Are you ready for the N.F.L. season? The only time safeties get any recognition?

Question

is when they're clobbering another player.How are their performances graded?

Answer 1

Safties get recognition when they intercept passes, get sacks on blitz's, break up passes, and make a great play.

Answer 2

Rating safeties is first and foremost dependant on the system they are asked to play in.

Safeties who play in a Tampa 2 style defense must be fast enough to each cover half the field. That, after all, is the point of the defense. Very little blitzing occurs, everyone drops into coverage, the front four generate a pass rush, and the safeties cover deep in this style of defense. In addition to the speed needed to cover these areas, the safeties must be able to level a decent hit on the recievers catching balls on slant routes and mid range routes. These "balanced" safeties rarely ever blitz. The ability to intercept a pass is important here too. They both are expected to have similar skill sets.

In a more traditional defense or a team playing a 46 defense, the safety positions differ in requirements. The Strong Safety is expected to be bigger and play more like a linebacker. The ability to help out against the run, cover the tight end, and occasionally blitz is very important. The ability to play a deep zone and intercept passes is less important for this type of safety. The other safety, the Free Safety in these defenses, usually plays a deep zone of some sort. Most often, they cover a deep zone in the middle of the field. They must be fast, have good hands, and be able to read the offensive play in a similar manner to the way the QB reads the defensive play in order to maximize their abilities. These Free Safeties are also usually expected to call coverage audibles for the secondary, so fim study and an understanding of the defense is also important. These safeties are usually lighter and smaller than the Strong Safeties.

Defenses that rely heavily on the zone blitz need versatile safeties who can cover in both zone and man coverage as well as blitz. The concept behind this defensive philosophy is to be able to blitz from any position on the field while using deception and exotic formations to allow the fewest number of defenders to effectively rush the passers. A lot of fake blitzing goes on in these defenses and many players end up intentionaly covering offensive players who would usually be considered a mismatch for them. Safeties in this defense need to be able to cover recievers on one play and play a deep zone on another. These safeties often play close to the line of scrimmage when faking the blitz but are still expected to cover deep at times. They must be able to cover players by using the same techniques employed by all the other positions on the field at various times during the game. They are often replacing these players' spots on the field when these players blitz. Agility, aggressiveness, and the ability to anticipate the QB's throw is very important here since these safeties find themselves lined up intentionaly out of position.

Once you know what is expected in these defenses, you can properly grade the abilities of the safeties. A strong safety like Roy Williams can't be graded on the same merits as a tiny, fast, Free Safety who covers the middle of the field on most plays.

Answer 3

safeties get a lot of recognition....most of it is more screwing up games and getting blame for losses...but when they make plays like interceptions...then safeties really earn their paychecks....it also depends on the team...some teams may rely on their safeties....safeties can mean the difference between a ring and a headache