Off to the Off-Season (Safeties)

March 24, 2008 by Harry Greene

Despite this being a thin red line, I fully believe this unit may be among the top performing groups well before next season draws to a close.

Safeties

Overview
Holt was a bust, plain and simple. Add injuries to Adrian Wilson and Wilson Aaron Francisco and it’s no surprise this unit did not have much positive impact last season.

The Cards like to move their defensive players all over the field. The ability of the safeties to provide flexible support is critical to the theory of this style. For most of Clancy Pendergast’s tenure, he has not had a safety unit capable of executing his typical defensive game plan.

When safeties can’t tackle or arrive on time to their coverage responsibilities, touchdowns ensue. This is the last line of defense and if it isn’t sturdy, the entire team can quickly become dispirited.

IMO
The movement of Antrel Rolle to this unit upgrades it significantly. Sadly, like the move with Pace, if it works the Cards will be hard pressed to resign him after the season. It’s long overdue, but it’s better than no move at all. Rolle will be the centerfielder type of safety.

His liability as a corner (stiff hips that made it hard for him not to lose a step on a cut) no longer are a problem. By the time he picks up most receivers they will have made their move(s) and they will find him far more difficult to shake.

The big concern is that he will gamble too much initially, as this position is new to him and he is used to having help behind him. A mistake here and it’s often a score. Still he will make more than his share of game changing plays.

Before his injury, Adrian Wilson was playing the best football of his career. He was an asset, not a liability, in pass coverage. He also wasn’t biting on play action as much and rarely found himself out of position.

Finally, he has always been a hitter, but his tackling showed far more certainty and fewer misses.

Francisco will duel with Rolle for the starting slot, but I expect it more likely he ends up playing mostly in nickel and dime defenses. This will be especially true if the Cards draft a corner early and try to bring him along slowly.

Francisco has a solid 2006 season, but injuries slowed his effectiveness in 2007. That said, in the last couple of games he seemed to return to form and Rolle will have to be at his best to become the starter.

Potential Help

Actually, not much help is needed. The Cards would be will served to draft a developmental prospect late in the draft due to their depth.

Tom Zbikowski is a name that may pop up. He is very raw and a product of weak coaching and discipline at Notre Dame. Still he has the traits of a decent backup and should be a ready and willing special team performer. I wouldn’t chance him until the 6th round and he may be gone by then.

Other names to keep a look out for late include Henti Baird out of a very good Hampton program and Tony Joiner. The latter is not fast enough to attract premier attention, but he plays faster than he times. He would be a nice backup for Wilson, as he is a sure tackler and decent in coverage. He is very polished coming out. He would be solid on special teams as well.

Overall

This figures to be an impact unit from the start of the season. The Cards will need to get improvement just to equal last season’s record. They will find plenty of it here. This will quickly become a fun unit to watch and I expect them to repeatedly make game changing plays.

Posted in offseason, nfl draft, nfl free agency, adrian wilson, free agency, football, nfl, arizona cardinals