our pass rushers and corners are playing at a high level right now, I just wish we had the safeties to back them up and capitalize on QB mistakes craeted by those pass rushers.

I'm super excited about Akwasi but I'm not sure he's ready to contribute. He does seem to have the athleticism and cover skills that would make him an asset as a Free Safety.

OK, what's the solution then? I read a lot of gripe but didn't read any solutions to the problem. everyone knew our safties aren't all world. yet there wasn't a viable option available when we picked. I had expressed before that MLB was a need position since we had nobody behind James and Brooking, even more so than the saftey spot.

and lets not forget this team gave up 15 points a game. was top 10 in defense. and went 11-5.

how has the saftey play been our down fall?

 

[CF74]

am i the only one who thought sensa was a baller last year? we didn't get beat deep, he should have had a few INTs if not for his cast..

My memory says he would have had 5-6 picks last year with two hands. Huge improvement over RW1...

 

[HornStar]

What about O.J. Atogwe? What is the latest news on him?

 

[TonyRomo09]

that he is to pricey

 

[HornStar]

yeah, but do you guys think A. Ball is ready to step in?

 

[Doomsday101]

yeah, but do you guys think A. Ball is ready to step in?

He did last season why shouldn't he be able to do so this season? Especially since they will be working him at safety not CB and safety