The Dallas Cowboys have been quiet this offseason after going 8-8 last year and the team has a number of positions that need depth, including at safety after Gerald Sensabaugh was released last month. The team is looking to bring in more players at the position for possible contracts, including recently released Raiders safety Michael Huff and free agent Will Allen.
According to ESPN.com, Huff will come to Valley Ranch and visit with Jerry Jones and the team on Monday. Huff played at the University of Texas and is originally from the area and with the Cowboys lacking at safety, it would be a natural fit. The team is also planning to bring in linebacker Justin Durant and Will Allen. Huff was released by the Raiders earlier in the offseason in a salary cap move.
The Cowboys are in a tough financial situation and are still working out the details of Tony Romo's contract extension, which is expected to be for about $60 million. The team is currently right up against the cap and has a number of moves they could still make, including cutting Doug Free late on that could save $7 million. The signings of Huff or any other player would have to wait for a little while, as the team is less than $200,000 under the salary cap.
The Cowboys ranked 19th in passing yards allowed per game last season and 22nd in rushing yards with 125 allowed per game. The Cowboys are extremely thin in the secondary after cutting Sensabaugh, who was with the team since 2009. The team has Barry Church, who is coming back from a serious injury as well as a number of untested players, making safety a priority in free agency and the draft.
Nnamdi Asomugha is the prime free agent cornerback and he could be an option as he weighs his decisions on where to sign. Rumors point to the Saints and 49ers and the Cowboys could be an option if they free up some money.
The Cowboys could possibly try to sign Charles Woodson as the safety market grows thinner, as his price may come down low enough for them to fit him under the salary cap. The Cowboys went just 8-8 last season and had issues on defense all year, as they were unable to play consistently under Rob Ryan, who was fired. Jones brought in Monte Kiffin to shake things up and he will now have the chance to improve next season as the Cowboys try to get back to the postseason.
The team could wait until the draft in April to address the position, as the event has a deep pool of talent at both safety and corner. Jones will likely want to add a veteran name either way to help the young players along and if Woodson or Huff don't work out Allen could be the option. The team missed out on free agents Dashon Goldson and Ed Reed, as they were out of the Cowboys' price range due to the salary cap situation.
