Strong Safety - Jack Tatum
If you have read my blog, you already know that I love the way Tatum played. He played with reckless abandon. He patrolled the middle of the field and if you ran a crossing pattern, you risked serious injury. That's the kind of safety I like. Guys who change offensive play calls and make good receivers shorten their routes and get "alligator arms." Nothing changes momentum like a devastating hit and no one laid people out quite like Tatum. I was saddened when he passed away this year but his memory lives on.
Free Safety - Ed Reed
A free safety needs to be a ball-hawk. There is no better ball-hawk than Ed Reed. EVER! His instincts are amazing. He has a knack for being around the ball and making big plays in big games. He makes interceptions, forces fumbles and can return a kick in a pinch. Injuries have taken their toll on him now but in his prime, there has never been a more effective defensive centerfielder.
Honorable mention -
Strong Safety: Andre Waters - as you can tell, I like my safeties aggressive maybe even borderline dirty. Andre was nicknamed "Dirty" Waters. However, protecting the middle of the field is important stuff. Waters protected the field fiercely from the mid 80s to mid 90s for the Eagles.
Free Safety: Sean Taylor - Another ferocious hitter. Too bad his life was cut short. The sky was the limit with his abilities. He could cover and hit. Immense talent.
Who are your favorite Safeties?
Here's my top two current.
ReplyDelete1. Troy Polamalu. The dude is a beast. He knows where the ball will be, when it will get there, and if he doesn't get to it first, the receiver is in trouble. The hits that he makes... The dude is a bulldozer controlled by a meth addict. He's running over someone and you're gonna hear it. I love the sound of hard defensive plays!
2. Darren Sharper. He's a leader. I really liked him as a Packer. But, I LOVE him as a Saint. He makes plays happen. He goes after the ball. He has good speed and focus. Sharper encourages the younger guys, teaches them, leads them. I know he's 35 or so and retirement is probably creeping up. I just want him to stay healthy and keep reading the QBs. He does it well.
-Tam
Ronnie Lott and Troy Polamalu
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