COWBOY'S VOID AT SAFETY LEFT UNFILLED

With their back against the wall, the Dallas Cowboys had one last chance to earn the final victory necessary to make the playoffs in 2008.  That last chance, a glaring 44-6 loss in Philadelphia, showed a lack of enthusiasm and a glaring need for improvement in the secondary in the offseason.

Free Agency opened up with no improvements to be had in the Secondary.  In fact, veteran safety Roy Williams was released.  Although Williams endured a pro bowl caliber career in Dallas, his lack of speed and coverage ability made him a liability.  His release left a glaring hole in the weakest part of the Cowboy’s secondary; Safety.

At the start of draft weekend, Cowboy fans didn’t expect much.  Their first round pick was already given to the Detroit Lions for (a different) Roy Williams to satisfy a need for depth at the WR position.  The second round left plenty of cornerback and safety options for the Cowboys to take, including Sean Smith, a cornerback out of Utah, he showed promise of safety ability.  Smith would have been a justifiable replacement for Williams at the safety position.

The Cowboys felt otherwise, trading down for twelve second day draft picks, allowing Smith to fall to Miami for a third round steal. 

The Cowboys did draft a safety that could, in theory, replace Williams.  Many feel that Mike Hamlin, the SS out of Clemson, was a steal in the fourth round, and will serve as a valuable part of a safety rotation for 2009.

The problem with Hamlin is not his lack of talent, but with his similarities to Roy Williams.  Hamlin is a tackling guru, with massive strength and an aggressive field presence.  Hamlin is lacking, however, in the coverage department. 

The Cowboys, like most teams, have several positions to address this offseason.  Dallas’ secondary has shown to be an underrated weakness the past couple of seasons.  Replacing a veteran pro bowler with a similar fourth round draft pick does not express improvement.