Safties

[elsid13]

Wanted to get people feeling on some the safeties that outside the big names.
We all know about Mays, Moore, Chung, Johnson (AL) but are other guys out there might just as good not getting the press.

The are some names of the guys I am interested in learn more about

* EMANUEL COOK (JR) South Caroline - not in the bowl game because he stop going to class and looking for an agent. Been named 2nd team SEC two years in row

* Mike Hamlin (SR) Clemson - down year for the team, but was difference maker in the back field and seem to able to play centerfield

* Chip Vaughn (SR) Wake Forest - hard hitter that like to play in the box. Invited to the Senior bowl so we should see how he plays.


Others? ???

[mattob14]

Louis Delmas and Courtney Greene are in-the-box candidates. Greene's bigger, but Delmas is supposed to be a little more solid in coverage (I haven't seen him play). Derrick Pegues is a centerfielder who is also a threat as a returner, but he has concerns about his size and character. David Bruton from ND is another centerfielder who could be a good value in the 4th or 5th round.

Of all those listed, Delmas is probably the best prospect, but he's also being talked about as a fringe 1st rounder by some publications. I'd look at Pegues and Hamlin as solid sleeper candidates.

[bpc]

Louis Delmas - Western Michigan.

[ohiobronco2]

Otis Wiley Michigan St.

[lex]

Sherrod Martin of Troy and Jairus Byrd of Oregon are both guys who can play both S and CB.

5. CB-FS Jairus Byrd, Oregon (Sr.)
6-0e, 205, 4.55e

More quick than fast, but lacking the quick-twitch desired in a cornerback, Byrd is a coaches’ son with NFL pedigree and plays the game very smart. He’s got great size and ball skills, he tackles well and plays very consistently with good discipline. Is not a burner but shows the vision and run skills to contribute as a punt returner. Would fit best as a short-area, zone corner and is big and physical enough to be tried at safety. May never be an elite player, but should develop into a very solid pro.


5. FS-CB Sherrod Martin, Troy (Sr.)
6-0 5⁄8, 190, 4.46

The former roommate of Bills 2008 11th overall draft pick Leodis McKelvin, Martin lines up at free safety but possesses the athletic traits better-suited for the CB position, with more natural ball skills than McKelvin had. Blessed with very good size to match up with receivers, he shows great range, fluid hips and acceleration out of his breaks. Tackles well in the open field and showed he can match up against better competition in games vs. Oklahoma State and LSU. His NFL future could wind up being at cornerback, but the ability to line up at multiple positions is a plus.


http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/positionrptDB.htm

FWIW, heres how PFW ranks them (seniors):

Strong safeties
Rk # Name School Grade Height Weight Speed Notes
1. 1 William Moore Missouri 5.95 6003 230 4.5e X, SS
2. 25 Michael Hamlin Clemson 5.50 6023 205 4.6e X, FS
3. 15 Patrick Chung Oregon 5.35 5107 210 4.55e
4. 4 Kevin Ellison USC 5.20 6006 225 4.65e X
5. 5 Nic Harris Oklahoma 5.20 6030e 230e 4.7e OLB
6. 8 Justin Garrett Missouri 5.10 6004 200 4.67
7. 6 Randy Phillips Miami (Fla.) 5.07 5114e 200e 4.55e CB
8. 33 Reshard Langford Vanderbilt 5.07 6010 210 4.6e OLB
9. 9 Al Afalava Oregon State 5.07 5107 215 4.6e Ch.
10. 1 Keith Fitzhugh Mississippi State 5.05 5110 205 4.59 Ch.

Free safeties
Rk # Name School Grade Height Weight Speed Notes
1. 49 Rashad Johnson Alabama 5.90 5114 185 4.53
2. 9 Louis Delmas Western Michigan 5.85 5114 195 4.54
3. 27 Curtis Taylor LSU 5.50 6022 210 4.5e SS
4. 27 David Bruton Notre Dame 5.35 6016 205 4.55e
5. 9 Chip Vaughn Wake Forest 5.33 6016 210 4.51
6. 36 Courtney Greene Rutgers 5.30 6003 215 4.5e
7. 21 Otis Wiley Michigan State 5.25 6020e 210e 4.55e
8. 7 Anthony Scirrotto Penn State 5.20 5110e 190e 4.55e Ch.
9. 7 Darcel McBath Texas Tech 5.15 6002 200 4.5e SS
10. 19 Glover Quin New Mexico 5.13 5112 200 4.56 CB

Cornerbacks
Rk # Name School Grade Height Weight Speed Notes
1. 2 Malcolm Jenkins Ohio State 6.60 6000e 195e 4.45e FS
2. 2 Alphonso Smith Wake Forest 5.80 5086 190 4.45e S
3. 6 DeAngelo Smith Cincinnati 5.60 5110 190 4.56 FS
4. 7 Cary Harris USC 5.50 5112 185 4.55e
5. 1 Victor "Macho" Harris Virginia Tech 5.42 5111 190 4.66 KR
6. 22 Bruce Johnson Miami (Fla.) 5.40 5100e 175e 4.45e KR
7. 8 Brandon Underwood Cincinnati 5.40 6004e 175e 4.45e S
8. 1 Darius Butler Connecticut 5.39 5103 185 4.44 WR, KR
9. 21 Mike Mickens Cincinnati 5.39 5113 180 4.56 KR
10. 6 Domonique Johnson Jackson State 5.38 6015 185 4.56



http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Player+Rankings/2008/08top101220.htm

[SpringStein]

Utah JR CB/S Sean Smith is going to be good - think there is a decent chance he declares.

[lex]

Wanted to get people feeling on some the safeties that outside the big names.
We all know about Mays, Moore, Chung, Johnson (AL) but are other guys out there might just as good not getting the press.

The are some names of the guys I am interested in learn more about

* EMANUEL COOK (JR) South Caroline - not in the bowl game because he stop going to class and looking for an agent. Been named 2nd team SEC two years in row

* Mike Hamlin (SR) Clemson - down year for the team, but was difference maker in the back field and seem to able to play centerfield

* Chip Vaughn (SR) Wake Forest - hard hitter that like to play in the box. Invited to the Senior bowl so we should see how he plays.


Others? ???

I realize INTs may not be his forte but I read that Vaughn has some ridiculously low number of INTs for someone who is a good DB that plays on a good defense. Id rather pass on him.

Ive watched a lot of Clemson but havent really focused on Hamlin a whole lot. Im kind of meh on him.

Cook had a good defense playing in front of him this past year but its also not as though he also didnt do his share.

I dont know who I like more. Id rather get a CF to go along with Barrett, who I now feel ok about. He really impressed me with his handiwerk on Tony Gonzalez. Plus this past weekend, he had a really physical tackle along the sidelines that I really liked. So, Id rather go with someone like Bruton, Pegues, or Johnson who, if he continues his current rate of ascension, will be a top 3 pick 2 days from now.

[SoCalBronco]

Unfortunately, it seems we're going to address this position on the cheap (like we usually do) by playing more musical chairs rather than adding talent. The blurb in PFW re: WW suggests that he's going to be the SS next year, which I think is a fairly poor fit. I'd rather have him at MLB.
And they seem to like Barrett, so he'll prolly be at FS. I don't mind Barrett, he's shown something, but it seems he is best at SS covering the TE, not FS. I'm not sure if he's rangy enough to be a FS in the sense of playing the deep middle third and having to defend both hashes or playing the half field and being fast enough to get to the sideline before the ball does. He has the timed speed, but its more straightline.

I don't really care for this arrangement. It would be better with WW with 5-10 more pounds and at MLB and Barrett at SS and a high pick at FS.

[Elway777]

If the Broncos pick around the 13 pick if they lose against the Changes then Mays would be a great fit for the Broncos.I also like Chip Vaughn or Courtney Green as in the box safeties with good speed and decent in coverage.Vaughn and Green should go in the 4 or 5 round. I hope the Broncos can land a couple of defender in free agency with will determine who we draft.

[socalorado]

Unfortunately, it seems we're going to address this position on the cheap (like we usually do) by playing more musical chairs rather than adding talent. The blurb in PFW re: WW suggests that he's going to be the SS next year, which I think is a fairly poor fit. I'd rather have him at MLB.
And they seem to like Barrett, so he'll prolly be at FS. I don't mind Barrett, he's shown something, but it seems he is best at SS covering the TE, not FS. I'm not sure if he's rangy enough to be a FS in the sense of playing the deep middle third and having to defend both hashes or playing the half field and being fast enough to get to the sideline before the ball does. He has the timed speed, but its more straightline.

I don't really care for this arrangement. It would be better with WW with 5-10 more pounds and at MLB and Barrett at SS and a high pick at FS.

Its so sad, but true. Shanny is really starting to completely screw the defense over. If he moves Woodyard to SS now, after the success he has had CLEARLY at WLB, hes just a complete moron.
Barrett will be fine at SS, but DEN needs to get a true centerfielder to go with him.
OJ Atogwe in FA from STL would be my 1st choice.
He would make the defensive secondary SCARY good and allow Barrett to mature into the SS position with greater ease.
Get a 3rd or 4th round crossover player like David Bruton ND, who can play both FS/SS for depth, and problem solved! Bruton is 6-2 212, big, fast, can tackle, can cover, can make plays in open field, has a bunch of picks, he is the one player who makes plays on ND defense. Or maybe Courtney Greene, who also is a hybrid FS/SS.
This would solve the seconday issues in 2 moves. One of those moves brings in a borderline probowler to the team.
This move makes Bailey and Bly's job alot easier as well.

David Bruton, FS/SS, Notre Dame
Height: 6-2. Weight: 212.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Projected Round (2009): 5-6.
12/14/08: One of the few productive players on Notre Dame this season, David Bruton managed 93 tackles, six passes broken up and three picks.

5/19/08: A team captain going into the 2008 season, David Bruton recorded 85 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three interceptions.


Courtney Greene, SS/FS, Rutgers
Height: 6-1. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.50.
Projected Round (2009): 5.
12/14/08: Despite somewhat struggling this season, Courtney Greene managed to qualify for the All-Big East First Team. Greene collected 83 tackles and two passes broken up.

5/19/08: Courtney Greene, who can play either safety position, had 91 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

[socalorado]

Utah JR CB/S Sean Smith is going to be good - think there is a decent chance he declares.

Yeah. This kid. I like this kid. A little high though with his projection. I liked Weddle too, but he went WAAAAAAY to high. I say if he is there in the 4th sure, grab him.

Sean Smith*, Utah
Height: 6-1. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
12/13/08: Sean Smith has been a beast this season, and no one can blame him if he declares a year early. An All-Mountain West first-teamer, Smith collected 40 tackles, five picks (one touchdown) and eight passes broken up. Could play corner or safety in the NFL.

[socalorado]

This guy will be a FA in the offseason, and last time i checked, STL wasnt exactly a "contract friendly" organization to work with.


Rams select Atogwe as MVP

NFL teammates praise ex-Griffin


Windsor Star; News Services

Published: Thursday, December 18, 2008
Windsor's Oshiomogho (O.J.) Atogwe was named the most valuable player of the St. Louis Rams Wednesday.
The former Herman Green Griffin and Essex Raven received the Daniel F. Reeves memorial award as the Rams' MVP in voting by his teammates.
"O.J.'s a heck of a football player," St. Louis coach Jim Haslett told the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
TOP DEFENDER: Herman grad Oshiomogho Atogwe, left, was named Wednesday as the most valuable player for the St. Louis Rams.

Chris Graythen, Getty Images

<TABLE height=273 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=667 background=/images/design/2008/player_box.jpg><TBODY><TR><TD width=410><CENTER></CENTER>http://www.stlouisrams.com/images/spacer.gif (http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/players) </TD><TD align=middle>http://www.stlouisrams.com/mediaContent//2008/11/25/11/Atogwe_Roster_69692.jpg</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

"I think people are starting to rec-ognize that. The guy's a ball magnet. He does a great job punching the balls out."
With two games to play, Atogwe, a free safety, has four interceptions, seven forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown that boosted the Rams to their first win against Washington earlier in the season.
In addition, Atogwe is second on the team with 99 tackles.
"When he first got here, he didn't have the best ball skills," Haslett said. "He worked on it and worked on it."
Atogwe still comes in on Tuesdays, the players' normal day off during the regular season, and works on those ball skills.
"It was one of the weaknesses that I felt I had, that I wasn't making a lot of plays as far as interceptions on the ball," Atogwe told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
PRACTICE ROUTINE
On Tuesdays, equipment assistant Matt Taylor operates a machine that spits out football after football Atogwe's way.
"He'll do anywhere between 200 and 300 balls, and I'll just catch them," Atogwe said.
"He shoots them to me from all different angles."
After recording just one interception in limited playing time as a rookie, Atogwe picked off three passes in 2006, his first season as a starter.
Last season, he led the NFC and was second in the NFL with eight interceptions.
"Catching the ball, more so than having good hands, is just being relaxed and comfortable in the moment the ball's coming to you," Atogwe said. "So the more you catch balls, you get used to the feeling of just relaxing, catching the ball."
ATOGWE NUMBERS
2008 statistics
Tackles: 99
Interceptions: 4
Forced fumbles: 7

[Traveler]

I don't really care for this arrangement. It would be better with WW with 5-10 more pounds and at MLB and Barrett at SS and a high pick at FS.

Couldn't agree more.

[Rohirrim]

I think the various components on the roster right now would be just fine if they just had a pass rush. They could go out in this draft, bring in the best safety in the draft, and build the best secondary in all the NFL, and if they didn't improve the pass rush, they'd get burned and lose games week after week. It all starts at the lines. Always. The engine is broke. Don't waste time on the clutch. At this point, I don't even care about getting Rey. This entire draft and FA should be spent on the D line. As far as I'm concerned, I'd be happy if the Broncos cashed in the entire draft plus every FA dollar and walked away with Peppers and Haynesworth. IMO, such a move would suddenly give the Broncos the best secondary in the NFL.

[oubronco]

Nic Harris would be a good fit

[lex]

OK, does anyone think that there are enough 2nd roundish safeties in the draft to ensure that some will be available in the 3rd?

[ohiobronco2]

OK, does anyone think that there are enough 2nd roundish safeties in the draft to ensure that some will be available in the 3rd?

Some decent players should still be there. Hamlin or Pegues might end up there.

[Doggcow]

I wouldnt mind Oshimago Atogwe, or Jermain Phillips.

[yerner]

Is myron rolle not coming out?

[elsid13]

Is myron rolle not coming out?

He coming out but might opt to go to Oxford instead of going straight to the NFL. Which I think is the better plan for him in the long term.

[Mediator12]

Is myron rolle not coming out?

Myron is leaving FSU, but he got a Rhodes scholarship and graduated early!

What Kind Of FSU thug does that ;D

[Requiem]

Myron Rolle's like a pimp.

[Requiem]

Oh, and I do like Hamlin a lot. Kid plays so many snaps, always playin' at a high level. Creates turnovers. He is a winner. If he was there at #79. UH-HUH.

[elsid13]

Myron is leaving FSU, but he got a Rhodes scholarship and graduated early!

What Kind Of FSU thug does that ;D

I understand he gets free shoes if he goes to England.

[socalorado]

http://www.walterfootball.com/college/Utah_logo.gif Sean Smith*, Utah
Height: 6-3. Weight: 214.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
12/13/08: Sean Smith has been a beast this season, and no one can blame him if he declares a year early. An All-Mountain West first-teamer, Smith collected 40 tackles, five picks (one touchdown) and eight passes broken up. Could play corner or safety in the NFL.

Looked pretty good last night.

[Rohirrim]

Oh, and I do like Hamlin a lot. Kid plays so many snaps, always playin' at a high level. Creates turnovers. He is a winner. If he was there at #79. UH-HUH.

Have you looked at his pedigree? The kid's whole damn family is safeties, from dad on down. Hamlin is definitely the one I want in the O&B. :thumbsup: