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Safety First
Plenty Of Veteran Safeties Available
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
With Sensabaugh becoming an unrestricted free agent, the Cowboys might need to sign two safeties.IRVING, Texas - In previous years, there could be several answers when trying to determine the Cowboys' biggest areas of need in the offseason.
That's not really case this year. While offensive line could get a few votes, based on the fact there are five spots and more than half of them are uncertain, the primary concern has to be at the safety position.
And that's really no different than what we've been saying for the last few years. Only this year - with Gerald Sensabaugh likely becoming an unrestricted free agent and Alan Ball not the long-term answer at free safety - it means there could be two new starting safeties next season.
While the draft doesn't appear to be an answer - at least with the Cowboys' No. 9 overall pick, at least there are some viable options in free agency.
Two of the biggest names - players who were cut by their respective teams which gave them the chance to sign with other clubs - are off the market. The Rams' released O.J. Atogwe, who signed with the Redskins last week on a five-year, $26 million contract. And Bob Sanders, a former Defensive Player of the Year, was let go by the Colts after three injury-plagued seasons. He has since agreed to a deal with the Chargers.
That's two guys off the market, but the rest of the bunch will likely have to wait for the start of free agency. That signing period will only happen if or when a new NFL labor deal is reached - something that could occur anywhere from the end of this week, to possibly into the start of the regular season in September.
That ambiguity makes free agency a tricky situation, but once these guys are available, no team should be able to say it didn't have enough time to research. There are plenty of options, so let's a take look at a few that could give the Cowboys some interest.
Michael Huff, Oakland - This one is rather interesting. On one hand, he's a former top-10 pick (7th overall in 2006), is coming off one of his best pro seasons in 2010, and throw in the fact he was a standout at the University of Texas. However, he was benched early in his career when playing for none other than Rob Ryan, the Raiders' defensive coordinator from 2004-08.
So Huff's best years in Oakland came after Ryan left. Maybe that's a mere coincidence with Huff needing some time to mature as a player, but the simple argument that Ryan would automatically want Huff because he coached him for three years might not be completely accurate.
As a player, he's a true free safety with some coverage skills that all teams covet these days with so many offenses using five-wide sets. Huff is very rangy with the ability to make tackles, recording 84 last season. The impressive part of his game is that he had three interceptions, typical for a free-safety, but also had four sacks.
Dawan Landry, Baltimore - He's more of a strong safety, having played alongside Ed Reed, but with Reed's injuries, Landry has improved his coverage skills. Still, he trailed only Ray Lewis in Baltimore tackles last season with 111.
Ed Weddle, Chargers - He may be the highest-priced safety in the bunch. If he doesn't re-sign with the Chargers, it'll be because of money. He's only 26 and is versatile enough to play both strong and free safety. Weddle had 93 tackles, including seven for loss last year, but also had two picks.
Danieal Manning, Bears - A strong safety but one with rare return skills. He's restricted currently, but would likely be unrestricted once free agency begins. He's from Texas and played at Abilene Christian so he'd probably welcome the chance to return home, at the right price of course.
Quintin Mikell, Eagles - Another strong safety who will likely not return to Philadelphia. He made the Pro Bowl team after leading the Eagles with 111 tackles, along with three interceptions.
Dashon Goldson, 49ers - Plagued by injuries last season, he digressed some from a stellar 2009 campaign. This might be the time to get a young player at a good price, but it won't be that cheap considering he's just 26.
Bernard Pollard, Texans - A strong safety that was not given a tender offer by the Texans and new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Pollard led the Texans in tackles last year with 112 and at 26, should warrant a nice contract.
Abram Elam, Browns - Here's a guy that not only has played for Rob Ryan in Cleveland, but was with the Cowboys in 2006. Elam has undoubtedly improved his game. He had 77 tackles
That's just the start of the safety crop. There are guys like Donte Whitner and George Wilson from Buffalo, along with Brodney Pool, Atari Bigby, Roman Harper and Jordan Babineaux.
Plenty Of Veteran Safeties Available
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
With Sensabaugh becoming an unrestricted free agent, the Cowboys might need to sign two safeties.IRVING, Texas - In previous years, there could be several answers when trying to determine the Cowboys' biggest areas of need in the offseason.
That's not really case this year. While offensive line could get a few votes, based on the fact there are five spots and more than half of them are uncertain, the primary concern has to be at the safety position.
And that's really no different than what we've been saying for the last few years. Only this year - with Gerald Sensabaugh likely becoming an unrestricted free agent and Alan Ball not the long-term answer at free safety - it means there could be two new starting safeties next season.
While the draft doesn't appear to be an answer - at least with the Cowboys' No. 9 overall pick, at least there are some viable options in free agency.
Two of the biggest names - players who were cut by their respective teams which gave them the chance to sign with other clubs - are off the market. The Rams' released O.J. Atogwe, who signed with the Redskins last week on a five-year, $26 million contract. And Bob Sanders, a former Defensive Player of the Year, was let go by the Colts after three injury-plagued seasons. He has since agreed to a deal with the Chargers.
That's two guys off the market, but the rest of the bunch will likely have to wait for the start of free agency. That signing period will only happen if or when a new NFL labor deal is reached - something that could occur anywhere from the end of this week, to possibly into the start of the regular season in September.
That ambiguity makes free agency a tricky situation, but once these guys are available, no team should be able to say it didn't have enough time to research. There are plenty of options, so let's a take look at a few that could give the Cowboys some interest.
Michael Huff, Oakland - This one is rather interesting. On one hand, he's a former top-10 pick (7th overall in 2006), is coming off one of his best pro seasons in 2010, and throw in the fact he was a standout at the University of Texas. However, he was benched early in his career when playing for none other than Rob Ryan, the Raiders' defensive coordinator from 2004-08.
So Huff's best years in Oakland came after Ryan left. Maybe that's a mere coincidence with Huff needing some time to mature as a player, but the simple argument that Ryan would automatically want Huff because he coached him for three years might not be completely accurate.
As a player, he's a true free safety with some coverage skills that all teams covet these days with so many offenses using five-wide sets. Huff is very rangy with the ability to make tackles, recording 84 last season. The impressive part of his game is that he had three interceptions, typical for a free-safety, but also had four sacks.
Dawan Landry, Baltimore - He's more of a strong safety, having played alongside Ed Reed, but with Reed's injuries, Landry has improved his coverage skills. Still, he trailed only Ray Lewis in Baltimore tackles last season with 111.
Ed Weddle, Chargers - He may be the highest-priced safety in the bunch. If he doesn't re-sign with the Chargers, it'll be because of money. He's only 26 and is versatile enough to play both strong and free safety. Weddle had 93 tackles, including seven for loss last year, but also had two picks.
Danieal Manning, Bears - A strong safety but one with rare return skills. He's restricted currently, but would likely be unrestricted once free agency begins. He's from Texas and played at Abilene Christian so he'd probably welcome the chance to return home, at the right price of course.
Quintin Mikell, Eagles - Another strong safety who will likely not return to Philadelphia. He made the Pro Bowl team after leading the Eagles with 111 tackles, along with three interceptions.
Dashon Goldson, 49ers - Plagued by injuries last season, he digressed some from a stellar 2009 campaign. This might be the time to get a young player at a good price, but it won't be that cheap considering he's just 26.
Bernard Pollard, Texans - A strong safety that was not given a tender offer by the Texans and new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Pollard led the Texans in tackles last year with 112 and at 26, should warrant a nice contract.
Abram Elam, Browns - Here's a guy that not only has played for Rob Ryan in Cleveland, but was with the Cowboys in 2006. Elam has undoubtedly improved his game. He had 77 tackles
That's just the start of the safety crop. There are guys like Donte Whitner and George Wilson from Buffalo, along with Brodney Pool, Atari Bigby, Roman Harper and Jordan Babineaux.
