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The VRR: Ken Hamlin Talks Being Captain; 4th and Long Series Finale Tonight

You see? Even out on the links, Tony Romo is working on his fade routes.

More photos » Brad Horn - AP

You see? Even out on the links, Tony Romo is working on his fade routes.

When Ken Hamlin signed with the Cowboys in March of 2007, he was known as "The Hammer". While earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl that season with a 102-tackle, five-interception season, he became known as "the quarterback" of the Cowboys secondary. His experience calling the defensive signals has also led to him becoming a team captain.

But last season, Hamlin intercepted just one pass and was part of an inconsistent secondary decimated by injuries.

In this interview with Jim Rome, Hamlin discusses how seriously he takes his role as a defensive captain. Because of this role, he holds himself accountable for the defense not making key stops last season - stops, such as the two long runs against Baltimore, that could have kept the offense in a position to win games. He says that coaching was not part of the issue last year, nor will it be this year. Where head coach and defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, has in the past taken the blame for his defense's breakdowns, Hamlin places the responsibility on the players' shoulders.

This year, Hamlin says, the secondary will focus on getting turnovers. If the defense comes anywhere near leading the league in sacks again, the defensive backs must take advantage.

Hamlin also talks about the pressure he puts on himself here in this phone interview with ESPN.

With the Cowboys bringing new faces into the secondary, including three new safeties in free agent signee Gerald Sensabaugh and rookies Michael Hamlin and DeAngelo Smith, The Hammer's guidance will be counted on even more. Throw in the developing experience at cornerback, with second-year pros Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick projecting as feature players, and Hamlin will again be expected to be the quarterback of the defense.

Star-divide

Tonight is the season finale of 4th and Long. Tonight, we find out which new name will be added to the Cowboys training camp roster. Here's a little preview:

At the end of the 9 p.m. finale, owner Jerry Jones congratulates his newest player on the field inside Cowboys Stadium: "Clear your Sunday afternoon calendar," Jones tells the winner, "because you are going to be spending it out here with a big star on your helmet."

I will believe the whole Andrew-Hawkins-is-stuck-in-the-CFL thing when I see it. In the show's preview, Jerry Jones is holding a Cowboys jersey with the number 16 on it. That has to be a wide receiver. Both Hawkins and Jesse Holley have consistently been getting the best of the defensive backs throughout the series. Soon we will see which one will be going up against the Newmans and Scandricks of the NFL.

If you've missed episodes and need to catch up, SpikeTV's 4th and Long homepage replays full episodes.

Jamie Dukes ranks DeMarcus Ware as his number four Best in the Biz player.

NFL Outsider's Greg Trippiedi provides some contrast to this ranking by underestimating Ware's overall skills. Hater!

Q: What kind of encore season can Cowboys fans expect from DeMarcus Ware, and is he truly among the league's best defenders?

A: Ware is probably not capable of another 20 sack season, because he's not going to see too many single teams over the next five years. 12-13 is a reasonable expectation. But if Ware is truly a franchise player, he needs to improve aspects of his game unrelated to pass rush, such as defensive positioning, taking on blockers while not on the attack, and pass coverage on the weak side.

Tony Romo shot a 69 Saturday and a 71 Sunday to finish second at the American Century Golf Championship.

Before Jason Witten, there was Jay Novacek. A Cowboy for most of his pro career, Novacek was also a Cowboy in college when he played for Wyoming. Troy Aikman's go-to guy in the middle, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this weekend.

Novacek, who was a Consensus All-America tight end at Wyoming in 1984, still holds the NCAA record for highest average gain per reception in a single season by a tight end, averaging 22.6 yards per catch in 1984. The native of Gothenburg, Neb., also placed fourth in the decathlon at the NCAA Championships his senior season, earning All-America honors in track and field.

During his college career from 1982-84, Novacek had 83 receptions for 1,536 yards and 10 touchdowns, while playing in a wishbone offense. Novacek will be one of 13 former college players and two former college coaches inducted into the 2008 College Hall of Fame class.

He will be inducted with his former Dallas Cowboy teammate Troy Aikman (UCLA, QB, 1986-89).

Aikman, always the perfectionist, still feels he missed out on the big one in college.

"The one I regret I have on any level is that I didn't lead a team to the Rose Bowl," the three-time Super Bowl champion said. "I think a lot of times in the NFL a quarterback is measured by whether or not you lead a team to a championship. For me at UCLA, it was whether or not you led your team to the Rose Bowl. I failed to do that."

Are you worried about the Cowboys' future at the offensive tackle position? If so, Gil Brandt did some homework for you. In this NFL.com article, Brandt looks at the top OT prospects for 2010.

Rich Behm is optimistic about his recovery and is ready to get back to work.

"[I'm] still going to walk again," he said. "It's no big deal. That's a goal, and so I'm sticking to that."

Behm was injured in the collapse of a Cowboys practice facility in May.

"I'm still trying to learn how to deal with what's happened to me right now in terms of getting on with my normal life," he said. " I can't even drive a car."

[snip]

"I mean, going into the office and getting some work done, that's kind of what I'm ready to go back to do," Behm said. "I'm ready to get out of the house. That's for sure."

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Good luck, Rich

we’re all pulling for you.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 20, 2009 1:09 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Aaron - Hawkins is IN THE CFL....

trust me bro – i watched him on Saturday…number 0 on the Alouettes…blocking on special teams

Alouettes 43 – Roughriders 10

absolutely 100% playing in the CFL

by McLovin9 on Jul 20, 2009 1:20 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I know he's playing in the CFL...

right now, I’m just saying that his being stuck playing up north is something I will believe when I see. I can’t imagine them wasting such talent just as a ST blocker. I’m just suspicious of his staying with Montreal, is all.

All of us who have been watching the show can see he’s a much more capable player than anybody else participating, with maybe the exception of Holley. Obviously, the show’s level of competition is not necessarily NFL-caliber, but neither is college’s.

If Hawkins does not win the show, then all my speculation will be yesterday’s news. But until the winner is selected, can I just hold out a little hope…just a tiny bit?

All eyes on Free.

by Aaron Novinger on Jul 20, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

well - stuck is a bad word...

i just think that if he had won the show – (which has been in the can for months) that he wouldn’t be risking his shot with the Cowboys (or catching on with another NFL team during training camp) by blocking on ST in the CFL 2 weeks before training camp…it wouldn’t make sense…who would take that risk?

Holley is winning the show – i think that its been obvious for a few weeks now

by McLovin9 on Jul 20, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The fact that all he is doing is blocking on ST is what makes me wonder.

There’s minimal risk for injury if, like you suggest, he is only on the field for that. And if he does win the show, I could see him at least getting some more ST experience up there.

Do you know when he signed with the CFL team? I heard it was before participating in 4th and Long, which leads me to believe that he was already committed to the CFL, which leads me to believe that he could just be fulfilling that commitment until the show’s end.

Again, this is all hopeful conjecture on my part. I’m not producing the show or anything. To me, it would be a shame if anybody else other than Hawkins wins.

And really, the Cowboys WR position can’t seem to stay healthy anyways. Hell, they ought to just make it a tie between Hawkins and Holley. They’ll probably need more camp bodies. Wasn’t it just last year the Cowboys opened up the season with just 2 healthy WRs?

All eyes on Free.

by Aaron Novinger on Jul 20, 2009 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure if it is covered in

A standard CFL contract, the NFL agreement, or what.

I have never seen a player start the season in the CFL and finish it in the NFL.

by I_miss_Switzer on Jul 20, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That may not be true if he signed an option contract.
With the chance to benefit, the NFL and CFL developed the NFL/CFL Co-Operative Relationship Agreement. This pact would allow CFL players to sign with NFL teams during the option years of their contracts. In exchange, the NFL would help the CFL to maintain financial stability. The five-year agreement between the two was extended from 2004 to 2006.

In 2008, this working relationship ended, as the CFL repaid its debt to the NFL, and had pulled itself out of murky financial water. The CFL reiterated its respect for the NFL, and the NFL expressed its willingness to work with the CFL, if such a working relationship can exist again.

Link

All eyes on Free.

by Aaron Novinger on Jul 20, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Two last things, and then I'll just shut up and watch the show later.

Hawkins signed with Montreal in early December.

The show began filming in March. From ESPN:

The winner actually will be decided in mid-April. He’ll spend the next three months under Irvin’s tutelage, improving his chances of bucking the odds — or, at least, ensuring the guy makes the show look good.

Make from that, what y’all will.

All eyes on Free.

by Aaron Novinger on Jul 20, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Aaron, I'm with you bro

I think Hawk still will win it despite being in Canada.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 20, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hawkins is contractally obligated to play for Montreal right now

His brother flat out told so a few weeks ago when I asked him about it.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 20, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I guess someone seriously underrates DWare. Look at this comment on the same site:

Q: Is Justin Tuck a better pure pass rusher than DeMarcus Ware?

A: He’s not a better pure pass rusher, because he’s just not as explosive. He’s a total matchup nightmare though, and he’s a better overall defensive player than DeMarcus Ware is on most days of the week. But if I just need one guy who can get to the quarterback, game situation be damned, I have to take Ware.

Justin is a nice player, but not close to Dware. As for 12-13 sacks max, how many sacks did D-Ware have the year before? Some writers have no clue.

My favorite semi pro teams are the Eagles and Giants

by RealAlbertEinstein on Jul 20, 2009 1:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

That's ridiculous

Ware’s run stopping and pass coverage are outstanding. This is something you might say about Roidman Merriman, but not Ware.

This is what guys say when they don’t have the professionalism to do the research. They look at some numbers and press the “mouth on” button.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 20, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's actually beyond ridiculous

The dude answering that question obviously has no clue what he is talking about.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 20, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How about they ask a couple of GM's

Tuck is a very good player, Ware is elite and in a league of his own right now and is a complete player. That ‘s such insanity to imply he is only a pass rusher. We’re all homers here but this one is crazy.

by StillHateTheGiants on Jul 20, 2009 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The comments are pretty ridiculous about Ware, but to be fair,

just as far as sacks go, I don’t expect 20 again. That’s a pretty ridiculous #, and I think there’s a danger of fans getting on DWare’s case if he gets “ONLY” 12 or 14 sacks.
   There’s no reason not think he can hit 20 again, and he’s definitely capable of one or more sacks a game. But really, even the best have years where their numbers drop off.
    Now, if the Cowboys could build some LEADS over teams, forcing them to pass at the end of games, then Ware could go off the charts and break the record.

by Realist Larry on Jul 20, 2009 1:42 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Right

no telling if he’ll hit that number again.

My problem is calling him a one-trick pony. You might make that case with guys like Freeney and Merrimen because that’s what they are asked to do – rush to the backfield on every down. But anyone who thinks that’s Ware’s role for Dallas or that he’s not capable of playing well in all responsibilities is a straight up idiot.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 20, 2009 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lack of a Pass-Rushing Combo...

I agree that Ware’s sack numbers are gonna go down..it is logical to assume that since we do not have a experienced pass-rusher on the other side will ensure that he gets double teamed a lot. I am not a Ellis apologist..but to be fair Offensive Coordinators had to account for him in the game plan. I really wanna see how Spencer performs this year..as this will directly impact DWARE’s sack totals.

by thejanusman on Jul 20, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hear what your saying but I just cant imagine

the extra attention going to Ellis on any play that Ware is in the game. At least not by any OC who wants to keep his job. I think its Ellis whose sack numbers rose With the addition of Ware. We will miss Ellis but Im hoping Scheme and Spencer maturing lessen the blow.

A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week. Gen. George Patton

by squidlo97 on Jul 20, 2009 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ware's sacks will most likely drop...

It’s just the law of averages. Ware had an abnormally high sack total last season, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to fall all the way back to 12-13. I think 15-17 is realistic.

But sacks aren’t the only part of the game that makes Ware such a great player. He’s outstanding against the run and consistently chases down a runner from behind. How many times have we seen him make a play on the opposite side of the field than which he started?

I think because Ware isn’t considered “nasty” or “intimidating” is what causes some writers to underestimate his ability. These guys don’t watch game after game, every single play, they don’t know how dominant Ware is throughout a game. And because he’s not all over the highlight reels, clotheslining QB’s and knocking the helmets off RB’s, doesn’t mean he’s not the best defensive player in the NFL.

What’s interesting is that Ware is a very physical, very intense player. But because he’s not mean, he’s not the best?

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jul 20, 2009 2:24 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Spot on

Additionally Dallas is out of favor with the media right now, so Ware may be suffering from that as well.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 20, 2009 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought it was common knowledge.

His sack rate is awesome but his true value is from the fact that he is excellent against the run and when dropped into coverage. Ask any unbiased sports writer.

x

by BlueZombie on Jul 20, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Those tackle prospects by Brandt

look like they are mostly right tackle prospects which won’t help us one bit.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 20, 2009 3:54 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

True, but we can count on the Juniors...

… The 2011 Draft is loaded with LT prospects and, at the very least, one of them will jump at the 2010 Draft…

Viva México! Go Cowboys!

by Chandus on Jul 20, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

rt prospects

If that’s the case, I would not mind moving columbo over, I think he has been solid and has warrented an opportunity. So maybe we could draft someone to replace columbo on the right side, just a thought.

by TONYINCC on Jul 20, 2009 10:43 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

no way that happens

Colombo isn’t athletic enough to play LT, he’s a classic mauling RT.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 21, 2009 7:22 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hamlin seems to have shaken the "bad attitude" label that used to crop up on him from time to time

I like his attitude and his willingness to take responsibility as part of the team. He still gets a little too fired up after the whistle sometimes, but I don’t think it cost us any personal fouls last season. Anyone remember? I know in 2007 he had a couple penalties of that type but I think last year he was clean.

Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.

by Tim Wilson on Jul 20, 2009 5:31 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

+1

I think with Sansabaugh next to him he is set to have a much better year.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 20, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not Hawkins or Holley?

Sorry, and I will not be da spolier complete.

But, there was a welcome to the NFL party for one of the 4th and Long guys this weekend and the guest of honor’s name did not start with an H.

Maybe this guy got an offer from some other club because he did have an excellent showing almost every week during the show.

by Travlr on Jul 20, 2009 5:54 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

huh again

There’s no way a DB wins 4th and Long. Irvin would have to be blind. Its prob. Holley though I’ll try to convince myself that I don’t know so I can be surprised if Hawkins wins.

by Eagles suck on Jul 20, 2009 8:26 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

True

A colleague knows some of Ahmad Smith’s cousins and said they were throwing a welcome to the NFL party for him.

I would have been surprised as well, but that is what he told me. Again maybe he got a training camp offer from another team.

Then again, Maybe my boy is on the pipe again :)

by Travlr on Jul 20, 2009 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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