The Safety Thread

[massraider]

This one is tougher than the Center thread, not as clear cut at the top, and we could go FS or SS. But either way, I think it very likely we grab one.

Louis Delmas

Scouting Reports/Video:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/563992
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/Louis-Delmas.php
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/prospects/louis_delmas.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u9r9rQxexM


Patrick Chung

Scouting Reports/Video:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/520636
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/Patrick-Chung.php
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/prospects/patrick_chung.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_37qMvwSMwo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erhkOdPXpvw


William Moore

Scouting Reports/Video:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/518150
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/William-Moore.php
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/prospects/william_moore.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWRY-ixLBTA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCGLk4mKnho


Darcel McBath

Scouting Reports/Video:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/516997
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/Darcel-McBath.php


Sherrod Martin (CB Also)

Scouting reports/Video:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/519666
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/Sherrod-Martin.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmnXLzkVs-w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRi3-sY0S6I&feature=related

Rashad Johnson

Scouting Reports/Video:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/518691
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/Rashad-Johnson.php
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/prospects/rashad_johnson.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXUuoHGyWyk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfV9iewKgm4


Chip Vaughn

Scouting Reports/Video:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/516539
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/Chip-Vaughn.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sgbGgTFZ6k


David Bruton

Scouting Reports/Video:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/563638
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/David-Bruton.php
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/prospects/david_bruton.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YndPx8xnZP8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzi1CaIE9dI

Michael Hamlin

Scouting Reports/Video:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/502317
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/Michael-Hamlin.php
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/prospects/michael_hamlin.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj0Eil3uRPU

Derek Pegues

Scouting Reports/Video

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/561830
http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/s/Derek-Pegues.php
http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/prospects/derek_pegues.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgeW73mfJcI&feature=PlayList&p=F28243CF22C6FCB2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUl8WRlKxXk&feature=PlayList&p=F28243CF22C6FCB2&index=8

[007]

Bruton has Raider 3rd rounder written all over him. GIbson size, Huff speed, etc.

I don't like any of the safeties enough to spend a top 100 pick on them.

Courtney Greene or Chip Vaughn to play SS in round 4, maybe.

[massraider]

A little blurb on William Moore, who has some qualities of an Al Davis pick.

Missouri's William Moore steals show at Pro Day



With receiver Jeremy Maclin and tight end Chase Coffman not working out until Missouri's second Pro Day, March 19th, scouts attention centered on defenders Evander "Ziggy" Hood and William Moore.

Hood helped his cause by improving on virtually every drill he had performed at the Combine. He elected not to run the 40-yard dash, but improved his efforts in the bench press (35 reps), vertical (34 1/2), broad (9'08"), 20-yard shuttle (4.45) and 3 cone drill (7.32).

The real story, however, was Moore, who not only improved his Combine numbers, but showed the fluidity and explosiveness in position drills to reassure scouts that he can remain at safety. Moore was "officially" timed at a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash, but some scouts on hand had his times closer to the early to mid 4.4s. His 6.94 second 3-cone drill showed his ability to change directions quickly and his 37 1/2" vertical showed explosiveness. There remain some concern about Moore's ability to play free safety, but as a strong safety, he likely solidified his stock as a 2nd round prospect. The New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins seemed especially intrigued.

A player whose draft stock had fallen a little bit, and worked out really well? Could be tempting at #40.

[paranoidmoonduck]

I think Moore is actually one of my three most likely picks for the #40 selection. His junior year was absolutely outstanding and his senior year he looked like he was playing too heavy and had a ton of nagging injuries. As far as I could tell his range of success goes from total flop to great strong safety. If not Moore at #40, then maybe Chip Vaughn at #71.

Anything to keep Tyvon Branch at FS.

[london raider 2]

Who is the fastest/best workout warrier?

Still have bad memories of Derrick Gibson

[massraider]

Who is the fastest/best workout warrier?


David Bruton, William Moore, and a kid not listed above, Chris Clemons for Clemson.

I have mentioned Clemons before, he's a center fielder type that runs like a deer.

[Armyr8rfan]

I really like Moore, he was hurt all year after a stellar JR season. Did'nt complain, or make any excuses. I would not be suprised to see him in the S&B at all. Unless Al is waiting for Taylor Mays.

[s.dot88]

IMO, Moore would be the ideal FS to pair with Gibril if we still had him.

At 40, I would be very happy to have him if it meant we got eric wood or jon luigs in the 3rd.

[007]

I don't think Moore is a FS at the NFL level, is he S.Dot?

I think he's more along the lines of a beefed up, physical tackler with some ball skills, correct?

I might be a little hard on him, but I really can't see any safety I'd be willing to take at the 40th pick. I'd much rather go WR/DT/DE/OL if possible.

I know one thing, he looked really bad at the senior bowl. He looked like a LB to me, and he didnt stand out in any way, shape or form playing against other top notch prospects.

[s.dot88]

I agree with pretty much everything you said. I'd pair him with gibril because I see Wilson as a FS playing SS, and Moore would be the big fast SS playing FS.

We don't have Gibril anymore, so it's moot, I was just saying. If we do take him, I'd hope he'd play SS and leave FS to Branch.

As for the senior season AND senior bowl, I think he was just too heavy. I didn't know much about the guy until his senior season, and went back and watched some of his games as a junior and it was day and night. As a senior, he was real tight and stiff it seemed. Could be theinjuries, could not.

Honestly, I've seen way to many safeties fall in the draft to be locked on taking him at 40, although I wouldn't mind it one bit, but passing on him if he makes it to rd3 is playing with fire, Imo

[007]

Good stuff S.Dot, you always have solid takes.

You're probably right that he beefed up a little too much for the senior bowl and that hurt his speed/agility. Didnt he check in at 230+ at that time?

His times are solid for a man his size. Im probably trigger shy with seeing Huff, Gibson, Schweigert and Bing blow goats for us.

[NIPS]

Chris Clemons from Clemson is a guy I'd bet Bones last nut is the guy the Raiders will select on day 2

He ran the fastest 40 of all DB's at the combine

Good solid hands too

[massraider]

Chris Clemons from Clemson is a guy I'd bet Bones last nut is the guy the Raiders will select on day 2

He ran the fastest 40 of all DB's at the combine

Good solid hands too

I am sure he will be in my Lil Al ballot, thus continuing my secret plan to full out the ballot with players I don't want (see: Vernon Gholston). :D

[BigTron]

If Mays was in this draft... and made it til #7...
he would have been our pick.

[massraider]

If Mays was in this draft... and made it til #7...
he would have been our pick.

Thank god.

just or fun, take a look at every team in the playoffs last year.


AFC

Strong Safeties (all weights from NFL.com)

Jim Leonhard -- Baltimore -- 186 lbs.
Bob Sanders - Indy -- 206 lbs.
Yeremiah Bell -- Miami -- 205 lbs.
Ryan Clark - Pittsburgh -- 205 lbs.
Clinton Hart, San Diego -- 207 lbs.
Chris Hope - Tennessee -- 208 lbs.
Average -- 203 lbs.
Free Safeties

Ed Reed -- Baltimore -- 200 lbs.
Antoine Bethea - Indy -- 202 lbs.
Renaldo Hill -- Miami -- 202 lbs.
Troy Polamalu - Pittsburgh -- 207 lbs.
Eric Weddle -- San Diego -- 200 lbs.
Michael Griffin - Tennessee - 202 lbs.
Average -- 202 lbs.
Notice there's practically no difference in overall size between the strong safeties and the frees. Jim Leonhard, a darling of the blogging crowd here, played at a minuscule 186, dripping wet, with no Creatine to pump him up, and nobody accused the Ravens of being weak up the middle.

NFC

Strong Safeties

Adrian Wilson -- Arizona -- 230 lbs.
Lawyer Milloy -- Atlanta -- 216 lbs.
Chris Harris -- Carolina -- 205 lbs
Darren Sharper -- Minnesota -- 210 lbs.
James Butler -- N.Y. Giants -- 215 lbs.
Quentin Mikel -- Philadelphia -- 206 lbs.
Average -- 214 lbs.
Free Safeties

Antrell Rolle -- Arizona -- 208 lbs.
Erik Coleman --Atlanta -- 206 lbs.
Charles Godfrey -- Carolina -- 205 lbs.
Madieu Williams -- Minnesota -- 202 lbs
Michael Johnson -- N.Y. Giants -- 207 lbs.
Brian Dawkins -- Philadelphia -- 210 lbs.
Average -- 206 lbs.


I will pass on the 230 pound safety, thanks.

[BigTron]

Huff and Branch are both going to have a break out year... I wish.

[BigTron]

I think we should add 1 or even 2 vet safties. I would give Mike Brown a look. He could help as a leader and teacher alone. We need some knowledge back there to guide Huff, Eugene and Branch.

[RaiderRobert]

I think we should add 1 or even 2 vet safties. I would give Mike Brown a look. He could help as a leader and teacher alone. We need some knowledge back there to guide Huff, Eugene and Branch.

It's a little difficult to guide from the training room, or spa, or wherever one spends his time when he is always on IR...

[BigTron]

It's a little difficult to guide from the training room, or spa, or wherever one spends his time when he is always on IR...

Ha. I agree he is always hurt. That why he isnt he starter. He is the back-up.

[RaiderRobert]

Ha. I agree he is always hurt. That why he isnt he starter. He is the back-up.

I know what you're saying bro, but when Huff skins his knee or bruises his pinkie, who is gonna back him up? I agree wde need some vet presence, but it has to be somebody we can count on to play. And Mike Brown can't be counted on to play. Ever. I still say we screwed the pooch by not signing Sean Jones when we had a chance.

[BigTron]

I know what you're saying bro, but when Huff skins his knee or bruises his pinkie, who is gonna back him up? I agree wde need some vet presence, but it has to be somebody we can count on to play. And Mike Brown can't be counted on to play. Ever. I still say we screwed the pooch by not signing Sean Jones when we had a chance.

I thought he had injury issues too? I may be wrong. At this point there isnt too many option left to provide some depth. Im not thrilled about the safety's in the draft either. Maybe Sammie Knight can come out of his old age home for another season.

[massraider]

I still say we screwed the pooch by not signing Sean Jones when we had a chance.

the NFL knows something about Jones that we don't. he sat out there forever, and got a 1 year deal.

[RaiderRobert]

the NFL knows something about Jones that we don't. he sat out there forever, and got a 1 year deal.

I know something the Raiders don't. Huff sucks ass. And he has been here for 3 years...

[massraider]

I know something the Raiders don't. Huff sucks ass. And he has been here for 3 years...

Well, OK.

that doesn't have much to do with Sean Jones' phone not ringing.

[RaiderRobert]

Well, OK.

that doesn't have much to do with Sean Jones' phone not ringing.

I was just sayin'

With our incredible need at the safety positions, we should have been the one to offer that 1 year deal. Oh well, can't win them all. Overall, I am VERY happy so far in this offseason. Best in many many years... Crossing my fingers for the draft...

[massraider]

I was just sayin'

With our incredible need at the safety positions, we should have been the one to offer that 1 year deal. Oh well, can't win them all. Overall, I am VERY happy so far in this offseason. Best in many many years... Crossing my fingers for the draft...

I wanted Sean Jones too.

And I am really, really nervous about our safeties.

[Madturk]

I wanted Sean Jones too.

And I am really, really nervous about our safeties.

No shit. Really not thrilled with the safety prosepcts in this upcoming draft. I think I'd prefer to bring in another vet or two to pair with Branch. I've brought Jarrad Page's name up before. He's big, can run, has a knack for getting to the ball and he's a local kid. Had a pretty decent year for KC. IIRC, he's the guy that caught DMac from behind in that game he busted out. Mike Brown is another name that has been brought up, even though he's oft injured.

[massraider]

Might be time to take a closer look at Chip Vaughn, people.

Let the draft visits begin

The Raiders are scheduled to host Wake Forest strong safety Chip Vaughn, according to Scout.com writer Ed Thompson, making him the first known draft prospect to visit Alameda this draft season.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/raiders/detail?blogid=11&entry_id=37627

[007]

Im intrigued for sure...

Raider measurables, and some solid production.

[Byron2112]

No shit. Really not thrilled with the safety prosepcts in this upcoming draft. I think I'd prefer to bring in another vet or two to pair with Branch. I've brought Jarrad Page's name up before. He's big, can run, has a knack for getting to the ball and he's a local kid. Had a pretty decent year for KC. IIRC, he's the guy that caught DMac from behind in that game he busted out. Mike Brown is another name that has been brought up, even though he's oft injured.

I agree with all you said on Page, I think he'd make a great SS... liked him when he came out.

Has he re-signed with the chefs, or is he still free?

It does seem like Al is locked in on the idea of the super-sized, thumping safety, so I dunno if we'd even look at Page since he's not really a thumper...

[RaiderRobert]

I wish I had knowledge of ALL the guys... I don't know anything about this guy. I saw a bunch of highlights on the kid from Missouri though. Moore, I think? Looked awesome. Anybody know how they compare?

[hawaiianboy]

No shit. Really not thrilled with the safety prosepcts in this upcoming draft. I think I'd prefer to bring in another vet or two to pair with Branch. I've brought Jarrad Page's name up before. He's big, can run, has a knack for getting to the ball and he's a local kid.



The tendered him at the highest level.... we would have to give up our 2nd in compensation if we signed him...


I'd also like to add a veteran... There was nothing that really fit the "smart, leader type" veteran outside of Brian Dawkins this year...

I wouldn't be opposed to thinking outside the box and giving Mike McKenzie or Chris McCallister a look to see if they can make the move from corner to safety... Both have been primarily press corners during their career, so they should have a leg up on understanding the coverage schemes...

[Madturk]

The tendered him at the highest level.... we would have to give up our 2nd in compensation if we signed him...


I'd also like to add a veteran... There was nothing that really fit the "smart, leader type" veteran outside of Brian Dawkins this year...

I wouldn't be opposed to thinking outside the box and giving Mike McKenzie or Chris McCallister a look to see if they can make the move from corner to safety... Both have been primarily press corners during their career, so they should have a leg up on understanding the coverage schemes...

Was thinking the same thing about McCallister. Could start him at FS and he'd be a solid back up to Aso or CJ. This way Al will be less tempted to draft a cb.:p

[Sleet]

I like the idea of taking a run at McCallister to start at FS and back-up at CB. But I think the Raiders are looking at Branch at FS, and looking to draft a strong safety to compete with Huff. I also think they'll be more likely to sign a veteran strong safety, becuase I don't think Cable likes Huff.

[RaiderRobert]

I don't think Cable likes Huff.

Can you blame him? Cable is a tough guy. And Huff, well...

http://www.wayneberry.com.au/newsletter/pics/no_wimps.gif

[CrossBones]

Huff is a huge disappointment. When he was drafted all we heard from everybody is what a play maker he was. So when he was moved to FS I thought OK...now we'll see the play maker.

Fail.

[RaiderRobert]

Huff is a huge disappointment. When he was drafted all we heard from everybody is what a play maker he was. So when he was moved to FS I thought OK...now we'll see the play maker.

Fail.

I was mortified at the pick. I wanted Ngata all the way. I tried to buy into the Huff thing as a true fan does. But when I saw him jump on piles, and stick his arms out to tackle, I wanted to bitch slap him right back to Texas. I understand he has excellent cover skills, but for the same reason I think Roy Williams sucks (because he is only half a player), Huff sucks even worse. At least Roy is a man. Huff is a little school girl...

I thought he would excel at FS. He could stay back there and never have to get hurt trying to tackle anybody. He could just jump on piles some more. Unfortunately, our defense sucks so bad, we need our FS to tackle. So we're fucked either way.

Bottom line is that Huff is a bust and shouldn't be allowed to even play tackle football. He is more suited to little girls' tea parties...

[massraider]

http://draftguys.com/index.php/articles/1/2009_nfl_draft_safety_rankings/

Sig Bloom's take on the safeties.

[massraider]

http://nflblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/04/walking-on-alabama-safety-rash.html

When Rashad Johnson arrived at Alabama, he practiced every day like it was his last. As a walk-on, the coaches could tell him to leave at any time. So Johnson wasn't going to give them that opportunity. He treated every practice as if it was a game.

"I was grinding every day and guys were telling me to slow down, don't play that way," Johnson said. "I never listened -- those guys were where I wanted to be. Their school was being paid for and they were having the opportunity to live a dream I wanted to live."

Johnson had scholarship offers from North Alabama, West Alabama and the Citadel. But he had greater aspirations.

"I had confidence in myself and my family had confidence in me," Johnson said. "They believed that I could play at the highest level of college football. The University of Alabama is the highest level in the SEC. It was very tough. At times things didn't go my way. There were times I wanted to go back to a smaller school where I could play. But I stuck with it, continued to fight every day and at the end, every bit of it was worth it."

Johnson became only the eighth player in the school's illustrious history to become a two-time captain. He also was voted All-SEC in each of his two seasons as a starter. Now he's one of the top safeties in the 2009 NFL draft.

"It's surprising to be here from where I started," Johnson said. "But as the journey started and I saw myself progress, it wasn't as big a surprise. I'm going to put in the same work and show I can play at the next level after this one.""