Cowboys Defensive Back Needs

Recently, one of the most often asked questions at TAG Radio is, "What should the Cowboys do about the gaping hole in their defensive backfield?" ESPN Dallas writer Calvin Watkins addressed this question in his article http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4680248/free-agent-outlook-michael-huff.

In the article, Watkins' gushes over the free agent Free Safety Michael Huff who has reportedly practiced with many of the Cowboys' players during this offseason and is often seen in public wearing Cowboys' gear. Huff to the Cowboys is an easy connection to make, Mr. Watkins, but Huff is not the best option for the Cowboys.

While Michael Huff was a great ball player at the University of Texas, his skills have yet to transfer to the NFL.  Sure, he reclaimed his starting role two years ago after being benched and he even had a pretty good season, but the reason he was benched in the first place was because he did not fit into the then Radiers' Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan's defense. Time can heal all wounds and players mature but after researching the free agent market, here is a look at two lesser known players the Cowboys might look at this summer (CBA Pending):

1. Eric Weddle - Weddle may be one of the most underrated safeties in the NFL today. Extremely versatile, this kid can do anything Rob Ryan's crazy mind can think of. To make a point about his versatility, in college Weddle played all four defensive secondary positions, running back, wildcat quarterback, and played on all six special team units (including punter on special occasions). After a game in which Weddle played a total of 90 plays in a winning effort versus Air Force, Fisher DeBerry, Air Force's head coach, was quoted saying, "They're cheating you, son; they ought to give you two scholarships."

He was second on the Chargers last season in tackles (96 opposed to Huff's 84) and was often asked to play Free Safety, Corner, and Nickel all in the same week's game plan. This type of versatility is exactly what is needed for Rob Ryan's defense.

2. Abe Elam - After digging deep into the possibilities for the Cowboys at Free Safety we find Abe Elam. If familiarity breeds success, than Elam could be very successful with the Cowboys. Elam has experience playing for Rob Ryan in Cleveland the past two seasons and was one of Rob Ryan's key defenders. Elam is intelligent and can "quarterback" the defensive secondary and after seeing the Cowboys' defensive backs arguing in the end zone trying to figure whose fault the touchdown was on a countless number of times in recent years, a smart leader sounds great right about now.

Oh, and as for the other free agent Raiders' defensive back, Nnamdi Asomugha, reports are that he "loves" playing for Rob Ryan and sees Ryan as almost a father figure. Of course it all comes down to money, so how much is Daddy willing to pay?