IRVING, Texas - Take a good look at the Cowboys defense this off-season and it's easy to notice the secondary has gotten much younger and much more inexperienced, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Only two starters are returning in the secondary, free safety Ken Hamlin and cornerback Terence Newman.
After spending only two seasons with the Cowboys, Hamlin knows he has to be a leader in this secondary.
Gone are veteran safeties Roy Williams and Keith Davis and cornerbacks Anthony Henry and Adam Jones. Younger guys such as Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Courtney Brown, Alan Ball and Patrick Watkins will battle for their spots.
The Cowboys brought in Gerald Sensabaugh, who will likely be the starting strong safety when the season begins, because of his experience, but the six-year veteran has to learn a new defensive system in his first year with the team.
"I have a big role," Hamlin said, "[but] we have the right people in place. Guys are taking on their roles and being responsible and they're being accountable."
Hamlin, now entering his seventh season in the NFL, has begun to build a reputation as a hard-hitting, aggressive safety and earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2007 during his first season with the Cowboys.
During that 2007 campaign, Hamlin recorded over 100 tackles for the first time in his career and finished second on the team with five interceptions. The defense logged a total of 19 picks in 2007, compared to only eight last season.
Hamlin, who picked off just one pass in 2008, acknowledged the lack of interceptions as a problem and said the secondary has been working hard this off-season to correct it.
"We are just trying to be more aggressive," Hamlin said. "Just knowing what we're doing and attacking the ball."
Part of solving the coverage problems in the secondary is making sure the defensive backs are in the right position to make a play at all times. That responsibility lies on Hamlin's shoulders. He has to make sure all the corners and safeties are getting the defensive coverage signals and are aligned properly before the snap.
"I think we all have big roles to make sure that we all know what we're doing," Hamlin said. "If I make a check, we have to all be on the same page and [make sure] we are moving fast."
Hamlin said the addition of Sensabaugh beside him should make things easier in coverage situations. Sensabaugh, who mostly helped stuff the run during his years in Jacksonville, was signed by the Cowboys to help solve safety coverage issues that have plagued this defense since five-time Pro Bowler Darren Woodson retired in 2004.
"He does a great job of just playing the position," Hamlin said. "He's an all-around player and he's been doing a great job in camp and OTAs."
Sensabaugh isn't the only new addition to the secondary this off-season. The Cowboys also drafted three defensive backs that they hope can contribute right away. DeAngelo Smith, a fifth-round pick from Cincinnati, Mike Hamlin, a fifth-round pick from Clemson, and Mike Mickens, a seventh-round pick also from Cincinnati, will all be competing for back-up spots in the secondary.
Ken Hamlin knows the transition from college to the NFL can be tough and said he is willing to help the rookies and give them any advice they need.
"I just talk to them. They can ask me any question at any time," he said. "If I see little things here and there I might make a pointer to them, but they've been in their books and they've been studying. They're just following some of the leads from us guys."
Hamlin spoke with excitement when talking about the way the defense has performed so far this off-season. He gave some credit to head coach Wade Phillips and his more active role in the defense.
"It's his defense just him being more involved," Hamlin said. "We have been going out, flying around and trying to make plays [this off-season]."
After his first look at Cowboys Stadium on June 16, Hamlin said it was very nice and he is looking forward to playing there this season.
"I can't wait to get in it. It's going to be exciting," he said. "It's definitely a first class stadium and the best in the league."
With Hamlin leading the way, hopefully the same can be said about the Cowboys' secondary as well.
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