DMN Blog: The case of Hamlin
by Albert Breer
We're closing in on two months since the Cowboys slapped the franchise tag on Ken Hamlin.
Does that mean a long-term deal won't be reached? No. But as time passes, it becomes harder and harder to be optimistic of that happening.
Just the other day, Jets safety Kerry Rhodes reached a five-year, $33.5 million accord with New York, with $20 million of that guaranteed. That's on the heels of Bob Sanders getting $37.5 million, and about $20 million guaranteed on a five-year deal from Indy.
Now, to be clear, the feeling here is that Bob Sanders -- the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year -- is the best safety in the game, and has been for a couple years. Rhodes is right there with him, and has probably been the Jets' best player over the last two years, one of which was a playoff season.
Is Hamlin in that class? You could say he isn't. But then, the Cowboys could have a hard time arguing that with the Pro Bowler's reps, since they put the franchise tag on him, which designates him to be paid among the top five at his position.
Further complicating matters are the deals copped by new Viking Madieu Williams (six years, $33 million) and Raider Gibril Wilson (six years, $39 million) this offseason.
The bottom line is that it won't be easy to get a deal done. The Cowboys would have to spend big, and that's with guys like Terence Newman and DeMarcus Ware in the running for bank-breaking bonanzas.
Here's one thing we are hearing that may be relevant over the next few weeks -- The Cowboys like Miami S Kenny Phillips, who should be there for the taking at the end of Round 1. I believe they are correct to like him, and not just because of the lineage at his position at "The U" (Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Brandon Meriweather). The kid can play.
Therein lies a possible solution. Draft Phillips, and sign Hamlin to the tender, with a guarantee he won't be franchised again. Then, use Phillips in sub packages as a rookie and groom him to take over in 2009.
That way, the Cowboys save money at the position, and secure their future back there.
This isn't in any way saying Hamlin shouldn't be part of Dallas' future. Nor is their any guarantee that he won't hold out into training camp. It's just that there's only so much money to go around and, right now, the cash might not be there to get a deal with Hamlin done.
We're closing in on two months since the Cowboys slapped the franchise tag on Ken Hamlin.
Does that mean a long-term deal won't be reached? No. But as time passes, it becomes harder and harder to be optimistic of that happening.
Just the other day, Jets safety Kerry Rhodes reached a five-year, $33.5 million accord with New York, with $20 million of that guaranteed. That's on the heels of Bob Sanders getting $37.5 million, and about $20 million guaranteed on a five-year deal from Indy.
Now, to be clear, the feeling here is that Bob Sanders -- the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year -- is the best safety in the game, and has been for a couple years. Rhodes is right there with him, and has probably been the Jets' best player over the last two years, one of which was a playoff season.
Is Hamlin in that class? You could say he isn't. But then, the Cowboys could have a hard time arguing that with the Pro Bowler's reps, since they put the franchise tag on him, which designates him to be paid among the top five at his position.
Further complicating matters are the deals copped by new Viking Madieu Williams (six years, $33 million) and Raider Gibril Wilson (six years, $39 million) this offseason.
The bottom line is that it won't be easy to get a deal done. The Cowboys would have to spend big, and that's with guys like Terence Newman and DeMarcus Ware in the running for bank-breaking bonanzas.
Here's one thing we are hearing that may be relevant over the next few weeks -- The Cowboys like Miami S Kenny Phillips, who should be there for the taking at the end of Round 1. I believe they are correct to like him, and not just because of the lineage at his position at "The U" (Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Brandon Meriweather). The kid can play.
Therein lies a possible solution. Draft Phillips, and sign Hamlin to the tender, with a guarantee he won't be franchised again. Then, use Phillips in sub packages as a rookie and groom him to take over in 2009.
That way, the Cowboys save money at the position, and secure their future back there.
This isn't in any way saying Hamlin shouldn't be part of Dallas' future. Nor is their any guarantee that he won't hold out into training camp. It's just that there's only so much money to go around and, right now, the cash might not be there to get a deal with Hamlin done.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:26 PM
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