Stray Arrows: Cornerback to the Future
My brother in blog Dan T., of The Landry Hat, has an interesting new post on the top free agent cornerbacks on the market for this upcoming offseason. DeAngelo Hall is missing, but Asante Samuel and Marcus Trufant are on the list:
Asante Samuel, UFA, New England Patriots
Samuel posted a league-best 10 interceptions last season. He has followed it up with six interceptions this season. He’s shutdown quality receivers, helping the Patriots to an undefeated record. If Samuel is not signed to an extension, he’ll command big dollars on the market. Dallas could pay him. I am sure we regret signing Patrick Crayton right now to free up some money, but Samuel would be such an amazing grab…how it would happen, I have no idea.Marcus Trufant, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Trufant’s contract has voided based on playing time and given the team’s commitment to other players at his position, it appears that the cornerback will be looking elsewhere. His 2004 season was easily his best, when he compiled 96 total tackles, five interceptions, and a sack. He has 77 total tackles and seven interceptions this year. He will be one of the top defensive targets on the market. I really like Trufant and he may command less money. He very well may be a Cowboy next year and reunite with former teammate Ken Hamlin.
There are other names on the list, so go check it out. Don’t take Dan too seriously either; he goes a little overboard sometimes, but he’s a Cowboys fanatic, so what else would you expect? Besides, in my opinion, TLH is the best ‘Boys blog on the Net.
- Free Agent Corners A Must For Dallas Cowboys - The Landry Hat
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There are at least 2 or 3 defensive guys the Chiefs better be having serious conversations with come March and Asante Samuel is without a doubt one of those. Not 100% sure of their current contract status but I believe Albert Haynesworth and Lance Briggs will both exploring FA and I consider either to be solid additions to the squad.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:33 amDD, Lance Briggs is a possibility for sure. Haynesworth is like Allen — he will be franchised if not signed. No chance. If we go the DT route I think we’d be better suited drafting Dorsey or Ellis and throwing big change at an offensive lineman or two, an Truffant.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:51 pmNo Adam, I am to be taken very, very seriously. Please make a clarification.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:14 pmI doubt we could land Asante Samuel, and if we did, it would be for a huge contract (See Nate Clements in San Fran.) I don’t want to shell out 80 million for 1 guy. We could use more pronounced name on offense, aka Faneca, and get them for significantly less. I still think if we just grab another DT to help out Boone and take some pressure off him, and Turk still comes along, we’re fine there. And if we get nonstop pressure on the quarterback like we can most of the time, then our coverage doesn’t have to be good. Hell, we could put Brackenridge at one of the positions, he didn’t look too bad from what I can remember, he caused a fumble on Andre Johnson, who is a very tough guy to strip the ball from. He made some decent special teams plays, and played OK when he came in on dimes. If we can land a fairly high draft choice at corner, we’ll be set I think. No need to go chasing SUPER high priced FA’s, when we don’t really need them. I still think MLB or DT is the biggest need on the defense. With the ever-growing rules against mauling receivers, it’s basically a moot position. You can’t even look at the guy wrong without drawing a flag these days. We could plug in a fast ass rookie (DeAngelo Hall type player) and be OK, imho.
January 16th, 2008 at 4:59 amxxxlp - You make some good points however I honestly don’t see the Faneca thing happening. I like him and he’s as good as there is at what he does but in the end he’s too old to fit within the "youth movement." My view on Samuel is that somebody (besides NE) will end up with him, KC has cap room, and not only is he a top tier CB, but he also fits within Herm’s going younger philosophy. Essentially I would like to the Chiefs "simplify" their draft strategy by bringing in 1 or 2 talented young guys through free agency. My free agent pick list is pretty short at this point - Max Starks, Travelle Wharton, Jordan Gross, Haynesworth, Briggs, and/or either Jake Scott or Ryan Lilja from the Colts. Getting only 1 of these guys would be a major upgrade imo.
January 16th, 2008 at 1:31 pm