Spawned from another thread. Have heard Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Adrian Wilson, and Brian Dawkins mentioned.

Who do you think is best?

I will find the responses to this interesting. All my leagues are team Defense leagues. Not being an IDP er I really had no idea.

You dont have to necessarily answer on fantasy stats, as not everyone here plays fantasy football.

I wont answer in Fantasy stats, just real ones. Adrian Wilson tied for 1st in the league for solo tackles at 93, then proceeded to add 8 sacks. He has really developed into the premier S IMO. Reed is good, but he is more of a big play maker than a steady tackle/point guy. Hard to depend on defensive touchdowns occurring every year.

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I voted for Polamalu because the guy is an absolute beast, still very young, and has the versatility to play the pass or generate pressure with the best of them.

Plus, you gotta love the 'warrior hair'.

My #1 is Adrian Wilson.

After that, it wont be either of those others mentioned.

#2 - Roy Williams - Has areas I would like to see improved, but at the same time, a lot is asked of this guy. with a more stable secondary and improved linebackers, he should be used more to his strengths this year.

#3 - Troy Polamalu - Just watching the way he developed last year, there is no doubt in my mind here

#4 - Ed Reed

Wow, no love for Gibril Wilson??? Ouch.

Talking about NFL teams here.

A little comparison might help. 2004 and 2005 stats combined

Roy Williams 32 games- 179 tackles 2.5 sacks 5 int's 4 ff 1 def td

Gibril Wilson 24 games - 170 tackles 6 sacks 5 int's 3 ff no td's

Wow, sure looks like Wilson wins this one.

All stats aside.

Back to my original explanation. Wilson has been playing at his true position, strong safety. Roy Williams, a strong safety has been pulled all around the secondary due to lack of depth. Let him play close to the line for 16 games and send him in on more blitz packages and the numbers will be there.

See while I think Williams is a great player, I feel he will be limited until the Cowboys can get a deep cover corner to allow him to really do the things he does well. When that happens I think his numbers will shoot up, but until then, he will continue to be limited by the fact that he has to constantly play centerfield for them.

First, I would like to say that Roy Williams is one of the best strong safeties in the game...and I agree with Taz... ...that until Dallas gets a cornerback that can cover deep, he will be limited. Henry and Newman are solid cover corners, but they lack the speed to keep up the better wide receivers in the league...as was evident in the Washington game last year when Santana Moss scored those two touchdowns.

Anyway...

Adrian Wilson is the best safety in the game. He played on a poor overall defense and really made an impact. He is quick and recognizes offensive sets fairly quickly. I like Reed and Polamula, but Reed is a big play safety and that is where his numbers come from...if he gets the ball, he can make things happen and is quick to the ball. Polamula can be contained and it was evident in a few games last year, but he is still young and will continue to improve. Dawkins is a good player, but he is getting up in age and is not as aggressive as in years past.

i loved roy williams coming out of college. i now think hes a joke, a linebacker playing a position hes not comfortable at, getting consistently burned on pass plays.

with that said, i will admit that im shocked to see people arguing for adrian wilson, but i dont know much about him. i still think its reed and polamalu at safety, and i will take reed. hes a great leader and he brings an intensity to that defense and an attitude, and he makes plays all over the field.

Your a numbers guy look at Wilsons, both Adrian and Gibril versus Polamalu. You might reconsider.

I'd take the fourth guy drafted from this group anyday of the week.

Wilson, I think. Polamalu is waaaaay overated.

I like RWilliams but have to agree with Bomb...he's one of the best hitters in the game, but that's of course if he's not getting burned and actually has a shot to hit someone. Also agree that it's not all his fault though.

Reed was hurt much of last year wasn't he...yes, big play guy but IMO really haven't seen what he can really do.

Have to go with Wilson, at this pt in time, kid is just a playmaker on a poor def. unit, but still solid in fundamentals of coverage/run support/tackling. If they eventually get him some help, be downright scary what he could do.

Again, Wilson right now, but at his pt of development really like Polamalu: can hit and more importantly tackle, can play both run/pass , either is in right place or has a 'motor' that gets him in right place to make a play, and he'll only get better. By the time he gets to Wilson's stage of his career he'll be downright scary.

For me, much of this perception is from NFL coverage...be it Madden and his manlove for Favre or NBC and Manning this, Manning that, the various networks key on someone and just OVER COVER that player.

Happened with Polamalu in the playoffs/SB last season.

Indeed. That's not to say he's a bad safety, although some of his skills could use improvement, but he's just a rookie and safeties usually spend over a decade in the league and don't really reach their prime until the second third of their career, at least usually. He has a ways to go yet.

Um...who are we talking about here? If it is Polamula, he is entering his fourth year in the league, Wilson his sixth, Dawkins heading into his 11th, Reed his 5th and Williams is coming into his 6th...