Pat Watkins will be fighting for playing time at FS. But at least he feels more confident about asking questions this year.
"Last year I feel like I wasn't 100 percent into the defense, just learning the scheme and all," Watkins said. "But this year that's what I've been working on. I've studied my playbook harder than ever and the coaches helped me tremendously.
"Last year I was afraid to ask questions because I didn't want them to be thinking, 'What the heck is he doing? Why is he asking me this?' This year I feel like if I don't know it then I just ask. I got to know."
Boy, the Tuna must’ve really scared the kid, he wouldn’t even ask questions! The softer, gentler, Pillsbury Dough Boy-esque Wade Phillips should alleviate that problem.
But Watkins still has to deal with the presumed starter, Ken Hamlin.
Watkins' top competition is free-agent signee Ken Hamlin, a four-year starter in Seattle who had four tackles in the Seahawks' 21-20 wild-card win over the Cowboys this past January. The Cowboys signed Hamlin to a modest one-year, $2.5 million deal with the understanding that a successful season could produce a long-term commitment.
"I just try to do my part," Hamlin said. "Like I said, I think I'm just another piece to the puzzle to try to come in, give my experience and my type of play and go out there and play hard."
Roger Goodell strikes again. Tank Johnson is suspended for eight games. Mike Vick, are you watching? You could be next.