Free Agents 2008: Cornerbacks
by Brandon Worley on Feb 17, 2008 10:52 PM CST
in Dallas Cowboys News
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PrintThe short list of cornerbacks expected to enter into free agency on February 29:
Asante Samuel (Age 27) - New England; 6 INT, 18 passes def., 44 tackles (16 games)
Nnambi Asomugha (Age 26) - Oakland; 1 INT, 7 passes def., 34 tackles (15 games)
Marcus Trufant (Age 27) - Seattle; 7 INT, 15 passes def., 85 tackles (16 games)
Eric Green (Age 25) - Arizona; 0 INT, 8 passes def., 51 tackles (11 games)
Randall Gay (Age 25) - New England; 3 INT, 7 passes def., 38 tackles (16 games)
Drayton Florence (Age 27) - San Diego; 2 INT, 10 passes def., 61 tackles (16 games)
Domonique Foxworth {RFA} (Age 24) - San Diego; 0 INT, 5 passes def., 42 tackles (14 games)
With the possibility of Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones leaving in free agency, the Cowboys most likely will draft a cornerback in the first or second round to shore up a sometimes porous secondary. Yet the possibility exists that Dallas would also look for experience via free agency. With Nate Clements setting the precedent of the paramount cornerback contract last year, top free agents Asante Samuel and Marcus Trufant are looking for the ultimate payday. The Cowboys will be focusing on signing their own free agents and will not have the ability to dish out a lofty contract, especially with Terence Newman looking for a contract extension in 2008. The Cowboys could look to the less expensive free agent cornerbacks, and Drayton Florence would be the most likely candidate. Wade Phillips knows him well and he might be available at a reasonable price as well as being a decent third corner. Domonique Foxworth has potential as well but his availability to the Cowboys would all depend on what tender the Broncos assign to him. Tuna Helper mentioned Ty Law possibly being released by Kansas City but signing an older corner on the downside of his career is absolutely out of the question.
Cap space will be at a premium this year as Dallas has several of their own free agents to sign, so don't expect the Cowboys to target any top name corners in the free agent market. Even if the team could afford it the last thing the Cowboys need is an aging corner like Ty Law, no matter how cheap he might come. Drayton Florence may get a quick look but the best option for the Cowboys at cornerback will be through the draft. With two first round draft picks this year Dallas is primed to obtain a top cornerback to complement Terence Newman and Anthony Henry at a more reasonable price than those available in free agency.
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Pass
id say this is a definite pass on all these guys. The only top flight guy (Samuel) is gonna be way too expensive.
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Feb 17, 2008 10:58 PM CST reply actions
No doubt.
Florence is worth a look. He would def be an upgrade over Reeves.
by Brandon Worley on Feb 17, 2008 11:04 PM CST up reply actions
Florence would be a good fit
But he's said he wants a starting job.
by BudLight @ Blogging The Boys on Feb 18, 2008 7:49 AM CST up reply actions
thats the trouble with signing a vet FA CB
they all want to start. Other than Samuel, Asomugha and Trufant, none of the other FA CBs can beat out Henry or Newman. Actually, they're really not that much better than Reeves.
Plugging a rookie as a nickel CB makes the most sense to me.
agreed.unless your gonna grab the best...move on
You either grab Samuels or forget it...If you are spending money on free agents....they best be able to come in and start for you...and be better than one of your existing starters....
I am opposed to signing FA's for depth purposes....unless it's after the draft, in training camp, preseason, or older vets that would play for minimum and provide leadership skills, and be a servicable contributor...An Aaron Glenn type...Not a Florence type...or a Randal Gay type, that are looking to start, are young, and are going to cost first rounder money to sign, etc....
Suppose we grab Florence......then we draft DRCromartie...a first rounder with skills already superior to Henry's...Do you actually think Florence would start over DRC ??? McKelvin ??? Jenkins ??? Talib ??? Porter type Cb's ??? ...I don't think so...
Florence is alright from what i've saw of him...but, he does have flaws, and lapses in concentration, and get's beat often....sounds alot like Reeves......And that's what eventually cost him his starting spot in SD, and the fact SD doesn't seem to be too concerned to lose him, should make some wonder.....so now you just went and blew big dollars on a 4th CB.....not being fiscally responsible..
I'd rather we spend at least two first day picks on DB's...and even another in the 4th or 5th...if one drops...like Jack Ikegwuonu ...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 18, 2008 8:45 AM CST up reply actions
Green is a heck of a lot better than Reeves
And Green is also very physical in coverage with above average closing speed.
Reeves might be faster, but Green is better overall.
I hated Green in college -- and still don't care for him too much now (he played at Va Tech and he used to talk a lot of trash).
But as a corner, he's head and shoulders above Reeves... not even close.
huh ? ....Green ??
did I miss something ?...who are you talking about ?
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 18, 2008 2:13 PM CST up reply actions
Eric Green, corner for Zona
Just read that he's a restricted FA, and the Cards will offer him a new deal.
I've watched Green for since he was at Virginia Tech and although his stats don't show it, he's a more aggressive DB and better cover corner than Jacques Reeves.
Although I can't stand him personally, Green would be an upgrade over Reeves. But it's a moot point because Dallas has no interest and AZ's about to re-sign him.
Waiting Game...
We are not in a position to aggressively pursue any free agents if we hope to retain our current players. It's just not feasible.
However, if we play the waiting game, we might be able to lure second tier FA's that don't get the interest from other teams that they had hoped for.
It happened last season with Ken Hamlin and also (to some extent) with our own OT Marc Colombo.
I could see this happening with Reeves or even possibly Florence. One or the other would get a one-year deal with a chance to compete for the nickel corner with (more than likely) a rookie. This would provide us with depth and competition at a key position.
I was very upset last year when I learned that Newman's injury could be season ending. I was pizzed that we cut Aaron Glenn and would have to start the season with the unproven Jacque Reeves as the #2 CB for a Super Bowl caliber team. Adding Reeves or Florence, along with one or two draft picks would at least give us options. It would also give us options in the draft, so we don't have to reach for a CB at the end of the first round if all the top corners are off the board at that time.
Dallas is a desirable team to play for, and sometimes you have to just let the chips fall. If both Reeves and Florence are signed to long-term deals with another team, then we move on....adjust our draft board accordingly and start feeding Alan Ball some Texas T-bones through an IV.
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 18, 2008 1:00 PM CST up reply actions
I really hope the Cowboys don't reach for a CB
in the first rd if all of the elite CBs are taken before us at #22 because the CB position is deep this year with the likes of Patrick Lee, Tracy Porter, Charles Godfrey, Justin King, Brandon Flowers and Antoine Cason being available in the 2nd and 3rd rds.
Cowboys have to be patient and not panic if we miss out on a stud in the first. However, i think one of the stud CBs will be there in the first rd. The only way I see us not getting an elite CB in the first is if we decide to take a WR and RB in the first.
I truely pray we don't go WR in the first..
only if Malcolm Kelly or Desean Jackson slip would I even consider a WR in round one...And I rate all the RB's (Stewart, Mendenhall, Jones) ahead of them.
I am NOT sold on Manningham.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 18, 2008 2:21 PM CST up reply actions
I agree, I would only consider Kelly in the 1st
Just as you are not sold on Manningham, and I agree, I'm not personally sold on Jackson. The kid is a great return guy, but reminds me too much of Ted Ginn in that I don't see him as a difference maker as a receiver, only as a return specialist.
Kelly has the size, speed and talent to be special, but outside of him I hope we go RB and CB in the 1st rd.
Jackson will be a star in this league.
Desean,...that is... He still needs to get stronger, and add a few pounds....which he will in the NFL...Look for him to dazzle the crowds at the combine...
He's a refined route runner, good hands, blazing speed, and has quicks, instant change of direction ability, without losing speed. He reminds me very much of Terry Glenn, Santana Moss, Levernius Coles style WR....
..There is no reason to believe he won't be as good, if not better than Devin Hester in the return game. Throw him in the slot,while in motion, and he'll go off on some defenses...a WR screen, a deep fly or post, especially stop and go patterns...He a softer Steve Smith...If he was available at pick #22...I'd jump on him....He will not be a bust...that i assure you.
I wasn't really sold on Ted Ginn Jr. being a top 10 pick to begin with, not to say he isn't talented, that was a bit of a reach for him. He is just very raw at this point, and i'd think he'd continue to develope. He certainly can turn into something, give him time..
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 18, 2008 4:20 PM CST up reply actions
Better Than Devin
I don't follow college football, so I cannot comment on this Jackson kid's ability based on my observations. But without ever seeing him play, I can give you one very good reason why "There is no reason to believe he won't be as good, if not better than Devin Hester in the return game"
That reason is that in the 30 years that I have been watching the NFL, there has never been a better return guy than Devin Hester. The odds of this Jackson kid - or anyone else for that matter - being as good as Devin Hester are extremely remote. Devin Hester is a once-in-a-generation type player. He would be a first round draft pick right now based solely on his ability as a return guy. He is one of those rare guys who changes the game.
by Cowboy Louie on Feb 18, 2008 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
That's why Jackson is considered a #1
Just on return ability alone, Desean Jackson is considered a first round pick....Coming out of high school, He was rated the top college WR in the country. He has proved to scouts his route running abilities, his deep threat skills, his vision, hands, and speed make him a first rounder. He is better than Ted Ginn Jr, who went 9th overall last year.
Granted, Devin Hester is a star return man..so far, the best i've seen, since "Prime Time" Sanders...Time will only tell if Jackson will be on par....
I'll return in a moment with more on this.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 18, 2008 5:22 PM CST up reply actions
Part II....Hester vs. Jackson
Desean Jackson college career punt returns:
Jackson's Career Punt Return Stats:
Year G -GS PR Yds Avg TD Long
2005 11-10 1 49 49.0 1 49
2006 13-13 25 455 18.2 4 95
2007 11-11 12 129 10.8 1 77
Career 38 633 16.7 6 95
Devin Hester college career punt returns:
Career PR Yds Avg TD Long
41 638 15.53 4 92
As you can see, there is definately the probability that Jackson will perform at least as well as Hester at the next level. Time will tell.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 18, 2008 6:16 PM CST up reply actions
I highly doubt
Jackson will suceed in this league. He will definently not be the return man that Hester is. Hester has redefined the return game and is the only reason Ginn was selected as high as he was last year and why Jackson is overated this year. Jackson will be a good return man, but there is only one Hester, a guy who can score on any return no matter how good the coverage is. You seem to be underating Hester because comparing a college WR who probably couldn't sustain the beating of the return game in the pros on a consistent basis, to arguably the greatest return man in the history of the game, at 25 years of age. I think Jackson has a huge bust factor and at 170 pounds, woun't be agood reciever. He only had one decent year, in 06', and disappointed last year.
Surely "your" opinion...
The fact is Desean Jackson was a better punt returner in college. I laid their career punt return stats side by side to show you this.
As you noticed, he went his entire junior season with only one return, btw, for a 49 yard TD.....because teams refused to even kick to him.
I assure you Desean Jackson isn't 170lbs..I love it when you clowns add/subtract pounds when you try to solidify your arguement....It just cracks me up...As from what I read, There is no doubt you've never seen Jackson play..
The combine will give you his exact measurables this week...so stay tuned. Hester is possibly 10 lbs heavier and for some reason you feel he is tough enough to endor the riggers of NFL poundings ? quote ,
You seem to be underating Hester because comparing a college WR who probably couldn't sustain the beating of the return game in the pros on a consistent basis, to arguably the greatest return man in the history of the game, at 25 years of age.
Ya see....that's where your wrong...I don't under rate Devin Hester at all in anything I posted...In fact, there is no doubt he is an exciting punt returner, I merely stated the Desean Jackson certainly has the speed, vision, and return abilities to be "as good or better" a punt returner as Hester.
And there is not one logistic statement that you can even think of that can dispute that thought. Period..Oh....btw ...Jackson is 21 years old...so we'll see how much Jackson progresses over the next 4-5 years to equally compare measurables.
You do realize early in Hester's career as your "best return man of all time" that he also has accumulated more fumbles on returns than any return man "I have ever see" ...or do you want to just focus on his You Tube exploits ?
I think Jackson has a huge bust factor and at 170 pounds, woun't be agood reciever.
And you come up with that theory how ??? Here we go with the measurables again...Jackson is probably the most polished speed receiver in the draft. And I can assure you, he is one of the fastest players at the combine.
One decent year as a receiver ???????????
He was AP First Team All-American WR & First Team All-American Return Specialist.....in '06.
that you consider decent ??????
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 18, 2008 8:36 PM CST up reply actions
Oh....here...good reading for u...part II
Here is your so called disappointing season, that followed just a decent season..
Declared for the 2008 NFL Draft on Jan. 15, 2008 ... Mel Kiper rates him as the No. 1 junior receiver in the nation ...
had 28 touchdowns in 36 career games ... tallied nine career 100-yard receiving games ... ranks sixth all-time at Cal in receptions, third in receiving yards and third in receiving touchdowns ... had catches in his last 28 consectuive games for the Bears ... for his career recorded 52 plays of 20 or more yards (23.0% of his 226 touches).
2007: Earned first-team All-America honors by the American Football Coaches Association and third-team honors from the Associated Press ...
An All-Pac-10 Second Team selection at receiver and at punt returner ...
Tallied five catches for 84 yards, including a 40-yard TD reception on a difficult twisting catch, in Cal's victory over Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl ... had five grabs for 88 yards and a touchdown against Arizona State ... snagged nine passes for 136 yards and a pair of touchdowns against UCLA ... registered career-bests of 11 catches and 161 yard, including two impressive touchdown grabs, to lead the Bears to a crucial road victory over No. 11 Oregon ... dazzled fans with a career-best 73-yard end-around TD run in the win over Colorado State ... added to his reputation in the season-opener against Tennessee with 143 yards on just six touches (23.8 yards per touch), including a 77-yard punt return touchdown - his sixth career PR TD...also had a 19-yard run in the win over the Volunteers ...
Rated as the No. 1 receiver in the nation by The Sporting News and Rivals.com, as well as the No. 1 special teams player by Rivals in the preseason ... Playboy Magazine Preseason All-American.
Sure has the makings of a "huge bust factor"
ummmmmm........NOT !!!!!
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 18, 2008 8:52 PM CST up reply actions
Dude
You don't take disagreement very well, do ya? ;-)
Please add links for anything you take from other sources. Pretty please? I only ask this like...all the time.
by Dave Halprin on Feb 18, 2008 9:00 PM CST up reply actions
yeah...i knew you'd get on me....
Grizz....
It's not disagreement, It's utter nonsense to label a 2 time All American WR & Punt Returner a canidate to be "A huge bust factor" that can't conceivably be as good as Hester in the return game.
But if your going to diss a player, with absolutely no data or knowledge to back your own personal opinion, I'm surely going to do the research for you , to put you in touch with reality.
I wasn't debating Hester's skills or storied beginning...I simply stated that Desean Jackson very well "could be AS good or better PR in the NFL"
He is generally regarded as a much better overall talent than Hester coming into the draft. And will provide a team with more than just a return man...
That is the reason Jackson is a first rounder, and Hester wasn't.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 19, 2008 8:01 AM CST up reply actions
for what it's worth...Here's a link.....
http://calbears.cstv.com/sports/m-fo...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 19, 2008 8:05 AM CST up reply actions
For one thing
he has only been an All-American once as a wide reciever. that one good year I mentioned was also the only year he totaled a thousand yards and he has still yet to reach double digit TDs in a single season.
I assure you Desean Jackson isn't 170lbs..I love it when you clowns add/subtract pounds when you try to solidify your arguement....It just cracks me up...As from what I read, There is no doubt you've never seen Jackson play..
The man is listed at 171 lbs, so don't criticize me if thats wrong by your complete estimation. I have seen Jackson play, quite a few times, and he is fast, but is very Ted Ginn Jr. like.
He did disapoint last year:
Catches Yrds AVG TDs
65 762 11.7 6
Those numbers don't live up to his Soph. campaign so yes he did disappoint. That AVG, for a speed reciever, is terrible.
Also, your preseason Heisman candidate wasn't even close to the trophy in the end, was he.
I might have been wrong about you underating Hester, you are merely overating Jackson.
I'm surely going to do the research for you , to put you in touch with reality.
Yes I see your research, 6 game lines for a whole season.
Rated as the No. 1 receiver in the nation by The Sporting News and Rivals.com, as well as the No. 1 special teams player by Rivals in the preseason ... Playboy Magazine Preseason All-American.
You like your pre-season don't you. The point is, he didn't capitalize on those preseason awards and was outplayed by his teamate, hawkins
led the Bears with 72 catches (fourth in the Pac-10 with 5.53/game) and receiving yards with 872 (third in Pac-10 with 67.1 per game)
lol....your killin me...
2007: Earned first-team All-America honors by the American Football Coaches Association and third-team honors from the Associated Press ...
Once again for your wiewing pleasure, you must have missed the bold print in the last posting...
Yes...down year..yet still named All-American First Team. You think teams may have been double covering him and single covering Hawkins...yeah..maybe...you noticed only one PR all year. ummm....Maybe teams kicked the ball out of bounds every time they punted ??..That's called respect..
The fact is Desean caught more balls this year, than he did in his prior decent season.
It appears YOU ARE the only person in this world that is under rating Desean Jackson.
As I can assure you he will be drafted in the top 20 in this years draft.
Or are all the so called experts wrong about him..?
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 19, 2008 10:14 PM CST up reply actions
in defense of Romo9
all the so called experts have been wrong many, many times about "can't miss" prospects.
I can remember Tony Mandrich being tabbed as a "can't miss" prospect in 1989. People were actually criticizing the Cowboys for drafting Aikman over him at the time.
For the record, I'm not that impressed with WRs that skinny unless they're just returning punts. The only WR I can ever remember as small as Jackson ever becoming a great WR was Marvin Harrison. How he lasted as long as he did without getting consistently hurt at his size is truly amazing.
Are you serious?
As I can assure you he will be drafted in the top 20 in this years draft.
Just because you are a top-20 draft pick, doesn't mean you are the next great thing. I could give you examples, but I think you know that.
Or are all the so called experts wrong about him..?
You also kind of hurt your point by criticizing the people who agree with you.
Dexter Jackson...???
...given our need for a kick-returner, where do you see Dexter Jackson going in the draft?
Will he be around in the 4th or 5th round?
He's been drawing some comparisons to Devin Hester and scouts were raving about him after the East-West Shrine game in Houston.
After whiffing on Zuriel Smith and Skyler Green, I'm a little tired of drafting kick returners, but if we had anything close to Devin Hester returning punts and kickoffs in Dallas I would be willing to spend another second day pick to address this need.
Also, as Terry has pointed out previously, position could be addressed with a first day CB/KR named Leodis.
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 18, 2008 3:12 PM CST up reply actions
lol....Fargo..
He needs to pump up big time...Texas T Bones...i like. I wouldn't count Courtney Brown out of the mix either...He's the guy I hope jumps up the charts after a few training camps under his belt.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 18, 2008 2:17 PM CST up reply actions
Brown better produce....
....we let Abram Elam go to keep Brown around town for another year.
Elam is a valuable special teamer and he was arguably the best defensive player on the field for the Jets when they took a beating on Thanksgiving Day. I hated to see him go, but I was happy to see him get an opportunity with another team.
My local college team played in the Great West Conference against the likes of Cal-Poly. Brown flashed a lot of potential with his athleticism. He's fast, but kind of a long-strider and doesn't demonstrate the ability to change direction quickly. I think the Cowboys were smart to move him to FS. He flashed some playmaking ability in the pre-season, but I didn't think it was enough to keep him on the 53-man roster. I wish we would have tried to put him on the practice squad, instead of Matt Moore. Oh well.
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 18, 2008 2:36 PM CST up reply actions
Much rather
go through the draft. Better atleticism, more talent, yet cheaper players who all have potential to become top-flight when talking about guys like McKelvin and Rodgers-Cromaertie. A guy I like in the draft who is expected to go in the 3rd or 4th rounds is Justin King out of Penn. He was once considered a first round pick early in his college career and could be the fastest CB in the draft. He did get beat by James Hardy and at 6-0, 180.It prompts the question, Can he handle physical recievers? He has excellent potential.
Nice List
Brandon,
Thanks for providing us some stats.
Sure they are just 1 year, but at least they give us some indication of the mix of what each player brings.
We certainly need tackling in our secondary, in addition to picks and defenses.
A little tackling of Toomer would have changed the outcome of our Jints playoff game.....
What ever happened to Quincy Butler?
Seems like we heard lots of praise on this guy last preseason, I think it was even Newman who called him the best cover corner on the team. I wonder what's holding him back.. Anyone have any insight on him? What did you see while you were attending Grizz?
I think he's on the PS
He did seem to be the next in line for a shot to make the roster.
by APerfectStar on Feb 18, 2008 4:39 PM CST up reply actions
I can't see the Boys picking up a FA CB
I agree Florence has the best shot out of the list, but he wants to start, he wants starter's money, and the CB market is overblown this season. Cost prohibitive.
I think we'll get one of the top CB's in the upcoming draft. I don't think it will be McKelvin anymore, unless we trade up he'll be gone way before #22. I still like Talib, but he may be gone as well if he runs well at the combine. DRC is probably the top pick we'll have a shot at.
Luckily this is a deep CB class, there will still be options after the 1st day.
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