Cowboys Insider: Team could be held 'hostage' by free-safety position
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
At various times during the Bill Parcells era, the old coach complained the team was being “held hostage” by the center and cornerback positions.
It’s doubtful Parcells’ successor will use the same phrase, but don’t be surprised if Wade Phillips offers a few complaints about free safety should either Pat Watkins or Keith Davis man the spot next season.
Jerry Jones indicated this week he’s unlikely to sign a veteran free safety in free agency, so Phillips could have to make do with what he’s got.
“I’m comfortable at safety …” Jones said. “I’m comfortable with the players we have in-house.”
That should be a scary thought for Phillips and strong safety Roy Williams, whose wish to play closer to the line of scrimmage will be unfulfilled until the Cowboys employ a center-fielder type free safety.
Jones passed at the chance to sign Kevin Kaesviharn, the only true free safety left among a thinning pool of free-agent safeties that includes Ken Hamlin and Mike Doss.
Kaesviharn, 30, received a four-year, $10 million deal from New Orleans after toiling last season as Cincinnati’s third safety and nickel back. At 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, he can also play strong safety and cornerback.
The Bengals tried to keep him, but he chose the Saints after also hearing pitches from Arizona and Cleveland. Sean Payton probably made the former Augustana (S.D.) standout a target after watching film of his one-interception, 11-tackle, 1.5-sack performance in the Bengals’ 31-16 victory over the Saints.
Hamlin and Doss haven’t drawn much interest, but it’s probably because teams are waiting until they can get them at a bargain price.
The Cowboys also could be waiting until the draft to add a defensive back. If they use their first-round pick (No. 22 overall) to select Texas cornerback Aaron Ross, Phillips would have the option of sliding Anthony Henry over to free safety should Watkins or Davis struggle.
Watkins, a fifth-round draft choice from Florida State, showed flashes as a rookie last season. But more often then not, he struggled to gain confidence.
Davis, who is also a special-teams ace, also had his ups and downs.
An improved pass rush will make all of the Cowboys’ defensive backs better, but the team would be better off with another option at free safety. Otherwise, expect Parcells to tell his ESPN viewers the Cowboys are having another hostage crisis.
Tentative training camp dates set: According to officials with the Cowboys and the city, practices at the Alamodome are tentatively scheduled to begin July 28 and run through August 12, with the final week of camp taking place in Irving. A Cowboys official said camp could start earlier if the team plays five rather than four exhibition games. One thing is certain: The team must be out of the Alamodome by Aug. 15 because the San Antonio Boat Show takes over the next day, according to a dome official. The Cowboys are scheduled to start moving equipment into the dome July 18.
Express-News Staff Writer
At various times during the Bill Parcells era, the old coach complained the team was being “held hostage” by the center and cornerback positions.
It’s doubtful Parcells’ successor will use the same phrase, but don’t be surprised if Wade Phillips offers a few complaints about free safety should either Pat Watkins or Keith Davis man the spot next season.
Jerry Jones indicated this week he’s unlikely to sign a veteran free safety in free agency, so Phillips could have to make do with what he’s got.
“I’m comfortable at safety …” Jones said. “I’m comfortable with the players we have in-house.”
That should be a scary thought for Phillips and strong safety Roy Williams, whose wish to play closer to the line of scrimmage will be unfulfilled until the Cowboys employ a center-fielder type free safety.
Jones passed at the chance to sign Kevin Kaesviharn, the only true free safety left among a thinning pool of free-agent safeties that includes Ken Hamlin and Mike Doss.
Kaesviharn, 30, received a four-year, $10 million deal from New Orleans after toiling last season as Cincinnati’s third safety and nickel back. At 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, he can also play strong safety and cornerback.
The Bengals tried to keep him, but he chose the Saints after also hearing pitches from Arizona and Cleveland. Sean Payton probably made the former Augustana (S.D.) standout a target after watching film of his one-interception, 11-tackle, 1.5-sack performance in the Bengals’ 31-16 victory over the Saints.
Hamlin and Doss haven’t drawn much interest, but it’s probably because teams are waiting until they can get them at a bargain price.
The Cowboys also could be waiting until the draft to add a defensive back. If they use their first-round pick (No. 22 overall) to select Texas cornerback Aaron Ross, Phillips would have the option of sliding Anthony Henry over to free safety should Watkins or Davis struggle.
Watkins, a fifth-round draft choice from Florida State, showed flashes as a rookie last season. But more often then not, he struggled to gain confidence.
Davis, who is also a special-teams ace, also had his ups and downs.
An improved pass rush will make all of the Cowboys’ defensive backs better, but the team would be better off with another option at free safety. Otherwise, expect Parcells to tell his ESPN viewers the Cowboys are having another hostage crisis.
Tentative training camp dates set: According to officials with the Cowboys and the city, practices at the Alamodome are tentatively scheduled to begin July 28 and run through August 12, with the final week of camp taking place in Irving. A Cowboys official said camp could start earlier if the team plays five rather than four exhibition games. One thing is certain: The team must be out of the Alamodome by Aug. 15 because the San Antonio Boat Show takes over the next day, according to a dome official. The Cowboys are scheduled to start moving equipment into the dome July 18.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:43 AM
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