Cowboys sign FS Ken Hamlin

[TNewFan41]

Per ESPN bottom line.

Thoughts?

[Jughead10]

I'm not sure thats the best move for the Boys. They would have probably been better off with a safety like Reggie Nelson in the draft to pair with Roy.

[bigbluedefense]

I guess that means no Reggie Nelson. It was a good signing. If Hamlin can stay healthy, he's a good player. Plus, with Wade's scheme, you need a ballhawk in the worst way. Hamlin gives them that.

Now Roy Williams has no more excuses. I view him as the most overrated player in football, if he doesn't produce this year, he should be benched like any other player on any other team would be.

[Jimmy]

wow how quick did you see that and type this thread i just saw it

and oooo no reggie nelson

[bigbluedefense]

and the plot thickens....

[Shiver]

He is an improvement, for sure.

[bigbluedefense]

Over/Under on how many Cowboy fans will tell us that this move will get them to the SB this year?

[keylime_5]

I think Nelson is gonna go to Jacksonville or even Carolina anyhow. Dallas can get a left tackle like Joe Staley or a wideout maybe like Dwayne Bowe or Robert Meachum if they wanted to now since their biggest needs now seem to be a starting NT and depth elsewhere.

[bearsfan_51]

It's intersting that he's been out there so long and that numerous teams chose supposedly inferior talent to him.

Hawks went with Deon Grant and Brian Ruseell over him.

Saints went with Kevin Kasehviaevaknarharn over him.

Anywho, I'm sure it won't hurt. I would guess at this point in the game the contract numbers are reasonable, but you never know.

[bsaza2358]

Over/Under on how many Cowboy fans will tell us that this move will get them to the SB this year?

Over/under figure is set at 26 individual posters.

[Damix]

Not a big fan of Hamlin, he bites on a lot of routes, still not the center fielder they need.

[Number 10]

Not exactly the cover safety they need.

[Modano]

I think Nelson is gonna go to Jacksonville or even Carolina anyhow. Dallas can get a left tackle like Joe Staley or a wideout maybe like Dwayne Bowe or Robert Meachum if they wanted to now since their biggest needs now seem to be a starting NT and depth elsewhere.

Totally agree. I would also put a CB in the mix... Glenn will be gone next year, and Henry is turning 32...

[bsaza2358]

I kind of like this move for the Cowboys. Hamlin fits their aggressive, attacking style very nicely. He really does a lot to complete their starting secondary. With the FA market shrinking, Hamlin was probably the BPA in general, and easily the best safety. I like his style of game, and I think he will fit well with Williams. The Cowboys will still be a little weak covering the deep pass, but they will be better than they were before.

[bsaza2358]

Totally agree. I would also put a CB in the mix... Glenn will be gone next year, and Henry is turning 32...

I was thinking about this and was about to post it, when I saw your post. Good thinking. The Cowboys will look at LT depth, perhaps WR, but CB seems to be a key need. As coincidence would have it, there are a bunch of very good CB's in this draft...

[therock6000]

Over/under figure is set at 26 individual posters.



SUPER BOWL...WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

only 25 more to go...

[bsaza2358]

SUPER BOWL...WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

only 25 more to go...

This is why therock is one of my favorite posters...

[D-Unit]

Mixed feelings on the signing. I like it, but at the same time, it kills my Reggie Nelson man crush. LOL!

The Hammer has always impressed me from afar with his overall game. He's got that dog in him that makes him a highly competitive player who plays with a passion. I like that about him. Great tackler, frequently around the action and he'll make a big play when you need it. I like his range, but I think he could stand to improve in coverage. A sure improvement and a nice complement to Patrick Watkins. This move will allow Watkins to develop behind Hamlin instead of being tossed in the fire or having to compete with another rookie. I like the stability that we've added at the position. Even a rookie would've come in with some question marks.

This surely opens up a whole slew of options in the draft. I would like to see Dwayne Jarrett, but Joe Staley would be good too with Flozell being in the last year of his contract. CB and OLB could be addressed as well.

[toonsterwu]

A decent move ... and an upgrade, but it really isn't a significant difference unless Ken Hamlin mysteriously learns to cover better.

[Ward]

I am not a fan of this move personally... I'm a Pat Watkins guy, and I think Hamlin is not the center fielding safety answer to our problems.

[Moses]

That has to be the hardest hitting safety tandem in football. It should be interesting to see how they fare in coverage though.

[D-Unit]

I think the idea of needing a centerfielding safety is a bit overrated. I also think Roy gets a bad rap. It doesn't matter though. I'm happy with the tandem and expect our secondary to be much improved. With the pass rush attack that Phillips will bring, it should help our secondary... on the other hand, the lack of a pass rush might kill us.

Our #1 priority from the start of the offseason is still not addressed.

[Vince Lombardi]

So this gives Dallas what, 6 LB's on the field at one time when they're in the 3-4? :p

[TNewFan41]

I guess that means no Reggie Nelson. It was a good signing. If Hamlin can stay healthy, he's a good player. Plus, with Wade's scheme, you need a ballhawk in the worst way. Hamlin gives them that.

Now Roy Williams has no more excuses. I view him as the most overrated player in football, if he doesn't produce this year, he should be benched like any other player on any other team would be.

Ehh I don't know BBD, I might give that honor the DeAngelo Hall.

[D-Unit]

So this gives Dallas what, 6 LB's on the field at one time when they're in the 3-4? :p
At least we should be able to stop the run better! HAHAHA!

[Vince Lombardi]

At least we should be able to stop the run better! HAHAHA!

ha, I sure hope so!

[TNewFan41]

Oh and it is only a 1 year deal, which means we could still draft Reggie Nelson.

[D-Unit]

Oh and it is only a 1 year deal, which means we could still draft Reggie Nelson.
Don't count on it.

[bearsfan_51]

It's worth noting that San Diego never had good safties during Wade's tenure there either. Unless you really like Marlon McCree.

What they need is a pass rush. How good their pass rush is will dictate how much their safties inability to cover will get exploited.

[DonWoods33]

Over/Under on how many Cowboy fans will tell us that this move will get them to the SB this year?

Oh about 91.6%, followed by how he is the next Kenny Easley.

[bigbluedefense]

1 year deal? He's not old or anything. Hmmm...there has to be something fishy that none of us know about. Why only one year?

[TNewFan41]

I think they want to develop Watkins, and it is a stop gap. Maybe there is a 2nd year option....

[bsaza2358]

Oh and it is only a 1 year deal, which means we could still draft Reggie Nelson.

It's a 1 year deal due to past injury issues and the presence of Pat Watkins, who had some good moments at FS last season. Hamlin likes the deal because he gets guaranteed income and exposure in a good defense on a contending team. He will sign another FA contract next season. The Cowboys have roster flexibility and can continue to develop Watkins.

[bsaza2358]

Uh oh, TNew and I just agreed on something independently. Is my face melting? hahaha j/k

[TNewFan41]

LOL, its like we read each others minds....

Jerry said he likes Watkins, so this is probably just a stop gap for this season and then Watkins won't make rookie mistakes in 2 seasons.

[bsaza2358]

LOL, its like we read each others minds....

Never... EVER say that again... haha.

[TNewFan41]

OK. :(

Anyway, Watkins has all the talent in the world, he is just not very mentally tough, but he will be after this season. I remember Parcells saying that everytime he got beat in practice he looked like he was going to cry.

[bsaza2358]

TNew, I wish I knew how to quit you...

Watkins has a lot of talent, but he is a big guy. Asking him to be a center fielder-type safety and get back and cover over the top is a lot for a guy of his size. As he ages, he will have less and less agility and speed, which will hurt him.

[D-Unit]

I would've liked a 2 year deal, but Hamlin's camp probably forced the 1 year thing. Since Jerry probably didn't want to dole out a lot of cash. But hey... Contract year players always overachieve!

If he performs well, I don't doubt that Dallas will bring him back. Similar to Gurode's deal last year.

[bigbluedefense]

TNew, I wish I knew how to quit you...

Watkins has a lot of talent, but he is a big guy. Asking him to be a center fielder-type safety and get back and cover over the top is a lot for a guy of his size. As he ages, he will have less and less agility and speed, which will hurt him.

Watkins is better suited for SS. I think he matches up very well with TEs with his length, and he can be a good TE coverage player as a SS. He is also physical and willing to get in there to stop the run. When he started, he led the Cowboys in tackles.

I think while many Cowboy fans love Roy, I would seriously bench him for Watkins at SS....thats if he continues to play like crap. I just never understood how people can say "Roy needs to just cover the flats, play in the box and blitz". He's a friggin safety. If thats all he's supposed to do, why not bring an extra LB on the field?

[bsaza2358]

Exactly. There's nothing wrong with a 1 year deal if you know you have the cap to resign the guy. Dallas can always reup him mid-year if they wanted to. Lots of teams will make midseason deals with players. I know for a fact that the Eagles make a practice of doing it.

[TNewFan41]

TNew, I wish I knew how to quit you...

Watkins has a lot of talent, but he is a big guy. Asking him to be a center fielder-type safety and get back and cover over the top is a lot for a guy of his size. As he ages, he will have less and less agility and speed, which will hurt him.

As he ages? Dude, he is 24.....There is a LONG time before he loses a step. DBs don't usually lose a step until they are 32-33.

[bsaza2358]

I never said he would lose it quickly. I'm just saying you can't count on him to be the long term answer at FS for Dallas. Long term to me is 7+ years.

[TNewFan41]

Yea, and he is 24. He has about 10 more years of his prime left. Brian Dawkins is 34 for cryin out loud. Hamlin is a stop gap, Watkins will take over. He is definitly a FS, not a SS. He is tall, so what?

[Number 10]

Yea, and he is 24. He has about 10 more years of his prime left. Brian Dawkins is 34 for cryin out loud. Hamlin is a stop gap, Watkins will take over. He is definitly a FS, not a SS. He is tall, so what?


Meaning he doesn't have fluid hips.

[keylime_5]

1-year deal doesn't mean jack regarding the draft. They are NOT gonna take a safety with that 22nd pick by any means, and probably not a CB either. I wonder which direction Jones goes next month there, OT? WR?

[cowboyz]

Over/Under on how many Cowboy fans will tell us that this move will get them to the SB this year?
it will still be less than the number of times BBD calls roy williams overrated or preaches the virtues of BP ;)

and cowboys were going to the super bowl without him, this just soldifies them winning it :D

[eaglesalltheway]

Good signing for the Cowboys, but we'll see just how good once they actually start to play. Dallas will be succeptible to the big play next year if you ask me. They will need to improve their pass rush a lot if they want to at least have a chance of limiting big passing plays.

[bigbluedefense]

it will still be less than the number of times BBD calls roy williams overrated or preaches the virtues of BP ;)

and cowboys were going to the super bowl without him, this just soldifies them winning it :D

got me there :oops:

[TNewFan41]

My money is that we take a WR, actually. Robert Meachum, to be exact.

Oh, and if there was any question, Jerry stated Hamlin will be a FS:

http://www.dallascowboys.com/multimedia_center.cfm?id=812CB5B9-F832-D195-08600533EB45290C

Right in the beginning of the Press Conference.

[TNewFan41]

Ehhh, I don't know, Jerry says they could sign him to a long term deal after this year....

[D-Unit]

My money is that we take a WR, actually. Robert Meachum, to be exact.

Oh, and if there was any question, Jerry stated Hamlin will be a FS:

http://www.dallascowboys.com/multimedia_center.cfm?id=812CB5B9-F832-D195-08600533EB45290C

Right in the beginning of the Press Conference.
I'm really excited about this signing! I just had a revelation! This is gonna be shhhhweeeet!!!

[D-Unit]

Ehhh, I don't know, Jerry says they could sign him to a long term deal after this year....
I'm pretty sure, we'll lock him up before FA starts next year.

[Stash]

I don't really understand this signing for Dallas. They already have a hard hitting safety with coverage issues in Roy, so they sign another hard hitting safety with coverage issues in Hamlin? I think their pass defense is going to live and die with their pass rush like a few others have mentioned because those guys won't be able to cover anything.

[princefielder28]

Suprised they didn't go draft with safety but they must have felt that this was their best option.

[D-Unit]

I don't really understand this signing for Dallas. They already have a hard hitting safety with coverage issues in Roy, so they sign another hard hitting safety with coverage issues in Hamlin? I think their pass defense is going to live and die with their pass rush like a few others have mentioned because those guys won't be able to cover anything.
I think Hamlin's ability to deliver hits leaves impressions in people's minds that he can't cover. Seriously, I think that's true. He's not Ed Reed, but then again... there is only 1 Ed Reed. If you look around the league, there aren't many elite cover safeties. Hamlin is certainly one of the better FS's around and he's a young guy hitting his prime.

[D-Unit]

Suprised they didn't go draft with safety but they must have felt that this was their best option.
I'll take Hamlin and the ability to draft something other than Safety over Michael Griffin. Reggie Nelson falling to 22 was becoming a hopeless wish.

[JJJ888]

The key to this move is the contract. Jerry Jones did not give up big money for Hamlin, which gives the team room to develop, or even start Watkins if need be. Either way, Hamlin provides a valuable veteran presence in the secondary. If he doesn't pan out, it's not a huge hit.

This should also rid us of any rumors of Anthony Henry moving to safety.

[Number 10]

Nice financial move...$2.5 million, right?

I was courting the Giants to sign this kid since the day FA opened. I question him and Roy playing together but nonetheless, there is no long term committment here and I assume this will be a one year showcase for him to earn big bucks next year, which always brings the best out in players.

[draftguru151]

He was probably the most sought after FA in the fantasy offseason.

[D-Unit]

The Cowboys #1 going into FA is still the #1 need. Unfortunately there were no available players at the position worth considering.

Nose Tackle.

We have to make a move up for Branch or move down and take Tyler.

[Number 10]

The Cowboys #1 going into FA is still the #1 need. Unfortunately there were no available players at the position worth considering.

Nose Tackle.

We have to make a move up for Branch or move down and take Tyler.

I question Branch as a 3-4 NT. He'd be a beast at DE for you though.

[D-Unit]

I question Branch as a 3-4 NT. He'd be a beast at DE for you though.
A lot of people question it because of his height. What's he gonna do??? Get pushed back??? hahahahahaha! yeah... right!

[yourfavestoner]

A lot of people question it because of his height. What's he gonna do??? Get pushed back??? hahahahahaha! yeah... right!

That's how I feel about Branch, too. Generally, you don't want your nose to be to tall, cause they lose the leverage battle. However, Branch reminds me a lot of John Henderson in that, even though they're tall, they're simply too big and too powerful to get pushed around.

[smittyjs]

I was hoping he would sign with the Titans, but instead we signed Bran Scott.......:confused: :(

[LonghornsLegend]

It's intersting that he's been out there so long and that numerous teams chose supposedly inferior talent to him.

Hawks went with Deon Grant and Brian Ruseell over him.

Saints went with Kevin Kasehviaevaknarharn over him.

Anywho, I'm sure it won't hurt. I would guess at this point in the game the contract numbers are reasonable, but you never know.

regardless of their decision who do you think the better safety is out of hamlin, and all those players?


maybe he wanted more then what those players did, who knows...but i know it enables us to grab a different position first rd to fill an impact position and im happy about it....either way, hamlin is a solid safety, a VERY big upgrade over watkins, in an area which was a big weakness for us...


and for all the haters, how many people honestly think nelson would be around by the time we actually pick? its alot of teams who need a safety before we do, and as soon as it gets to around pick #15 he's probably BPA at that point, so why are people acting like we chose him over nelson....its no chance he's there, ill almost go on record as to saying thats a sure thing


its a good move, i trust hamlin over watkins or any rookie safety that would bee available, it lets watkins be a backup and continue to learn, so we can go after another need first rd....

jus for the record, id love the aaron ross pick right there, boost the secondary as a whole, which was our main weakness....and grab an impact D lineman 2nd rd

[TNewFan41]

Our secondary wasn;t a weakness at all, it was our pass rush, and now with Wade Phillips, thats fixed. Henry is staying at CB, and when healthy he is one of the best #2's in the league. We shouldn't even think about a CB till round 3. NT is our only moderate need now. If we get a Nose Tackle of the future for when Fergy leaves, our team is pretty much great, and anything below the NFC Title game would be a dissapointment.

Oh and to those who don't think Hamlin can cover, stop be a hater just because he is a Cowboy now. He has atleast above average coverage skills, and is better than anything we had before, plus he was dirt cheap, so please tell me how this signing was not GREAT?