Free Safety as a need

[BMORE_96]

I have seen fs as a need in many mock drafts on this forum and other outlets. I have to disagree. Christian Thompson(a 4th round pick last year) is someone who dean, ozzie, and ed are impressed with. Ed is even mentoring the kid. He was one of the top free safetys on some people's board despite his small school notoriety last year. This kid has incredible range and is supported by his low 4.5 40 speed. I dont see us drafting eric reid or kenny vacaro. Matt elam may attract interest, but I highly doubt it.

Mods, this is not a draft topic. But a thread to discuss if Free Safety is truly a need with ed reed's retirement(he'll be 35 next year).

[The Raven]

I like Thompson, from what I've seen. I really want to see more from him.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='BMORE_96' timestamp='1358877521' post='1325984']
I have seen fs as a need in many mock drafts on this forum and other outlets. I have to disagree. Christian Thompson(a 4th round pick last year) is someone who dean, ozzie, and ed are impressed with. Ed is even mentoring the kid. He was one of the top free safetys on some people's board despite his small school notoriety last year. This kid has incredible range and is supported by his low 4.5 40 speed. I dont see us drafting eric reid or kenny vacaro. Matt elam may attract interest, but I highly doubt it.

Mods, this is not a draft topic. But a thread to discuss if Free Safety is truly a need with ed reed's retirement(he'll be 35 next year).
[/quote]
I agree that Thompson is a good player. I like Thompson a lot. I've also heard people say Asa Jackson could be the next Ed Reed--that's from the teammates. Thompson, Jackson, & Graham are the three guys on the roster who may be able to replace Ed Reed. Omar Brown projects more as a SS to me. But I think we should get a guy, a FS, but I don't think we'll do it until the mid-rounds of 4-5.

[dhstandard]

I've never been with these guys who want to draft a safety with the 1st pick. Last year even right before the draft people thought we would be picking Mark Barron and he went in the top 10. There is only one solid cover safety and he will be gone. The rest are strong safeties or lack enough talent to be picked early.

[NaveSenrag]

Is there anything solid to the argument that J Smith could be converted to FS?

[BMORE_96]

He was drafted to be a corner and he is still developing. That is how I see it.

[CalvinSmoke]

Who ever goes back there won't be able to shake a stick to Ed Reed in his prime. Someone will step in there and atleast be a decent starter. But I don't care who we draft, no one will be REPLACING Ed.

[The Raven]

[quote name='NaveSenrag' timestamp='1358894562' post='1326479']
Is there anything solid to the argument that J Smith could be converted to FS?
[/quote]

His size is the only argument. He doesn't have the quickness or tackling ability to play safety. Not to mention he looks like a clown in zone coverage. He can't play off either. He has no ball skills whatsoever. The only thing he's remotely good at is press coverage, and putting him at safety takes that one skill away. Putting the Jimmy at safety would be terrible.

[Clayton Bigsby]

FS is definitely a need. Not only with Ed getting up in age, but his skill set has noticeably taken a step back this year. I can't count how many times I've seen him come late over the top on help and his gambling has burnt us at times this season.

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1358897819' post='1326561']
His size is the only argument. He doesn't have the quickness or tackling ability to play safety. Not to mention he looks like a clown in zone coverage. He can't play off either. He has no ball skills whatsoever. The only thing he's remotely good at is press coverage, and putting him at safety takes that one skill away. Putting the Jimmy at safety would be terrible.
[/quote]One could make a case for all of those points except for ball skills. I think he's very aggressive in regards to the ball being in the air. He did have a few nice interceptions last year.

[Guest nflfan123]

Irrev told me you guys should start Omar brown next year

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='nflfan123' timestamp='1358906854' post='1326882']
Irrev told me you guys should start Omar brown next year
[/quote]
I don't know if I trust him enough to bank on him but yeah... I REALLY like Omar.

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1358907584' post='1326913']
I don't know if I trust him enough to bank on him but yeah... I REALLY like Omar.
[/quote]
[quote name='nflfan123' timestamp='1358906854' post='1326882']
Irrev told me you guys should start Omar brown next year
[/quote] Why are yall beating up on the kid? lol

[Guest nflfan123]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1358907823' post='1326926']

Why are yall beating up on the kid? lol
[/quote]
Which kid?

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='nflfan123' timestamp='1358908033' post='1326938']
Which kid?
[/quote]I'll drop it because I don't want to Pirate this forum. I don't think our FS of the future is on our team right now though

[Guest nflfan123]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1358908164' post='1326942']
I'll drop it because I don't want to Pirate this forum. I don't think our FS of the future is on our team right now though
[/quote]
Omar?

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='nflfan123' timestamp='1358908480' post='1326955']
Omar?
[/quote]Omar is good, but I don't trust him yet. But that's just me bruh

[Guest nflfan123]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1358908781' post='1326970']
Omar is good, but I don't trust him yet. But that's just me bruh
[/quote]
I agree with you, I think they should go after Delmas

[ravensfan2424]

With our 1st round pick, I think it should be on either a franchise LT or MLB. Those are two gaping holes on our team. I wouldn't worry about drafting a safety until 3rd or 4th round at the earliest. There's also a few good FS's in free agency this year as well

(I Pray that Jarius Byrd takes a massive pay cut to play with us, that man is a baller)

[ravensfan160]

Before Joe and Torrey it was fair to question our front office's ability to judge QB and WR talent. They don't have that problem at safety. Reed obviously goes without saying but the example I refer to is Dawan Landry. I still can't believe we went into the draft without a SS and a 5th round pick stepped in from day one and played well for us.

Whether it's Thompson or a rookie next year I think they will play fine. There will be a drop off no doubt but Pollard will be there to mentor him.