Looking at the Raiders Free Safety Position

by Rich Langford on Jul 9, 2011 7:38 PM PDT

I think one of the bigger holes for the Raiders going into the 2011 season is the free safety position, and the problem with having a hole there is there is very little talent available in free agency. Other than Eric Weddle and Michael Huff I'm not sure there is a player there that anyone is going to say is better than Hiram Eugene.

And that means those two guys are going to get contracts for more than they're worth. The good news about all of this is, I don't think replacing Michael Huff is that big of a task. Huff's coverage skills are severely lacking. Are more than anything, this is what I want from the Raiders free safety. Someone that can read a pass play and get to the right spot.

So, with that in mind, I don't think Hiram Eugene is that big of a drop off from Huff. But that also doesn't mean the starting job is his. Stevie Brown got a decent amount of run at free safety last year. There is also the possibility that the Raiders would try to move Tyvon Branch or Mike Mitchell to free safety.

I think that would be an absolute disaster. I also don't think it is going to happen, but I see it get mentioned a lot. So I figured I'd bring it up.

There is also the chance that one of the young guys will make the move to free safety. I think there is a very good chance of this. However, I don't think it is realistic for any of these guys to switch and start there in Week One. And that is what I want to know. Who do you want starting at FS in Week One.

I am torn between Brown and Eugen, but I am giving the edge to Brown because I am hoping he made some strides heading into year two.

Poll

Who do you want to start at free safety in Week One?

Hiram Eugene

106 votes

Stevie Brown

313 votes

Mike Mitchell

146 votes

Tyvon Branch

141 votes

706 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 41 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Stevie Brown

i think hes our best option with Huff gone, and think Woodson will help him alot.

by RyanTheRaider on Jul 9, 2011 7:49 PM PDT reply actions

Stevie Brown...

played LB in college, he will not show himself to be a better cover guy than Huff or Eugene. I think he’s a talented player but not an upgrade if he gets used as a true FS

by Blake W on Jul 10, 2011 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions

im not saying hes an upgrade

i just said if huff is gone, brown is our best option

by RyanTheRaider on Jul 10, 2011 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Stevie Brown played both S and LB at MI

started S in 08 and LB on 09, originally came to MI as a DB, projected at FS, he played well as both a S and LB, so he is probably better suited as a SS, but I am sure any playing time comes at FS, he did line up there a bit last year, and lets face it, SS is one spot we have a little depth at, MM could start for 8-12 teams, TBranch has entrenched himself in this spot, so FS it is. My guess is that he loses that spot to DVD eventually. Think DVD best suited for FS.

NO MERCY!

by RAIDERSNOMERCY on Jul 11, 2011 4:06 AM PDT up reply actions

if its between the two id definitely say stevie. he is a true athlete.

Maybe Atari bigby?

"We want to win. The Raider fans deserve it. The Raider players deserve it, even my organization deserves it. You have to win and you have to win with a vision for the Super Bowl. That's our passion here."--Al Davis

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."--Vince Lombardi

by Marcus Allen Krause on Jul 9, 2011 8:12 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

yes

after looking him up, we should try to get him, if he can stay healthy he seems like he can be a special player.

by RyanTheRaider on Jul 10, 2011 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm deferring to Woodson. Eugene and Brown are okay in coverage - better than Huff, But all of them are weak against the rush

It would be wonderful if either CC Ryder or DVD could make the fast quantum leap to start at FS.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jul 9, 2011 9:01 PM PDT reply actions

If awesome arms decides it, Stevie B's takes the prize

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jul 9, 2011 9:06 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I'm expecting to see DVD used as a tight man cover guy on some of the league's quicker, smaller slot guys

like McCluster’s and Sproles of the league when not lined up in the backfield, but slot. With today’s multiple receiver sets the free becomes another corner, especially in our man to man system, with the strong busy with a TE or big receiver, the free is like a third corner covering an extra receiver on the field. Ours needs to bring cover skills. Eugene is good at his, playing on guy’s hips like Nnamdi in coverage, but is a big liability tackling bigger guys, especially in the run game.

I hope Brown can blossom into something special at the position, but I’m not expecting it right away, or anytime soon enough to be the guy this season.

"tough times call for perseverance and a tough mind. I have been told that I can't play football before. We all know what happened with that. #neverquit"--Mark Herzlich

""The massive Raider Nation is beyond doubt the sleaziest and rudest and most sinister mob of thugs and wackos ever assembled."--Hunter S. Thompson

by brhynno on Jul 9, 2011 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions

That being so, our advantage. ... except for losing Huff's blitzing ability (his best hits against those with their backs to him)

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jul 10, 2011 6:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Sons if I had to pick one, then Brown, however, I would look to find a FS willing to lay the wood....

If your free safety isn’t knocking people out…..When a Free Safety poses no real threat hitting, the center of the field gets taken advantage of…Jack Tatum, Ronnie Lott and others made teams respect the center of the field…That’s what a player needs to be at that position…

by Rodney Sacramento on Jul 10, 2011 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions

nobody available hits harder than atari bigby

The problem with Atari is he gets burned deep but if we want a safety for across the middle hits and decent run support skills he would be a good addition

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."--Vince Lombardi

by Marcus Allen Krause on Jul 10, 2011 5:06 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

MAK that's true, however, he just gets out of position, he can be coached not to bite...

Getting beat deep if a DB is not slow is just a matter of not getting yourself out of position. I will take that over a guy that doesn’t get respect over the middle any day…

by Rodney Sacramento on Jul 10, 2011 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Definitely.

I remember when he came out of no where for the Packers and just seemed to be everywhere. He hasnt been healthy since that first half a season. If that turns out to be under control now somebody is going to be getting a good football player fairly cheap. Although, if its going to be a cheap contract he might just stay in Green Bay.

"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."--Vince Lombardi

by Marcus Allen Krause on Jul 10, 2011 8:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Week one I think it will be Stevie

he is better than Eugene, but like most people I would like to see a young guy moved to FS. I think Ware could have the best potential there and I want to see what DVD and Chekwa can do at corner.

by Trho14 on Jul 9, 2011 9:58 PM PDT reply actions

Replacing Huff

I think they already did that drafting Chimdi Chekwa this kid has talent playing CB or FS. Plus he’s big enough that he could be used in a blitz package for rushing the QB, fast enough to cover the speedy WR/TE and can tackle the slippery RB that gets into the secondary. I’ve watched many Ohio State games and this kid has game I had him going to Oakland in the third round but they drafted DVD and Barksdale, then I was hoping that he was still available in the forth when they drafted him I said good bye to Huff. Watch his hi-lite reel

by thorpee101 on Jul 10, 2011 4:19 AM PDT reply actions

I agree on ChimCheck

Kids got skill, well rounded, but I think he is playing corner opposite Routt, as NA21 is not coming back, and DVD will be playing FS. I think this b/c Woodson spent so much time with this kid in pre-draft private workouts, with his speed he can close on anything, takes good angles, would be a perfect over the top roaming FS. ChimCheck is more physical and better suited to play corner in our D in my opinion. But startign FS will be SBrown, DVD as nickel, 2nd FS.

NO MERCY!

by RAIDERSNOMERCY on Jul 10, 2011 5:20 AM PDT up reply actions

It's good hearing possitive projections of our Rooks. I confess, our picking the DBs sent me to the computer.

It’s a shame they are missing out on their shcooling – like children missing a chunk of 1st grade -but they do have heart and talent and will surge as the year develops.

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jul 10, 2011 6:37 AM PDT up reply actions

I vote Brown

But I have to sayI am just glad it is no longer Huff! What a disgrace that guy was wearing #24! I haven’t been this glad to see someone go since Stuart Schweigart was let to go to washington! Even then I think he dove and missed his plane! hahahahahaha!

Like you said, a FS needs to be in the right spot, which is deeper than the deepest. Huff was never that, often took poor angles and was not as skilled at stopping the run as we hoped for when the Raiders selected him at #6 in the first round.

I also agree with many of the posts above. I see the Raiders not being able to bring back Nnamdi, unless the lockout makes the NFL miss some preseason games (every preseason game missed gives the teams 3-4 million toward the cap which the Raiders could use to stay in the Nnamdi hunt). Having said that, the Raiders appear to be retooling the secondary with youth. Stevie has the best ball skills I have seen from a FS in silver and black since Woodson himself wore the jersey. But can he support the run? Routt will get his chance to prove he can play with #1 WRs and Johnson will undoubtably start the opposite side until a younger guy can take his spot with minimal errors (my vote goes to CC or DVD here). Branch will be a solid SS again, but needs to be locked up prior to the close of the season or the Raiders will be in this same place next year of trying to hold on to too many good FAs and we will be having this same talk next year about who should replace brach at SS.

Either way, with the D line and LBs the Raiders are compiling, look for more sacks, but more passing yards against the Raiders. If I were scouting the Raiders as an opponent, I would choose to run less and pass more against the retooled secondary. Look for SD and KC to pass more against the Raiders this year.

by TD Rader on Jul 10, 2011 9:22 AM PDT reply actions

FS replacement for Huff

I think if Branch and Mitchell at the two safety positions would help improve our run defense, but might suffer vs. the pass. (Mitchell at SS, Branch at FS.) Not sure if both SS type have the experience or coverage skills to keep the Raiders pass defense in the top 10. It would also be much tougher without Nnamdi in Silver and Black. Stevie Brown is more of the dark horse of the group while Eugene has had a few chances to beat out Huff the last few seasons and never could. Eugene is more of a special team player in my opinion.
I’m hoping the D-Line turns it up a notch to assist our DBs. McClain needs some true OLBs to support his game. OLBs that can truly play the run as well as the pass. Qimbley is more of a Pass rushing specialist at OLB. Q. Groves always seemed a step late on most occasions and I can’t even remember a single big play for us last year.

by anhdazman on Jul 10, 2011 9:38 AM PDT reply actions

Either Jarrell or Sands was my dream choice for our secondary but we went with pass protection over tackling and intimidation

but CC Ryder can hit and seems to like contact (he is, after all, from Ohio State).

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jul 10, 2011 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Mitchell + Branch a lot of Power!!!

Mitchell was born to SS, Branch is fast and has good coverage… go Raiders!

by manmarquez on Jul 10, 2011 11:59 AM PDT reply actions

Agree^

You want the 2 best safeties on the field. Don’t forget guys that Tyvon came into the NFL as a cornerback, the guy can cover and we might even see his best side playing free safety instead of strong safety.

by Blake W on Jul 10, 2011 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Good Point

It is easy to forget TB WAS a CB in college b/c he plays so darned good at SS. But we will be in trouble if MM has to try and cover the big TEs. But certain TB could play ANY of the DB spots.

NO MERCY!

by RAIDERSNOMERCY on Jul 11, 2011 4:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Stevie Wonder is going to be the guy

We’re not gonna pay Weddle to come in, and I think we are finally going to call it how it is and ditch Huff. Let another team overpay for the two plays he made last season that didn’t make me cringe.

Mike Mitchell is an interesting idea to move to FS. Maybe use him in running situations to start with, groom him a bit more to make it a full time gig. At this point I like him in our CB/S hybrid position he got himself into. His whole gig is to cover the TE and he does that really well IMO.

But at the end of the day Brown is my pick to make it. He certainly had some hiccups last season when he got playing time but if I remember right that dude had stars in his eyes when I saw him play. I think he was still getting used to the idea that he was playing NFL football. He was definately Stevie Wonder in the pre-season, and I think him getting in the regular season was him learning that he’s just as good as the rest of these guys when he wants to be. He’s shown that he has the ability to be in the right place at the right time and that’s all you can really demand of a FS. The rest will take of itself at that point.

by TheDudeAbides138 on Jul 10, 2011 12:34 PM PDT reply actions

He may have been blocked-out a few (too many) times last season, but Stevie Wonder has an amazing knack of being near the ball

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jul 10, 2011 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions

His issue can be resolved

Nothing a bunch of weights can’t help. I think if he can get a little bit bigger without sacrificing too much speed, he’ll remedy that issue of getting blocked out of plays.

by TheDudeAbides138 on Jul 10, 2011 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions

if he had OLB's

who could stack and shed a block it wouldnt be that bad

by frank7da2tank on Jul 11, 2011 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I kinda have a problem

with just calling Huff a bad free safety without any real justification. Sure he struggled his first couple of years, but these last 2 he has been a solid player playing in a system that is absolute hell for free safeties.

Interesting point about their not being very many capable Free safeties available. This is one of the few scenarios where I would overpay to upgrade. Hiram Eugene as your starting FS is not a good thing…

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Jul 10, 2011 2:07 PM PDT reply actions

+1

by RyanTheRaider on Jul 10, 2011 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions

There's plenty of justification

When you were a 1st rounder and you were taken ahead of other guys who have produced in spades. Please don’t ask me to name them at this time because I will look like an idiot then.

Fact of the matter is Huff dosen’t deserve the price he is asking. We are better served taking a chance on one of these younger guys, then overpaying to keep a guy who is terrible against the run and more often then not takes a crummy angle and gets out of position. We can get that kind of production with Eugene in there.

by TheDudeAbides138 on Jul 10, 2011 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions

im not going to disagree that he's not living up to the standard of a top-ten pick

but we are soo beyond that point. Huff struggled those first few years and even now i wouldnt say he has justified the spot he’s been picked in, but he’s a solid player. Not a superstar, but he does his job for the most part.

idk what price Huff is asking, but if its too much, then i’m all about seeing what one of the kids can do. but i’m not gonna say he’s asking for too much until…you know…he actually does..

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Jul 10, 2011 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions

My problem with Huff is he is constantly out of position in coverage.

No doubt the single high is harder to play than cover 2, but that doesn’t excuse him for sucking in coverage. Take the Chargers game. The reason Huff was blitzing so much was because he was completely useless in coverage. How many times did he leave the corners out to dry on deep passes?

I was the walrus, but now I'm John

by Rich Langford on Jul 10, 2011 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions

fwiw, everyone was getting torched that game

you should mention the jax game too. he sucked that day also. Most days though, he is more than adequate in coverage. And don’t play it down, either. Single high is a LOT harder to play than cover 2. I’m just not sure if we would see an improvement from plugging in some “Rookie of the Year” 3rd or 4th roud draft pick well before he is ready.

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Jul 11, 2011 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh, like Veldheer, I guess you're right, that just isn't possible

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I made a trade for Seymour. ..I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/2011]
Patience advances a man to better times.

by Sons-of-Blanda on Jul 11, 2011 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions

haha or jacoby ford

point taken, although i think i may have been a bit misleading as to how strongly i hold that view. im just sayin, i want to atleast see what the people in napa are saying before i want to make a change.

but ya, hopefully all of our later draft picks end up like veldheer. we wouldn’t see 8-8 as an improvement if that was the case…

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Jul 11, 2011 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I hear ya...and you said you were reserving judgement until you know his asking price

I am just fairly certain Huff is going to get more than he is worth. I wouldn’t want him around for anything more than say 3.5 million a year.

You are right that single high is a lot harder than cover 2, which makes Huff’s crappy coverage skills even more of an issue.

I didn’t mention the Jax game ’cause he actually spent quite a few snaps in man coverage.

I was the walrus, but now I'm John

by Rich Langford on Jul 12, 2011 12:47 AM PDT up reply actions

I'd like to get Chimdi Chekwa a chance at FS.

I also think Branch serves better at FS, but idk.

I do think that Chekwa will do very well at FS. According to my buckeye friend, he is more suited at FS than slot corner.

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Jul 10, 2011 5:05 PM PDT reply actions

i'd be interested in chekwa at FS

but not Branch. I tried (unsuccessfully) to dig up an article on it at the tribune’s blog where quarterbacks throwing Branch’s direction all do ridiculously well. like passer rating well over 100 well. Branch is a toolsy player, and I think he’ll get better, but im not ready for him at FS

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Jul 10, 2011 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Stevie Brown

He was always around the ball when he had opportunities especially in preseason. So any word on if we are having a football season anyway? Training camp would be in full swing by now just about.

Trust No One
Studies show stress can kill you, but don't worry about it.

by TAW on Jul 10, 2011 5:33 PM PDT reply actions