PRO: The Dallas Cowboys opted for a new look at the safety position when they signed Gerald Sensabaugh, a six-year pro who has played both safety positions during his career, on March 10, 2009. He will compete for the starting strong safety position vacated by former Cowboy Roy Williams. Sensabaugh has appeared in 50 games with 24 starts at both free and strong safety positions, tallying 168 tackles and six interceptions during his career. He is also expected to be a strong special teams contributor, having 23 special teams tackles and two blocked kicks (one blocked punt and one blocked field goal attempt) to his credit during his career. In Dallas, Sensabaugh will re-team with two former Jaguars coaches in secondary coach Dave Campo and special teams coach Joe DeCamillis.
TRANSACTION:
3/10/09: Signed a one-year contract as a free agent with Dallas.
4/8/08: Re-signed as a restricted free agent to a one-year contract with Jacksonville.
9/19/07: Placed on Reserve/Injured with a shoulder injury.
4/24/05: Fifth-round draft choice (157th overall) Jacksonville.
2008 (Jacksonville):
Played in 16 games with 13 starts while playing both safety positions to total a career-best 82 tackles good for fifth on the team.
Also made a career-high four interceptions, four pass breakups, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries. Added six special teams tackles and a blocked kick.
Collected three tackles and an interception in the season opener at Tennessee (9/7).
Made his first start of the season at free safety for an injured Reggie Nelson against Houston (9/28) and recorded nine tackles and a pass breakup.
Picked off his second pass of the season at Denver (10/12) while also contributing four tackles.
Started at strong safety against Cleveland (10/26) and posted two tackles.
Notched a season-high 11 tackles at Cincinnati (11/2).
At Detroit (11/9) posted nine tackles while also blocking a field goal.
Recorded four tackles and an interception - his third of the season - against Minnesota (11/23).
Notched his fourth interception of the season along with six tackles at Chicago (12/7).
Played in his 50th career game at Baltimore (12/28) with a four-tackle, one-pass breakup performance.
2007 (Jacksonville):
Opened the season starting at safety and played in two games with eight tackles and a forced fumble before suffering a shoulder injury in a week two contest against Atlanta (9/16) that sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Started at free safety against Tennessee (9/9) in the season-opener and recorded eight tackles (four solo) and one fumble recovery.
Started at strong safety against Atlanta (9/16) but left game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury.
Placed on the Reserve/Injured List on September 19 with a shoulder injury.
2006 (Jacksonville):
Played in all 16 games with a career-high seven starts after assuming the starting role at strong safety after Donovin Darius was placed on Reserve/Injured Nov. 22.
Finished with 47 tackles (33 solo), two interceptions and one fumble recovery and ranked third on the team with 11 special teams tackles.
Missed the entire preseason after suffering a sprained ankle in training camp.
Recorded a team-high four special teams tackles at Washington (10/1).
Blocked a punt which was recovered by the Jaguars and led to a touchdown against N.Y. Jets (10/8).
At Philadelphia (10/29), made his first start of the season as team opened up in nickel package.
Recorded six tackles, one for a loss, one fumble recovery and a team-high three passes defensed in an expanded role against N.Y. Giants (11/20).
Started at Miami (12/3) and led the secondary with 10 tackles while also recording his first career interception.
Started against Indianapolis (12/10) and recorded an interception off Peyton Manning, his second consecutive game with an interception.
Recorded six tackles in start against New England (12/24).
Finished the season with five tackles and a pass defensed at Kansas City (12/31).
2005 (Jacksonville):
Played in all 16 games with two starts and totaled 31 tackles.
Started the final three games of the season (including playoffs) at strong safety.
Recovered a fumble on a muffed punt that led to a Jaguars score at the N.Y. Jets (9/25).
Saw first significant action at safety against Baltimore (11/13) and finished with three tackles.
Posted a season-high nine tackles at Arizona (11/27).
Tied a season-high with nine tackles at Cleveland (12/4).
Made his first career start at Houston (12/24) and recorded six tackles.
In his second consecutive start against Tennessee (1/1) posted two tackles.
Started in his first career postseason game at New England (1/7) and finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss and a special teams tackle.
COLLEGE:
Played three seasons at Division I-AA East Tennessee State before transferring to North Carolina after ETSU dropped its football program.
Was a two-time All-Southern Conference selection.
Started every game at strong safety as a senior, leading the team with 78 tackles.
Majored in exercise and sport science.
PERSONAL:
Gerald Sensabaugh was a standout football player at Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tenn.
Also played on offense, catching 42 passes for 420 yards and seven touchdowns in his final year.
Competed in track, winning the state long jump title.
Participates in a variety of community outreach activities which include visits to local children's hospital, visits to Boys & Girls Clubs and reading to elementary school students.
Participates in charitable efforts of his teammates.
