NFL Football Players: Free Safety

A free safety (FS) is a defensive back (DB) that lines up within the rearmost portion in the defensive backfield, or secondary. A FS will usually setup anyplace from 10-15 yards away from the line of scrimmage. Normally to their instant left could be the unit's strong security (SS). Free safeties are usually smaller and more quickly than their counterparts at SS, but stay solid tacklers and difficult hitters. Athletic and strong, cost-free safeties are among the defense's most dynamic football players, disrupting offensive game plans all more than the field. Within a nutshell, a free safety is a hybrid; they possess solid pass coverage expertise and still put heavy licks on offensive players. This designation tends to make cost-free safeties disruptive, unpredictable, and the wildcards in the unit. As they're leaders within the defensive secondary, cost-free safeties play with the expertise that they're often the only point standing in between an offensive player and the finish zone.

With regards to size, a free safety could be successful at any height. One of several shortest beginning cost-free safeties, James Sanders formerly in the New England Patriots and now with the Atlanta Falcons offers weekly brilliant, star level play at FS, and he's only 5'10", 207lbs. Meanwhile, taller guys like Kerry Rhodes in the Arizona Cardinals play lights out in the free safety position. Rhodes stands at 6'3" and weighs about 220lbs. Both guys are outstanding football players, and bring extraordinary intensity to the position. It seems like so long as they boast top finish speed and hit like a runaway train, it doesn't matter how huge or little a free safety is.

No matter what sort of game plan a defensive coordinator draws up, the free safety is positive to become featured prominently, due to their tremendous versatility. The FS might be necessary to play centerfield within the defensive secondary, supplying CB coverage support and erasing errors. Or, they might be charged with patrolling deep and eliminating any lengthy passes or bombs within the offensive passing game. An FS could also be employed to lock down a short or medium zone, or shadow a slot receiver in man coverage. In addition, cost-free safeties are sometimes deployed to spy the QB, each to prevent a scramble and potentially break up an errant pass. And each and every now and then, a defensive play will call for the FS to become unleashed upon the quarterback in a FS blitz. If they come off the edge, the FS's speed and agility tends to make them practically impossible to block, and they very often nail the quarterback mid-throw. Thus, FS blitzes often result in fumbles and interceptions due to their violent and unexpected nature. Generally, whatever defensive gambit the coordinator decides to unveil, the FS usually plays a crucial role in its profitable execution.

Even though skilled and versatile, some cost-free safeties have particularly defined roles depending on the defense's formation. Like in a normal Cover two defensive formation for instance, the FS will share responsibilities with the SS as far supplying blanket coverage more than the backend in the defensive secondary. In this defense the free safety is responsible for a single half in the field, and the SS protects the other half. Realizing that they've security support behind them, the CB's can then cover their assigned receivers very aggressively. The corners in this formation stick to their receivers like glue, and keep appropriate in their hip pocket. If by opportunity a receiver somehow eludes his cornerback, he still treads lightly, realizing that the free safety is lurking somewhere close by, ready to drop the hammer.

The Elites in the past:
The NFL has noticed many dominant cost-free safeties make their mark on the football field, and pave the way for future generations of FS. Darren Sharper, formerly in the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints created a living playing centerfield as a FS and knocking pass catchers senseless. He would ultimately wind up with 71 combined interceptions/forced fumbles more than his stellar career, ranking within the top 10 all time. Another excellent FS, former Washington Redskin and Minnesota Viking legend Paul Krause retired as the NFL's career leader in interceptions with 82. This incredible player had unparalleled instincts for the football as well as registered a pick in seven straight games as rookie in 1964! Even though these guys were legendary football players in their day, a surefire very first ballot Hall of Famer still laces them up for the Baltimore Ravens. He is needless to say the league's preeminent ball hawk, Ed Reed. Patriots' mastermind Bill Belichick once called Reed, "the greatest he's ever seen" in the FS position. Why? Simply because his extraordinary range, track star speed, and nose for the ball allow him to become around the action at all times. Ed Reed is among the NFL active leaders in interceptions with 57, and he still holds the NFL record for longest interception return to get a touchdown, taking a single 108 yards to the home in 2004.

Present Elites and Show me the funds:
The talent pool for FS in today's NFL runs deep, and has spawned numerous Pro-Bowl caliber football players who earn top dollar to play free safety. Despite the fact that the league average is slightly less than $1 million some lesser-known FS's earn the minimal of around $300,000 a year. Fortunately, there are only several of those guys. Many teams are willing to pay the huge bucks, like the Indianapolis Colts, who compensate their stalwart free safety Antoine Bethea by shelling out practically $7 million per season. A numerous Pro-Bowl choice, Bethea prowls the Colt's defensive backfield like a tiger, and grabs a few of most highlight-worthy interceptions the NFL has ever noticed. Silky smooth and athletic FS O.J. Atogwe in the Washington Redskins mans the FS position like a correct stud, and collects a cool $5.two million a season for his handiwork. Probably the highest paid FS, the aforementioned Ed Reed signed on the dotted line to the tune of $44 million more than 6 years to continue snagging picks and returning them for TD's, ruining QB ratings around the league within the process. Other football players who shine at FS incorporate Earl Thomas in the Seattle Seahawks, Eric Weddle in the San Diego Charges, and Michael Griffin in the Tennessee Titans.

Training:
Physically, cost-free safeties need to be as rapidly as they're strong. A young player who aspires to play the FS spot have to attack the weight room and practice field using a relentless discipline. To train for explosive speed, young FS's need to carry out a large number of weighted vests and parachute sprints, stadium stair circuits, and gassers on the practice field. When they enter the weight room, they need to binge on all sorts of bench presses, with each dumbbells and barbells, from each and every angle. Curls, lat pulls, squats, and lunges are also a staple of any workout developed to maximize speed and power. Ladder rope and cone drills assist develop the superior strategy and footwork required to run with the top offensive athletes within the pros. By dedicating themselves to this sort of workout, a young DB has the master blueprint to evolve within the ultimate free safety.