Woodson: Cowboys rolling dice at safety

[Muhast]

Best Safeties in the league now are much smaller than Woodson was. Polamalu and Ed Reed are not known for big hits. They are playmakers who have great ballhawk abilities and blitz occasionally. Neither of them are taller than 6'. Both are around 5'10". You can even throw in lil Bob Sanders when he isnt injured. The position/game has changed since Woodson's playing days.

Polamalu actually has quite a bit of big hits he has dished out in his career.

I agree though about the coverage safeties being gold now in the league.

 

[stilltheguru]

Woodson pretty much saying exactly what I have been saying. Ball is garbage and Hamlin will be starting week 1.

 

[stilltheguru]

I sincerely doubt we will be seeing Alan Ball down in the box that often.

Just because he's not down in the box doesn't mean he wont ever come in contact with Brandon Jacobs. Are you serious?

 

[Muhast]

Woodson pretty much saying exactly what I have been saying. Ball is garbage and Hamlin will be starting week 1.

"He's a cornerback playing safety. He has a cover mentality, and that's apparently what they want. They want a ballhawk back there."

"The problem you have is in the running game," said Woodson. "If you have a strong runner who gets to the second level, is Alan Ball going to make a play for you? That's the question mark in my mind. If he has to cover the tight end or a slot receiver one on one, I think he'll be fine."

I don't see anywhere even close to him being called garbage.

I see him saying he is a coverage FS, thats what Dallas wants, they hope he can be a ballhawk. He'll be fine covering TE's and slots.

I see some worries about his tackling, but nothing that merits it. He had a few big hits last season, and has done nothing to show he can't do it. He did just fine when playing in games last season.

 

[stilltheguru]

"He's a cornerback playing safety. He has a cover mentality, and that's apparently what they want. They want a ballhawk back there."

"The problem you have is in the running game," said Woodson. "If you have a strong runner who gets to the second level, is Alan Ball going to make a play for you? That's the question mark in my mind. If he has to cover the tight end or a slot receiver one on one, I think he'll be fine."

I don't see anywhere even close to him being called garbage.

I see him saying he is a coverage FS, thats what Dallas wants, they hope he can be a ballhawk. He'll be fine covering TE's and slots.

I see some worries about his tackling, but nothing that merits it. He had a few big hits last season, and has done nothing to show he can't do it. He did just fine when playing in games last season.

How many plays did he make last year? You know what, preseason will tell the story. And if not I hope its a Mike Jenkins/Scandrick situation with them alternating weeks. Hamlin will win the job either way.

 

[This is Our Year]

I'm still holding out hope we sign Otogwe when he becomes a UFA on June 1, but only time will tell I guess.....

 

[dallascowboyfanboy]

Polamalu actually has quite a bit of big hits he has dished out in his career.

I agree though about the coverage safeties being gold now in the league.

I am more impressed with his range. The dude can cover so much ground. When he plays it seems like the Steelers are playing with 12 or 13 guys on defense. He is everywhere.

 

[T-RO]

Best Safeties in the league now are much smaller than Woodson was. Polamalu and Ed Reed are not known for big hits. They are playmakers who have great ballhawk abilities and blitz occasionally. Neither of them are taller than 6'. Both are around 5'10". You can even throw in lil Bob Sanders when he isnt injured. The position/game has changed since Woodson's playing days.

I agree. It's a pass-first league and that show in defensive philosophy and personnel.

 

[T-RO]

I am more impressed with his range. The dude can cover so much ground. When he plays it seems like the Steelers are playing with 12 or 13 guys on defense. He is everywhere.

His hair alone covers 50 cubic yards before he even takes a step.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Otogwe is known for Tuesday.





:chopchop:

 

[Section446]

As Woodson noted, the Cowboys don't exactly have the surest tacklers lining up in the secondary.

This is the one thing that scares me. Thankfully, our front-seven is about as good as it gets and it should be pretty rare for an RB to get far enough up field.

Cornerbacks Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins are both solid coverage guys, but I'm not sure receivers fear going across the middle.

I'm not necessarily worried much about Newman and Jenkins, both are pretty good tacklers, at least they were last year.

 

[Bleu Star]

I sincerely doubt we will be seeing Alan Ball down in the box that often.

I'm not really worried about the box DE. We'll scheme so that he isn't exposed that close to the line. I'm worried about the second level protection when the RBs bust through. It will happen and we will fin out when it does whether or not he's willing to sellout to save 6. Hopefully he can be that safety valve that will make the difference between recovering to live 4 downs and 6 pts on the scoreboard against us.

 

[DallasEast]

Just because he's not down in the box doesn't mean he wont ever come in contact with Brandon Jacobs. Are you serious?

I'm not really worried about the box DE. We'll scheme so that he isn't exposed that close to the line. I'm worried about the second level protection when the RBs bust through. It will happen and we will fin out when it does whether or not he's willing to sellout to save 6. Hopefully he can be that safety valve that will make the difference between recovering to live 4 downs and 6 pts on the scoreboard against us.

Thanks for the sensible response, Bleu Star. You're right and concern is warranted, but only to a certain degree.

Ball's overall size hampers his ability of powering through tackles involving larger running backs, but proper technique can help offset that particular deficit. Regardless of who will eventually man the position this season, Phillips will determine which player will embody the best coverage and tackler option available.

We (the fans) will be able to see for ourselves how well Ball can handle the full-time starter role during preseason if the team doesn't make a roster addition beforehand. Until then, we can reasonably put the "Brandon Jacobs boogieman" in his proper place.

 

[Bleu Star]

Thanks for the sensible response, Bleu Star. You're right and concern is warranted, but only to a certain degree.

Ball's overall size hampers his ability of powering through tackles involving larger running backs, but proper technique can help offset that particular deficit. Regardless of who will eventually man the position this season, Phillips will determine which player will embody the best coverage and tackler option available.

We (the fans) will be able to see for ourselves how well Ball can handle the full-time starter role during preseason if the team doesn't make a roster addition beforehand. Until then, we can reasonably put the "Brandon Jacobs boogieman" in his proper place.

I am very excited to see what Ball can do when given elevated responsibility. He's a great story.. a guy that came up in Dallas and found his way onto the field. He has definitely shown flashed. He kinda reminds me of the Safety I wanted in the draft a couple of years ago. Louis Delmas... Same build.. Hopefully same gumption too.. I'm definitely rooting for him!

 

[Manster68]

I really do not care how big or small Alan Ball is. If he makes plays, then I am happy.

Dallas needs PLAYMAKERS!