Name: Mana Silva
Position: Safety
Height/Weight: 6-1/220
Experience: 1 season
College: Hawaii
Key stat: Silva had four special teams tackles in only two appearances last year.
Contract Status: Signed through 2013.
2011 Impact: With Barry Church landing on the injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, and Danny McCray nursing a high ankle sprain, the Cowboys needed emergency help at safety and on special teams late in the season. They signed Silva from the Buffalo Bills practice squad in Week 15, and he played in the final two games of the year, entirely in the kicking game. An undrafted free agent out of Hawaii, he went to camp with the Baltimore Ravens and spent half of 2011 on their practice squad before being let go and hooking up with the Bills' reserves.
Where He Fits: With everyone healthy, the safety field is much more crowded than it was when Silva got to town. At least four players are ahead of him – Church, McCray, Gerald Sensabaugh and recently signed Brodney Pool, and the Cowboys could add another safety through the draft, meaning Silva will have a lot of competition just to make the roster. The Cowboys could've had any practice squad safety in December, but they picked Silva, evidence there's something about him they like.
Writers' Analysis:
Josh Ellis: If you're projecting the 53-man roster today, leave Silva off. But things change. Guys could get hurt in camp, which might open a door for a young guy who has shown special teams promise. And Silva still has practice squad eligibility, so he could become a more familiar face even if he doesn't make the team.
Rob Phillips: Joe DeCamillis needs as many special teams contributors as possible, and that's exactly what Silva will have to show if he wants to make the roster in September. He signed late last year and appeared in two games, but with Church now healthy and Pool arriving, there doesn't seem to be any room at the safety position.
Position: Safety
Height/Weight: 6-1/220
Experience: 1 season
College: Hawaii
Key stat: Silva had four special teams tackles in only two appearances last year.
Contract Status: Signed through 2013.
2011 Impact: With Barry Church landing on the injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, and Danny McCray nursing a high ankle sprain, the Cowboys needed emergency help at safety and on special teams late in the season. They signed Silva from the Buffalo Bills practice squad in Week 15, and he played in the final two games of the year, entirely in the kicking game. An undrafted free agent out of Hawaii, he went to camp with the Baltimore Ravens and spent half of 2011 on their practice squad before being let go and hooking up with the Bills' reserves.
Where He Fits: With everyone healthy, the safety field is much more crowded than it was when Silva got to town. At least four players are ahead of him – Church, McCray, Gerald Sensabaugh and recently signed Brodney Pool, and the Cowboys could add another safety through the draft, meaning Silva will have a lot of competition just to make the roster. The Cowboys could've had any practice squad safety in December, but they picked Silva, evidence there's something about him they like.
Writers' Analysis:
Josh Ellis: If you're projecting the 53-man roster today, leave Silva off. But things change. Guys could get hurt in camp, which might open a door for a young guy who has shown special teams promise. And Silva still has practice squad eligibility, so he could become a more familiar face even if he doesn't make the team.
Rob Phillips: Joe DeCamillis needs as many special teams contributors as possible, and that's exactly what Silva will have to show if he wants to make the roster in September. He signed late last year and appeared in two games, but with Church now healthy and Pool arriving, there doesn't seem to be any room at the safety position.
