Abram

Elam

The Cowboys were originally expected to bring back Elam, a Rob Ryan favorite, but he may have priced himself out of the team’s plans. Pool has also played under Ryan and is familiar the scheme.

“Certainly, he was the quarterback. He really knew the defense,” explained Jones. “It’s not a given, but it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to be there.” Fixing the secondary is part of Jones’ “multi-pronged approach” to turning the Cowboys into a contender. According to Pro Football Focus, Elam was a liability in coverage in 2011.

Elam, a 47-game starter over the past three years, also visited the Titans early in the week. Elam and Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel never crossed paths in Cleveland. Crennel left a year prior to Elam’s arrival.

Both are 30 years old. Elam recorded 68 tackles while starting all 16 games for the Cowboys a season ago. Wilson played just over 200 snaps for the Bengals after tearing both his ACL and MCL during the 2010 preseason. Chris Crocker and Yeremiah Bell recently visited the Titans, as well.

He’ll provide veteran insurance for rehabbing SS Eric Berry (ACL surgery) and FS Kendrick Lewis (torn pectoral). Elam has started at least 15 games each of the past three seasons, but was a liability in coverage for the Cowboys during his age-30 campaign. Elam has traditionally fared better as a run stopper, however, and that should be his primary role if he cracks Kansas City’s 53.

Lewis still has to get the green light from coach Romeo Crennel, but he expects to start at Tampa. Although fill-in Abram Elam may be better in run support, he doesn’t have Lewis’ range in coverage.

Free agent Sherrod Martin was also in town, as we previously noted. The Rams are thin on experience at safety with rookie T.J. McDonald and injury-prone Darian Stewart. Giordano started 13 games for the Raiders last season, but he was victimized on a regular basis. Elam started seven games with the Chiefs.

Elam has started seven games on defense this season, but he hasn’t played since exiting Week 13 very early in the first quarter. Undrafted free agent Tysyn Hartman got his first NFL start against the Browns last week and will likely get another one on Sunday.

The OTAs begin Monday. Elam is undoubtedly threatened by the Browns’ selection of two rookie safeties (T.J. Ward, Larry Asante), and wants a commitment from the franchise. Though he was one of the Browns’ better defensive backs last year, Elam’s chances at getting one are 50:50 at best. He’s in a contract year, and the club may view Ward and Asante as better long-term options. Sheldon Brown is also capable of playing safety.

Coach Eric Mangini likes Elam’s energetic play, and he’ll make his second straight start against Buffalo this Sunday. He’s ahead of Erik Coleman on the depth chart. Eric Smith is serving as the Jets’ third safety for now.