Safety Thoughts? Draft vs. Free Agency

[emperorjones]

The Raiders cut Gibril Wilson (27) on Friday. The Falcons chose not to resign Lawyer Milloy (35). Milloy was not a surprise, but Wilson was too me.

Wilson can play SS or FS and had a solid year last year with 129 tackles, 2 INT and 1.5 sacks. Scouts Inc. has Wilson rated much higher than any other DB on our team other than Tillman (Tillman is a 77 and Wilson a 76 - Mike Brown was a 70 last year). He is also rated as the 8th best Safety in the league.

Yeremiah Bell is another FA safety (strong) that would allow Payne to switch to FS.

My thoughts are to skip safety in the draft as our safeties are very young right now and take some cap money and sign Wilson to a long term deal - I think that signing alone solidifies our defensive backs for some time to come, allowing us to permanently move Manning to the nickle back and groom Craig Steltz to move in for Wilson in 3-4 years.

[Chewie]

In short - I agree. It worries me that Angelo and Lovie are talking highly of Steltz as an option.

REALLY? Were we watching the same games ? I worry about our talent evaluation skills.

[emperorjones]

I'm positive that's a smoke screen. If it wasn't, Steltz would have been starting at the end of the year over Brown who they decided wasn't good enough to even let compete for a backup spot. They have stated that Steltz has starter talent (which I believe). Just not 2009 starter talent.

So far this month, JA and Lovie have stated that they are fine and ready to go with the QB, WR, S, CB and DL personnel. Since we know they are good with RB and TE that would mean that outside Tait's retirement they are set for their run to the Superbowl.

[Cliff Levingston]

Gibril Wilson would be a very solid pickup and would probably be the best route to take considering we need to solidify that spot a bit more immediately, not through the draft which could end up being a crap shoot.

[SLCceltic]

Would love Wilson at SS----FS could be by committee (I still like Manning a lot, but Payne and Steltzy deserve some PT)
bottom line is that we dont use a pick here, while getting a proven vet

Wouldnt be opposed to a Milloy signing if Wilson gets away

[ChronicKerr]

Listening to JA talk about Steltz at FS makes me really worried. Whether FA or Draft or BOTH we something needs to be done to address that position. In the 2nd or 3rd round I was thinking we would take one as Manning clearly as best used at nickel or as a backup and Payne is a SS.

[Chewie]

Gibril Wilson signed with the Dolphins so let's cross that option off the list.

[emperorjones]

Gibril Wilson signed with the Dolphins so let's cross that option off the list.

YEA! HOW THE HELL DOES THAT HAPPEN BEFORE FREE AGENCY STARTS!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3936198

It really pisses me off. This guy is a signing that the Bears could really have used.

The Emperor is PISSED!

Edit - OK Wilson was cut so he was not a free agent. I just don't get it if the Bears don't land a safety in FA though. Waiting to see but still pissed at the Big Tuna!

[Chewie]

emperor - if you listen to the Bears, you get the impression they'd be ECSTATIC if everything was status quo from last year's team that couldn't even make the playoffs. Orton's going to be our leader, a good QB makes for good receivers and we're going to give Earl Bennett first shot and starting opposite "#1 receiver Devin Hester", Wolfe is going to get first crack at backup RB spot, we like Steltz so safety's not a huge need, Marinelli was the top free agent available and he's going to make the current d-linemen world beaters, Ogunleye is in his contract year so he's going to get sacks galore, and St. Clair is the top free agent they've spoken to and he was a turnstyle against the Vikes who we have to face twice a year.

I mean - COME ON. Something here is broken and if the Bears can't identify it, it's going to be the same crap as last year. I guess if we have no needs, what's the point in even participating in the draft? According to Angelo and Lovie, we're headed to the Super Bowl already.

If we're counting on Wolfe, Steltz, St. Clair - and to a lesser extent Orton and Bennett - then we're doomed to fail. I've seen what the first three can do and it's not pretty. You know my views on Orton and they certainly didn't have confidence last year in Bennett when we needed WR help so what's changed ?

Here's hoping this is all just smoke and we've actually identified that this team needs help.

[emperorjones]

emperor - if you listen to the Bears, you get the impression they'd be ECSTATIC if everything was status quo... Orton's going to be our leader, a good QB makes for good receivers and we're going to give Earl Bennett first shot and starting opposite "#1 receiver Devin Hester", Wolfe is going to get first crack at backup RB spot, we like Steltz so safety's not a huge need, Marinelli was the top free agent available and he's going to make the current d-linemen world beaters, Ogunleye is in his contract year so he's going to get sacks galore, and St. Clair is the top free agent they've spoken to and he was a turnstyle against the Vikes who we have to face twice a year.

Hey??? When they put it that way - I'm sold! Screw 11-5 I say 12-4!!!

[Chewie]

emperor - if you listen to the Bears, you get the impression they'd be ECSTATIC if everything was status quo... Orton's going to be our leader, a good QB makes for good receivers and we're going to give Earl Bennett first shot and starting opposite "#1 receiver Devin Hester", Wolfe is going to get first crack at backup RB spot, we like Steltz so safety's not a huge need, Marinelli was the top free agent available and he's going to make the current d-linemen world beaters, Ogunleye is in his contract year so he's going to get sacks galore, and St. Clair is the top free agent they've spoken to and he was a turnstyle against the Vikes who we have to face twice a year.

Hey??? When they put it that way - I'm sold! Screw 11-5 I say 12-4!!!

*sniff sniff* I smell another bet brewing.

Let me see what we do in free agency and the draft. We could have something brewing here.

[emperorjones]

No chance. If they stay pat except for the draft - I got 8-8.

[emperorjones]

I think we have to go Safety on the 1st day if not the 2nd round. If we sign St. Clair, having already signed Omiyale and if you believe WR is not a need position (LOL!) Then could we actually go Safety in the 1st round? The top rated Safety by most is Louis Delmas from Western Michigan. Predicted to be a low 1st rounder. I'm almost convinced we are trading down now. Maybe this could be a position we go after if we trade down to the bottom of the 1st round.

[Chewie]

I think we have to go Safety on the 1st day if not the 2nd round. If we sign St. Clair, having already signed Omiyale and if you believe WR is not a need position (LOL!) Then could we actually go Safety in the 1st round? The top rated Safety by most is Louis Delmas from Western Michigan. Predicted to be a low 1st rounder. I'm almost convinced we are trading down now. Maybe this could be a position we go after if we trade down to the bottom of the 1st round.

Well I understand Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins is sliding after the combine showed his corner skills to be lacking. He may be forced to free safety, which would push him into the middle of Rd1.

[Posey H8er]

Brian Dawkins signed with the Broncos. I don't think he was a realistic option because of his age, but it does mean that the options are being narrowed down for many teams.

[Chewie]

Apparently we're looking at 33yr old Darren Sharper. I guess this would make sense only if we're going to draft the FS heir apparent this year. Otherwise, let's look for someone a bit younger in free agency.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-01-bears-darren-sharper-chicagomar01,0,1561589.story

Chicago Bears in contact with free agent Darren Sharper
Veteran safety wants to visit this week

By Vaughn McClure | Tribune reporter
10:42 PM CST, February 28, 2009

There is a mutual interest between the Bears and veteran safety Darren Sharper.

Sharper, an unrestricted free agent who played for the Minnesota Vikings last season, said the Bears contacted his agent shortly after free agency began Thursday night.

"There's definitely a lot of interest," Sharper said Saturday via cell phone from the Bahamas. "First, they're in the NFC North, which I've grown accustomed to. They have a great defense. And they're on the cusp of getting back to the Super Bowl. It's a great organization. And it's great to draw some interest from them."

Sharper, 33, could fill the void in the secondary left by Mike Brown. The Bears parted ways with the injury-prone Brown, leaving a huge gap at free safety. With Danieal Manning expected to remain at nickel back next season, the only player the Bears would have left to pair with strong safety Kevin Payne is untested Craig Steltz.

Sharper said he would be open to visiting Halas Hall this week depending on what happens when he visits the Saints on Monday. He leaves New Orleans on Tuesday.

"I'm going into my 13th year, so it all depends on which team offers me the best situation in terms of getting to a championship," Sharper said. "You could say that both teams are at the top of my list. But which team can take me to [a championship], that's probably the one that will be most interesting to me."

Sharper, who turns 34 in November, was a second-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 1997. He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times, twice with the Packers and twice with the Vikings.

Sharper was asked about the irony of possibly playing for his third NFC North team.

"You're talking about maybe playing for three of the most storied franchises in NFL history," he said. "I would feel pretty lucky."

[NoSkyy]

Seriously? I figured Mike Brown > Sharper.

[emperorjones]

Anyone ever read the NFL scouting report on our starting safety? Oy Ve

Craig Steltz Analysis

Positives: Has a well-built frame with good muscle tone, a thick back and chest and tapered thighs and calves, but does not play to his weight-room strength...Best playing in the shallow zone in sub packages as he has the natural hands (small, but sure) to look the ball in cleanly outside his frame...Shows adequate ball skills and leaping ability, but gets to most throws with good positioning and timing instead...Plays the game with good intensity and is a good vocal leader in the huddle who works hard in the training room, and the coaches have to shut the lights out in order for him to leave...Adequate run defender, as he is not really a physical hitter, but will give good effort to come up and help in the box...His steps in his backpedal and turn need refinement, but he does manage to close well on plays in front of him...More quick than he is fast, as he has the feet to shadow underneath, but needs to generate better hip snap to stay with the receivers on pass patterns...Does not have the burst to recover and trail deep, but is better when he can get his hands up to deflect or intercept the pass (too limited in man coverage to be a full-time starter)...When he stays low in his pads, he is better at getting into position to make the play (has vision to make plays in front when playing in the zone, but is a liability in man coverage)...Times his leaps well and knows how to use his arm length to reach around and deflect the ball away from the receiver...Lacks a burst to close in a hurry, but will keep plays in front of him when he gets physical with his hands in attempts to reroute...Plays the zone deep to compensate for his lack of recovery speed, but he is a high-motor type that will hustle to the ball...Looks natural extending for the ball away from his frame and, while his vertical speed is just adequate, he takes good angles to the ball in flight...Struggles to shed offensive linemen in the box, but will show up to lend run support (when he drops his weight, he is better competing in tight areas).

Negatives: Has just adequate zone-coverage skills and lacks the second gear to recover when receivers get behind him...Is even worse in man coverage, lacking a feel for route progression and yields too much cushion...Better attacking the ball than as a tackler, as he does not generate much force behind his hits, especially when playing vs. the run inside the box...Not really a good leaper, but compensates with sure hands and good timing...Shows just adequate closing burst and fails to seal the deal on the quarterback when taking a wide loop off the edge to pressure the pocket...Needs time to read and diagnose the plays, but shows good urgency once he locates the ball...Has spent a lot of time in training (pilates, yoga) to improve his overall flexibility, but is too stiff in his turns and too rigid in his stance to stay with and mirror the receiver in man coverage...Is the type that will bite on play-action and freeze vs. double moves...Comes out of his backpedal taking short, choppy steps...Not a punishing hitter as you would want in a strong safety, but he lacks the loose hips, range and speed to close on the ball as a free safety...Must develop better tackling technique, as he is more of an arm tackler who sees too many opponents bounce off his hits...Can make plays in front of him, but does not have a good burst to close suddenly on the play...Doesn't anticipate plays.

Compares To: MARLON McCREE-San Diego...Steltz is known better for his ball-hawking skills than his tackling ability. He makes good plays on the ball in flight with his natural hands, but like McCree, he can frustrate a coach with poor route-recognition skills. He is really not a physical tackler and, unless a team is looking for depth in sub packages, there are too many leaks in his game to project Steltz as a starter. Still, he is a solid kick-coverage defender and can make a decent living doing that and playing in the sub package.

[Chewie]

Steltz = special teams guy and backup DB. I think we all saw what he brought to the table when given a chance.

If he's starting come Day 1, it's going to get u-g-l-y. For all my Angelo criticsims, I have faith he'll bring in a vet safety.