NFL front offices rank the top safeties

[AdamJT13]

This week's Sports Weekly (which I went out and bought today) actually includes two sets of rankings for cornerbacks and safeties -- one by The Sports Xchange and one based on a poll of NFL teams' front offices. The list that has been posted in other threads is The Sports Xchange's rankings, based on their ratings in "more than 40 categories." The list below is the one that comes from the NFL teams themselves.

Each NFL team's personnel department was asked to name its top 10 safeties in order, and the players were ranked based on a 10-9-8-etc.-point basis. Some teams submitted 10 free safeties and 10 strong safeties. Thirty-five different players got at least one vote from the 22 teams that responded (10 teams didn't respond to the poll).

1. Roy Williams, 187 points (10 first-place votes)
2. Brian Dawkins, 150 (6)
3. Ed Reed, 133 (2)
4. Darren Sharper, 115 (2)
5. Lawyer Milloy, 101 (1)
6. Rodney Harrison, 89 (2)
7. Mike Brown, 73
8. Donovin Darius, 70
9. Tony Parrish, 52
10. Darren Woodson, 47
11. Mike Minter, 44
12. Jerome Woods, 39
13. Aeneas Williams, 36
14. Adam Archuleta, 33
15. Brock Marion, 28
16. Corey Chavous, 25 (1)
17. John Lynch, 23
18. Sean Taylor, 20 (1)
19. Shaun Williams, 14
20T. Greg Wesley, 10
20T. Lance Schulters, 10
20T. Rod Woodson, 10
20T. Deon Grant, 10
24T. Ken Hamlin, 9
24T. Dwight Smith, 9
26. Tank Williams, 8
27T. Tebucky Jones, 5
27T. Kenoy Kennedy, 5
29T. Brian Russell, 4
29T. Mike Green, 4
31. Will Demps, 3
32T. Sammy Knight, 2
32T. Adrian Wilson, 2
34T. Kwamie Lassiter, 1
34T. Eugene Wilson, 1

[p1_]

su-weet, baby!!

[AceofSpades]

I wonder which team gave Sean Taylor a first place vote. :confused:

[AJM1613]

I wonder which team gave Sean Taylor a first place vote. :confused:
Kwamie Lassiter is better than Lewis. :mad:

Talk about extremely underrated.

[SALADIN]

As big of a fan as I am of Roy, Ed Reed still makes more (big) plays.

[AdamJT13]

Kwamie Lassiter is better than Lewis. :mad:

Talk about extremely underrated.

When you get down to the bottom of that list, all it means is that one team put Lassiter 10th. For all we know, it could have been his own team, and maybe the Eagles were one of the 10 teams that didn't respond. And we don't know if any of the other 31 teams would even put Lassiter in the top 30. The list is much more useful at the top than at the bottom, where one team's vote can make a big difference.

The one thing we do know is that none of the 22 teams that responded to the poll put Lewis in the top 10, including those who submitted 10 strong safeties and 10 free safeties.

[TruBlueCowboy]

You go Adam! You da man! I get sick of other fans undervaluing our safeties and even our own fans do it sometimes too.

[AJM1613]

When you get down to the bottom of that list, all it means is that one team put Lassiter 10th. For all we know, it could have been his own team, and maybe the Eagles were one of the 10 teams that didn't respond. And we don't know if any of the other 31 teams would even put Lassiter in the top 30. The list is much more useful at the top than at the bottom, where one team's vote can make a big difference.

The one thing we do know is that none of the 22 teams that responded to the poll put Lewis in the top 10, including those who submitted 10 strong safeties and 10 free safeties.
Do you have any of these from last season?

[Dale]

I wonder which team gave Sean Taylor a first place vote. :confused:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1755000/images/_1755920_snyder150.jpg

[big dog cowboy]

Perfect timing as I just got my new Roy (here comes the BOOM!!!) Williams jersey a couple days ago.

[AdamJT13]

I wonder which team gave Sean Taylor a first place vote. :confused:

Even if it was the Redskins, at least two other teams had to have put him in their top 10 in order for him to compile 20 points.

[AJM1613]

Even if it was the Redskins, at least two other teams had to have put him in their top 10 in order for him to compile 20 points.
Something about these lists...

People think he will be top 5 no matter what so you never know.

And did you realize how similar our SNs are??

[AdamJT13]

As big of a fan as I am of Roy, Ed Reed still makes more (big) plays.

Reed has 12 turnovers (interceptions, fumble recoveries, forced fumbles), Roy has 13. Reed has one defensive touchdown, Roy has two. Reed has two sacks, Roy has four. And I'm pretty sure Reed's big hits/players knocked out isn't even close to Roy's.

[MichaelWinicki]

Reed has 12 turnovers (interceptions, fumble recoveries, forced fumbles), Roy has 13. Reed has one defensive touchdown, Roy has two. Reed has two sacks, Roy has four. And I'm pretty sure Reed's big hits/players knocked out isn't even close to Roy's.


So Reed has 15 "Big Plays".

Roy has 19 "Big Plays".

Yep, it looks like Reed has more "Big Plays". ;)

[cowboyfan4life_mark]

I like Roys forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, and sacks. But I really like the big hits! When it is about to happen, I even cringe. :eek:

[blindzebra]

Reed has a much more disruptive defense around him too. Having QB pressure adds to getting INTs at FS.

[Tio]

Reed has a much more disruptive defense around him too. Having QB pressure adds to getting INTs at FS.Reed has Mcalister, lewis, suggs just to name a few on that explosive defense...

[SALADIN]

Reed has 12 turnovers (interceptions, fumble recoveries, forced fumbles), Roy has 13. Reed has one defensive touchdown, Roy has two. Reed has two sacks, Roy has four. And I'm pretty sure Reed's big hits/players knocked out isn't even close to Roy's.

13 to 12

NEVER challenge the AdamJT13 number machine :D I should know better.

You wouldn't happen to know who has more blocked kicks and special teams tackles would you?

I know, I'm reaching a little

And for the record and Mr. Winicki sake, I take Roy over anyone in a second.

...then put Reed at the other saftey ;)

[morasp]

As big of a fan as I am of Roy, Ed Reed still makes more (big) plays.

Roy is a strong safety and Reed is a free safety. I wish we could have them both when woodson moves on.

[jobberone]

There was a post a couple of years ago about people getting Larry Allenitis the week before having to play the Cowboys. People were supposedly getting illnesses and ailments before gametime so they wouldn't have to play against him. I wonder if that's happening to some people now concerning Roy.

Not sure it goes that far but you gotta believe they got that tune "Roy On My Mind" before gametime.

I'm starting a new thread of oldie goldies that actually hit people consistently as hard as Williams does. I wonder how long the list will be.

[AdamJT13]

You wouldn't happen to know who has more blocked kicks and special teams tackles would you?

Roy doesn't rush kicks, and Reed might be the best punt blocker in the league. (If they ranked punt blockers, I'm sure Reed would be near the top.) But Reed doesn't play at all in punt or kickoff coverage, so Roy has him beat there.

[SALADIN]

Reed has a much more disruptive defense around him too. Having QB pressure adds to getting INTs at FS.


Dallas still has the better defense.

Hey, I made the claim that IMO Reed made more plays. Adam, did the research and proved me wrong. (thanks again Adam) :o

Making more plays doesn't make you the best Safety in the league.

Dieon didn't always lead the league in INT but he was the best CB to ever play the game.

I never said that Roy wasn't the best safety, it was just my opinion that Reed made more plays.

The iorny of this thread is that I'm Roy's biggest fan. And two years ago during the great Jammer / Williams pre draft debates no one campaigned for drafting Roy more than me.

Can't a man have an opinion anymore ;)

[SALADIN]

Roy doesn't rush kicks, and Reed might be the best punt blocker in the league. (If they ranked punt blockers, I'm sure Reed would be near the top.) But Reed doesn't play at all in punt or kickoff coverage, so Roy has him beat there.

a blocked punt is a pretty big play wouldn't you say ;)

[AdamJT13]

a blocked punt is a pretty big play wouldn't you say ;)

Yes, but the ranking is for safeties, not special-teamers.

[MichaelWinicki]

13 to 12

NEVER challenge the AdamJT13 number machine :D I should know better.

You wouldn't happen to know who has more blocked kicks and special teams tackles would you?

I know, I'm reaching a little

And for the record and Mr. Winicki sake, I take Roy over anyone in a second.

...then put Reed at the other saftey ;)


It takes a big man to admit he's been bested. Nors should take notes.

BTW. I probably would have chosen Reed too.

[Kangaroo]

I mean the Toomer hit changed the whole complextion of that game which was not going well for the Dallas defense during the 2nd giants game.

That one hit set the tone and destoryed the Giants passing game.

That is not counting the fear factor like when Pinkston droped that ball cause he saw RW coming and was worried about getting hit

How about how he destoryed the Redskins and took 3 players out of the game

These are things that do not show up in the stat book but how hughe are they in changing the course of a game

Just my 2 copper worth (and no you can not get a refund)

[MichaelWinicki]

I mean the Toomer hit changed the whole complextion of that game which was not going well for the Dallas defense during the 2nd giants game.

That one hit set the tone and destoryed the Giants passing game.

That is not counting the fear factor like when Pinkston droped that ball cause he saw RW coming and was worried about getting hit

How about how he destoryed the Redskins and took 3 players out of the game

These are things that do not show up in the stat book but how hughe are they in changing the course of a game

Just my 2 copper worth (and no you can not get a refund)

K, you just may get that invite to the "cool" table yet if you keep coming up with these keen insights.

[AJM1613]

That is not counting the fear factor like when Pinkston droped that ball cause he saw RW coming and was worried about getting hit

Please! Pinkston does that if anyone is going to hit him. :)

[Tio]

The thing that excites me when we talk about williams is the way he hits. It is a true gift. He compresses his body and releases with sheer strength makeing his foes pay. Add that with his size/speed ratio and its no wonder why he already is the most intimidating DB in the game. People say the reason he can hit harder than Arrington and Lewis is because he plays safety and can build momentum. Yeah right!!! Did you see the probowl? Remember when (i think it was heap) someone was running a post and wiliiams almost stood in the same spot the whole time. Heap ran into him and williams lowered and compressed his shoulder and boom!!! heap was on his back in pain!! I love it!!

[Rack Bauer]

Roy is a strong safety and Reed is a free safety. I wish we could have them both when woodson moves on.



This has probably already been addressed, but I'll do it anyway.


Reed is playing SS in Baltimore. Roy is playing FS for us. Both of them are playing out of position really.

[All About the D]

People say the reason he can hit harder than Arrington and Lewis is because he plays safety and can build momentum. Yeah right!!!

Hold on now. Its true Roy does more than just tackle - he runs THROUGH people and is a true definition of the word Playmaker. However, even as a Cowboys fan I have to step in and say that talking about him hitting harder than Ray Ray is just not true....YET. Maybe this season though, we'll see...

[Tuna Helper]

Please! Pinkston does that if anyone is going to hit him. :)

Your first honest, non-homeristic post. We are going to have to get the mods to keep an eye out for you from now on. ;)

[AJM1613]

Your first honest, non-homeristic post. We are going to have to get the mods to keep an eye out for you from now on. ;)
So when I say something negitive about the Eagles or Eagle players it is right? 0-16 for the 5th straight year again I guess...

[SALADIN]

Yes, but the ranking is for safeties, not special-teamers.

Right again Adam.

I was only thinking of football players in general and those who make plays and not necessarily safeties ;) The fact is that the list was whom front office people considered the best safeties.

I’m sure it’s only me, but I never considered myself as a CB, FS, nickleback, or special teams player ‘back in my day’. I was just asked to play football.

But with all the numbers that are so necessary in today’s NFL, the distinction between strong safety, free safety, those who cover kick off returns, and those who cover punt returns, etc. It doesn't matter.

…it’s about the stats

call me old fashion

"The play is the thing wherein I'll catch the
conscience of the king."

Shakespeare