The secondary will be missing two familiar faces in 2009, with Keith Davis headed to Oakland and Roy Williams on to a reunion with Mike Zimmer in Cincinnati, leaving Terence Newman as the only really established member of the unit.
Dallas will count, probably, on Mike Jenkins to take over the starting spot opposite Newman, a spot freed up when the Cowboys traded Anthony Henry to Detroit in exchange for Jon Kitna.
That would mean that Orlando Scandrick, another 2008 pick, will take over the nickel spot owned by Keith Davis.
Newman should have another great year … if he’s healthy.
Blue Star
The center of the Dallas Cowboys universe.
The Kansas State product had half of the team’s interceptions (with four) despite missing six games last year. 2007 saw Newman win his first and, to this date, only Pro Bowl appearance. (Newman's single Pro Bowl is a gross oversight by voters, but that’s another can of worms.)
Dallas’ eight interceptions as a team—30th in the league—should be helped by a healthy Newman, the development of Jenkins and Scandrick, and the presence of Gerald Sensabaugh at the strong safety position.
Sensabaugh will replace Williams, who was a liability in coverage for much of his Cowboys career. The former Jaguar will be crucial in this role; he is certainly a solid athlete (his 46" vertical at the combine is a record to date), and he may be developing into a ballhawk, with four of his six career interceptions coming in 2008.
If Sensabaugh can maintain this playmaking ability, he should find a warm welcome in Dallas.
Ken Hamlin will return at free safety, a solid addition since his arrival two offseasons ago. Hamlin was one of Dallas’ thirteen Pro Bowlers in 2007, but was inconsistent at times a year ago.
The Cowboys shored up the secondary in the fifth round of this year’s draft, selecting safety DeAngelo Smith out of Cincinnati and cornerback Michael Hamlin out of Clemson. Both players can be effective in the run, if not immediately, in fairly short order. They will most likely have to prove themselves in special teams, and develop in coverage, if they hope to become starters down the line.
Seventh rounder Mike Mickens, another Bearcat, described as a natural coverage corner, is in a similar boat going into camp.
But the biggest word for the secondary is turnovers. If they don't improve, they'll be an anchor all season.
