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3:29 PM Wed, Mar 21, 2007 | Permalink
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February 2008
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Movers and Shakers Pre-season Texas Stadium dallasnews.com
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We just finished talking with free agent safety Ken Hamlin, who visited the Cowboys today and met with coaches. "It's definitely a place that fits me and I think it would be a great place," Hamlin said. "We've just got to see." The Cowboys and his agent, Kennard McGuire, have not begun talks yet. Hamlin is scheduled to have dinner tonight with coaches as well. He has visited New Orleans and has interest from a few other teams but said he is not in a rush to find a new home. He said he would be a good fit opposite Roy Williams. "I think it would definitely let Roy do his thing, be a playmaker," Hamlin said. |
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Comments
Posted by Vaughn @ 4:52 PM Wed, Mar 21, 2007
.What's stopping the Boys' from signing Hamlin to a few years?
Posted by Charles @ 5:13 PM Wed, Mar 21, 2007
I hope that Jerry gets his stuff together and actually signs this guy. I honestly have no idea why the sportswriters have not destroyed Jerry on his ridiculous comments he made about being satisfied with the safeties on the roster. None of them can cover (including Roy). Sign someone who won't give up multiple bombs a game, Jerry!
Posted by Justinford1 @ 5:20 PM Wed, Mar 21, 2007
Is this guy a legit starter for us? He seems like his rep is decent. Can Hamlin really make a difference?
Posted by Trey @ 8:49 PM Wed, Mar 21, 2007
For the right price, this would be a great pick up. He has a few good years left in the tank, and most importantly he could help the developement of Watkins and Elam. Nothing against Davis, but he really is nothing more than a high price special teams player. Maybe, he could fill the role as Roy's back-up. Hamlin could help the Cowboys now... and help them with the future with his experience. I really believe that once Pat gets the pro level down and some confidence, he will become a Merton Hanks type of player. Also, a more aggressive pass rush will help. QB's picked us apart because our lack of a pass rush last year.
Posted by Wave Slider @ 8:54 PM Wed, Mar 21, 2007
I would rather keep Pat Watkins. Same amount of INT's. I think he could be really good, is younger and we already have him under contract. Save the money for our own guys then getting some guy who is not a difference maker. Keep Watkins and save the money for Newman etc....
Posted by Bob @ 9:39 PM Wed, Mar 21, 2007
Hamlin is NOT a difference maker. Considering the experience he has, if he was as good as everyone thinks he wouln't be out there looking for a job. If JJ can get him cheap we could probably use him, but not for the big bucks, definitely not.
Posted by whip @ 2:39 AM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
I think Pat Watkins will be better in his 2nd year. This signing will stunt his growth. I think Watkins has the potential to be a better player than Hamlin. It's not like Jerry to go the "safe" route. But that's what this signing will be.
I agree with Justin about Keith Davis. He's a special teamer that should serve as a backup strong safety. I don't like Elam as a free safety either.
I'd pass on Hamlin and draft a backup for Watkins.
Posted by Ken K @ 8:53 AM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
What's the deal here?
The Cowboys website reports that Hamlin is a Roy Williams clone who plays close to the line of scrimmage and is a run-stopper and NOT good in coverage.
Cowboysplus.com reports that Hamlin wants to be a center-field type safety for us, covering receivers in space.
Who's right? This is a big question. Why spend free agent bucks on someone who won't help solve our coverage problems?
Posted by Gary M @ 9:41 AM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
why do we keep signing these in-the-box safeties?...the only safety worth signing just signed with the saints; kevin k-somethingorother...stick with watkins and make roy study his playbook...besides, if the pass rush gets better both safeties and corners will look much better...
Posted by Timothy @ 9:44 AM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
There is no need to sign Ken Hamlin. He is an average player, at best. Dallas should be developing Patrick Watkins and, if not satisfied, draft a free safety or a corner with a first day selection.
In addition, is anyone else concerned about Anthony Henry at corner? He just can't stay healthy. Would he be a better fit at free safety and is this a position he could adapt to?
Posted by James Joyner @ 10:39 AM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
I'd much rather spend the cap money signing good, young players already on the roster to long-term deals. Eventually, we've got to figure out how to manage a draft and quit wasting 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round picks on players who can't stick with the team.
Posted by Stevie D - World's Worst Cowboy Fan @ 11:04 AM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Hamlin an "in-the-box" safety with suspect coverage skills? A local show mentioned he averages a little over two interceptions per year. I could be wrong, but I thought we needed a guy that could cover. Patty-Cake Watkins played a little better at the end of the season, but no one is going to mistake him as the second-coming of Darren Woodson.
Posted by Jason R @ 11:50 AM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
This is a dumb move. We need a centerfielder, not another in-the-box hitter at safety.
Maybe if he's dirt cheap, but otherwise, pass on this guy.
Posted by Joe W @ 11:59 AM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
Hamlin is definitely more like Roy as opposed to a ballhawking, centerfielder type of saftey (hence his nickname "The Hammer"). I think if were gonna add another saftey, it should be through the draft. We could get a guy like Reggie Nelson from Florida, who fits the billing as the centerfielder type, or we could try to trade up to get Laron Landry from LSU who is a more experienced saftey then Nelson and who I have heard compared to Ed Reed (the prototypical FS). I would rather have either of those players then Hamlin.
Posted by Joe @ 12:22 PM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
You guys are funny. What do any of you know about football other than what you read on the internet(from reporters who never played sports in their lifetime) and the latest Madden NFL video games. Get real! Half of you don't make any sense. Terms like "true Safety or "in the box" aren't used by NFL people, only reporters fellas. Stop believing everything you read in the newspapers and online. Roy Williams(and any other DB's) skills or lack of coverages depends on what takes place up front. It's called Pressure. Without a passrush, it exposes all teams. Don't just blame Roy. If I am correct, he had quite a few Int's last year...errrr...the most on our team. DOnt forget that. I'm sure you guys weren't complaining when he "popped" the NY Giants RB on the goal line and cause a fumble...did you? Roy saved our LB's plenty of time making great tackles...but no one talks about that.
Posted by Frank @ 2:00 PM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
Well, after talking w/ a buddy who lives in SEA and is of course a SEA fan...he sd that he hopes we get him so they don't have a blown play ever other play. Just talking through a SEA fan. I could care less at this point. I'd almost rather them draft a guy and pray, rather than pay $$$$ and pray.
Posted by Gary M @ 6:10 PM Thu, Mar 22, 2007
joe, the only true statement you made was re: pressure...it's ok though, as long as you yourself know what reporters say and what's on madden, you'll get by...just barely though
Posted by jake @ 10:04 AM Fri, Mar 23, 2007
DO NOT SIGN HAMLIN!!!! Let watkins start and draft a back up. Let K Davis back Williams at strong side.