Anyone else a little worried about the Safety position?

[ludo21]

So we got:

Lynch - an animal, but come on, he isnt getting younger, but I do think he has 1 more good year.
Fergy - how will he come back from that injury?
Brandon - same thing, but worse... I really hope he is back, he started to improve the past 2 years.
Hamza - besides that fluff piece earlier, is he anything more than a ST'er?
Cox - saw many good things from him last year, thats for sure.


So I see, maybe 1 solid guy in there, Lynch, but he is aging.

Can anyone convince me that this position wont hold our Defense back?

[Beantown Bronco]

Sure, it's a position of weakness, but two things make me less concerned about it:

1. Bates' system supposedly rewards safeties who can tackle and play in the box more as opposed to covering WRs down the field. Our guys do this very well.

2. Safety is either the least or second least (perhaps to TE) important position on the football field depending on who you talk to.

[Jens1893]

It´s my #1 need for the 08 Draft right now. We need to get younger, but I hope Fergy and Lynch can get the job done for one more year.

[Dukes]

It´s my #1 need for the 08 Draft right now. We need to get younger, but I hope Fergy and Lynch can get the job done for one more year.

I'm hoping Brandon, Abdullah or Cox can step in and beat out Fergy

[ludo21]

Our corners are very good, but they cant cover every inch of the football field, and thats where the Safeties need to be to help out.

[CHANGSTER]

Not worried. More disappointed that the defense is gonna have some missed potential. Imagine how good the secondary would be with safety that excels in coverage, that kinda thing.

[Jens1893]

Not worried. More disappointed that the defense is gonna have some missed potential. Imagine how good the secondary would be with safety that excels in coverage, that kinda thing.

We will have that guy in 12 months.

[Florida_Bronco]

Not worried at all.

[Rock Chalk]

No.

[SpringStein]

We will have that guy in 12 months.

FROM? FA or draft? (At this time, S looks pretty weak for next year's draft class.)

[BlaK-Argentina]

I'm hoping Brandon, Abdullah or Cox can step in and beat out Fergy

Same here, I like Brandon or Cox a lot more than Fergy at SS.

[Hotrod]

Im not the least bit worried.

[ludo21]

why is no one worried? Do you see something I dont? I see some young talent that hasnt proven themselves, and a couple vets that are coming off serious injuries, and another old guy.

???

[Gcver2ver3]

I almost started a thread about this very same topic yesterday...

I for one am not concerned but I keep hearing Bronco fans complain about our safety situation.

Safety is not a strength for us, but the safety position is not impactful enough a position to expend big resource on to land two studs.

I say keep depth there, convert a back-up corner if needed. Some of you guys actually wanted us to spend our lone 1st round pick on safety....i just can't believe the logic there...pass rush was the much bigger priority....

Lynch & Fergy with youngsters backing them up should surfice....

i expect someone between Brandon, Abdullah, Cox, or maybe even Foxworth will step up.

We're fine at safety imo......

[Traveler]

My hope is that Cox steps up his game and beats out Ferguson. He's probably the best fit we have as a cover safety. If we see Foxworth out there, we're in trouble. Nique is not a safety!

[Kaylore]

Cargile, Abdullah, and Cox are more than sufficient. I think part of people's worry is fan's creation of this mystical "cover safety" position. There is no such thing. Rover safety, perhaps. And don't say "but Ed Reeeeeeeeeed!" Our safeties are fine and will continue to be. Having two corners like we do will be a huge advantage to any supposed coverage problems that never manifest but people keep whining about.

You want to complain or worry about coverage, look to our linebacking corps.

[Florida_Bronco]

why is no one worried? Do you see something I dont? I see some young talent that hasnt proven themselves, and a couple vets that are coming off serious injuries, and another old guy.

???

I'm not worried because the staff knows how to use Lynch so he's not a liability. Ferguson's injury was no big deal and with today's medical technology a torn ACL isn't all that scary either. We still have Cox and other young guys who can step in.

[Hotrod]

Cargile, Abdullah, and Cox are more than sufficient. I think part of people's worry is fan's creation of this mystical "cover safety" position. There is no such thing. Rover safety, perhaps. And don't say "but Ed Reeeeeeeeeed!" Our safeties are fine and will continue to be. Having two corners like we do will be a huge advantage to any supposed coverage problems that never manifest but people keep whining about.

You want to complain or worry about coverage, look to our linebacking corps.

LOL that cracked me up

[Tredici]

I think people forget how well Ferguson was playing last season prior to his injury. As Champ put it, Fergy was often times more like a third cornerback out there. I hope he recovers from the injury and is back to provide some stability. With Bly, Bailey and Ferguson coverage should be pretty damn good. I think Cox is a smart player and will do everything he can to contribute wherever they utilize him.

[BigPlayShay]

I am a little less worried now that we have 700 pounds worht of DT.

[Kaylore]

I think people forget how well Ferguson was playing last season prior to his injury. As Champ put it, Fergy was often times more like a third cornerback out there. I hope he recovers from the injury and is back to provide some stability. With Bly, Bailey and Ferguson coverage should be pretty damn good. I think Cox is a smart player and will do everything he can to contribute wherever they utilize him.

There's not a love for the Ferg here. I also think he is underrated. People still see that Hines Ward TD in the Steelers game in their heads. He's a solid safety.

[Needa Pass Rush]

<TABLE class=roster cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD> 38 </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Cargile, Steve (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=6626)</TD><TD class=left noWrap>S </TD><TD noWrap>6' 2"</TD><TD noWrap>210 </TD><TD noWrap>24 </TD><TD noWrap>3rd </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Columbia </TD><!-- <td class="left">Bedford, Ohio </td>--><TD noWrap>FA-'06 </TD></TR><TR><TD> 31 </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Harris, Quentin (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=6676)</TD><TD class=left noWrap>S </TD><TD noWrap>6' 1"</TD><TD noWrap>213 </TD><TD noWrap>30 </TD><TD noWrap>6th </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Syracuse </TD><!-- <td class="left"> </td>--><TD noWrap>FA-'06 </TD></TR><TR><TD> 43 </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Rogers, Roderick (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=7261)</TD><TD class=left noWrap>S </TD><TD noWrap>6' 2"</TD><TD noWrap>187 </TD><TD noWrap>22 </TD><TD noWrap>R </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Wisconsin </TD><!-- <td class="left">Stone Mountain, Ga </td>--><TD noWrap>CFA- '07 </TD></TR><TR><TD> 25 </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Ferguson, Nick (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=715)</TD><TD class=left noWrap>S </TD><TD noWrap>5' 11"</TD><TD noWrap>201 </TD><TD noWrap>32 </TD><TD noWrap>8th </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Georgia Tech </TD><!-- <td class="left">Miami, Fla. </td>--><TD noWrap>FA-03 </TD></TR><TR><TD> 42 </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Brandon, Sam (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=703)</TD><TD class=left noWrap>S </TD><TD noWrap>6' 2"</TD><TD noWrap>200 </TD><TD noWrap>27 </TD><TD noWrap>6th </TD><TD class=left noWrap>UNLV </TD><!-- <td class="left">Riverside, Calif. </td>--><TD noWrap>D4-'02 </TD></TR><TR><TD> 47 </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Lynch, John (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=2240)</TD><TD class=left noWrap>S </TD><TD noWrap>6' 2"</TD><TD noWrap>220 </TD><TD noWrap>35 </TD><TD noWrap>15th </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Stanford </TD><!-- <td class="left">Del Mar, Calif. </td>--><TD noWrap>FA-'04 </TD></TR><TR><TD> 40 </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Cox, Curome (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=3762)</TD><TD class=left noWrap>S </TD><TD noWrap>6' 1"</TD><TD noWrap>204 </TD><TD noWrap>26 </TD><TD noWrap>3rd </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Maryland </TD><!-- <td class="left">Washington, D.C. </td>--><TD noWrap>FA-04 </TD></TR><TR><TD> 21 </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Abdullah, Hamza (http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=498&contentID=5139)</TD><TD class=left noWrap>S </TD><TD noWrap>6' 2"</TD><TD noWrap>216 </TD><TD noWrap>23 </TD><TD noWrap>3rd </TD><TD class=left noWrap>Washington State </TD><!-- <td class="left">Pomona, Calif. </td>--><TD noWrap>FA-'05 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Needa Pass Rush]

Watch Steve Cargile. He could easily make the team with his special teams talent.

[wolf754life]

Its really funny how much better corners and safeties start looking with something we haven't had in Denver the last couple of years..............

A CONSISTENT PASS RUSH! if bill johnson the new d-line coach can get warren and thomas to push the pocket and get some heat off the edge from moss and dumervill, thus making the opposing qb throw it even a half second before he wants then our safeties will be protected.

If the pass rush fails, then the broncos safeties will be exposed....

[chanesaw]

I'm hoping we draft Tom Zibakowski from Notre Dame.

[CHANGSTER]

Cox really seemed like a play maker and had a good nose for the ball when he was in at safety last year. I was surprised when they put Foxy in instead of utilizing Cox.

My only guess is he had sort of a freelancer mentality and wasn't sticking to his coverage responsibilities. If thats the case I hope he steps up the mental aspect of his game this season.

Anyone else think he could be a possible candidate to take over a starting role sometime this year?

[Traveler]

Cox really seemed like a play maker and had a good nose for the ball when he was in at safety last year. I was surprised when they put Foxy in instead of utilizing Cox.

My only guess is he had sort of a freelancer mentality and wasn't sticking to his coverage responsibilities. If thats the case I hope he steps up the mental aspect of his game this season.

Anyone else think he could be a possible candidate to take over a starting role sometime this year?

See my Adopt-A Bronco for your answer.:wiggle:

[Popcorn Sutton]

Hixon will be starting at safety by the first game of the season.

Lock it up!

Championship!

[Crushaholic]

Ferguson is a playmaker. People don't notice him because he's not outspoken. Cox and/or Abdullah will be starters by next year, IMO.

Ferguson had 5 INTs in 2005, and 1 before he went down with an injury last year...

[cutthemdown]

I'm always worried about every position.

[Requiem]

Ferguson is not a "playmaker" and I think it's absolutely foolish for people to bank on the hopes of third year players who are special teamers (outside maybe Cox) to be future starters on this defense.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Sure, it's a position of weakness, but two things make me less concerned about it:

1. Bates' system supposedly rewards safeties who can tackle and play in the box more as opposed to covering WRs down the field. Our guys do this very well.

2. Safety is either the least or second least (perhaps to TE) important position on the football field depending on who you talk to.
I disagree with that statement. So apparently, do a number of NFL coaches: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/312591_hawk21.html

Even if you don't play Cover 2, guys like Gates and Gonzo, (and this year probably Vernon Davis) have changed the game and you need a top notch safety both to cover TE's who can go deep and because teams are going with extra receivers and running hurry up offenses that make it tough for defenses to change to nickel packages whenever they want to. In Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Indy...they know the value of great safeties....and yes, I am concerned about ours. Next year's draft class is considered poor for safeties at this point. I think Troy Dreadlocks is an UFA though...that would be awesome if we could get him.

[~Crash~]

Same here, I like Brandon or Cox a lot more than Fergy at SS.

I truly hope you are joking right ? Cox could not tackel his ass out of a wet paper bag got demoated and little foxy had to take over for him at the S postion?LOL

Nick was having a year of a life time when he got hurt and all I see from bronco fans is , "oh lol that guy sucks". well what ever It sure seems funny that our D went into a dumper after Nick got hurt last season we were in the SD game and I looked at the TV and thought not like Nick he usaly would of been there as there RB went in for a TD I could tell Nick pulled up well after the game I hear he played hurt . the second half of the game and SD scored a bunch of times , oh buy the way with nick we was the best D ever at not letting scores and with out Nick we look like crap

[~Crash~]

I disagree with that statement. So apparently, do a number of NFL coaches: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/312591_hawk21.html

Even if you don't play Cover 2, guys like Gates and Gonzo, (and this year probably Vernon Davis) have changed the game and you need a top notch safety both to cover TE's who can go deep and because teams are going with extra receivers and running hurry up offenses that make it tough for defenses to change to nickel packages whenever they want to. In Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Indy...they know the value of great safeties....and yes, I am concerned about ours. Next year's draft class is considered poor for safeties at this point. I think Troy Dreadlocks is an UFA though...that would be awesome if we could get him.


You know you and all this bunch must really be smart and Shanny he must not know how to evaluate his talent he has on his team like this bunch.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I truly hope you are joking right ? Cox could not tackel his ass out of a wet paper bag got demoated and little foxy had to take over for him at the S postion?LOL

Nick was having a year of a life time when he got hurt and all I see from bronco fans is , "oh lol that guy sucks". well what ever IOt sh=ure seems funny that our D went into a dumper after Nick got hurt last season we were in the SD game and I looked at the TV and thought not like Nick he usaly would of been there as there RB went in for a TD I could tell Nick pulled up well after the game I hear he played hut the second half of the game and SD scored a bunch of times oh buy the way with nick we was the best D ever and not letting scores and with out Nick we look like crap
He'll be 33 this year.

[Beantown Bronco]

A couple more things that support my point that, in the grand scheme of things, safeties are a lower priority:

1. The Redskins place a high priority on safeties.

2. The safety position is the second cheapest position to apply the franchise tag to.

Sure, you could pull up articles about teams supposedly putting a priority on the safety position lately because of all the TEs coming out. But ask yourself this: what positions are now being de-valued as a result of the new priority being placed on safeties? None as far as I can tell. These guys have no problem paying lip service to this, but how many free agent safeties are really being shown the money. Linemen and skill position guys will always take priority, so there's only so far up the "priority ladder" safeties will go.

[~Crash~]

He'll be 33 this year.

yep and ?

[Popcorn Sutton]

A couple more things that support my point that, in the grand scheme of things, safeties are a lower priority:

1. The Redskins place a high priority on safeties.


Hilarious!

[footstepsfrom#27]

You know you and all this bunch must really be smart and Shanny he must not know how to evaluate his talent he has on his team like this bunch.
Shanny went out and signed a pro bowl safety in FA just a couple of years ago. I guess he thought that was important too.

[footstepsfrom#27]

yep and ?
And he's nearing the end.

[footstepsfrom#27]

A couple more things that support my point that, in the grand scheme of things, safeties are a lower priority:

1. The Redskins place a high priority on safeties.

2. The safety position is the second cheapest position to apply the franchise tag to.

Sure, you could pull up articles about teams supposedly putting a priority on the safety position lately because of all the TEs coming out. But ask yourself this: what positions are now being de-valued as a result of the new priority being placed on safeties? None as far as I can tell. These guys have no problem paying lip service to this, but how many free agent safeties are really being shown the money. Linemen and skill position guys will always take priority, so there's only so far up the "priority ladder" safeties will go.
All the more reason to get one quickly while they're still cheaper to sign...more bang for the buck so to speak.

[~Crash~]

Shanny went out and signed a pro bowl safety in FA just a couple of years ago. I guess he thought that was important too.


we still got him !


to me this bunch reminds me of the 2 saftey we had durring the SB runs...old and smart

[footstepsfrom#27]

we still got him !


to me this bunch reminds me of the 2 saftey we had durring the SB runs...old and smart
Yes...but he's got maybe one more year. He's already a liability in coverage.

[socalorado]

I disagree with that statement. So apparently, do a number of NFL coaches: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/football/312591_hawk21.html

Even if you don't play Cover 2, guys like Gates and Gonzo, (and this year probably Vernon Davis) have changed the game and you need a top notch safety both to cover TE's who can go deep and because teams are going with extra receivers and running hurry up offenses that make it tough for defenses to change to nickel packages whenever they want to. In Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Indy...they know the value of great safeties....and yes, I am concerned about ours. Next year's draft class is considered poor for safeties at this point. I think Troy Dreadlocks is an UFA though...that would be awesome if we could get him.

I cant believe you made all these comments about TEs and how important a Safety is in coverage and then you dont even mention "BIG NICKEL"!!

If Sam Brandon comes back 100% healthy from his injury he will be the starting FS at some point sooner than later! Write that down!
Brandon outplayed everyone until he got hurt and it was Brandon NOT Ferguson that was having a GREAT YEAR last season!!!
Have faith in BIG NICKEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[~Crash~]

And he's nearing the end.

but I think he got a year left in him his movements are fluid but I agree he he is nearing the end but we got 3 great S IMO and Abdullah is going to be a player I love the way he brings it to the table !

[~Crash~]

I cant believe you made all these comments about TEs and how important a Safety is in coverage and then you dont even mention "BIG NICKEL"!!

If Sam Brandon comes back 100% healthy from his injury he will be the starting FS at some point sooner than later! Write that down!
Brandon outplayed everyone until he got hurt and it was Brandon NOT Ferguson that was having a GREAT YEAR last season!!!
Have faith in BIG NICKEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


they both played great football hell Mike Shanahan knows what he has and that is why he never worried about the S postion

[RkyMtnThunder]

Ahhh just get Hixon back there - problem solved.


Seriously though, I am not terribly concerned about the safety positions. I agree with others who feel we can get one more year out of Lynch/Ferg combo...and also feel the younger guys behind them could make the most out of opportunities they might see this season.

But I also agree that 2008 offseason/draft safety should be way up on our priority list.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I cant believe you made all these comments about TEs and how important a Safety is in coverage and then you dont even mention "BIG NICKEL"!!

If Sam Brandon comes back 100% healthy from his injury he will be the starting FS at some point sooner than later! Write that down!
Brandon outplayed everyone until he got hurt and it was Brandon NOT Ferguson that was having a GREAT YEAR last season!!!
Have faith in BIG NICKEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brandon is better against TE's than he is WR's. He doesn't have the speed to run with receivers like LaRon Landry does. At some point we need to address the lack of speed at safety and do something about it. Obviously you can only make so many changes in one year. I expect Shanny to look for more spped at safety next year in the draft or FA.

[footstepsfrom#27]

but I think he got a year left in him his movements are fluid but I agree he he is nearing the end but we got 3 great S IMO and Abdullah is going to be a player I love the way he brings it to the table !
Depends on how you define "great"...I define it as pro bowl calilber. None of our safeties are currently in that category, including Lynch who makes it mostly on rep and struggles in coverage. Hopefully the draft will surprise next year, but right now it's weak at safety, so our best bet is FA again.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Ahhh just get Hixon back there - problem solved.
Actually that's not as crazy as it sounds. Hixon has the same amount of experience in college at safety as he does at WR...and he STARTED at 160 pounds...almost unheard of for that position. If he got to 195 he might be capable of playing the FS spot. He certainly has more speed than anybody else we put back there.

[Mediator12]

Safeties are the youngest position in the league right now and that is why they are one of the least paid becuase the majority of the starters are still on their rookie contracts. The trend is becoming the cover safety outside of the cover two defenses. I am not sure people realize this but Bates scheme also protects safeties from a lot of coverage as his pass scheme is predicated on the press man cover two. That means the safeties patrol the deep halves of the field while the CB's and LB's cover the five eligible receivers.

Lynch has been a cover two Zone Safety for so long he usually beats the Receiver to the POI. Ferguson is a much better zone defender than Man to man. Brandon though has struggled with the zones in the past and they used him in the big nickle to get him more man to man with TE's than in zone. Cox is a guy that can do both coverages well, but is not the most solid Run support safety in the group. Hamza just needs experience with defensive snaps in the preseason and is a good coverage safety plus a big hitter.

Overall, the safeties they have fit the scheme quite well at this point. Of the younger backups, Hamza fits the mold of a cover two safety the best. I think Ferguson is going to be pushed this camp, but he has a lot of experience and is still a solid tackler.

[socalorado]

Brandon is better against TE's than he is WR's. He doesn't have the speed to run with receivers like LaRon Landry does. At some point we need to address the lack of speed at safety and do something about it. Obviously you can only make so many changes in one year. I expect Shanny to look for more spped at safety next year in the draft or FA.

Agreed. I still like Brandon with a healthy knee though at FS and Lynch at SS.
Of course with this line up who plays "big nickel"? Abdullah? NOT COX!

[NFLBRONCO]

I'm concerned about S but, I feel alot better with Bates around. We are going to have a weakness somewhere all teams do. I just hope we have guys stay healthy this year.

[broncsyanks]

not worried especially now that we are going to have a pass rush IMHO. that makes it harder for the safeties to be involved because of it.

[crush17]

considering the Broncos spent absolutely no time or energy trying to add depth this offseason, no.

[400HZ]

I think safety is one of those positions that is gaining importance year to year. With the matchup problems that players like Gates, Gonzo etc can cause, coordinators are wanting bigger guys who can cover and not get physically dominated. How many safeties went in the first round this year? Four? That says a lot.

[Jens1893]

FROM? FA or draft? (At this time, S looks pretty weak for next year's draft class.)

Draft, I think. It´s my #1 need for the 08 Draft right now and I think we´ll get our Centerfielder there.

[RunSilentRunDeep]

Ferguson underrated
Cox overrated

Bottom line: Both Ferguson and Lynch outplay their contracts despite their limitations. I'd much rather have my shiny new Dre Bly, Daniel Graham and Travis Henry then pay out a wad of cash for a slight upgrade at safety.

[SpringStein]

Draft, I think. It´s my #1 need for the 08 Draft right now and I think we´ll get our Centerfielder there.

I hope you are right!

[Florida_Bronco]

Brandon is better against TE's than he is WR's. He doesn't have the speed to run with receivers like LaRon Landry does.

Wanna bet?