Safety analysis

[Doomsday101]

Atogwe's shoulder isn't a problem. Apparently we don't want to pay his price right now. They are comfortable with Ball and they want to know what they have in Kwasi and Hamlin. Sensabaugh is the starter at SS although I think Hamlin will be a better SS than a FS.

Rams do have a say and according to the VP with the Rams they are looking at a long term deal

Demoff: We have tendered Oshiomogho Atogwe at the Right of First Refusal level, which allows us the chance to match any offer sheet he signs between now and the week before the Draft. Should OJ not sign an offer sheet, his rights would revert back to the Rams. On June 1st, we have the option to either increase his salary to nearly $7m or to release him and let him be an unrestricted free agent. We could not have asked for OJ to handle his situation better than he did last year. I remain optimistic that we will be able to work out a long-term deal with OJ, and this is the first step in that process.

 

[AtlCB]

I just think there's a big difference between being on the squad "long enough" and having "meaningful experience". Hamlin1 was the guy who put the secondary in the correct positions. Sensabaugh may well be able to do that consistently, but having a safety with game experience back there with him would be a plus. Hamlin2 doesn't have that experience, and Ball does.

I'm prepared to be pleasantly surprised by Hamlin2 and the rest of the "redshirt" draft. I'm also prepared to be disappointed to a greater or lesser extent.

Edited to add: I'm also prepared to be patient with the redshirts.

You don't know if Hamlin can do it, and you can't get him "meaningful experience" without getting him on the field. I see problems with Ball as well. I seriously doubt he can hold up at starting safety for an entire season at his size.

 

[Gadfly22]

You don't know if Hamlin can do it, and you can't get him "meaningful experience" without getting him on the field. I see problems with Ball as well. I seriously doubt he can hold up at starting safety for an entire season at his size.

Soooooo....I don't know if Hamlin can do it (and I don't) -- though I do know that he has far less "meaningful experience" than Ball. Which, of course, is the key point.

But you, on the other hand, have a magical ability to "see" problems with Ball and foresee problems for him at starting safety.

This is the difference between realistic optimism and the Pollyannaism that is rampant this time of year, when every draft pick (redshirt or not) is pressing for a starting position and every UDFA is the next Tony Romo -- except right away and without warming the bench for a couple years. Ah, spring!

 

[Doomsday101]

Soooooo....I don't know if Hamlin can do it (and I don't) -- though I do know that he has far less "meaningful experience" than Ball. Which, of course, is the key point.

But you, on the other hand, have a magical ability to "see" problems with Ball and foresee problems for him at starting safety.

This is the difference between realistic optimism and the Pollyannaism that is rampant this time of year, when every draft pick (redshirt or not) is pressing for a starting position and every UDFA is the next Tony Romo -- except right away and without warming the bench for a couple years. Ah, spring!

and every FA pans out the way you want him to. Right As for Atogwe he is looking longterm deal and is still part of the Rams and I don't think Dallas wants to bury AOA behind a guy like Atogew for the next 5 to 6 years because in the end Atogew will be looking for that type of security.

 

[Gadfly22]

and every FA pans out the way you want him to. Right As for Atogwe he is looking longterm deal and is still part of the Rams and I don't think Dallas wants to bury AOA behind a guy like Atogew for the next 5 to 6 years because in the end Atogew will be looking for that type of security.

Are you sure you meant to quote me? Since I'm on record above saying that I think the Cowboys will NOT be going after Atogwe for the kind of money-related reasons you cite.

Ball is the presumptive starter for now, with AOA (for all his physical talent) still a small-school project and Hamlin2 a semi-rookie (with 6 game appearances last year and 1 tackle).

 

[Doomsday101]

Are you sure you meant to quote me? Since I'm on record above saying that I think the Cowboys will NOT be going after Atogwe for the kind of money-related reasons you cite.

Ball is the presumptive starter for now, with AOA (for all his physical talent) still a small-school project and Hamlin2 a semi-rookie (with 6 game appearances last year and 1 tackle).

Ball is a guy who has played the position and did well at is which is why Jerry has not been talking much about safety.

If you notice they have talked of bringing in a vet on the Oline to help provide backup. As Jerry said had we been able to draft one of the OL we were looking at we would not be that interested in looking for a vet.

I think the same applies with the safety they did get a guy they liked and wanted in AOA and seem ready to let Allen compete for the starting job with Hamlin. As we get into training camp if they feel they need insurance at the safety spot then I'm sure they will look to bring someone in.

However the only talk I have heard about safety has been fans not the organization

 

[Gadfly22]

Ball is a guy who has played the position and did well at is which is why Jerry has not been talking much about safety.

If you notice they have talked of bringing in a vet on the Oline to help provide backup. As Jerry said had we been able to draft one of the OL we were looking at we would not be that interested in looking for a vet.

I think the same applies with the safety they did get a guy they liked and wanted in AOA and seem ready to let Allen compete for the starting job with Hamlin. As we get into training camp if they feel they need insurance at the safety spot then I'm sure they will look to bring someone in.

However the only talk I have heard about safety has been fans not the organization

Well then, I'm glad we agree.

 

[NeOnDeioN]

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?

the solution is trade for taylor mays.. trade a 4th round pick and alan ball and hamlin for him

 

[DallasDomination]

I'll be willing to bet money Ball is faster then Sensa in game speed. That 40 time is off for ball, no way He runs that slow.

 

[JohnsKey19]

i think Mike Hamlin wins the job in camp. People spend too much time discussing 40 times when it comes to Ss. As long as the guy has adequate speed but more importantly good instincts and playmaking ability, you can have a good S. Ken Hamlin is not a burner by any means and he was a good S for us in 2007. For whatever reason his play dropped off noticeably but it certainly wasn't due to his timed speed suddenly increasing by .1 or .2 seconds in a matter of months. I think this is part of the reason why Jerry hasn't been in a hurry to jump out there and either draft or sign someone at S. He realizes he has adequate talent on the roster.

I think Ball's ability to play CB will hurt him in his quest to become a "starter". Wade & co. will keep him in the swing role as the backup at both CB and S.