Dynamic Duo! Hamlin and Williams
By John Tranchina
After getting his first taste of the Cowboys' 3-4 defense during the May mini-camp, new free safety Ken Hamlin is excited to be here and ready to team up with strong safety Roy Williams in an intimidating secondary.
After signing a one-year free-agent deal worth $2.5 million on March 23, the 26-year-old who played the last four years in Seattle's, has the inside track on the starter's role over Patrick Watkins and Keith Davis, who split the duties last season.
"I think they brought me in for a reason and I plan on going out and showing why they brought me," Hamlin says. "I'm just coming in and trying to learn the defense the best I can, so I can help the other guys, just have a good relationship on the field and be a leader out there."
Hamlin is impressed with new coach Wade Phillips' version of the 3-4 and anticipates it accentuating his strengths as a big hitter and solid coverage safety.
"It's good," he says of the system. "I'm definitely happy with a defensive line that can attack, it takes the pressure off us a little bit. It's good on both ends."
By improving the coverage in the secondary, Hamlin's skills might allow the Cowboys to deploy Williams closer to the line of scrimmage where he can utilize his big hitting ability more and serve as yet another pass-rush threat.
"Here, you got Roy, who can play down in the box a lot, and he can still do great things," Hamlin says. "So I don't mind maybe playing center field, hopefully I can get my hands on some balls."
Hamlin, an Arkansas alum who led the Seahawks with three interceptions last season while registering 96 tackles (second on the club) holds Williams in high regard and looks forward to taking the field with him.
"I played against him in college and seeing him here with Dallas, he's done a great job every year," Hamlin says. "So to have that guy lining up next to me, with the corners that we have, and with the defensive line, it's going to be a good situation. He's definitely, I would say, probably the best guy out there who lays his hits and (keeps) coming back for more. It's definitely good to have him out there. I think that also, (he adds) the intimidation factor, and this team doesn't have to worry about that."
Hamlin acknowledges he was a little surprised that the Seahawks, who lost to eventual NFC champ Chicago in the divisional round of the playoffs after defeating the Cowboys in the Wild Card round, did not make a serious attempt to retain him.
"Yeah, it was a shock, sort of, but I guess they were going in another direction," Hamlin admits. "And it gave me the opportunity to get with a team that's definitely doing great things right now. I think the team is growing, the team is definitely on the rise, and I think that we have the opportunity to win a lot of games this year."
After getting his first taste of the Cowboys' 3-4 defense during the May mini-camp, new free safety Ken Hamlin is excited to be here and ready to team up with strong safety Roy Williams in an intimidating secondary.
After signing a one-year free-agent deal worth $2.5 million on March 23, the 26-year-old who played the last four years in Seattle's, has the inside track on the starter's role over Patrick Watkins and Keith Davis, who split the duties last season.
"I think they brought me in for a reason and I plan on going out and showing why they brought me," Hamlin says. "I'm just coming in and trying to learn the defense the best I can, so I can help the other guys, just have a good relationship on the field and be a leader out there."
Hamlin is impressed with new coach Wade Phillips' version of the 3-4 and anticipates it accentuating his strengths as a big hitter and solid coverage safety.
"It's good," he says of the system. "I'm definitely happy with a defensive line that can attack, it takes the pressure off us a little bit. It's good on both ends."
By improving the coverage in the secondary, Hamlin's skills might allow the Cowboys to deploy Williams closer to the line of scrimmage where he can utilize his big hitting ability more and serve as yet another pass-rush threat.
"Here, you got Roy, who can play down in the box a lot, and he can still do great things," Hamlin says. "So I don't mind maybe playing center field, hopefully I can get my hands on some balls."
Hamlin, an Arkansas alum who led the Seahawks with three interceptions last season while registering 96 tackles (second on the club) holds Williams in high regard and looks forward to taking the field with him.
"I played against him in college and seeing him here with Dallas, he's done a great job every year," Hamlin says. "So to have that guy lining up next to me, with the corners that we have, and with the defensive line, it's going to be a good situation. He's definitely, I would say, probably the best guy out there who lays his hits and (keeps) coming back for more. It's definitely good to have him out there. I think that also, (he adds) the intimidation factor, and this team doesn't have to worry about that."
Hamlin acknowledges he was a little surprised that the Seahawks, who lost to eventual NFC champ Chicago in the divisional round of the playoffs after defeating the Cowboys in the Wild Card round, did not make a serious attempt to retain him.
"Yeah, it was a shock, sort of, but I guess they were going in another direction," Hamlin admits. "And it gave me the opportunity to get with a team that's definitely doing great things right now. I think the team is growing, the team is definitely on the rise, and I think that we have the opportunity to win a lot of games this year."
posted by The Gryphon at 6:39 PM
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