The safeties who currently hold a spot on the Cowboys roster are Alan Ball, who is expected to actually move back to cornerback this season, Gerald Sensabaugh, Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Barry Church and Danny McCray. The names on the roster leave a lot to be desired. Outside of Ball and Sensabaugh, the safety group lacks any significant experience.

That is why defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and owner Jerry Jones are expected to search for a veteran at the position during the free agency period, whenever it resumes. According to the Pro Football Weekly report:

We have heard for months that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has targeted some veterans to go after, players who will fit his scheme, and it only makes sense to think that former Raiders S Michael Huff could be one of them. Ryan coached Huff when the two were in Oakland together a few years back. Sources say Ryan has Jerry Jones’ ear and that the owner will target a veteran of his choosing at the position.

While the move doesn’t come as a big shock, it is a very welcomed report. A guy like Huff is an instant upgrade at the position and he can use his veteran status and experience to help groom the younger talents.

After addressing needs at defensive end by signing former Charger Igor Olshansky and former Falcon Keith Brooking, there’s one position that needs filling after the departure of long-time Cowboy Roy Williams: safety. Our defensive backfield has been iffy to say the least since the departure of Darren Woodson. There are two ways to go about doing this. First, there’s the route that Landry Hat has already commented on, moving impressive rookie cornerback Orlando Scandrick to safety. I’d be alright with that, but I’d rather look into free agency to find a sure-fire fix to solidify our secondary. Here are a few names that Jerry Jones should be taking a long, hard look at.

Atari Bigby, Green Bay: The Packers have already tendered an offer to Bigby. Should the Cowboys top that offer and sign Bigby, we’d have to send them a second-round draft pick. It’d be worth it, though. Injuries slowed him through the 2008 season, but if he could return to the form he was in during the 2007 season (86 tackles, 9 deflections and 5 picks) it’d be well worth it.

Dawan Landry, Baltimore: So we didn’t get Ray Ray. But that doesn’t mean we can’t raid the Ravens before the 2009 season starts. The Ravens low-balled Landry and will only pay him one million dollars should he stay a Raven. If we come in with a better offer and the Ravens don’t match it, all we would owe Baltimore is a measly fifth-round pick. With the departure of Jim Leonard and Bart Scott, it’d be hard to imagine the Ravens letting Landry slip through their claws. Still, it’d be nice to have a Landry in Dallas again.

Darren Sharper, Minnesota: The former Viking is an unrestricted free agent and the veteran would be a leader in the defensive backfield. It wouldn’t be as flashy a move as Landry or Bigby, but I think this is the move to make. It would save Jerry a draft pick, money that we need to re-sign DeMarcus Ware and, better still, Sharper would provide some stability in our defense. Sharper would also make one hell of a mentor for Pat Watkins, the speedy 6-5 safety that has never really developed under the mentorship of Roy Williams.