Drafting/Signing a Safety

[Brando19]

• The word out of Green Bay is that it's pretty much a given that safety will be one of the top positions the Packers address in the draft and free agency after this season because of the iffy status of FS Nick Collins, who is on injured reserve with a neck injury and is far from a lock to be able to resume his career. We also hear the Packers will strongly consider drafting another quarterback.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/12/10/bucs-seeing-more-of-bowers-ability-emerge

My question is does anyone know the upcoming free agents that are Safeties? It would be nice to sign a Safety that's already an established player so we won't miss a beat.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

If Collins comes back, him and Burnett would make a very good tandem. Lets just hope he comes back cuz I really like Nick Collins.

[red]

i don't think we're even going to know if nick can resume his career until after the draft. better to be safe and have too many safeties then to get caught with not enough

it also might be easier to find a free agent CB and move c-wood to safety then it would be to find that caliber safety somewhere

[Brandon494]

I'd rather draft or sign a CB and move Woodson to FS.

[KYPack]

i don't think we're even going to know if nick can resume his career until after the draft. better to be safe and have too many safeties then to get caught with not enough

it also might be easier to find a free agent CB and move c-wood to safety then it would be to find that caliber safety somewhere

Nick had all the talent in the world, but it took him time to develop. Nick's pick 6 was the winning margin in the SB. He played centerfield once he saw Green had big Ben clean, then ranged over and picked that ball, now.

He was great when he returned picks, flashing his old school skills as a RB.

Nick read his keys and played his reads. We were on our way to the best DBackfield in the league. Now we got a good young kid and several JAGS back there. Another star S would not hurt, fer shure.

Nick's got about a 10% chance of returning to his old form, but I'm a rootin' for him, now!

[mraynrand]

I'd rather draft or sign a CB and move Woodson to FS.

I assume you want CWood in the deep secondary. Do you think he still has that kind of range? Does he have the instincts for that position? The W position he's been playing has been mostly near the LOS. Isn't he more like a SS than FS? I'd be interested how you see him being used in the defense as a safety, but I just don't see how he plays a centerfield kind of role at his age.

[Tarlam!]

I'm rooting for Nick big time! The guy is always on the sidelines cheering his boys on, coaching them up. I still remember Jay Cutler last January sulking on the sidelines. Recall Rodgers last game coaching up Flynn? No sulking on the Packer sidelines!

If Nick's career is cut short, I hope TT/M3 figure out a way to keep him on board.

As for moving Woodson back, he clearly has lost a step, but he makes up for it with his pschyic powers near the LOS.

I doubt they'll really go to FA to replace him, they like to draft and develop. I think we'll (and they) get a clearer picture after watching what happens the rest of the season. Maybe someone breaks out.

[mission]

I don't like Woodson at safety. The whole point of doing that is to keep an older, slower CB from having to run with young speedsters down the sideline. That's not his role in our defense anyway. Most nickel corners play the slot because that's typically the third-best WR. Woodson already plays the slot to keep him close to the LOS and because no one is going to run by Shields (so #27 plays outside). Different situation in GB... I want him close to the LOS making plays as long as his body can handle it. I don't think he's anywhere close to be exposed in this situation.

Draft a safety in the top 4 rounds and pray to gawd that Collins comes back. For some reason, I don't think he will, but I don't want to curse the guy either. I really hope he does but I guess I'm just bracing myself for the worst.

[smuggler]

If Woodson moves it would be to SS, not FS, yes. Burnett is faster and can cover more ground. Woodson still has better man coverage skills than Burnett, so it would be perfect to let Burnett play centerfield and have Woodson roving near the line, similar to Polamalu.

[Joemailman]

• The word out of Green Bay is that it's pretty much a given that safety will be one of the top positions the Packers address in the draft and free agency after this season because of the iffy status of FS Nick Collins, who is on injured reserve with a neck injury and is far from a lock to be able to resume his career. We also hear the Packers will strongly consider drafting another quarterback.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/12/10/bucs-seeing-more-of-bowers-ability-emerge

My question is does anyone know the upcoming free agents that are Safeties? It would be nice to sign a Safety that's already an established player so we won't miss a beat.

You think TT is gonna go out and sign a free agent? http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing001.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing004.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing011.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

[Tarlam!]

You think TT is gonna go out and sign a free agent? http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing001.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing004.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing011.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

I laughed. Not loudly, but I did.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I vote to draft a S and keep Woodson where he is.

[Joemailman]

Draft a Safety in the 2nd round.

Then fire Slocum.

[Tarlam!]

Fire slocum. Then, draft the BPA. Then, fire campen.

[Upnorth]

Fire slocum, rehire him a one day promotion to HR, make him fire Campden then fire Slocum half way thru the day, then allow TT to work his magic and get just the right player that we need, then send in the elite suicide squad.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Woodson to safety isn't far-fetched. Similar to Rod Woodson late in his career. His coverage skills are diminishing, but they are still good for a safety. He plays the role of a safety at time in our defense already. The question when you move a corner to safety is can they be physical enough. Woodson is.

[pbmax]

An elite suicide squad? That really would be a one way ticket.

[Upnorth]

Suicide Squad, ATTACK! That showed em, ugh.

[Tarlam!]

Woodson to safety isn't far-fetched. Similar to Rod Woodson late in his career. His coverage skills are diminishing, but they are still good for a safety. He plays the role of a safety at time in our defense already. The question when you move a corner to safety is can they be physical enough. Woodson is.

Agreed Harv, but not in the Collins role deep. He is so valuable up at the LOS, no? Teach a willing student here.

[Joemailman]

It seems to me that moving Woodson to Safety would just make it easier for opposing QB's to account for him. The way things are now, they don't know where the hell he'll line up, which is to his advantage.

[Brando19]

You think TT is gonna go out and sign a free agent? http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing001.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing004.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing011.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

I know where you're coming from...but how did we get this Woodson guy everyone is talking about?

[Joemailman]

I know where you're coming from...but how did we get this Woodson guy everyone is talking about?

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Ahmad Carroll was one of the starting cornerbacks at the time. I just don't see there being a Safety available who would have the kind of coverage/ballhawking skills the Packers will be looking for. Better chance of finding that in the draft.

[Brandon494]

Woodson might not have Nick Collins speed but he has more than enough speed to play FS in the future. I think he'll make a great safety because he is physical and has great instincts. Hopefully Collins comes back and none of this matters.

[swede]

I vote to draft a S and keep Woodson where he is.

I agree. And where he is, he is a bone in the throat of the opposing offense. CB, DB, Safety...whatever you call it he is an assassin back there in a very specialized role.

We do need another mere mortal safety, though, and I agree that we will need to draft him to get him.

[swede]

I'm going to threadjack since, at the very least, we are on the subject of defensive backs.

A student brought up a trading card of Green Bay Packer defensive back #37 to share with me, and I thought it was Shields. Upon closer inspection the player's name was Tyrone Williams. He was actually a starter across from Doug Evans in 1997.

Why do I have almost no memory of the guy? I could have named every other starter on that team's defense and I would have gotten that position wrong because I would have forgotten that George Teague was already gone.

Was Tyrone unusually bad? good? quiet? It bugs me that I don't remember a four year player from that era.

[pbmax]

I'm going to threadjack since, at the very least, we are on the subject of defensive backs.

A student brought up a trading card of Green Bay Packer defensive back #37 to share with me, and I thought it was Shields. Upon closer inspection the player's name was Tyrone Williams. He was actually a starter across from Doug Evans in 1997.

Why do I have almost no memory of the guy? I could have named every other starter on that team's defense and I would have gotten that position wrong because I would have forgotten that George Teague was already gone.

Was Tyrone unusually bad? good? quiet? It bugs me that I don't remember a four year player from that era.

He was small and fast and was not a fierce tackler. He was the 3rd CB for a year or two before becoming the starter sometime after Newsome was injured (and never regained his previous form). He excelled in deep coverage and was essentially a press corner who did not bump and run much at all. He was probably a step below Pro Bowl, but he was solid. After Doug Evans took a performance free fall** and found himself in Carolina, Williams was the best the Packers had. His shortcoming in stature and physicality meant he was a poor match for a huge receiver like Moss. Hence the 3 CB draft by Wolf. He partnered with McKenzie for a few years.

If I am not mistaken, after he was no longer serviceable, Sherman traded for Al Harris.

Played 1996 to 2002. So partial year as backup until Newsome was hurt. Probably sat again when Newsome came back then might have made his way to starter after Evans left (97) a year before Newsome did (98). Was from Nebraska and was considered a character risk because of a charge of unloading a gun into a car I think.

** My memory wants me to believe that the Doug Evans performance free fall occurred the moment he discovered Randy Moss. But I could just be telling myself a tall tale.

[mraynrand]

Tyrone's first big play that I recall was an INT late in the first half of the NFCC game vs. Carolina in '96. The loss of Newsome early in 1997 put Twill in the starting lineup and forced Roderick Mullen into the nickel spot. I don't even remember if they had a real dime corner - I think they used rookie safety Darren Sharper for that role. Twill was Ok, it was the dropoff in the depth chart behind him that was killer. Having to depend on Seth Joyner and Eugene RObinson in '97 didn't help much either...

[pbmax]

Tyrone's first big play that I recall was an INT late in the first half of the NFCC game vs. Carolina in '96. The loss of Newsome early in 1997 put Twill in the starting lineup and forced Roderick Mullen into the nickel spot. I don't even remember if they had a real dime corner - I think they used rookie safety Darren Sharper for that role. Twill was Ok, it was the dropoff in the depth chart behind him that was killer. Having to depend on Seth Joyner and Eugene RObinson in '97 didn't help much either...

Mike Prior was in the mix for both nickel and dime. Made for a good run defense sub package.

[mraynrand]

Mike Prior was in the mix for both nickel and dime. Made for a good run defense sub package.

I seem to recall they worked Sharper in as the season went along. Plays I remember were an INT at home against Detroit (night game) and then arecovered a fumble and TD against Dallas. Prior was a reliable stiff in 'coverage,' if you could call it that.

[pbmax]

I seem to recall they worked Sharper in as the season went along. Plays I remember were an INT at home against Detroit (night game) and then arecovered a fumble and TD against Dallas. Prior was a reliable stiff in 'coverage,' if you could call it that.

Oh, yes. Prior was a stop gap nickel guy. Solid but did not provide coverage, he was a safety pure and simple. Prior to Sharper, he was pressed into service because of injuries (maybe Newsome?) and after that he was used like a big nickel package, when personnel said pass but tendency said run.

[Tarlam!]

Back to the future, I like Woodson playing rover in the nickel package. Sure, he's given up some big plays this season, but he plays with a lot of risk/reward attitude. And we've all been painfully aware that he's lost a step, but we are always delighted when he comes up with another pick.

Having him in the locker room is a huge plus for the entire defense, especially the younger DBs, just as having DD is huge for the gooming done for WR/TEs attitudes.

Williams accredts much of his development to Charles Woodson (and Al Harris).

TT needs to work his draft magic for the Saftey spot, IMHO.

[Iron Mike]

I'm going to threadjack since, at the very least, we are on the subject of defensive backs.

A student brought up a trading card of Green Bay Packer defensive back #37 to share with me, and I thought it was Shields. Upon closer inspection the player's name was Tyrone Williams. He was actually a starter across from Doug Evans in 1997.

Why do I have almost no memory of the guy? I could have named every other starter on that team's defense and I would have gotten that position wrong because I would have forgotten that George Teague was already gone.

Was Tyrone unusually bad? good? quiet? It bugs me that I don't remember a four year player from that era.

IIRC, he dropped in the draft as a CB out of Nebraska for discharging a weapon into somebody's car. There was concern after Wolf drafted him that he wasn't "Packer People."

[swede]

IIRC, he dropped in the draft as a CB out of Nebraska for discharging a weapon into somebody's car. There was concern after Wolf drafted him that he wasn't "Packer People."

Ha ha...that rang a bell.