Friday, January 23, 2009 By Mike TriplettStaff writer
MOBILE, ALA. -- -- There doesn't appear to be many elite safeties available in this year's draft, which is too bad for the league in general and the Saints in particular.
The position has become more important than ever, with the rise of three-receiver sets and other creative offensive formations.
And no position has made a bigger impact during this year's postseason, with Baltimore's Ed Reed, Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu, Philadelphia's Brian Dawkins and Arizona's Adrian Wilson all putting on a spectacular showcase for a job that hasn't always been so valued in the NFL.
"Offenses have gotten so good at isolating and attacking the safety from the slot that your safeties have to be able to hold up in coverage," said Williams, who was with the Washington Redskins when they drafted Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry with top-six picks in 2004 and 2007.
"Offenses are spreading you out with three- and four-receiver formations, empty backfields and putting pressure on your safeties to make plays in space. Sean (Payton) is really good at that. Your safeties have to be able to cover and run, but they also have to play in the box and be physical.
"To be really, really good on defense, you have to be good at safety."
New Orleans, however, has struggled at that position for several years.
Perhaps the new coordinator and a new scheme will help -- especially if the Saints can take some pressure off the back end by getting more consistent pressure up front. But certainly the Saints will look for talent upgrades, as well, especially at free safety.
Dawkins is the best of the potential free agents, though the seven-time Pro Bowler likely will either re-sign with Philadelphia or come with an extremely high price tag.
Chicago Bears veteran Mike Brown and St. Louis' young standout, Oshiomogho Atogwe, also will be two of the most coveted free safeties if they hit the open market. New England's James Sanders is another up-and-comer.
At strong safety, Jacksonville's Gerald Sensabaugh could attract the Saints' interest after playing well under Williams last season. Miami's Yeremiah Bell, Cleveland's Sean Jones, Tampa Bay's Jermaine Phillips and Minnesota veteran Darren Sharper also are among the top-rated free agents.
The draft, however, likely won't provide any instant help to the Saints, who have the 14th pick in the first round but no second- or third-round picks.
The Saints still are looking long and hard at some of the top prospects during Senior Bowl week, though, including Missouri's William Moore, Western Michigan's Louis Delmas and Mississippi State's Derek Pegues.
What you need now is almost a hybrid corner-safety that can cover the slot, and another safety who can play the run but is still athletic enough to cover the deep ball," said Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle, who is coaching the North squad. "Safeties are being asked to do so much, they have to be smart, physical and have cover skills.
"Those guys are rare. There are only two or three of them that come out (in the draft) each year. That's why their value is rising."

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