Safety Position Continues to Evolve in the NFL

Chiefs' Eric Berry
5th overall pick 2010 NFL Draft

The safety position continues to evolve in the NFL. With the emergence of a pass-first philosophy among NFL offenses, the demands of an NFL safety have changed.

"When I played, the teams were about 65 percent run and 35 percent pass," says Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator and 2010 Hall of Fame inductee DICK LE BEAU. "Now it's more like 35 percent run and 65 percent pass. There used to be quite a few safeties that primarily played up near the line of scrimmage all the time, more of a role of a third, fourth or fifth linebacker. That position is pretty much out of the NFL now. Safeties have to be able to defend deep and have good range and come up and play the run."

Pro Football Hall of Famer RONNIE LOTT says a safety has to be a versatile defender to rank among the elite in today's NFL. Over his 14-year NFL career, Lott was known for his physical style of play and his cornerback-like cover skills.

"A great safety has to do a lot of things," says Lott. "He has to be able to play centerfield and get all of his teammates aligned correctly. He has to be physical and play the run like a linebacker and be agile and fast enough to cover tight ends, running backs and slot receivers. An elite safety gives his defensive coordinator great flexibility to create favorable matchups and confuse the quarterbacks, confuse the blockers and counterattack."

Along with versatility, San Francisco 49ers head coach MIKE SINGLETARY says a safety has to have leadership qualities as well. He has to dissect offenses and put his teammates in the right place by making formation audibles and checks on defense.

"Having a safety back there who's kind of the quarterback on defense, who can alert the cornerback or the linebacker to what's coming, it makes a tremendous difference," says Singletary, who played a role in the 49ers selecting rookie safety TAYLOR MAYS in the second round (49th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. "That's why everyone wants to have a safety who really understands the game."

The Kansas City Chiefs realize the value of a complete safety in the NFL.

The Chiefs selected ERIC BERRY with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Berry was only the fifth safety selected in the top five picks of the NFL Draft in the past 30 years.

"This was the fit for us," says Chiefs head coach TODD HALEY. "I think the game's a little different. You look at some of the numbers around the league, specifically the last two years, and you better have some guys to defend the pass. Though we have needs in a lot of different areas, that's an area you better be prepared for. This is a guy that we thought fit what we were looking for and at the same time could hopefully compete and make us better."

With the increase of passing production and spread offenses, safeties are now widely perceived among NFL talent evaluators as a need position on the field similar to quarterbacks, left tackles and cornerbacks.

"I don't think there's any question we've seen the evolution of the safety position to where it's now one of the most important positions on the field," says former Eagles quarterback and ESPN Monday Night Football analyst RON JAWORSKI.

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NFL 2010 Football: Safety Position Continues to Evolve in the NFL