'07 seventh-rounders shine in secondary

Alan Ball and Courtney Brown, the defensive backs the Cowboys drafted in the 2007 seventh round, haven't made much of an impact the last two seasons. That could change if they can keep performing like they did during today's OTA workout. Granted, the Cowboys aren't even wearing shoulder pads, but the coaches are encouraged by what they've seen out of Ball and Brown this spring. Ball, solely a cornerback the last two seasons, is working primarily at safety. Brown, a college cornerback the Cowboys converted to a safety, is working primarily at corner. The idea is to create depth in the secondary by having backups -- rookie fifth-rounder DeAngelo Smith is also working at both spots -- who can play multiple positions. But Ball and Brown might be convincing the coaches that they've been playing their second-best positions the last two years.