Problems, progress may thrust 6-foot-5 rookie safety into starting role
By MAC ENGEL
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
One safety was recently shot and plays with a bullet in his leg. Another was recently busted for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
So even if he did nothing, rookie safety Pat Watkins would keep moving up the depth chart because of things he isn't doing off the field. But Watkins is doing something on the field. Enough that he might begin the season as the team's starting free safety.
Off-season free agent acquisition Marcus Coleman violated the NFL's substance abuse policy, according to a league source. The news isn't going to put a smile on coach Bill Parcells' face. Parcells is not big on APBs (all-points bulletins) involving his players.
The 32-year-old Coleman is expected to face a four-game suspension. If suspended, he would miss the first four regular-season games, but could play in the remaining preseason games. Coleman was convicted of driving while intoxicated in Houston in the summer of 2004.
The development of Watkins, however, makes the Coleman news less painful. The progress of the 6-foot-5 Watkins also means Keith Davis, who was shot last month, might no longer be the starter.
Watkins started in the Cowboys' 30-7 preseason victory against New Orleans on Monday.
"I didn't get much action. The line and the linebackers did the majority of the work," Watkins said. "I think I did pretty well as far as not blowing calls or checks."
The Cowboys want more than that from their free safety this season. They want interceptions. Pass breakups. Above average pass coverage. Sure tackling.
The Cowboys believe Watkins, who was selected in the fifth round of the draft, might have those qualities.
Although his height is atypical for his position and might have negatively affected his draft status, it could work for him now. He covers ground quickly. He is smooth and athletic and has pterodactyl-ish wingspan.
"My height is something I can't control," Watkins said. "I always thought it was more of a benefit. But people find different things. I get questions about it all the time. 'Why didn't you play basketball?' Why aren't you a receiver?' I'm happy at safety. I've played it since high school and I'm going to get better."
The Cowboys concur. Watkins might not be better in Week 1, but by starting in Week 1 he could be the upgrade the Cowboys' desire by Week 8 and beyond. He could be the complement to strong safety Roy Williams the Cowboys want.
"I think he has a real good chance to be a real good player," Parcells said. "I've never seen one like this guy. There may have been; I've heard a couple of names here and there that I don't think they were quite his height."
Parcells has set a precedent for starting a rookie safety. He started Greg Jackson and Myron Guyton as rookies with the Giants. He did the same with Lawyer Milloy when he coached the Patriots.
The Cowboys didn't draft Watkins to replace Davis. But since the end of last season, Davis has been on notice. Even when he signed a two-year, $3 million contract that included nearly $2 million in guaranteed money, there wasn't a guarantee he would start.
Free safety was an off-season priority. That's why Coleman was signed. But now, he's likely going to be unavailable.
"I don't think of it as not making the team. Or starting. I don't know how it worked," said Watkins, who started two seasons at Florida State. "I know Keith was the starter. I just went in determined and with the attitude I wasn't going to let anyone stop me. And at first I thought it was an insult to be drafted in the fifth round, but now I'm happy to be taken by the Cowboys."
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
One safety was recently shot and plays with a bullet in his leg. Another was recently busted for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
So even if he did nothing, rookie safety Pat Watkins would keep moving up the depth chart because of things he isn't doing off the field. But Watkins is doing something on the field. Enough that he might begin the season as the team's starting free safety.
Off-season free agent acquisition Marcus Coleman violated the NFL's substance abuse policy, according to a league source. The news isn't going to put a smile on coach Bill Parcells' face. Parcells is not big on APBs (all-points bulletins) involving his players.
The 32-year-old Coleman is expected to face a four-game suspension. If suspended, he would miss the first four regular-season games, but could play in the remaining preseason games. Coleman was convicted of driving while intoxicated in Houston in the summer of 2004.
The development of Watkins, however, makes the Coleman news less painful. The progress of the 6-foot-5 Watkins also means Keith Davis, who was shot last month, might no longer be the starter.
Watkins started in the Cowboys' 30-7 preseason victory against New Orleans on Monday.
"I didn't get much action. The line and the linebackers did the majority of the work," Watkins said. "I think I did pretty well as far as not blowing calls or checks."
The Cowboys want more than that from their free safety this season. They want interceptions. Pass breakups. Above average pass coverage. Sure tackling.
The Cowboys believe Watkins, who was selected in the fifth round of the draft, might have those qualities.
Although his height is atypical for his position and might have negatively affected his draft status, it could work for him now. He covers ground quickly. He is smooth and athletic and has pterodactyl-ish wingspan.
"My height is something I can't control," Watkins said. "I always thought it was more of a benefit. But people find different things. I get questions about it all the time. 'Why didn't you play basketball?' Why aren't you a receiver?' I'm happy at safety. I've played it since high school and I'm going to get better."
The Cowboys concur. Watkins might not be better in Week 1, but by starting in Week 1 he could be the upgrade the Cowboys' desire by Week 8 and beyond. He could be the complement to strong safety Roy Williams the Cowboys want.
"I think he has a real good chance to be a real good player," Parcells said. "I've never seen one like this guy. There may have been; I've heard a couple of names here and there that I don't think they were quite his height."
Parcells has set a precedent for starting a rookie safety. He started Greg Jackson and Myron Guyton as rookies with the Giants. He did the same with Lawyer Milloy when he coached the Patriots.
The Cowboys didn't draft Watkins to replace Davis. But since the end of last season, Davis has been on notice. Even when he signed a two-year, $3 million contract that included nearly $2 million in guaranteed money, there wasn't a guarantee he would start.
Free safety was an off-season priority. That's why Coleman was signed. But now, he's likely going to be unavailable.
"I don't think of it as not making the team. Or starting. I don't know how it worked," said Watkins, who started two seasons at Florida State. "I know Keith was the starter. I just went in determined and with the attitude I wasn't going to let anyone stop me. And at first I thought it was an insult to be drafted in the fifth round, but now I'm happy to be taken by the Cowboys."
posted by The Gryphon at 9:17 AM
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