Cowboys Offseason: Why Jerry Jones Should Sign Bob Sanders

This just may be one of the most eventful Cowboys off-seasons in the past few years. Jason Garrett is the new head coach and Rob Ryan is the team’s new defensive coordinator. In fact, Ryan is probably more high profile than Garrett.

Ryan is tasked with turning around one of the leagues worst scoring defenses. There are a few holes that Ryan has to address including the secondary and the defensive line. But in the article we’re going to focus on the position of strong safety.

In the 2009 NFL playoffs, Cowboys strong safety made headlines when he was caught looking into the lights after Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre hooked up with receiver Sidney Rice for a 47 yard touchdown pass. Sensabaugh is seen as an average safety at best and a liability in coverage at times.

Last year Sensabaugh logged 71 tackles and five interceptions, which by the numbers makes Gerald the best secondary player the Cowboys have. He played a pretty good game against the Indianapolis colts and picked off Eagles newly franchised quarterback Michael Vick once.

Yet the Cowboys are still lacking a premier player in their defensive backfield. Corner Terence Newman is aging and third year man Mike Jenkins took a major step backward last season.

That’s where my man big play Bob comes into play. The 2007 defensive player of the year, Bob Sanders, was released by the Indianapolis Colts a few days ago. He signed a 5 year $37.5 million dollar contract after his huge year where he won the defensive award but it all kind of slid downhill for him after that.

Bob didn’t stay healthy and last year when he tore his biceps was the last straw for the Colts. So they gave him his walking papers and now Sanders is looking for work.

In Sanders best statistical season, 2007, Sanders logged 96 tackles an had 3.5 sacks. He was the difference maker for the Colts in stopping the run. Sanders is the type of player than can turn an entire unit around as he help to lead the Colts to a Super Bowl title in 2007.

Judging the two players strictly off of statistics Gerald can’t hold a candle to Bob’s production. In his best season Sensabaugh had 71 tackles and five picks, which was last year.

Here’s the bottom line: The Cowboys have nothing to lose with signing Sanders. Jerry can sign him to a one year, two year, or incentive laden contract and see what type of impact Sanders would have on his team.

The Cowboys could use the veteran leadership and if Sanders ends up staying healthy Jones may have just found the steal of the offseason.

The Cowboys need all of the secondary assistance they can get and if Bob is available then I say why not go for it. With all of his injuries Sanders has really only played about three and a half full NFL seasons.

At this point in the juncture Jerry, what do you have to lose?

-JH