As most of the nation’s professional football team’s stadiums are having their grass seeded and FieldTurf vacuumed, the business of professional football goes on. The Scouting Combine (February 23-26), Free Agency (the official start is March 12 at 4:00 pm) and the 2013 NFL Draft (April 25 – April 27) are all coming up and the Washington Redskins will be busy with all of these events. They are the avenues that provide the team a way to address needs on the team and, specifically, the safety position.
Having won the NFC East, the Redskins obviously made great strides last season in becoming a team that matters in the National Football League. But they have needs and, because of what they gave up last season for Pro Bowl rookie quarterback Robert Griffin, III, free agency and the draft are going to be very important. So too, will be managing the free agents currently on the team either by re-signing, restructuring deals or releasing them.
In addressing needs in the secondary, Washington is lucky that this year’s draft is loaded with good players. Also fortunately, the information highway is as congested as I-395 North at 7:15 am with intelligence and scouting reports. Even though Washington has no first round pick, recall that the Redskins’ sensational running back Alfred Morris was a sixth round pick and, to say he was an impact player would be an understatement.
While the lack of a first-round selection will keep rookie sensation Leon Sandcastle far out of their reach, there are a lot of other good safeties on their own “Path to Primetime” at whom Washington should take a close look.
John Cyprien, FS/SS, Florida International, 6’1”, 210 lbs., 40 time: 4.45 – 4.67
Earning a last-minute invite to the Senior Bowl this year, this kid’s ranking has steadily increased to the point where he is projected to go in the second round. He has been described as not understanding the term “half-speed” and his senior statistics were impressive. He became FIU’s all-time leading tackle, logging 93 total in 2012. These included 3.5 for losses. He had five pass-breakups and four interceptions, as well as one forced fumble.
The Golden Panther’s 6’0”-6’1” build is pretty solid but he is athletic enough to be a zone defender. He is strong and can easily break through the skill position blocks. Cyprien is a sure tackler with an attitude who “leaves it all out on the field” according to Senior Bowl reports and statistics. He is smart though and when you find a guy that is happy to hit with all he’s got, that football intelligence is important. You don’t want a safety just going for the highlight reel.
One of the FIU grad’s listed weaknesses is that he will sometimes allow completions over the top after he’s jumped underneath a route after getting fooled by the fake/play action. This is something that can be coached, however.
His hard-hitting style, the aggressiveness he shows and his sure tackling are important attributes. The fact that he excelled at Special Teams is a bonus.
Matt Elam, SS, Florida, 5’10, 202 lbs., 40 time: 4.53 – 4.67
I like this player with the Redskins a lot too. He is an interesting combination of natural talent and a tendency to take that talent for granted. That latter can be a problem though, because it appears as if he isn’t enthusiastic. More likely, he just doesn’t have to work as hard to be good as others might. If this is, in fact, the case, coaching will be important. His passion and energy once he is in the midst of plays makes up for the boredom shown between them.
Again, I like that he played special teams which was one of Florida’s strengths in 2012. It’s not unusual for a guy to play lights out on special teams and then excel at skill positions when given the opportunity (consider Lorenzo Alexander).
Elam is not huge but what he lacks in size he makes up for in natural ability. Run coverage is one of his strengths and, while there are people that say that taller receivers will be a problem for him, his athleticism will make up for his size. He is not afraid to sacrifice his body to make a tackle or stop a punt returner from scoring.
With tendencies like that, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that his head coach was Will Muschamp, the same guy who coached first-round pick and former Redskins’ safety, LaRon Landry (at LSU).
In 2012, the former Gator had 76 total tackles (11 of them for a loss), two sacks, one forced fumble and four interceptions. He is the younger brother of seven-year veteran Abram Elam, of the Kansas City Chiefs
“Elam is a freak of nature,” Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said. “He’s someone you have to have your eye at all times.”
Phillip Thomas, SS, Fresno State, 6’1”, 215 lbs., 40 time: 4.46 – 4.68
Thomas is a potentially scary prospect only because of a nasty lower leg injury he suffered just before the 2011 season began (broken fibula and a dislocated ankle that suffered torn ligaments). For a position as scopey as strong safety, healthy legs are a must. Fortunately, he came back in 2012 seemingly absolutely healthy and it’s going to be interesting to see where he goes in the draft.
The thing I like about the Bulldog is that he tackles well. There are few things more frustrating for a football fan than seeing a wide receiver’s speed increase as he runs up the field after a catch and watching a safety get his hands on the guy but then not finish the job. This kid also has good speed.
Thomas was a team captain at Fresno State his senior year and reportedly has good ball skills. His 2012 statistics would bear that out with 30 tackles for lost yards, three sacks (19 yards lost in those sacks), seven interceptions (98 interception return yardage and three touchdowns off of interceptions), four pass break-ups, one quarterback hurry and three forced fumbles. The Fresno State alumnus is another one who appears to relish getting up in the box where the action is.
While this youngster appeared to be healthy the year following the injury, the fact that the Redskins had such trouble getting their current safety, Brandon Meriweather, on to the field makes Thomas a bit of a risk, albeit a slight one.
Hail.
Washington Redskins’ 2013 draft order:
2nd round (19th pick), 3rd round (23rd pick), 4th round (22nd pick), 5th round (21st pick), 5th round (29th pick – from NE/Albert Haynesworth trade), 6th round (23rd pick), 7th round (22nd pick)
Diane Chesebrough is Editor-in-Chief, writer and photographer for SportsJourney Broadcast Network. Accredited media with the NFL, she has been a feature writer for several national magazines/periodicals. Follower her on Twitter: @DiChesebrough