Ko Simpson?

[THEHEREAFTER]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/02/16/mock.draft2.part1/index.html

This guy sounds very intriguing.

Ko Simpson S 6'1 201 South Carolina So.
By: Robert Davis

Ko Simpson jumped onto the scene as a freshman, showcasing a special talent for the safety position. Not only was he credited with 61 tackles, but he intercepted six passes. He was named SEC freshman of the year and was named to everyones freshman All American lists. This season as a sophomore teams knew he was lurking deep, so he made more of an impact getting to the ball carrier. For the season, Simpson had 103 tackles, 2.5 for loss, along with one interception. All American honors came his way after the season.

Simpson is the definition of a ballhawk in the secondary. He just has a nose for the football. He has a great sense of knowing where the action is going to be and gets there quickly. Simpson had seven picks in two seasons from his free safety spot. He is willing to attack the line of scrimmage and help out in run support. He is a very good athlete, with excellent quickness, and the speed to close on plays.

The biggest problem with Simpson is his lack of experience. He only has two years of experience outside of high school football, despite being 23 years old. He is a draft eligible sophomore, but only spent two years in the program. He did not enroll in school until the Spring of 2004, after signing in 2003. He could stand to add a few pounds to help him handle the physical style of play at the next level.

Ko Simpson is a very good safety prospect. He is an all around talent, with a nose for the football. With Jimmy Williams and Michael Huff being corner/safety tweeners, he may be the best true free safety in the draft. His upside may not be quite as high as the typical sophomore because of his age. This is a deep safety class, but he should be taken on Day One, with workouts dictating just how high he goes.

 

[TheHustler]

Tempting.

I'm not sure I want to go with a rookie back there though. Much less a rookie with only 2 years of college experience.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I like Ko Simpson, but I'm not so sure why he's rated so much higher than Syracuse's Anthony Smith.

Personally, I hope they get a FA free safety and they should be fine. Have Roy and Davis as the strong safeties, and the FA (i.e. Chavous) and Beriault as the Free Safeties.


Rich.....

 

[sago1]

Been reading reports that Chavous has really slowed down, partly due to being forced to play out of position at SS. A slowed-down FS is not my idea of a starting FA; also Beriaut was playing at SS in preseason last year when he looked so good. If Beriaut indeed becomes backup FS, we better make real sure we have a legit coverage FS starting in front of him.

Still hope we can get a chance at signing Steelers FS Chris Hope. Steelers are making resigning Hope a priority, but maybe Hope's agent can persuade him to hold off until he hears offers from other teams.

 

[cobra]

Personally, I hope they get a FA free safety and they should be fine. Have Roy and Davis as the strong safeties, and the FA (i.e. Chavous) and Beriault as the Free Safeties.

Rich, I think you typically do awesome analysis of the team. Thanks for it. One thing, though: I think Beriault is a Strong Safety going forward. He is a tackling/blitzing kind of safety, not a cover one.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/don_banks/02/16/mock.draft2.part1/index.html

This guy sounds very intriguing.

Ko Simpson S 6'1 201 South Carolina So.
By: Robert Davis

Ko Simpson jumped onto the scene as a freshman, showcasing a special talent for the safety position. Not only was he credited with 61 tackles, but he intercepted six passes. He was named SEC freshman of the year and was named to everyones freshman All American lists. This season as a sophomore teams knew he was lurking deep, so he made more of an impact getting to the ball carrier. For the season, Simpson had 103 tackles, 2.5 for loss, along with one interception. All American honors came his way after the season.

Simpson is the definition of a ballhawk in the secondary. He just has a nose for the football. He has a great sense of knowing where the action is going to be and gets there quickly. Simpson had seven picks in two seasons from his free safety spot. He is willing to attack the line of scrimmage and help out in run support. He is a very good athlete, with excellent quickness, and the speed to close on plays.

The biggest problem with Simpson is his lack of experience. He only has two years of experience outside of high school football, despite being 23 years old. He is a draft eligible sophomore, but only spent two years in the program. He did not enroll in school until the Spring of 2004, after signing in 2003. He could stand to add a few pounds to help him handle the physical style of play at the next level.

Ko Simpson is a very good safety prospect. He is an all around talent, with a nose for the football. With Jimmy Williams and Michael Huff being corner/safety tweeners, he may be the best true free safety in the draft. His upside may not be quite as high as the typical sophomore because of his age. This is a deep safety class, but he should be taken on Day One, with workouts dictating just how high he goes.

I noticed KO want from six int freshman to only one as a soph....what gives.....the scheme?

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Rich, I think you typically do awesome analysis of the team. Thanks for it. One thing, though: I think Beriault is a Strong Safety going forward. He is a tackling/blitzing kind of safety, not a cover one.

I see what you mean, but I think he could be one of those FS' who doesn't make mental mistakes in coverage and has decent range, but is a better tackler and blitzer than most cover Free Safeties.

Davis just can't play free safety and I think there's more upside to Beriault than Willie Pile. They only keep 4 safeties at the most, so one of those guys has to go. You don't want to get rid of Davis because he's too good on special teams.


Rich.........

 

[dfense]

If the Cowboys want him, they can easily get him. He'll be around well into the 2nd round. Don't be surprised if most of these safety guys drop.

 

[AbeBeta]

Awfully high pick for a free safety.

 

[ddh33]

I've gone back and forth about how Dallas will address their need for a FS. When the season ended, I thought Dallas would get a veteran with some experience who could just be solid. Then, I got to thinking that Jerry would try to get a little better player back there, but there are some finanical issues too.

Now, I think more and more that Dallas will be looking at FS in the second round (unless Huff drops). Anthony Smith, Daniel Bullocks, and Darnell Bing could all be inexpensive, good players.

 

[AbeBeta]

I've gone back and forth about how Dallas will address their need for a FS. When the season ended, I thought Dallas would get a veteran with some experience who could just be solid. Then, I got to thinking that Jerry would try to get a little better player back there, but there are some finanical issues too.

Now, I think more and more that Dallas will be looking at FS in the second round (unless Huff drops). Anthony Smith, Daniel Bullocks, and Darnell Bing could all be inexpensive, good players.

what we all need to remember is that even an average free safety is going to play very well in that secondary. Yes, it is a need. But not one that you usually have to spend much to fix.

 

[Woods]

What about D. Jackson as an alternative in FA?

I don't know if we can spend a high pick on a FS, esp. with all of our other needs. One of the needs is going to have to lose out.

Don't forget, if we don't re-sign Campbell, we'll be looking for a TE as well. Plus, our OL needs, LB needs, young WR to develop need, etc., etc.