I'm very confident that Terence Newman will be starting at LCB for the Cowboys next season. He's earned that right through out his eight year career. Some may say that his salary may be a little high next year, $ 8 million dollars is cheap on the blue-chip CB market. Just look up the salaries.
Moreover, Anthony Henry used to make a whole lot more money than Newman made. Yet, Terence Newman was the superior player. Yet, even back then, I read where some people thought Henry and Lito Sheppard were better. Where is Lito Sheppard now?
Furthermore, Newman was vastly underpaid for his performance from 2003-2007. The money that he will earn next year will have been earned from his past play and current value. Plus, Newman is only one year removed from a Pro Bowl season (alternate or not), where he shut down DeSean Jackson three straight times. Newman hasat least two prime years left, and I'm supremely confident in saying that. "People" have been trying to replace Newman since the 2007 draft due to his '"age'".
Look at Aaron Glenn from Texas A&M.
Aaron Glenn was drafted number 12 overall by the New York Jets. Glenn played 8 seasons for the New York Jets. Houston drafted Glenn in the supplemental draft of 2002. Where did Glenn go during his ninth season? Glenn went to the Pro Bowl.
Furthermore, Aaron Glenn started at CB for 11 seasons. At age 33, Glenn came to Dallas to be their nickel CB, and he did this for two seasons. Glenn was a mentor to Terence Newman, too. Terence Newman will turn 33 next September (late birthday), but it will only be his 9th season in the NFL, not his 11th or 12th.
When you are talking about a corner back the caliber of Newman, the ninth and tenth seasons are for sure prime years (IMO), all things being equal. People like to talk about Newman's chronological age, but they fail to note that Newman is only in his 8th year of play.
I remember having these debates when some called for Newman's replacement to be drafted when he was about to turn 29. They argued about his "age" or stated that "he's not that good", but theyfailed to account for the way that he is physically built, they way that he takes care of himself and trains, the quality of player that he is, his athletic ability, and the his number of years played.
Since then, Terence Newman has gone to the Pro Bowl at age 29 (fifth year) and 31 (seventh year). If "some" had their way, he wouldn't have even been on the team to make those Pro Bowls. Many of the "same critics" were really ready to get rid of him after the 2008 season, despite his very good play after returning from his first serious injury. There is statistical evidence that shows how much significantly better Dallas' defense performed when Newman returned healthy that season. Plus, all you had to do was watch the games. One example, Newman took Santana Moss all over the field, for the second time, and shut him completely down (again) and made two of the biggest plays of the divisional game.
Nevertheless, the Holmes play in Pittsburgh was a cherry picked "battle cry" from the anti-Newman minority. Never mind that Holmes was held in check for the rest of the game, and the Steelers didn't score on that drive.,
Newman was rated a top 5 CB before the 2009 season started and went to the Pro Bowl that season.
So, once again, Newman's name is once again topic for "discussion" on a defense that has under-performed across the board; just take heed.
Terence Newman will start at LCB for the Dallas Cowboys next year. I'm supremely confident in saying that. Newman has at least two prime years left for sure, imso. In times of crisis, you don't cut one of your very best players, especially when he is still in his prime. Newman is going to allow Dallas to address the poor safety play and defensive line and poor offensive line play.
A CB can be drafted (in 2011 or 2012) and groomed for at least the next two seasons, imso. The Packers acquired a player (Tramon Williams) who wasn't even drafted in 2006, and he basically became a starter in 2009. He is a full time starter now. They just signed him to a new contract
The talk to Newman to FS now is ridiculous, with all due respect. Newman is a blue-chip, pure cover CB. He's not a safety. I could see him moving into nickel CB duty down the road, but Newman isn't there at this point, imso.
Here is another name to ponder:
Walt Harris made the Pro Bowl in his 11th year. He was 32. Again, Newman has only played 8 years, not 12. Newman doesn't have the wear and tear of a player who has played more than 11 or 12 years. If Newman can continue to keep his head and legs healthy, he's going to probably shoot to play at least 12 seasons. Like I stated, his 9th and 10th years are going to be prime years, imso. Newman will play at 33 and 34, respectively. Plus, he has a late birthday.
In closing, there are some big names on this team who have a very, very good chance to be gone, but Terence Newman is going no where in 2011. I'm supremely confident when I state that.
This defense has struggled across the board, and the safeties and defensive line will be addressed, imso. Jay Ratliff has been pushed around this year, and it hasn't always been a double team, either (see the Eagles game). I'll say this for Ratliff and Ware, the DEs on this team have not helped their cause. Mike Jenkins has struggled with his technique, but I think that he can bounce back. He has been victimized by poor safety play, too. I've seen him play lights out once. If you do it once, you can do it again. Jenkins' play is getting better down the stretch. Terence Newman also provides guidance and leadership for Jenkins.
Also, Anthony Spencer has not performed up to his 2009 season. He's played better down the stretch. Igor Olshansky and Keith Brooking have been pushed around and exploited in coverage. The safety play has been very erratic, and it has hurt both CBs all season long, both safeties. There have been some games where DeMarcus Ware was quiet. However, I know that he's still had a good year, especially when you consider the overall current state of the defense.