The VRR: Gerald Sensabaugh's Impact; Colombo Joins "Bigg" Davis on Smashburger Venture
Gerald Sensabaugh is the new hope at the Cowboys strong safety position. In the past, the team has relied on the position as one of strength. That was until Darren Woodson retired. Soon after, Roy Williams' game began to decline, and then he got injured.
This offseason, Dallas let both Williams and his backup Keith Davis walk and signed Sensabaugh to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. The deal sounds similar to the one the Cowboys gave FS Ken Hamlin. If Sensabaugh proves to be a quality starter this season, then the team will look to extend his contract as they did with Hamlin's.
Sensabaugh's play resembles that of Hamlin's moreso than Williams'. That doesn't mean he can't support the run as well as Roy, but it does mean that the Cowboys will ask him to cover more - as Sensabaugh says in this interview. Coach Phillips has got to be giddy to have a strong safety who can cover and who wants to cover. No longer will he have to adjust his defense to hide a player's weakness. I'm sure a guy like Hamlin will also appreciate that.
Sensabaugh recently created a website so he can "communicate with fans, personally answering reader questions and updating his blog on a regular basis".
And he has been quite active on his blog. Here's a sampling of some of the recent Q&A he's been doing with fans.
On his expected impact with the Cowboys:
I would have to say that i feel that i will make the most impact in the passing game. Here in dallas we have a great front 7 who's dominant against the run. I do plan on getting my share of run stopping, but for me right now my main focus is to play good coverage. I'm very fortunate to have some great pass rushers who can get sacks or force bad throws. So i'm excited to get a chance to play where the pass rush is going to be there and knowing that the balls are going to be coming out fast. I'm expecting our secondary to get lots if int's, especially with how athletic everybody is.
Make the jump for more from Sensabaugh and more VRR news.

Sensi on reading offenses:
"Before the snap there are many reads," responds Sensabaugh. "The main read is identifying the formation. Once the formation is identified it will give u a big clue on rather its left, right run.... short, deep pass. Through film study you notice that a lot of teams are repetitive, so before the snap you can take a highly educated guess.
[snip]
I pay attention to the splits of the WR's and i can get big clues of where they are going. Film study is the biggest part of the NFL. The more you know about your opponent, the better chance you have at executing against your opponent.
On fitting in the Cowboys defensive scheme:
In the 3-4 defense it mainly stops the run and puts a lot of pressure on the secondary because we all know the Cowboys love man coverage. So my job is to cover and cap the run. I think this defense is great for what i have molded my career for. So expect me to make a lot of plays and show my coverage ability which i am looking forward to. My rookie year in jax they experienced me at corner and every year i get snaps playing the inside slot.
Check out his blog at GeraldSensabaugh.net for his answers to other random topics like why he wears the number 43, how he feels about the nickname "Sensi", and how he can't wait to kick some NFC East butt.

Smashburger. It just sounds like a joint a Cowboys offensive lineman should own. Now two linemen own a stake in the chain. Right tackle Marc Colombo is joining fellow Free Reign member and O-line neighbor, Leonard Davis, in the burger biz.
"When Leonard told me about his arrangement with Smashburger, I knew I wanted to get involved," Colombo said. "Because we’ve worked side-by-side on game day every week during the season, I know we will be a great team in making Smashburger a huge success in the Dallas area. Smashburger's excellent food, setting and value will make it Dallas’ favorite burger place for every occasion."

With training camp starting next week, expect the rookie signings to begin soon.
Stephen McGee's mother is looking forward to attending her son's first practice as a Cowboy at the Alamodome.
Here's a precamp injury update:
DE Jason Hatcher, WR Isaiah Stanback and rookie LB Stephen Hodge all had knee surgeries this offseason but are expected back for training camp. So is PK Nick Folk (hip surgery), but his kicking could be limited early in camp. The team drafted David Buehler as a kickoff specialist, and he could handle the early foot duties until Folk is cleared. Miles Austin missed OTAs and minicamp with a hamstring strain and should be back for camp, but he also missed valuable time — time he had designs on spending to get a leg up on a starting spot.
The Cowboys will launch a Kickoff Spectacular on Tuesday at the Alamodome. Here's what's in store:
5 p.m. Fan Interactive Area Opens
6 p.m. Alamodome Doors Open
7 p.m. Kickoff Spectacular, which will feature the Randy Rogers Band and IntoCable. Players and coaches will be announced to the fans.

For Cowboys fans in the Kansas City area: the Chiefs ticket agents will require that you purchase a preseason game ticket when you purchase one for the Dallas @ KC game.
The Dallas game on Oct. 11 will come in a two-ticket package with the Houston preseason game Aug. 15. The Pittsburgh game Nov. 22 is paired with the Seattle preseason game Aug. 29. And no, there is no discount for the preseason tickets you'll have to buy along with the regular-season ticket.
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29 comments
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Comments
Most significant change
In the off-season, we have seen potential improvements by deletion and by addition. The signing of Sensabaugh looks to be the most significant of the additions.
by doomsdayreturns on Jul 22, 2009 5:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
i’m thinking the same thing. if he does what they expect him to do and he seems able to do, he’s the key to the whole thing. wade has had to adjust the D to cover for roy’s lack of coverage. everything else has been held back by that. once they have confidence in that position, everyone else can really let loose and Wade can take his scheme to it’s full implementation. which in turns feeds back to Sensi as he takes advantage of aggressive pass rush and coverage. it all has to work together or teams can make you pay by going at your weak spot, ironically the strong safety. i can’t wait to see Wade’s D finally be able to work as we hope it can. Sensi’s acquisition is one of least discussed off-season moves but may indeed be the most significant of all, or at least of all the additions as you say.
by scottmaui on Jul 23, 2009 4:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+2
The pundits want to talk about what questions they have about Sensi. My answer would be “have you really watched the guys he’s replacing??” He doesn’t have to out run the tiger, he just has to out run the other guy…
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Jul 23, 2009 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's still chickensh** that preseason games are full price and required purchase
And making a “premium” game tied to the preseason is doubly so.
It's not personal, it's just business
by Fighter15 on Jul 22, 2009 5:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That is an underhanded move...
…on the part of the Chiefs. Economy gets a bit tough on everyone and they make it tougher on their fans. The NFL needs to put a ban on franchises doing this.
by KaceOFbass on Jul 22, 2009 5:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
How is Stanback perpetually injured although he never plays?
by connery on Jul 22, 2009 7:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Sensi
Unless I’m mistaken, sensi is also a name for a type of cannibus.
Onto more important things, I think hamlin and sensibaugh will give us (at best) adaquate safety performance this coming year. Hamlin in particular is already a vet with a medium-ok history. No reason to think he’s particularly special. And sensibaugh is a little unproven and unwanted by the rest of the league. I think it adds up to average.
by Eagles suck on Jul 22, 2009 7:55 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
No reason to think Hamlin is special? Sensi unwanted?
Pass me some of that cannabis you be tokin’
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
by DalaiLuke on Jul 22, 2009 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha! Hadn't thought of that. Instead, maybe Sensa?
In high school, we referred to sensi or sense as “bammer”, which was not good. I’m glad Sensabaugh didn’t reference that in his blog!
Eagles suck (it’s great typing your name), don’t you think Sensi and the Hammer will outplay last year’s Overwhelmed-QB-of-the-D and Thong combo? I’m wondering if Wade will keep each guy to their respective side of the field, in a sense nullifying the FS/SS designation—kind of like Zimmer did w/Woody and whoever he played with that wore #31.
Shoulda been Hawkins.
by Aaron Novinger on Jul 22, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sinse, short for Sinsemilla = without seed
of course I only know this from the Black Uhuru song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6n97k3immU "I got a stalk of sinsemilla growing in my back yard." But seriously the first time I heard the term was from that song, my folks had it when i was like 13 (they just tried to be hip by liking reggae lol).
sinsemilla are unfertilized female flower buds which produce the strongest Cannabinoid content because they don’t have to waste any energy on the seeds. of course I only know that from Wikipedia.
But Sensi… actually reminds me more of Sensei… Japanese for Master…. "word is used to show respect to someone who has achieved a certain level of mastery in an art form or some other skill" – hopefully that one applies!
by scottmaui on Jul 23, 2009 5:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm a master procrastinator, that applies to pretty much everything
Nice post, maui … which rhymes with Owie and Wowie.
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
by DalaiLuke on Jul 23, 2009 5:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Sense will be an upgrade, but I'm not annointing him the savior just yet...
No doubt he will bring more to the position. But until I see it on the field, in a preseason or regular season game, I’m inclined to reserve judgment as to his epic abilities.
When we signed Hamlin, there was similar degrees of optimism, and I’m one of the optimists… Sense has the chance to do BIG things for this defense. If he gives us a season similar to Hamlin’s first, this D will be top 3-5.
But for now, I’m just happy we get even a moderate upgrade.
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
by DalaiLuke on Jul 23, 2009 4:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Even a moderate upgrade
can make a huge difference. I’m not even expecting him to be epic. I just want him to be competent. It’s relative to what he’s replacing, so if he’s just decently competent in coverage, that is a significant upgrade that can help the whole defense and let Wade do what he wants to do without worrying about adjusting for a huge hole there. He doesn’t necessarily have to be fantastic to be a not a hole lol. Of course the better he is, the more he helps everything else.
by scottmaui on Jul 23, 2009 5:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with this... even a moderate improvement will improve schemes
anything above that will put this defense in the top tier
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
by DalaiLuke on Jul 23, 2009 7:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right
think about the last half of the season – RWI WIA, ST Ace Davis and some under-sized dude they grabbed off the street getting all the playing time. It was a disaster. Sensi’s addition will be significant even if he’s just average back there.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Jul 23, 2009 7:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mexican music classes for you, Aaron
7 p.m. Kickoff Spectacular, which will feature the Randy Rogers Band and IntoCable. Players and coaches will be announced to the fans.
IntoCable? As in something related to a cable? No, it’s Intocable, which in english means untouchable.
I’m not a fan, but they’re huge on this side of Rio Grande and big on your side.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
by Chandus on Jul 23, 2009 9:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's pretty funny
like when they tried to market the Chevy Nova in Mexico.
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.
by dunkman on Jul 23, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, they won a grammy, right?
Shoulda been Hawkins.
by Aaron Novinger on Jul 23, 2009 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
KC
Can’t get their fans so they have rip our fans off? Sheesh. Sensi sounds like he’s going to be a stud. I’m looking forward to that.
by Big50 on Jul 23, 2009 10:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Going up to Dallas
in a couple of weeks. Will have to try a Smashburger. Or two.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on Jul 23, 2009 10:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hmmph
Looks like I will have to go to San Antonio or Houston (or on up to Denver) to try that Smashburger. Dallas doesn’t get one until next spring.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on Jul 23, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
anyone actually tried it?
I have never even heard of it til this whole thing. How is it? Anything comparable?
by sublimezg on Jul 23, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just moved to S.A. and I have yet to see a Smashburger anywhere.
They are Colorado-based so maybe the Dallas area ones will be their expansion areas.
Shoulda been Hawkins.
by Aaron Novinger on Jul 23, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The map
on their site shows they have stores open in Houston and SA, and more to open (including Dallas) next year.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
by OskieOskie on Jul 23, 2009 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Sensabaugh turns out to be the real deal
then our defense becomes elite as our weak safety play was always our greatest weakness from playing great defense.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jul 23, 2009 3:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think he means weak saftey play as in they haven’t played very well the last two seasons. Hamlin wasn’t spectacular last year and Roy Williams hasn’t played well since he got paid the big bucks.
If the two are clicking this year and are showing up every day, then this should be a pretty damn good defense. The front 7 doesn’t make very many mistakes, so if they can get the secondary to that level it’s going to be a top 5 defense.
by Damnsammit on Jul 24, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's what I meant, thanks
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jul 24, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah i was trying to make a joke about the confusing terms
and just caused more confusion. it was late.
weak safety play at strong safety, we need strong safety play at strong safety!
by scottmaui on Jul 24, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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