SAFETY (6), 1 signed, 5 unsigned


FS - Meriweather (2011)

FA
SS/FS - Sanders
SS/LB - Williams
SS - Harrison
FS - Spann (RFA?)

Practice Squad
S - Dillard

LOCKS (1):
Meriweather is the only safety under contract for next season. I imagine the team will make every effort to re-sign James Sanders.

SPOTS UP FOR GRAB (3):
1) Starting Strong Safety 2) SS/LB hybrid 3) Depth at either position

CURRENT COMPETITION FOR OPEN SPOTS (5):
- Sanders has been a reliable starter and can play either position. The team would be in good shape if they could re-sign him.
- The team planned to use Williams as a coverage LB before his season ending injury. If he comes back healthy, the team may again sign him to a low risk-high reward contract
- Harrison may be done, or at the very least, would miss the start of the 08 season. If he doesn’t hang it up, the team could bring him in mid-season next year in the case of an injury.
- Spann looked good in pre-season and is now on the roster with Harrison injured. He could be re-signed and provide depth at FS.
- Dillard is a long term prospect at strong safety, but isn’t likely to make the 53.

PLAN OF ACTION IN DRAFT/FREE AGENCY:
- The team should work quickly to re-sign James Sanders so it can go into the draft in a position of strength. Hypothetically, they could also re-sign Williams and Spann and essentially be set at the position, although the draft could provide a cheap, higher upside solution.

Bottom Line: 3 players are needed. They could solve all problems in-house by re-signing the guys they have, but they could and should look for a safety in the draft for competition and upside.

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"I'm going to need a hacksaw"

As usual, feedback on prospects of interest are welcome...one guy on my radar is Nic Harris from Oklahoma as an SS/LB hybrid potential.

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"I'm going to need a hacksaw"

I've already tossed out a couple names in this thread: Drafting a Safety to replace Rodney?

and I suggested another in this post: briz's first 09 mock As you can see I projected two SS candidates in this mock draft, the one a LB/SS hybrid prospect though Guyton's speed makes that less likely.

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"Lord Favrequad" Stolen from Demolition Man
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I agree with the analysis. We do need 3 players. I believe this is the #1 draft priority.

And yes, theoretically, we could be all set if we re-signed Sanders, a healthy Tank WIlliams, and Spann. However, I think that we need more talent at this position.

need some size to take TE's on for the deeper routes.......

I'm figuring there will be 2 vets and 2 rookies brought into the mix.......would not be surprised to see the pats in the running for the top FA's for the position.........a rework ala 2002-2003 is in store

Taylor Mays, 4.4 40 yard dash, hits like a truck.

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Yeah, it seems like if Mayo and Guyton are going to be on the field for passing downs, the SS/LB hybrid isn't as necessary. Though instead of sticking the hybrid player at ILB, the hybrid could be more of what Rodney was this year, when he was either covering TEs or slot receivers or covering the flats in zone. That still requires a safety with above average size and adequate coverage skills, so a Nic Harris type might fit. That would also seem to fit for your post in the other thread with OLB Jonathan Casillas or LB Michael Brown.

The Pats probably could've used such a player yesterday when they went to the nickel package quite a bit in place of the base 3-4 and the Steelers ran the ball with a lot of success.

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"I'm going to need a hacksaw"

My real question is how do they value Sanders. I think he's good but is he upgradeable long term? That could be an area they target if they see a prospect who could be an upgrade at SS within a year or two.

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"I'm going to need a hacksaw"

His measurable sound great, but I remember Ochmed Jones saying his play didn't stack up.

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"I'm going to need a hacksaw"

I completely agree. Lil' Jimmy Sanders is simply not a starting-calibre SS on a team with SB aspirations. His open-field tackling is weak, and his opponents do not fear him (quite the opposite, I imagine). I would offer him, Tank & Spann only their respective vet minimums, and not one penny more.

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