We asked our bloggers to participate in a ranking series, and, thanks (in part) to some strategically-placed threats of lawn vandalism, they participated. Here are our composite rankings and what our resident football addicts came up with for the top five safeties in the game. No surprise at the top 2- Polamalu and Reed tied for top honors. After that, though, this is a tricky position to rank because there are such different styles played by different types of athletes. What’s more important- knockout run support or blanket man coverage? Is it better to have a playmaking ballhawk who gambles occasionally or the steady, sure-tackling extra linebacker? As you can see below, answers vary. Where are we going wrong? Join the conversation- register your agreement or disagreement below, and check in with our bloggers at their individual pages for more football goodness. Now…GET YOUR HELMET ON!
COMPOSITE SAFETY RANKINGS 1st/2nd/3rd/4th/5th place votes
T1. Troy Polamalu 2/2/0/0/0
Ed Reed 2/2/0/0/0
3. Brian Dawkins 0/0/2/0/1
4. Adrian Wilson 0/0/1/1/0
T5. Bernard Pollard 0/0/1/0/0
Darren Sharper 0/0/0/1/1
7. Michael Griffin 0/0/0/1/0
T8. Yeremiah Bell 0/0/0/0/1
Eric Berry 0/0/0/0/1
INDIVIDUAL STAFF RANKINGS
Ryan Burns
1. Troy F. Polamalu: Do you have any idea how painful it is for a UCLA grad/Browns fan to rank a Trojan/Steeler first at anything? Actually, not very, as it turns out in this case. Troy Polamalu is a different kind of cat both on and off the field. His football instincts rival Miss Cleo for foresight. He will happily decapitate a receiver crossing the middle or destroy an opposing QB on a blitz, and has that uncanny nose for the ball that separates the good from the great. And between the hair and the reckless abandon with which he plays, he strikes fear in the heart of his opponents.
2. Edward F. Reed: No. 2 to Polamalu only because Troy is a slightly more devastating hitter in my view, but it’s a nitpick, so if you’re offended, feel free to consider Reed 1A. He’s the best in the game at baiting the opposing QB, and can still close like nobody else. Injuries and age are starting to nag at him, but he’s still well within the sphere of greatness. Top INT-return man in NFL history.
3. Bernard F. Pollard: I might be slightly over-ranking him here on account of Pollard’s fantasy dominance in 2009, but I love the way he plays. He’s a throwback- a devastating hitter and run support plus with good ball skills. He isn’t great manning up with the best receivers in the game, but most safeties aren’t, and he more than makes up for it with playmaking ability. Houston’s defense steadily improved following his addition in week 4 last year. This team is loaded on both sides. Time to make the leap, and the BoneCrusher will have something to say about it.
4. Louis Delmas: One of the top 5 defensive players in the class of 2009, Delmas flew under the radar with the rebuilding Lions. That ends this year. This guy was everywhere last year, and though he made some rookie mistakes, the quality football instincts and nasty, physical disposition are unmistakeable. This is a football player. The Schwartz has been talking about him this offseason, and I’m betting the rest of you take notice in 2010.
5. Darren Sharper: A lot of pretty good safeties (in my estimation) are being passed up here, but I cannot ignore the impact Sharper has in the Saints’ defense. Sharper is a ball hawk, a leader, and knows his job- do not get beat deep. He doesn’t. Look it up. Between that and constantly taking it to the house when he gets his mitts on a pick, those who are not on this list could learn a lot about the role of a safety by watching the crusty vet.
Sen Sogah
1. Ed Reed: This was a toss up for number one. He is the ball hawk that every coach looks for to roam centerfield. Not only that- once the ball is in his hands, he’s looking for 6. He is the perfect complement to Ray Lewis. I wonder if it has anything to do with the U.
2. Troy Polamalu: If his health for the upcoming year was known, he might be No.1. He’s everywhere. It’s like a video game with him. Line him up at scrimmage and he picks you off 10 yards down field. Put him in his traditional safety spot and he sacks the quarterback. You’d better find him first or those flowing locks will be your nightmare.
3. Adrian Wilson: The most physical safety in the game. I think of him more as a hybrid, but the attitude that he brings with him single-handedly made the Cardinals’ defense legit.
4. Michael Griffin: The Titans struck oil with this one. He carried his game from Texas to Tennessee with no drop off. He can cover receivers, force the run, and has the hands necessary to be a top flight safety. He’ll be a rock on the back-end for years to come for Jeff Fisher.
5. Brian Dawkins: The Godfather of the modern NFL free safety. The thought was that he was done after leaving the Eagles, but on the contrary. He picked up right where he left off in Denver. He immediately became the emotional leader of a strong defense.
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