| Magazine Exclusive |
A capsule look at NFC teams and their safeties:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Top 5 |
| 1. Darren Sharper, Vikings |
| 2. Ken Hamlin, Cowboys |
| 3. Adrian Wilson, Cardinals |
| 4. Chris Harris, Panthers |
| 5. Roy Williams, Cowboys |
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.
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.
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.
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. Atlanta 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. New York 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. St. Louis 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. Chicago 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.
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. Detroit 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.
SPEAK OUT ON THIS ARTICLE
From Brown's recent "Inside Dish":
"Cowboys SS Roy Williams could end up playing a diminished role this season. He remains a ferocious hitter but struggles in coverage, particularly on deep routes. After seeing teams exploit Williams in passing situations, coach Wade Phillips has installed more schemes that do not include Williams on third down. Williams has always played more like a linebacker than a safety, but that style may no longer be in vogue with the Cowboys. . . ."
Okay... so the Cowboys are ranked #2 because of Ken Hamlin and an alleged "committee" of Roy Williams and Pat Watkins? That doesn't seem quite right...
youngnfocused on Fri May 16, 2008 01:11 am
howboutthemboyz on Fri May 16, 2008 02:57 am
They call Mike Brown "the team's best", but he's one of the LEAGUE'S best!
Yeah, Mike Brown has been injured a lot, but when he's healthy he's a confirmed Pro Bowler, a guy who can single-handedly turn games around (remember his OT ints returned returned for game-winning TDs in back-to-back games in 2001?) THAT'S his level of play (when healthy).
He's also one of those high character "intangible" guys--locker room leader, motivator, behind-the-scenes play-maker, etc.
You can draw a distinct line in the Bears 06 defense, from when he was in to when he went out, and the number of points they gave up.
Just last year, after him, there is/WAS considerable enough depth that we were able to GIVE AWAY Chris Harris (for a goddamn 5th rounder), who single-handedly put the Panthers at the #10 spot.
If just last year the Bears felt comfy enough to trade someone like that away (ranked #4 overall, according to this bullspit article), what does that say about our talent at that position?
I'm not arguing for # 1 here or anything, but to be put behind teams like the Falcs or Rams is a slap in the face!
(But hey, maybe we deserve it for keeping Archulet-down over Chris Harris).
On top of that, I agree that the 'Boys are ranked way too high, and even though the Vikes have good players at that spot, you can't ignore the WORST pass defense ranking from last year.
Also, no mention of recently drafted Steltz, who some have likened to old school Bear Doug Plank--now if THOSE comparisons are even half-way accurate, look out.
Like the broken record I am, we'll see.
giantsfan1970 on Fri May 16, 2008 12:26 pm
giantsfan1970 on Fri May 16, 2008 12:31 pm
