perhaps the Cowboys best offseason move which has yet to occur

[dallasmavsnfuego214]

By Adam Schefter
NFL Analyst




(March 20, 2007) -- After losing to the Seahawks in the playoffs, the Cowboys are considering importing help from the city in which their 2006 season ended.

Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin, one of the last big names remaining from the free-agent class of 2007, is scheduled to visit Dallas the morning of March 21. Hamlin already has visited New Orleans, which decided to cast its lot with former Cincinnati safety Kevin Kaesviharn.

Now Hamlin needs the Cowboys as much as they need him. In recent seasons, the Cowboys have struggled to get the productivity they need out of the safety position.

The team wanted to upgrade the position in free agency, just not at the premium prices the top free agents were asking. Now that time has passed and prices have dropped, Hamlin and the Cowboys could be the perfect match.

Dallas likes its two young safeties, Pat Watkins and Abram Elam, but neither is established like Hamlin is. Now the two sides get to do a safety dance and see if they can hammer out an agreement that would bolster Dallas' secondary and give Roy Williams a running mate who would frighten most receivers in the league.

The other talented and available free-agent safety is Indianapolis' Mike Doss, who recently visited Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. Cincinnati recently expressed interest in Doss after it lost Kaesviharn but, as of yet, no team has been willing to meet Doss' demands.

http://nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/10072261

[mardigan]

http://spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1523478&postcount=393

I love the Boys as much as anyone, but this doesnt need its own thread, especially since it hasnt even happened

[scott]

Were you appointed NFL Forum moderator while no one was looking?

[mardigan]

Were you appointed NFL Forum moderator while no one was looking?




Im just saying, if he had signed maybe yea, but go to kffl.com and you will see a million storys like this daily, doesnt mean they need there own thread. Maybe you shoud comment about the thread instead of me since you think its so great. Maybe Ill start another thread about how Brock Berlin worked out with the Cowboys today, real captivating stuff

[scott]

This is San Antonio... people love the Cowboys... if Jerry Jones farts there will be a thread on it. Get used to it.

[mardigan]

Oh I realize that, thats why I prefaced it with Im a huge Boys fan myself, Iand I guess with that said, I did start a thread about Julius getting traded, so maybe I should just shut the fuck up. Its just that I saw this earlier, and put it in the other forum, but oh well

[samikeyp]

Were you appointed NFL Forum moderator while no one was looking?

I was wondering the same thing. You got all pissed and called a son of a bitch just because I posted something once before you...what is the big deal?

[mardigan]

I was wondering the same thing. You got all pissed and called a son of a bitch just because I posted something once before you...what is the big deal?
I was just joking when I said that, why is everyone getting all butthurt, Ive gotten called out plenty of times for starting threads deemed unworthy, no big deal, whatever

[TheTruth]

Cowboys suck. :smokin

[TheTruth]

It's the NFL forum. There are like 3 active threads. I don't think anything is gonna get lost if someone starts a new thread.

[mardigan]

You beat me to it you sonofabitch
Im sorry if that really sounded like I was trying to talk shit, it was meant in a joking manner

[samikeyp]

Since when is asking a question "getting butthurt"? :lol


If you were joking that is cool. BTW, You can't always tell when someone is joking solely based on written words when mood is not being conveyed.

[mardigan]

Since when is asking a question "getting butthurt"? :lol


If you were joking that is cool. BTW, You can't always tell when someone is joking solely based on written words when mood is not being conveyed.

Wasnt directed at you, just a general question to all thinking that Im some kind of asshole for saying that a visit to the Boys camp doesnt deserve its own thread. Im wrong, you guys are right, forget I sadi anything

[mardigan]

I will say this though Fuego, if this does happen, I would be doing cartwheels, although we would have to safetys that arent that good in coverage but can lay down big hits. Ebram will be big next year as a coverage safety

[mardigan]

Sales Pitch
Cowboys Turn Into Recruiters With Hamlin In Town

Mickey Spagnola - Email
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
March 21, 2007 5:53 PM
IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys wore their scouting hats on Tuesday, working out three players and signing one.

By Wednesday they turned into recruiters, shaking hands, slapping backs, telling stories, going to lunch and then dinner with unrestricted free-agent safety Ken Hamlin.

Come Thursday they will turn into negotiators, seeing if they can ultimately sell the four-year veteran who has started 52 games for the Seattle Seahawks into signing a contract without leaving. That's when talks with agent Kennard McGuire are expected to commence.

But according to Hamlin, the 2003 second-round pick of the Seahawks, so far, so good.

"It would be a great opportunity," Hamlin said of possibly joining the Cowboys. "It definitely would be a great opportunity to be part of this organization.

"It's definitely a place that would fit me."

Chances are, though, the Cowboys will proceed cautiously when it comes to offering Hamlin a long-term deal with a huge signing bonus. They already have signed two of their starting defensive backs to multi-year deals laced with double-digit signing bonuses, and know starting corner Terence Newman, their first-round pick in 2003, is entering the final year of his contract and will command a deal as much, if not more, than was given cornerback Anthony Henry and strong safety Roy Williams.

Back on March 5 when the Cowboys signed Leonard Davis, team executive vice president Stephen Jones said you won't find the club dangling a $10 million signing bonus to lure a free-agent safety into Dallas. He even said the team was happy with the progress of Pat Watkins and Abe Elam, the two rookie safeties from last year.

And while owner Jerry Jones said the Cowboys could very well address their safety needs from within, Stephen Jones said they might look at a safety later in free agency once some of the huge signing bonuses calm down.

Maybe that is now, since Hamlin is one of the few veteran safeties still available in free agency. And he is available because Seattle decided to revamp its safety corps by signing free agent Deon Grant to a six-year, $32 million deal ($11.5 million guaranteed) and Brian Russell to a five-year, $13.5 million deal ($3 million signing bonus). This after Hamlin started 16 games this past season and strong safety Michael Boulware was removed from the starting lineup six games into the season.

Hamlin did visit New Orleans, but the Saints decided instead to sign Cincinnati safety Kevin Kaesviharn. Hamlin said he has been in contact with several other teams, but this is only the second place he has visited since the Seahawks chose to let his contract expire.

While Hamlin did start at free safety, it's doubtful he will be considered one of those centerfield-type safeties. He is known as a hard hitter, and would seem to be more of a Roy Williams type than a safety that can be left in a lot of single-high coverages the majority of the time. In 54 career games, Hamlin has recorded eight interceptions and 32 passes defensed. He did finish second among Seattle defenders last year with 96 tackles.

But the 2006 season was a comeback year of sorts for Hamlin. He missed the final 10 games of the 2005 season after suffering a fractured skull, bruised brain tissue and a small cerebral blood clot when beaten and eventually hit in the head with a street sign during a scuffle outside a Seattle nightclub on the night of Oct. 17. The fight with several men left Hamlin hospitalized in serious condition in the intensive care unit of a Seattle hospital.

The incident, in which he was considered the victim, caused him to miss Seattle's Super Bowl XL appearance in Detroit, though he accompanied the team on the sideline in street clothes after landing on injured reserve.

"You know, there were a lot of people doubting me if I could get back on the field and play at a high level, and I think I did do that," Hamlin said. "I'm not into proving other people wrong or quieting doubters, but I definitely proved to myself I can get out there and play."

Hamlin said he doesn't think the 2005 incident has anything to do with Seattle not re-signing him or is an issue with teams interested in his services. An apparent misunderstanding while Hamlin was trying to exit the club spilled into what turned into a brawl on the street.

"It's something that happened, something that definitely has been mentioned, but I don't think it's a big issue," Hamlin said. "It's something that happened and I've moved on."

The Cowboys will now move on to the negotiation part of this deal, knowing they currently will have at least four safeties under contract for the 2007 season - Williams, Watkins, Elam (exclusive rights free agent) and Keith Davis, whose two-year restricted free agency offer sheet signed with New Orleans last year was matched by the Cowboys. The Cowboys had picked up Tony Parrish late last season, but he is an unrestricted free agent.

Ideally, the Cowboys would like to relieve Williams of some of his coverage responsibilities, but it's almost impossible for a strong safety to play exclusively around the line of scrimmage against the run. And it's doubtful the signing of Hamlin, who has more experience at safety than Watkins, Davis and Elam combined, would allow Williams that much more freedom.

"We'll see, we'll see, I'm not in any rush," Hamlin said of batting out a potential contract. "We'll see how things go today."

Hamlin became the fourth free agent to pass through The Ranch doors in two days. The Cowboys worked out quarterback Brock Berlin, offensive lineman Jim Molinaro and wide receiver Jamel Richardson on Tuesday. They did sign Molinaro, considered to be no more than a depth guy at tackle or guard.

Berlin, the former University of Miami and Florida quarterback, failed in his two training camp attempts the past two summers to make a Miami Dolphins roster. He's probably being measured against Matt Baker, the rookie quarterback on the Cowboys' practice squad last year.

And as for Richardson, the CFL wide receiver was scheduled to visit Indianapolis. He's likely considered a developmental guy, who at 25 would have some upside at 6-3, 215, having played just two full seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and four games last year before breaking bones in his foot. Richardson played no more than junior college ball before signing with Saskatchewan.

The Cowboys aren't expected to bring in any new free agents the rest of this week. And after speaking at Saturday's 10 a.m. public memorial service for Wilford "Crazy Ray" Jones in the Stadium Club at Texas Stadium, Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, Wade Phillips and various members of the team's administrative staff will head for Phoenix, Ariz., where the annual NFL Meetings will be held March 26-28.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

So if they get Hamlin, then they'll have two safeties who can't cover anyone, right?

Just sayin'.

[Pugglekicker_21]

I believe hamlin can cover.





But hell, I've never seen the Hawks play so what the hell do I know

[dallasmavsnfuego214]

He missed the final 10 games after suffering a fractured skull, bruised brain tissue and a small cerebral blood clot

good lord

[mardigan]

I believe hamlin can cover.





But hell, I've never seen the Hawks play so what the hell do I know
No, hes basically another Roy williams

[mardigan]

When the fuck are they going to sign this guy, they were in discussions today, the wait is killing me

[mardigan]

I hope you guys don't stop posting threads like this. I hope this guy can cover because its been awile since they've had decent coverage back there. I'm sick of seeing this team get burned deep.
He isnt known for his coverage, like I said he plays a lot like Roy, a hard hitter lacking ideal speed. But he is definately an upgrade over what we got. Im just hoping that with Wade coaching, and Ellis coming back, not to mention Carpenter starting and a couple of draft picks that will help, we will get a ton more pressure on the opposing qbs than we got last year.

[degenerate_gambler]

I hope you guys don't stop posting threads like this. I hope this guy can cover because its been awile since they've had decent coverage back there. I'm sick of seeing this team get burned deep.


I miss the hell out of Darren Woodson.

[mardigan]

I miss the hell out of Darren Woodson.
He was definately under appreciated, could play zone,match up one on one on slot recievers, great in run support, and would knock the shit out of recivers across the middle, so yea, me too

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

there was a link on nfl.com that the cowboys signed the best wide receiver in the canadian league but its already gone.

[mardigan]

there was a link on nfl.com that the cowboys signed the best wide receiver in the canadian league but its already gone.
I put a the story in the NFL offseason thread, its in there towards the end

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1526564&postcount=423

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

there was a link on nfl.com that the cowboys signed the best wide receiver in the canadian league but its already gone.


It's pretty hard to be the best WR in the entire league when you're the 5th WR on your own team.

[mardigan]

It's pretty hard to be the best WR in the entire league when you're the 5th WR on your own team.
He had almost 300 yards on an over 16 yards a catch in 4 games before he broke his foot and was put on the ir. Not saying he is going to be the shit or anything, but your assesment is a little off

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Okay not the 5th, but Richardson was the RoughRiders 3rd WR.

It's a meh signing and the dude is nowhere near the top WR in the CFL, if that means anything anyway.

[mardigan]

Okay not the 5th, but Richardson was the RoughRiders 3rd WR.

It's a meh signing and the dude is nowhere near the top WR in the CFL, if that means anything anyway.
Yea not really, the only thing that picqed my intrest was that the Colts were trying to bring this kid in and really wanted to sign him, thats why the Boys jumped on it. He does have good size, but it doesnt excite me or anything, he probably wont make it off the practice squad

[mardigan]

Its getting close to done



Making Waves
Negotiations Begin With Hamlin; Agree With Richardson

Mickey Spagnola - Email
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
March 22, 2007 7:16 PM

IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys have agreed to terms with one free agent and opened negotiations with another on Thursday as the third week of free agency is coming to a close.

Following Tuesday's workout at The Ranch, the Cowboys agreed to terms with free-agent wide receiver Jamel Richardson, the three-year CFL veteran.

And on Thursday the club began negotiations with veteran free safety Ken Hamlin, and was planning to extend talks into the night in an effort to get him under contract following his Wednesday visit.

The Cowboys would like to add some experience to their safety corps, and Hamlin would afford them that, having started 52 games over four seasons for the Seattle Seahawks, including all 16 games in 2006 after recovering from a season-ending head injury resulting from an off-field incident six games into the 2005 season.

Hamlin said he would be a perfect complement to Cowboys Pro Bowl strong safety Roy Williams, who seems to play more effectively when deployed closer to the line of scrimmage than left in a Cover 2 zone.

"Definitely, it would let Roy do his thing," Hamlin said of lining up at free safety with Williams at strong, "and let Roy be more of a playmaker."

The Cowboys started off the 2006 season with fifth-round pick Pat Watkins starting at free safety, but after seven games decided to go back to Keith Davis, who started all 16 games in 2005. Then Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells became worried the rookie Watkins was losing his confidence after making a few rookie mistakes.

But the Cowboys went back to Watkins in the final three regular-season games and the playoff game against Seattle. He finished eighth on the team with 34 tackles and second in interceptions with three.

While the Cowboys are working on Hamlin, they did come to an agreement with Richardson, the free agent who decided not to re-sign with a CFL team. In 2½ seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (39 games) - he played only four games in 2006 after breaking bones in his foot - he caught 113 passes for 1,471 yards and four touchdowns. But two of those touchdowns came in last season's first four games when he was averaging 16.9 yards a catch.

Richardson (6-3, 215) is considered more of a possession receiver, but certainly is a big target, and evidently a good athlete, since he also was a starter on the Victor Valley Community College basketball team, where he earned first-team, All-California Community College honors his sophomore season. Richardson never did play major college basketball, going on to the CFL.

Saskatchewan evidently overspent in 2006, costing the general manager his job, and was unable to re-sign several veterans whose contracts were scheduled to expire because of the CFL deciding to start imposing fines in 2007 for teams going over the league's mandated salary cap.

Also, it was reported when other CFL teams contacted his agent, they were told Richardson would not even entertain offers from CFL teams. His agent told Sun Media there were 11 NFL teams interested in signing Richardson, and after visiting the Cowboys he was scheduled to visit with Indianapolis.

But evidently he has decided to sign with the Cowboys.

That will give the Cowboys five young receivers on the roster. Last year's rookies Sam Hurd and Miles Austin made the 53-man roster, while Jamaica Rector and Jerheme Urban finished out the season on the practice squad.

And besides starters Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, the Cowboys have issued three-year veteran Patrick Crayton a $1.3 million restricted free agency tender, which reserves a right of first refusal if he should sign an offer sheet, along with second-round draft compensation if the signed offer sheet is not matched.

The Cowboys also worked out free-agent quarterback Brock Berlin this week. Berlin has gone to training camp the past two summers with the Miami Dolphins, but failed to make a final roster.

[Pugglekicker_21]

I take it Jamel Richardson shows we have no WR depth.



not to mention Carpenter starting and a couple of draft picks that will help, we will get a ton more pressure on the opposing qbs than we got last year.

Ware, Eliis is a good 1 2, then a speedy guy off the edge like the kid from Florida, or maybe Spencer from Purdue. The last guy to come from Purdue as a pass rusher turned out alright....Shaun Phillips, if Im not mistaken. I really want Carpenter to crack the starting rotation.

[mardigan]

I take it Jamel Richardson shows we have no WR depth.




Ware, Eliis is a good 1 2, then a speedy guy off the edge like the kid from Florida, or maybe Spencer from Purdue. The last guy to come from Purdue as a pass rusher turned out alright....Shaun Phillips, if Im not mistaken. I really want Carpenter to crack the starting rotation.
No I dont think it shows that at all, we have plenty of depth, I think that there is just something about this kid that the Boys, and the Colts (who were also trying to sign him) saw in him.

[mardigan]

He is getting close to signing, should be done by manana, still think Watkins should start next year

[redskinfan]

cowboys are gay just watch brokeback mountain!

[mardigan]

cowboys are gay just watch brokeback mountain!
Cause the Redskins have their shit together :rolleyes , right.
Hows that Archuleta deal working out for yall?