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2012 NFL Draft: Strong Safety a Weakness

by John Fennelly on February 22nd, 2012 at 9:52 am

It’s the last day before the combine begins and the talk is heating up. Don’t get too used to your draft boards, they’re about to change dramatically.

Many teams will be seeking secondary help in this draft. They may not get it at safety – especially strong safety. Our colleague at CSNWashington, Rich Tandler, explains:

The crop of strong safety candidates is exceptionally weak this year. Mark Barron of Alabama is the only one who seems to have a chance of starting in the NFL in 2012, and he is sidelined with a double sports hernia. It is unlikely that he will be able to work out for teams before the draft. His work on film at Alabama will be good enough to get him drafted, perhaps even somewhere in the first round.

Once you get past Barron, however, you have nothing but suspects and projects. Kelcie McCaray from Arkansas State is a good athlete, but he has problems sticking his nose in to make tackles. Antonio Allen of South Carolina is an old-fashioned, in-the-box safety, making his utility limited in these days of three- and four-receiver sets.

The Giants are fairly set at the position. Kenny Phillips has been playing better and Deon Grant and Tyler Sash are also expected back. Then there is the longshot Chad Jones, who the Giants plan on bringing to spring workouts. Still, if a player that catches the Giants’ eye is too good a value come the draft, they won’t hesitate to grab him.

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About John Fennelly

Managing Editor of SNY.tv's Giants Football Blog - the ultimate destination for New York Giants' news, opinion and entertainment. View all posts by John Fennelly →
  • Skookaloop

    Mr.F- that players name is HARRISON SMITH SS Notre Dame…. And as i told Mr.Kel, he is a Mr.Jefferson( moving on up ) A hard hitting, Ball HAWKing, High football IQ, great motor Tackle machine….. Check him out tell me what you think………
    And Best wishs to Chad Jones, and Amazing guy who’s heart and tuffness could work his way on the team and what a uplifting story that would be… GO Chad Go !!!!

    • Touchdownmaker

      I was thinking the same thing! But I wondered maybe he was a FS, because surely J.Fennelly would have fact checked that before posting. He also had a good amount of picks which lead me to believe he was FS. George Iloka could also play in the box as well, but I am not sure what he is really considered.

      I think his 40 time could vault him. Mayock thinks he might be the second Saftey taken. Could be a good second round pick if he is still there.

      • Skookaloop

        Iloka is a 6-4 220 pound FS with 4.5 speed… he also has 40 starts under his belt and covered the Slot WR is certain D-packages… athleticism and power… he would be a perfect fit in Perry’s Multi-tasking D…

  • Mickster

    I thought Phillips was basically the FS, and Rolle was the SS until Grant comes in. 

    Anyway, a guy I’ve seen and like is Sean Cattouse out of Cal.  And one I’ve read about that looks good is Matt Daniels out of Duke.  Both are mid-to-late round guys.

    S-loop – I’ll check out your guy HSmith.  BTW I saw film on Chad Jones working out – one leg is about twice the size of the other.  My bet is he’ll wind up on Developmental Squad this year, but I certainly won’t count him out.

    • Skookaloop

      Phillips is the SS and Rolle is the FS and the Slot CB… and Grant plays SS-FS-Slot CB-LBer, it is very confusing this Perry D…

    • Skookaloop

      BTW, Sean Cattouse is an Excellent SS, the top DB on his team… Cal’s CB where very ify, IMO Cattouse put in the right system Has a great up side…. and would be great value in the 5th 6th round….

    • Touchdownmaker

      If that film is of him doing agility drills in front of his lawn, then that video is a bit old. That footage was taken in the summer.

      • Touchdownmaker

        I was wrong…disregard

  • Mickster

    Another guy to consider in our scheme isn’t even listed as a Safety.  At 6’0′” – 225, OLB LaVonte David of Nebraska could essentially replace Grant.  That said, he’s a top prospect, and would have to be taken with our 1st or a mid-2nd obtained by trading Osi.  It’s doubtful, but just like the Giants were pioneers of the alternative defensive alignment in the 80′s with the 3-4, now in this passing NFL they might just be pioneers again with Fewell’s 4-2-5.

  • GMen12Champs

    Phillips played very well last year. I think the real weakness last year was Rolle. He continually got torched all year, but he did play better in the playoffs. I only really remember Phillips getting beat bad once in the NFC championship game by Davis (so did Rolle). And the regular season game @ Cowboys, Phillips didnt play and they got exposed.

    • Anonymous

      I can agree rolle got burnt last year early in the season but you have to take into account that he was playing a lot of nickle which he hasnt played since his 2nd year in the league kp only played well because we really wasn’t expecting a lot of him or from him with grant coming back but the issue is middle LB or DT and tackles which I expect us to look for