It's a bad day to be a big fan of Cal recruiting, isn't it? While it helps UW, I'm not sure it helps enough to hurt Oregon any time soon. Better than there are two improved teams than one super-improved one. Ed O.
Cal's WR coach Eric Kiesau is rumored to be headed to Washington too. If so, that can only improve Oregon's chances with Thomas Johnson who visited Eugene last weekend STOMP
UW might get Shaq Thompson, but safeties are some of the least impactful position players on any team. If you don't have a Dline, your SS spends all of his time tackling runners after 5 yards gains. The truly great NFL safeties like Lott, Reed, and Polomalu, were/are allowed to freelance on defense because all of them had a great front 7 in front of them. Shaq Thompson would spend his first two years at UW making a ton of tackles on a below-average defense. Sounds like things have settled down a bit for Cal in terms of recruits, with most staying committed to Cal.
There are a lot of defensive coordinators, recruiters and safeties who disagree with your claim. Offenses adjust to defenses and play calling can adjust to strong DL's. Going against a dynamic FS/SS poses a unique challenge, as explained in this detailed article by ESPN's Chris Brown.: http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7124536/how-troy-polamalu-ed-reed-changed-nfl-defenses Safeties are called safety for just that reason. They are the last line of defense. SS should be bigger and are normally the last line of defense in the run game and FS quicker to assist in the pass game. Depending on scheme, the DT is usually responsible for lane/gab control and DE's responsible for pass rush and penetration -- then plays are made at the LB "QB of the defense" - position. Having outstanding safeties who are quick to read and respond and are sound tacklers and good in pass defense allow an entire defense to be more aggressive. The play of SS/FS/Rover can elevate or deflate an entire defense. Many people would say the SS/FS is potentially the less important position on the field, but would argue because of the roving ability has the potential to make the most impact. FS, Boyett was second in total tackles in 2010 season and had a team high 11 tackles in the BCS game - despite excellent play from Rowe and Matthews, it was Boyett who made plays all over the field and helped to keep the game close by shutting down big plays. In 2010, SS, Pleasant ranked 5th in total tackles. Oh, Boyett wasn't as impactful in the Ducks first Rose Bowl since 1917, as he only tied the Rose Bowl record with 17 tackles, 13 solo. Fun video highlighting some of the impactful play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2DSSc0ypa4
Check out the history of where defensive players are drafted, in terms of position, in the NFL draft. Safeties are historically drafted near the end of the first round, if at all. If you're not tight in the front 7, having elite safeties does nothing for your defense, "Grantland" article or otherwise. For example this year, Mark Barron of 'Bama is the #1 ranked safety, yet he is projected to go near the end of the first round. In 2011, there were zero safeties selected in the first round, and only five total drafted over seven rounds. In 2010, there was one safety selected in the first round (Eric Berry/KC - 5th). He was hurt much of the past two seasons. In 2009, the highest safety selected was with the 1st pick of Round 2. In 2008, one safety was taken in the first round of the draft (Phillips/NYG-31st pick). The Giants were coming off a super bowl and had an elite defense already, especially at Dline. In 2007, one safety was taken in the first round (Nelson/JAX - 22nd pick). There it is. In the past 5 NFL drafts, exactly one safety has been selected with a Top 20 first round pick, and only 3 were picked at all in the first round. Safety is soooo important, huh? BTW, that defensive position is far and away the lowest drafted if you care to review the drafts. It really isn't even close. Maybe you and your "Grantland" buddy should take over an NFL defense and start with the safeties. That would take the league by storm. This data covers both FS and SS, by the way. Safety simply is not that important in the NFL, and it's not even close in terms of where teams try to fill needs (DT/DE/CB/LB).
Are you sure that you want to use a game where the Ducks gave up 500+ yards of offense as your example of how important safeties are to a defense? Wilson was 19/25 for 296, too. As they say ... somebody's got to make the tackles.
not sure where you got your info but the seahawks drafted earl thomas in the 1st the same year berry came out me remembers
the same year as berry/thomas there were only 2 qbs selected in the first round and one in the second, clearly qb is not an important position either
First of all, there are two safeties on the field, and only one QB. So, double that number, or reduce the number of safeties by half. Secondly ... well, nevermind. Anybody who thinks safety is as important to a team as a QB has not a clue about football.
Yeah, missed that one. Two safeties taken in the Top 20 picks over the past 5 years. Both have made a Pro Bowl. Thomas made it this year. His team missed the playoffs, though.
No one said a safety was as important as a QB. Why can't you debate football respectfully without lowering yourself to the point of telling people they have no idea about football or mocking them by saying they should take over a defense? You really devalue your contributions here by treating people the way you do. I was simply stating my opinion, and bringing the opinion of others (educated) that FS/SS/Rover can be very impactful to a defense and the overall play of a defense and to the game itself. I mostly agree with you because one argument is that (I believe) safety pay, on average, is near the lower tier and not much higher than kickers/ST. Some SS/FS make a lot of money though - and earn it accordingly. Personally, I don't think it can said a SS/FS is the "least impactful position players on either team" because of the safety net the position offers and it's a position that can very easy make plays that turn momentum of an entire game, impact turnover margins and if they are out of position, the results can be opponent points. But, that's just my opinion, and judging by your tone, it's time for me to apologize to you and everyone else on the board for offering a differing opinion which I thought was offered respectfully.
Laron Landry was taken as the 7th pick overall in the 2007 draft. Brandon Merriweather ended up playing safety as well, but got cut, so there were three safeties picked in the first round of that draft. Just saying.
for those concerned about the size & future of the Oregon interior DLine, here's a Balducci quote via rivals following the Army AA game "Coach Azzinaro said it depends on my size whether I play inside or out," said Balducci. "If I get bigger in the weight room then I'm definitely going to be a three technique. I'm like 275 right now so we'll just see what goes on." STOMP
Senior highlights of Evan Bayliss [video=youtube;ReW4kh-LTpQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReW4kh-LTpQ[/video]
Armstead adds Oregon back in to mix. Final four now ND/Auburn/Cal/Oregon @arikarmstead Arik Armstead @juanonjuan10 cal oregon notre dame auburn 3 hours ago via web
