Safe or Out?
This seems to be the game we’re playing. Desperately in need of veteran leadership the Cowboys have successfully pursued Gerald Sensabaugh, signing him to a one year deal. In his 5th season he registered 82 tackles and 4 interceptions so you can’t doubt his upside, but I just have to wonder, with a history of arrests and troubled off-the-field issues is he worth it?
I mean we’re trying to rebuild, we’re trying to become a straight-laced team, with a clear image. It worries me, it worries me because distractions have proven costly, and without distractions this team can potentially be untouchable.
The talent is here, and he can bring a lot to us. However, I have to admit I was sort of liking the idea of moving Orlando Scandrick to Free Safety and bumping Hamlin to Strong Safety. We’ll see what time brings, but Sensabaugh will undoubtedly solidify our special teams void, and possibly some good cover skills as a defensive back.
So my indecision leads me to turn it over to you, do you think that Jerry’s latest move is safe, or did the cowboys strike out?
I see this move as akin to signing Tank Johnson, and that worked out fairly well while he was here. he never really caused a fuss and seemed to be a team player for the most part. It was a bit of a surprise when he started saying he wanted out, and the way he did it was in very poor taste. But again, he did well here.
I figure Sensabaugh had some very minor traffic issues, and one gun possession charge, yet he has still been playing and doing well. I mean look at the photo you posted above … I’m interested to see what anyone can do that can get a beat like that Manning and Reggie Wayne. It warrants a look and backup spot at worst.
I like the move, you are bringing in someone with experience, and you know can play, but still has upside, because he is young. I really didn’t like the move they were talking about with Scandrick for the reason that Hamlin can’t tackle to save his life, just look at the Ravens game. You need a strong safety that can tackle, so to me rushing Scandrick to FS and Hamlin didn’t make sense, now what you could do was have Scandrick feel out the FS position in the OTAs and training camp as well as reps at corner and see what happens, if he catches on great. let him work at it, and then if Hamlin doesn’t put up the numbers you want get rid of him. Sensabaugh may have had off the field issues, I think they are minor, but you have to think Campo has worked with him as well as DeCamillis, so it is not like none of the coaches have not spent any time with him, they know who this kid, so I think it will work out in the Cowboys favor.
Im still stunned at the T.O move! Nothing J.J does will suprise me now
I think it’s a safe move under one condition. As long as Jerry doesn’t consider it the fix at SS. We need to go into the draft for a young safety. Pegues in the 4th would be a great addition to this team, and possible a cheap answer to a position that has haunted us since Woodson left.
http://www.CowboysFanRebellion.com
HI,
My username at the official site is Health Nut. I’m going to try here for a bit hoping to get a more educated class of people. I hope the people that respond on this site are actual critical thinkers with enough years watching the Cowboys (going back to the Tom Landry days) to not come up with useless dribble. Too many people, I think, confuse fantasy football with reality.
Anyhow, this signing is a god one. Yes, he does have issues, but he is young enough to turn around those issues. He also does not get the publicity of a Pacman. That goes a long way to trying to turn someone’s life around. It is difficult to do if the press is scrutinizing every move and talking about it 24.7 on ESPN. So, I think, with the support the Cowboys have in place, he could, if he really wanted to, get on the straight and narrow.
Of course, now that he is in Big D, the attention will be on him, but at least he comes here without the media blitz. He has some good talent and can be a player for us for a long time in terms of talent level.
I do think that we need to keep looking because with players like him you can never be safe.
Fabio
That is a good point, you never really know when a player that has had trouble in the past will start having trouble again. But isn’t that the case with any player? I mean look at Roy Williams (SS), he was good for a few years, and without injury or any other reasonable cause, he just started sucking. Okay, so he didn’t adjust to the 3-4 as well as most of the others did, but even what he had been so good at before the scheme switch, which was hitting, started to suck as well.
For Sensabaugh, I think his issues off the field were not even in the same league as Pacman Jones’ were. None of it was for drugs or seriously breaking the law. Some say he was profiled when he was busted for driving with a suspended license, which was caused by his charges for reckless driving on his motorcycle, but had he not done either he wouldn’t have been in the situation to begin with. It all comes down to choices … but I’d rather have a guy that likes to drive and hotrod a bit than a guy that likes to fight, or gets shot with his own gun *cough*.
The only serious charge on his record is the illegal possession of a firearm … half the people I know illegally own a gun and only use it for protection … some for hunting … so I don’t think it says a whole lot about him. Kind of like Tank Williams, he had the same issue, now we’ve learned in the last few months that he isn’t much of a team player, but does one have anything to do with the other? Not really.
I’m looking forward to drafting one of maybe 4 safeties that will be available come #51. Each is capable of starting right away, so a year or so for grooming would only be better, and Sensabaugh can safely hang onto the starting job until they’re ready. Competition is the best motivation in football.
Welcome to DCN Fabio … seen your comments at DC.com and on the blog before, nice to have you here.
Great response Health nut! I agree with you completely! I have not seen much of this player but have heard a lot of good things. The great thing about him coming here is that he does not have to be a star! He can simply come in and be a teammate and contributor, and if he does those things he will be a 100% upgrade from the previous safety.