The Case for Coverage Safeties, Part III: Sensabaugh Will Crank the Rush Up to 11

it’s great to know that we don’t have to throw them in there in Game 1. We have Hamlin (who I still think is a good safety) and Sensabaugh. This is a more than adequate tandem. We also have Scandrick to play the “star” position on certain packages. This will greatly improve our sack numbers and pass rush especially if we find a solid backup NT and ILB and CB depth. Ware’s last sack was the Joe Flacco strip at the 4 yard line in Week 15

will face suspention for his off the field issues?

The Cowboys have tried doing it for the past few years brought back mixed results as Raf pointed out. You can only have Keith Davis out there for so long before a elite tight end burns him badly. I’m excited to see what Sensabaugh can do. This team has been held hostage by the safety position since Woody left, its time thats changed.

to have a long-term solution at quarterback like Joe Flacco.

unless a S is really the best value there, he gives us the flexibility to take a position that may be more urgent need.

why you have to throw out the FS and SS concepts as it relates to the safety positions because in todays game as Raf points out, both safeties have to have strong coverage abilities.

Both safeties must have the same skill set which is both coverage and run support.

but there was a recent article by Nick Eatman on RW and how his role has changed. I remember the interview that Drew Pearson had with Irvin a couple of weeks ago and how Drew did not like the idea that any WR should be automatically considered the No. 1 option until he has earned it. Much like Drew did when Roger relied on him, because he was a reliable option not because of a predetermined notion that Drew had to be the No. 1. So it makes me feel a little better when I read a quote from RW that echoes this sentiment (see quote below) and how he has already shown his commitment to working on that relationship with his QB this offseason.

Williams knows the Cowboys will need those players to perform at a high level.

“No question about it. I know what these guys can do,” said Williams, who signed a five-year, $45 million extension after his trade last October. “(Crayton) has shown what he can do opposite of T.O. as the No. 2 receiver. Now it’s time for Miles to step up and be the guy. It’s going to be a good competition. In fact, I don’t even know if you can call myself the No. 1 guy. I’m going to have to come in and work for it.”

bq Williams knows the Cowboys will need those players to perform at a high level.

bq “No question about it. I know what these guys can do,” said Williams, who signed a bq five-year, $45 million extension after his trade last October. “(Crayton) has shown
bq what he can do opposite of T.O. as the No. 2 receiver. Now it’s time for Miles to step bq up and be the guy. It’s going to be a good competition. In fact, I don’t even know if you bq can call myself the No. 1 guy. I’m going to have to come in and work for it.”

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=3ABC7B31-F1E2-3F7C-7CBA562281704A71

I opened up the formatting guidelines and only now do I see the quote icon at the top of the comment window.

Williams knows the Cowboys will need those players to perform at a high level.

"No question about it. I know what these guys can do," said Williams, who signed a five-year, $45 million extension after his trade last October. "(Crayton) has shown what he can do opposite of T.O. as the No. 2 receiver. Now it’s time for Miles to step up and be the guy. It’s going to be a good competition. In fact, I don’t even know if you can call myself the No. 1 guy. I’m going to have to come in and work for it."

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=3ABC7B31-F1E2-3F7C-7CBA562281704A71

We hear these numbers all the time and they just pass between my ears. For some reason, that just jumps out at me. $9 freakin million dollars a year to play a game. He’s not even remotely the best at his position. He better step his performance up or that contract is going to be an anchor for the next 4 yrs.

It’d be cool to a list of the NFL’s starting LTs and where they were drafted – hint hint for future articles

But how much does Phillips wants his Defense to improve in coverage is the main question.

I’ve been looking at Jax forums and blogs to find the skinny about Sensabaugh, before he was signed by Dallas (after that some may talk garbage out of spite) of course, and I found some interesting observations.

- Yeah, his coverage skills improved as the year wore on and that may be a sign of improvement from his experience, but I wouldn’t be surprized if after he’s signed we see the older Sensabaugh.

- Takes bad angles on receivers and RBs.

- Can lay a big hit, yes, and then he fails to wrap up.

- It’s common knowledge that he knows the playbook and that from time to time he gives advise to those around him, but at times it seems as if he doesn’t know where he’s supposed to be….

I don’t think that his signing will take the FS need out of our team top 3 picks and I wouldn’t put too much stock on what Phillips says about him, that can be smoke, in the end Sensabaugh was signed to a one year deal and peanuts, it’s not as if teams expected that he would be great in coverage or run support or anything.

if Sensabaugh will be disciplined by the commish for his off the field issues?