Sporting News: NFC Safeties

Crazy_Chris · 05-15-2008, 01:08 PM

This week the focus is on the Safety position.

Quote:

1. Vikings

Darren Sharper and Madieu Williams are strong playmakers. Williams adds sticky coverage skills. Michael Boulware provides experienced depth, and rookie Tyrell Johnson could get time in the nickel package.

2. Cowboys

In his first year in Dallas, Ken Hamlin was terrific against the run and better than expected against the pass. Roy Williams is physical but was a liability in coverage in '07. Patrick Watkins needs to improve his ball skills.

3. Cardinals

Adrian Wilson, coming off heel surgery, is a force when healthy. Antrel Rolle is moving from corner to free safety, which should suit his skills. He's smart and a good tackler. Aaron Francisco is a fierce hitter.

4. Buccaneers

Jermaine Phillips is a hard hitter but an injury risk because of it. As a rookie, Tanard Jackson added speed and playmaking ability. He should be even better in '08. Eugene Wilson provides experienced depth.

5. Eagles

After an injury-filled season, Brian Dawkins has vowed to return in great shape. Quintin Mikell is excellent against the run and alert in coverage. Backup Sean Considine has starting experience but is injury-prone.

6. Seahawks

Deon Grant and Brian Russell were big reasons the team allowed an NFL-low 15 TD passes in '07. Grant has good size and range; Russell is rarely out of position. Backup Jordan Babineaux makes plays.

7. 49ers

Michael Lewis plays like an extra linebacker. He's 226 pounds and does most of his work near the line. Mark Roman adds a steady veteran presence. Dashon Goldson could push for Roman's starting job down the road.

8. Redskins

As a rookie, LaRon Landry was everything the team hoped he would be. Reed Doughty, who became a starter after Sean Taylor died, plays well in the box. Vernon Fox isn't a long-term answer if a starter goes down.

9. Packers

By the end of last season, his first as a starter, Atari Bigby was a force in the middle. Nick Collins has been a tease; he has good physical ability but lacks ball skills and instincts. Aaron Rouse will push for playing time.

10. Panthers

Summer pickup Chris Harris was excellent in '07, forcing an NFLhigh eight fumbles. The team hopes rookie Charles Godfrey is ready to start at free safety. Terrence Holt supplies experienced depth.

11. Falcons

Lawyer Milloy, 34, can still deliver big hits in run support and did a solid job in coverage last season. Freeagent pickup Erik Coleman must help the young corners deep. Rookie Thomas DeCoud could start in '09.

12. Giants

After the loss of Gibril Wilson, the team signed veteran Sammy Knight and drafted Kenny Phillips in the first round. James Butler, who needs to get his hands on more passes, and Knight likely will start initially.

13. Rams

O.J. Atogwe led the NFC with eight interceptions in '07 but must tackle better and take better angles. Corey Chavous is coming off a down year and could be replaced in '09. Todd Johnson is a decent in-the-box safety.

14. Bears

After missing 43 games over the past four years, Mike Brown is giving it another shot. If healthy, he's the team's best safety. Brandon McGowan, a solid in-the-box guy, figures to start. Kevin Payne is another option.

15. Saints

This unit deserves some blame for all the deep touchdown passes last year. Josh Bullocks, Roman Harper and Kevin Kaesviharn were inconsistent. The hard-hitting Harper has the biggest upside.

16. Lions

After using second-round picks on safeties the past two years (Daniel Bullocks and Gerald Alexander), the team still signed Dwight Smith to help execute the Tampa 2 scheme. Bullocks and Alexander have a lot to learn.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn...c.php?t=412093

703SKINS202 · 05-15-2008, 01:12 PM

Are the cowboys really 2? What am I missing I don't get it. Hamlin was great but Roy didn't even play safety most of last year.

NY+Giants=NYG · 05-15-2008, 01:14 PM

I stopped reading after Dallas number 2.. Man o man, it's pretty much superbowl or total mayhem in dallas if they don't win this year. One would think based upon every ranking, by the various media outlets, that dallas is pretty much top 3 in everything.

Crazy_Chris · 05-15-2008, 01:18 PM

NFC is pretty lacking at overall good groups of Safeties Dallas has one of the better individual safeties in hamlin so I can see why they are so high. I'm not too sure about the top 3, I think the Vikings have the best overall group along with depth. But than again Sharper isn't even close to as good as Adrian Wilson. I personally would have the cardinals #1 but Antrelle Rolle hasn't proven much as the FS position so I can see why they aren't that high.

TheGreatEscape · 05-15-2008, 01:23 PM

Seriously? We're worse at safety than the panthers, rams and 9ers? Are you cereal?

Arizona has the best safety duo in the NFC, Wilson is a proven stud, good in coverage, great when he's brought up into the box and Rolle is a perfect fit for the cover safety

art vandelay · 05-15-2008, 01:24 PM

Seems like the Rams should be a bit higher, IMO and the Cowboys should not be close to #2. Again, not too much to complain with though.

LonghornsLegend · 05-15-2008, 01:43 PM

Before everybody has a heart attack I certainly don't agree with us being #2 as a "tandem", Hamlin played just as good as advertised as a FS and was a leader back there, hit hard and made plays in the secondary, but the fact that we had Roy also drops us down out of the top 10 at least.

ShutDwn · 05-15-2008, 02:08 PM

I expect the Panthers to rise in these rankings very fast as Godfrey gets better. Chris Harris was a snub last year, and Godfrey is a very nice compliment to his game.

no love · 05-15-2008, 03:06 PM

Wow. I guess I never really though about how mediocre the safeties in the NFC really are. But dang. We suck.

I agree with where the 49ers are at. Michael Lewis is every bit as good as the Pro-bowl safety he was a couple of years ago but Roman is just solid, nothing special but doesn't blow coverages and gets guys lined up correctly. He certainly isn't the liability in pass coverage which can't be said for most of the safeties in the NFC.

Flyboy · 05-15-2008, 03:08 PM

I hate you Josh Bullocks.

Addict · 05-15-2008, 03:15 PM

NFC safeties suck... but no way Dallas suck 2nd least.

Go_Eagles77 · 05-15-2008, 03:45 PM

Pretty good spot for the eagles.

holt_bruce81 · 05-15-2008, 03:57 PM

Eagles should be at #2.

The Great Jonathan Vilma · 05-15-2008, 03:57 PM

the Bullock brothers are holding down those bottom spots hard. Don't even try to beat them

no love · 05-15-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great Jonathan Vilma

the Bullock brothers are holding down those bottom spots hard. Don't even try to beat them

Indeed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYJhqDm0L-A

xooberon · 05-15-2008, 04:27 PM

can't wait to see godfrey play

TheGreatEscape · 05-15-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no love

Wow. I guess I never really though about how mediocre the safeties in the NFC really are. But dang. We suck.

I agree with where the 49ers are at. Michael Lewis is every bit as good as the Pro-bowl safety he was a couple of years ago but Roman is just solid, nothing special but doesn't blow coverages and gets guys lined up correctly. He certainly isn't the liability in pass coverage which can't be said for most of the safeties in the NFC.

Michael Lewis still isn't much good in coverage he'll get beat if he's in centerfield and can't really man up on most good TEs. In the box he's good but he's not as good as gibril was and this year Phillips should be better than gibril was though, for the simple fact that he's actually an asset in coverage.
And Roman's no better than Johnson. You guys are alright but I don't think your better than the giants.

eaglesfan_45 · 05-15-2008, 05:19 PM

Eagles are a bit high IMO, they have Dawkins but lets face the facts he is aging and isn't what he once was. All of the other safties on the Eagles are basically top notch back-ups and special teams players.

GermanSaint · 05-15-2008, 05:28 PM

wrong ! harper has nearly no upside , bullocks have , but he isn´t a playmaker like in college.

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Originally Posted by Flyboy

I hate you Josh Bullocks.

who was benched again ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaglesfan_45

Eagles are a bit high IMO, they have Dawkins but lets face the facts he is aging and isn't what he once was. All of the other safties on the Eagles are basically top notch back-ups and special teams players.

the vikings are number one cause of sharper alone , so the eagles have to be number two atleast :D

eaglesfan_45 · 05-15-2008, 05:31 PM

Lions should be higher and the Falcons should be much lower.

fenikz · 05-15-2008, 05:35 PM

Homerism aside Arizona has to be #1 in the NFC

All 5 of Rolle's picks came playing the FS spot last year

papa burgundy · 05-15-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreatEscape

Michael Lewis still isn't much good in coverage he'll get beat if he's in centerfield and can't really man up on most good TEs. In the box he's good but he's not as good as gibril was and this year Phillips should be better than gibril was though, for the simple fact that he's actually an asset in coverage.
And Roman's no better than Johnson. You guys are alright but I don't think your better than the giants.

Michael Lewis played at a damn near Pro-Bowl level last year. He had his role as an in the box SS and he was great at it. He was probably the Niners 2nd best defensive player last year and could've gone to the Pro-Bowl if it wasn't for his reputation he had in Philly that has stuck with him for no reason where they played him completely wrong by leaving him as the coverage safety with Dawkins in the box as opposed to what it should've been the other way around. And to go as far as saying an unproven rookie who hasn't even took a step on the field is and will be better is just stupid. Infact.. I'll say the Niners have better safeties because we drafted Reggie Smith. Not because he has potential or because its true or anything because he might not even play safety, but because it sounds good.

eaglesfan_45 · 05-15-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenikz

Homerism aside Arizona has to be #1 in the NFC

All 5 of Rolle's picks came playing the FS spot last year

Rolle is still playing CB so there goes your argument. ;)

703SKINS202 · 05-15-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaglesfan_45

Rolle is still playing CB so there goes your argument. ;)

Uh, hes moving to FS so there goes your arguement.

eaglesfan_45 · 05-15-2008, 05:48 PM

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Originally Posted by 703SKINS202

Uh, hes moving to FS so there goes your arguement.

dang :(

Why is he moving to FS he is their starting CB. Are they actually going to have DRC as their #1? I think that is a bad idea, DRC isn't ready to take on top Wide Recievers. He is to skinny IMO.