Safety Depth Chart?

by ak513 on May 15, 2010 1:39 PM EDT

After watching Bengals OTAs the other day I notice that the Bengals do not have a pure Free Safety. There were times where Roy played the position as well as Gibril Wilson. I noticed that Wilson said that he is a natural Strong Safety and is excited with the prospect of being able to play the position. Will our safeties alernate? Maybe Brandon Ghee could get a look at FS which is for the most part a coverage safety which would explain why Wilson struggled at the position. None of the safeties on the roster are listed as a FS. If I remember the weakness exposed by Dustin Keller & Owen Daniels was our failure to have a safety with the ability to cover a tight end. Although we have improved depth we still need a coverage safety, To me it seems like we mostly have all strong safeties, so ca someone please let me know exactly what the safety battle positions are and do you believe we are still in the market for a coverage safety?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.

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We are almost certainly in the market...

unless Jeromy Miles turns out to have been a ridiculous theft as a CFA.

Failing another free agent signing (too much to hope for Atogwe), I would suspect the safety position will shake down as follows:

Williams and Crocker the probable starters.
Hebert sticks as the special teams guy.
Ndukwe vs. Wilson for backup strong safety.
Nelson vs. Miles and the other CFAs for the final spot.

by Mr. X on May 15, 2010 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

Ummmm...

they wont get rid of ndukwe or wilson…. i would be shocked miles and nelson are fighting for practice squad

by socalbengalsfan on May 15, 2010 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

by C1ncy4Life on May 16, 2010 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I see it as follows

First off I think the Bengals will watch to see if any FS are cut during Training Camp. It is FAR to early to predict what happens yet. I explain below why I think it is to early to predict. If we just go by what Safeties we have on the roster right now I think you are looking at:

Starters
SS-Roy Williams
FS- Chris Crocker

Backups:
Wilson
Ndukwe

Practice Squad:
Nelson or Miles (I hope for Miles, personally)

That is how I see it but they will continue to look at what is available. Especially during cutdown days in Training Camp. Also I didn’t factor in a move from any CB to Safety. I think it is a very real possibility that Morgan Trent or Brandon Ghee will get a look at Safety in Training Camp. Depending on how they perform, if given the oppurtunity, then they could become the backup FS. However even if this happens you are still probably going to see Ndukwe and Wilson making the team as backups. The reason is that if Ghee or Trent make a move to FS they are likely to still get plenty of snaps at CB. Also While Wilson is not a FS he has played the position and can play if Crocker is injured(I would prefer he not though, as he said he is much better suited at SS). My personal hope is that they do give Ghee and/or Trent a look at FS. They both have the size to play the position and could easily add a few pounds of muscle if needed on their frames. Obviously they have the coverage skills you like to see in a FS, being that they play CB. Crocker was a converted CB himself, so he may be able to help in the transition should they go that route. Ghee or Trent could be our FS of the future, if given the oppurtunity. One of them could be the ballhawking coverage Safety a lot of us have been hoping for. If they give Ghee or Trent a look at FS it will also allow us to be a lot more flexible on Defense. Its too early to accurately predict what each players role will be but I see the players I picked above making the team. None of them may be the backup FS if they try Ghee or Trent out at FS, but I see those 4 (Williams and Crocker as the Starters, and Ndukwe and Wilson as backups) making the team.

by C1ncy4Life on May 16, 2010 9:37 AM EDT reply actions