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Safe Assumption?
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Owusu-Ansah played in just seven games in 2010, suffering injuries early and late last season.
IRVING, Texas - Easily one of the two biggest position needs on the team, safety was not addressed during the draft.
That's old news by now and it really wasn't a big surprise considering the lack of depth in this year's crop. Last year, two guys - Eric Berry and Earl Thomas - each went in the first 13 picks. This year, the first true safety off the board was UCLA's Rahim Moore at No. 45. Of course Texas' Aaron Williams, who went 34th to Buffalo, can play both corner and safety and might have been an option for the Cowboys had he fallen to No. 40.
But clearly the Cowboys felt no reason to force the issue and take a safety that didn't immediately improve the team.
In free agency, it has to be a different story, right? Luckily for the Cowboys, this is considered somewhat of a deep crop of free-agent-to-be safeties with guys like Michael Huff, Eric Weddle, Dawan Landry, Danieal Manning and Abram Elam all out there, to simply name a few.
And let's not forget Gerald Sensabaugh is considered to be right in the middle of that aforementioned list. It's expected the Cowboys' starting strong safety the last two years can demand a contract in that same range.
Since we've heard from both Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones that last year's free safety Alan Ball is probably headed back to corner, and with Sensabaugh likely to test the free-agent waters once the signing period begins, it's safe to assume the Cowboys will be in the market for not just one, but two free-agent safeties.
Or is it safe to assume that?
Remember, this is a Cowboys' franchise that made one free-agent signing last year. And that was to give guard Montrae Holland a two-year contract after it appeared he wouldn't return to the team.
Needless to say, there were more players leaving Valley Ranch in 2010 than entering. So to automatically assume that Jerry Jones will open the checkbook to sign two safeties this year sounds a bit unrealistic.
Now, it very well could happen, considering that Sensabaugh might have been in the Cowboys' plans all along and they just haven't been able to re-sign him because of the current lockout. Of course, they could've agreed on a deal with him before March, but without knowing the structure of the league - whether it will be capped or uncapped - you can't fault the Cowboys or any other team for choosing to wait before doling out wads of cash.
But if the lockout ends close to the start of the season, and free agency is fast and furious as expected, there's a good chance the Cowboys don't sign two safeties. Maybe it's only Sensabaugh. Or maybe they would pay for someone like Huff or Weddle and then hope to get by with an in-house safety.
That was the plan last year. The Cowboys cut ties with Ken Hamlin in hopes Ball would make the transition from cornerback.
But let's not get surprised if the Cowboys try that route once again, especially if they decide to make a big free-agent splash at another position. Whether it's realistic or not, the Cowboys will at least be linked to having interest in signing Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the top free agents in this year's class.
If that happens, not only would the Cowboys likely not have the cash to sign two safeties, but would probably hope that his presence alone could overcompensate from some inexperience at the other safety position.
So if the Cowboys were to sign only one safety, let's look at the candidates already on the roster who could compete for the starting job.
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah - Maybe the Cowboys did get a safety in the draft. It just happened last year. Because they probably know as much about Owusu-Ansah as they do some of these new rookies. Health was an issue with him last year as he came here with a shoulder injury and had a high-ankle sprain that ended his season early. If he can stay healthy for a while and get comfortable at one spot, he'll have a chance. He's the highest-drafted player among this group and teams are always pulling for the draft picks.
Barry Church - He came to the Cowboys last year with high expectations despite not getting drafted. But Church showed enough ability in training camp and the preseason games to force the Cowboys to keep him. His ability to play special teams helped him stay active and could help his chances of earning a roster spot. If the Cowboys don't sign a true strong safety in free agency, Church would have a good chance to compete for the job.
Danny McCray - Silently, the Cowboys may not really want him to compete for a starting job. McCray proved last year he was not only the best special teams player on the squad, but one of the better coverage players the team has had in years. And even if that's all McCray turns out to be, it's valuable because of his skill level. But he showed some ability to play as a nickel and dime linebacker last year and should be able to contribute in that area again.
Andrew Sendejo - The Cowboys got him from the UFL last year and weren't sure what he could contribute. At the end of the season, Sendejo was playing on special teams, mostly covering kicks. He'll have a long ways to go before competing for a starting spot in the NFL, but he should at least get a chance.
Alan Ball - He shouldn't be dismissed from the competition. Last year was his first at the safety position full time, and Ball had to learn on the run. If the Cowboys decide to start a safety already on the roster, it wouldn't be out of the question to assume he gets another shot. But his versatility to be a backup safety and corner, combined with his special teams ability, should make him a valuable commodity on the 53-man roster.
Of course, the Cowboys haven't ruled out signing two safeties. But history suggests, not only with this team but around the league, that it might be more realistic to sign just one and try to promote from within to fill the other spot.
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Owusu-Ansah played in just seven games in 2010, suffering injuries early and late last season.
IRVING, Texas - Easily one of the two biggest position needs on the team, safety was not addressed during the draft.
That's old news by now and it really wasn't a big surprise considering the lack of depth in this year's crop. Last year, two guys - Eric Berry and Earl Thomas - each went in the first 13 picks. This year, the first true safety off the board was UCLA's Rahim Moore at No. 45. Of course Texas' Aaron Williams, who went 34th to Buffalo, can play both corner and safety and might have been an option for the Cowboys had he fallen to No. 40.
But clearly the Cowboys felt no reason to force the issue and take a safety that didn't immediately improve the team.
In free agency, it has to be a different story, right? Luckily for the Cowboys, this is considered somewhat of a deep crop of free-agent-to-be safeties with guys like Michael Huff, Eric Weddle, Dawan Landry, Danieal Manning and Abram Elam all out there, to simply name a few.
And let's not forget Gerald Sensabaugh is considered to be right in the middle of that aforementioned list. It's expected the Cowboys' starting strong safety the last two years can demand a contract in that same range.
Since we've heard from both Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones that last year's free safety Alan Ball is probably headed back to corner, and with Sensabaugh likely to test the free-agent waters once the signing period begins, it's safe to assume the Cowboys will be in the market for not just one, but two free-agent safeties.
Or is it safe to assume that?
Remember, this is a Cowboys' franchise that made one free-agent signing last year. And that was to give guard Montrae Holland a two-year contract after it appeared he wouldn't return to the team.
Needless to say, there were more players leaving Valley Ranch in 2010 than entering. So to automatically assume that Jerry Jones will open the checkbook to sign two safeties this year sounds a bit unrealistic.
Now, it very well could happen, considering that Sensabaugh might have been in the Cowboys' plans all along and they just haven't been able to re-sign him because of the current lockout. Of course, they could've agreed on a deal with him before March, but without knowing the structure of the league - whether it will be capped or uncapped - you can't fault the Cowboys or any other team for choosing to wait before doling out wads of cash.
But if the lockout ends close to the start of the season, and free agency is fast and furious as expected, there's a good chance the Cowboys don't sign two safeties. Maybe it's only Sensabaugh. Or maybe they would pay for someone like Huff or Weddle and then hope to get by with an in-house safety.
That was the plan last year. The Cowboys cut ties with Ken Hamlin in hopes Ball would make the transition from cornerback.
But let's not get surprised if the Cowboys try that route once again, especially if they decide to make a big free-agent splash at another position. Whether it's realistic or not, the Cowboys will at least be linked to having interest in signing Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the top free agents in this year's class.
If that happens, not only would the Cowboys likely not have the cash to sign two safeties, but would probably hope that his presence alone could overcompensate from some inexperience at the other safety position.
So if the Cowboys were to sign only one safety, let's look at the candidates already on the roster who could compete for the starting job.
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah - Maybe the Cowboys did get a safety in the draft. It just happened last year. Because they probably know as much about Owusu-Ansah as they do some of these new rookies. Health was an issue with him last year as he came here with a shoulder injury and had a high-ankle sprain that ended his season early. If he can stay healthy for a while and get comfortable at one spot, he'll have a chance. He's the highest-drafted player among this group and teams are always pulling for the draft picks.
Barry Church - He came to the Cowboys last year with high expectations despite not getting drafted. But Church showed enough ability in training camp and the preseason games to force the Cowboys to keep him. His ability to play special teams helped him stay active and could help his chances of earning a roster spot. If the Cowboys don't sign a true strong safety in free agency, Church would have a good chance to compete for the job.
Danny McCray - Silently, the Cowboys may not really want him to compete for a starting job. McCray proved last year he was not only the best special teams player on the squad, but one of the better coverage players the team has had in years. And even if that's all McCray turns out to be, it's valuable because of his skill level. But he showed some ability to play as a nickel and dime linebacker last year and should be able to contribute in that area again.
Andrew Sendejo - The Cowboys got him from the UFL last year and weren't sure what he could contribute. At the end of the season, Sendejo was playing on special teams, mostly covering kicks. He'll have a long ways to go before competing for a starting spot in the NFL, but he should at least get a chance.
Alan Ball - He shouldn't be dismissed from the competition. Last year was his first at the safety position full time, and Ball had to learn on the run. If the Cowboys decide to start a safety already on the roster, it wouldn't be out of the question to assume he gets another shot. But his versatility to be a backup safety and corner, combined with his special teams ability, should make him a valuable commodity on the 53-man roster.
Of course, the Cowboys haven't ruled out signing two safeties. But history suggests, not only with this team but around the league, that it might be more realistic to sign just one and try to promote from within to fill the other spot.
