IRVING – The Cowboys signed unrestricted free agent Ken Hamlin to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million on Friday, hoping he solves their problems at free safety.
Hamlin, 26, comes to Dallas after spending four seasons in Seattle, where he started 52 of 54 regular-season games for the Seahawks.
"He's able to be the quarterback of the defense," coach Wade Phillips said at a Friday news conference from Valley Ranch. "That's what he's shown he could do throughout his career, and he's just getting started. He can help put everybody in the right place."
Hamlin, who played at Arkansas and was raised in Memphis, is a strong hitter with good coverage skills.
Patrick Watkins and Keith Davis, the two starters in 2006, were inconsistent in pass coverage. Both are expected to remain on the roster.
Hamlin is expected to take the pressure off Pro Bowl strong safety Roy Williams, who struggled in pass coverage last season.
Williams will play near the line of scrimmage where he can cover tight ends, make hard hits across the middle and play the run. Last season, the Cowboys' 3-4 defensive scheme didn't allow for a lot of blitzes, especially from the safety position.
But in Phillips' version of the 3-4, Williams can blitz more with Hamlin playing center field.
"We had some strength at the position overall," Phillips said. "This [gets] us as strong as you want it right now. We looked at the future, and we're looking to him for the future."
Owner/general manager Jerry Jones compared Hamlin's situation to Cowboys center Andre Gurode, who signed a one-year deal going into the 2006 season. After a strong year that resulted in his first Pro Bowl, Gurode signed a six-year $30 million contract.
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Ken Hamlin started all 16 games for the Seahawks last season.
"Gurode really had success last year with going the one-year route," Jones said. "I think Ken's situation really made it appealing for them and made it appealing for us to let's just get in here and work on that for the future. I look at it as the beginning of a long-term association here."
Hamlin's signing also gives the Cowboys some flexibility with their first-round pick in the next month's draft. With the No. 22 pick overall, the Cowboys can now take the best player available.
The biggest question regarding Hamlin was his health following a 2005 incident where he suffered head injuries after he was hit while at a Seattle nightclub. He missed the last 10 games of the regular season and Seattle's Super Bowl appearance. He recovered and started 16 games in 2006.
"It changed me dramatically," Hamlin said. "You only have so many chances. I think I'm blessed because I was given another opportunity and I have to take advantage of it. I hope it will show this year."
KEN HAMLIN
Position: Safety
Ht: 6-2
Wt: 209
College: Arkansas
Age: 26
Notable: Had a postseason career-high five tackles against Chicago in the NFC divisional playoff game. ... Had a regular-season career-high 12 tackles at San Francisco in 2006. ... Left Arkansas after his junior season for the NFL. ... Was the first player in school history with more than 100 tackles in a season for three consecutive seasons. ... Coach Wade Phillips compares him to former Denver safety Steve Atwater.
