Club Comp of the 2nd Quarter Winner

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Not much to choose from for the CB's outside of Will Allen but we've got quality safeties. My background as a former nickel back in high school has me swayed heavily towards CB's who pick passes and shut down WR's, what I consider the primary role of a CB (which is why I loved Surtain and Madison). I'm going by what's available, what I think Parcells/Sparano will be forced to do, and then my own preferences. When I believe Jason Taylor (heck even Vonnie Holliday even) could get more picks than any of our current CB's, that is never a good sign. Barring any unforeseen circumstances as well as any existing possible malaise, here's my depth chart for the secondary...

CB
1. Will Allen
2. Andre Goodman
3. Travis Daniels
4. Michael Lehan
5. Nathan Jones

SS
1. Yeremiah Bell
2. Chris Crocker

FS
1. Jason Allen
2. Renaldo Hill

The CB's

Allen is a no-brainer because he's the only starting caliber CB (though not necessarily #1 material but he'd make an awesome #2). He's solid against the run and though he won't get many (or any) interceptions, he's decent against speedy WR's (but not necessarily those big tall franchise ones). He'd be a great complementary CB but not really one I'd hang as my cornerstone on an already weak crew. I'll admit, my bias for CB's who cover/intercept pass first, run second is at play here. The facemask on my high school helmet can catch passes better than Allen. But if you want to be a true #1 corner in this league, you need to be the one to supply fear in a QB's eyes and have him throw where he doesn't want to. Will Allen does not supply that (unless you count him trying to sack the QB, which as I've learned through experience is a bad bad thing to do if you're the #1 corner). He's solid but not elite. He stands out against a piss poor overall performance by the secondary. But as it stands, he's all we got and it's better than nothing.

Goodman gets the other spot solely because of his veteran status and his situation as the better cover corner on this pathetic roster. Pretty much the opposite of Will Allen (i.e. he gets Ints, can't cover the run) but I guess opposites paired next to each other gives us some balance. He's not starting material but would make a fine nickel or dime back. But well, we don't have any other option but to start a guy like him. He showed some promise last season and is perhaps our best interceptor on the squad despite limited play. He definitely has a chance to break out with 4 ints and solid play, which is more than we can ask for really. Really reminds me of a poor man's old Terrell Buckley. If he can stay healthy, maybe he can put a scratch on the horrendous lack of turnovers we have as a team.

Daniels gets barely beaten by Goodman solely because Daniels just does not have the speed to hang with good WR's. And he barely beats Michael Lehan solely because Lehan will take time to recover from injuries. He's not much better than Allen in the turnover department and not much better in run support. That makes him a quality candidate for the nickel spot, which is a good fit if it weren't for the fact that we have a glut of candidates who fit that spot on the depth chart. All I can say is, he's slow but he's got nice height so if we have to, Daniels can cover pretty tall WR's.

Lehan drops to the dime spot for opening but could recover the nickel or even surpass Goodman depending on his health. His game is speed and if he doesn't have it, woe is he. Doesn't really have the instincts to be a good corner and relies heavily on his physical ability which is never a good sign if he wants to stick around for a long time. He looked solid playing for us only because there wasn't really much good to compare him to. He fits well at dime and nickel but again, is not starting material for most teams in the NFL.

Jones is a Parcells holdover and will likely see special teams duties. If he ends up with significant time on the defensive side, expect Cameron Worrell Part II. So raw as a CB, you'd get mad cow disease if you start him.

The SS's

Bell will be the starter barring injury. Maybe this will be his breakout year if he stays healthy. But he's got the talent to be possibly even better than the current Roy Williams. Active on the ball and plays smart are qualities Parcells likes in his safeties. Won't get too many picks but perhaps it's because he doesn't get many opportunties to. Well-rounded safety and it's his job to lose because....

Crocker is a fine safety himself and will really push Bell. All things said and done, Crocker has slightly better advantages against the passing game but lacks a bit against the run and Bell has the higher ceiling. Really stood out for the Falcons and could even start for some clubs. As it stands, Parcells will put Bell first with a short leash. Started a lot of his games and is a real ball-hawk. I would not be surprised if he finds time shifting to a DB on nickel/dime plays.

The FS's

Allen is a question. Is he a CB or is he a FS? He's best at FS but with overall talent at safety far surpassing CB, he just may have to go to CB to shore it up because he could be an instant starter with our weak crew there. But as a FS, he's still developing and he's not looking so bad. Stood out at FS and will need to continue progressing. And he has the things Parcells and Co. will look for (i.e. physical and intense player). Quality tackler and pretty fair ball-hawk. Good covering ability and instincts will really come in handy when our CB's get blown or outleaped.

Hill is an average guy. Does things decently and nothing more. Not really one to act as a cornerstone for the safety position especially with the CB's that will need extra help. But he tackles well, gets to the ball, and can pick a few passes off. Allen has the better talent and does things better but if he gets switched to CB (again!), Hill's not a bad substitute.
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