<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Hamlin, Dallas Cowboys try to finalize deal 10:40 PM CDT on Monday, July 14, 2008 By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News tarcher@dallasnews.com IRVING – With the deadline to sign a long-term extension today at 3 p.m., Pro Bowl safety Ken Hamlin's agent decided to make time for face-to-face meetings. Kennard McGuire arrived in Dallas late Monday afternoon to meet with Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones in an attempt to finalize a multi-year agreement for Hamlin, the Cowboys' franchise player. If the two sides cannot come to an agreement by 3 p.m., then Hamlin cannot sign a long-term deal until after the season. The Cowboys have done well beating deadlines this off-season. They kept Flozell Adams off the market the day before free agency began. They signed Terence Newman and Marion Barber shortly before future salary cap rules in May and got an extension done with Terrell Owens before he was due a roster bonus last month. Without a deal, Hamlin, who set career highs in tackles (102) and interceptions (five) in 2007, would make $4.396 million this season. Last year, Chicago's Lance Briggs and New England's Asante Samuel played for the franchise tender only after they were assured they would not be tagged in 2008 provided they reached certain play-time incentives. Briggs eventually re-signed with Chicago, while Samuel left the Patriots to join Philadelphia.</div> This won't be cheap. Gibril Wilson and Madieu Williams made nearly $40M in total contract value. But it needs to be done. We've been searching for a FS since Woodson retired (well, technically, Roy was the FS then/Woodson the SS). We finally solved the position last year and its been nothing short of a problem trying to fix that position. OTOH, I wonder what this means in regards to Roy. If he doesn't step up his play this year, he could be out of Dallas. I'd hate to see that; Roy was one of my favorite collegiate players of all time. And he is still one of my favorite Cowboys.
Its much easier to justify spending that type of money for a player like Hamlin, than it is for Gibril or Madieu. I had gone with the assumption that he'd probably bolt for a huge contract after this season. Good job by the Cowboys.
Yeah, Hamlin did a pretty good job for us last year. Admittedly, I cannot tell 100% whether or not my opinion is biased (and no, not because I am a Cowboys fan) on Hamlin. What I am unable to determine is: was Hamlin really that good? Or was he really that good because I've seen Keith Davis, Pat Watkins, Lynn Scott, Tony Dixon, Willie Pile, etc all try and play FS. I don't doubt he was a top 10 S last year. I just am not sure where he would rank on that list.
Well I thought he was impressive in Seattle the year before, so I don't think this is a one-year wonder kind of thing. He definitely benefited from the talent around him, but he's one of the better safeties in the league on his own.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3488333 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Dallas Cowboys and Pro Bowl safety Ken Hamlin have agreed to a six-year, $39 million contract, ESPN's Ed Werder reports. Hamlin, the Cowboys' franchise player, received $15 million in guaranteed money including a $9 million signing bonus. The deal was completed before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline for teams to finalize long-term deals with franchised players. Hamlin made his first Pro Bowl during the Cowboys' 13-3 season. He finished with 62 tackles and five interceptions, one behind team leader Anthony Henry.</div> So.....if I am doing this right.... 9 Million/6 = 1.5 15-9=6 I'm guessing the first two years as guaranteed.... so....6/2 = 3 His cap hit for the first two years should then average 4.5 M?
