DMN: Blog: Safety rankings

[Cbz40]

Safety rankings

10:10 AM Wed, Jul 02, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Calvin Watkins


Beat writers note: We conclude our offseason rankings with the safeties. Some of you ripped our cornerback ratings, displayed last night, and that's fine because we know it's nothing personal, just business.

Now we get to the safeties.


1.Indianapolis. Bob Sanders, the Defensive Player of the Year, and Antoine Bethea, the Pro Bowler, is the best combo in the game. Sanders is a hard hitter and unstoppable at times. This duo makes plays in the run and passing games. Sanders excelled to another level last season.


2.Baltimore. Ed Reed had an off-year last year, but we expect him to be better this season. And, his off-year is better than some players' elite seasons. Depth is an issue here, but we still like Dawan Landry at strong safety and team drafted two safeties.


3.Pittsburgh. Troy Polamalu is a Pro Bowler. No question. But injuries and inconsistent play hurt this unit. If Ryan Clark (spleen removed) returns and Anthony Smith matures, things should be much, much better.


4. Dallas. We debated about this because the Cowboys have two Pro Bowlers here in Roy Williams and Ken Hamlin. But we believe if Adrian Wilson (Arizona) hadn't gotten hurt in the middle of the season, Williams is watching the Pro Bowl on his flat screen. Still, Hamlin plays like a strong safety and Williams is still a force at times.


5.Washington. Ask Terry Glenn what he thinks of LaRon Landry. Glenn got his legs taken out from him by a Landry hit in last year's finale in Landover. TG was done for the day. Landry is a bidding star in the league. Watch.


Others of note: Arizona should be better with Antrel Rolle moving to safety. Oakland has Michael Huff, Chicago has Mike Brown and of course, Denver and New England have quality vets.
Watchout for Buffalo, Donte Whitner is strong in run support. Philly, Minnesota and Carolina also have good safeties.

 

[speedkilz88]

5.Washington. Ask Terry Glenn what he thinks of LaRon Landry. Glenn got his legs taken out from him by a Landry hit in last year's finale in Landover. TG was done for the day. Landry is a bidding star in the league. Watch.

Wasn't that a slide(or slip) and is it really that impressive that he took out a guy coming back from a gimpy knee? It seem to me that it had more to do with the weather and Glenn's ineffectiveness.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

hard to argue with that analysis.

 

[superpunk]

1.Indianapolis. Bob Sanders, the Defensive Player of the Year, and Antoine Bethea, the Pro Bowler, is the best combo in the game. Sanders is a hard hitter and unstoppable at times. This duo makes plays in the run and passing games. Sanders excelled to another level last season.

3.Pittsburgh. Troy Polamalu is a Pro Bowler. No question. But injuries and inconsistent play hurt this unit. If Ryan Clark (spleen removed) returns and Anthony Smith matures, things should be much, much better.

Oh lawd.

Do they pay Watkins actual money? Or does he trade in this amazing analysis for pieces of twine?

 

[Stash]

Oh lawd.

Do they pay Watkins actual money? Or does he trade in this amazing analysis for pieces of twine?

Better to be "Lucky" than good I guess......

 

[slick325]

I must have missed the CB rankings. What teams were in the top 5? Dallas, Green Bay, Philly, Oakland, Denver?

 

[AdamJT13]

I'm still waiting for someone to list all of Bob Sanders' big hits and all of the big plays he has made in his career.

It shouldn't take long.

 

[AdamJT13]

I must have missed the CB rankings. What teams were in the top 5? Dallas, Green Bay, Philly, Oakland, Denver?

Here was the DMN's cornerback list --

1. San Diego. The Chargers have the best 1-2 punch in the game with Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer. Cromartie led the NFL with 10 picks last season and Jammer is solid. Rookie Antoine Cason will see plenty of action in pass situation.

2 .Denver. Terence Newman said Champ Bailey sets the standard for corners. Bailey had an off year last year with only three picks, but we expect a better season from him. Dre' Bly is an excellent corner on the other side and in case of injury Domonique Foxworth can start.

3. Philadelphia. The Eagles improved their team by getting Asante Samuel (16 INTs last two seasons). Samuel will be a force in division games this season, especially against the Cowboys. Sheldon Brown has always been solid. But losing Lito Sheppard will hurt somewhere down the line.

4. Dallas.The Cowboys should be higher, but we can't until Adam Jones gets full reinstatement. Anthony Henry and Terence Newman are underrated for their skill level. Rookie Mike Jenkins adds speed to the cornerback position.

5. Green Bay. Al Harris and Charles Woodson are some man-to-man playing fools. Each is in their 30s and that might slow them down. Second-year man Will Blackmon from Boston College and Jarrett Bush from Utah State provide good depth.

Also receiving votes: Ravens, Colts, Raiders, Seahawks, Bucs, Bears.
Surprises. Bills and the Saints.​

​

Not including Adam Jones makes our ranking somewhat understandable.

 

[slick325]

Here was the DMN's cornerback list --
[/indent]

Not including Adam Jones makes our ranking somewhat understandable.

Thanks Adam. I found it and just posted it. Not sure if it's a repost but I'm sure our great admins will handle it.

Dallas should be ranked higher without question. How could I forget San Diego's CB's? That's a good tandem.

 

[Hostile]

I'm still waiting for someone to list all of Bob Sanders' big hits and all of the big plays he has made in his career.

It shouldn't take long.

I like him, but man his hype is unreal.

 

[dallasfaniac]

I still don't understand how Adrian Wilson takes Roy's place if he plays the whole season. Roy was equal or better in every stat leading up to AW's last week and has a better rep (past play and team association). As much flack as Roy takes, when you look in the dictionary under 'In the Box Safety' you get a picture of AW.

 

[CATCH17]

I like him, but man his hype is unreal.

Agreed.

Hes a good player. But i've seen Roy have a way better year than Bob Sanders has and he didnt win no frickin DPOY.

Sanders is good but he isnt the best safety in the league.

Also Polamalu is overrated as well.

I like him a lot but he has as many holes in his game as anyone.

 

[dallasfaniac]

Also Polamalu is overrated as well.

Speaking of Polamalu, did anyone see his new exercise routine on ESPN last week? He's doing pool bound plyometrics much like Roy. It will be interesting to see how it translates to the NFL....

 

[Bob Sacamano]

3.Pittsburgh. Troy Polamalu is a Pro Bowler. No question. But injuries and inconsistent play hurt this unit. If Ryan Clark (spleen removed) returns and Anthony Smith matures, things should be much, much better.

that's alot of maturing, dude looked lost all year

 

[EMMITTnROY]

Agreed.

Hes a good player. But i've seen Roy have a way better year than Bob Sanders has and he didnt win no frickin DPOY.

Sanders is good but he isnt the best safety in the league.

Also Polamalu is overrated as well.

I like him a lot but he has as many holes in his game as anyone.

my thoughts as well..

Roy gets a lot of criticism because we judge him against how amazing he used to be and how great we know he can be.. but when compared to the rest of the SS's in the NFL, he is still one of the very best.. and he had much, much better seasons in 2002, 2003 and 2004 than Bob Sanders had last year when he won DPOY.. and totally agree about Polamalu being overrated.. if he didn't have that hair and a couple of good plays in the playoffs, he'd only get half the praise he does..