Philadelphia Eagles: Assessing the Safety Position

When people discuss the Philadelphia Eagles and the spots they have to upgrade ahead of the 2012 season, they often skip the safety position.

Nate Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett appear to be the two players that will protect the Eagles’ backfield next year, but are they capable of doing it at a high level?

Allen had a nice rookie campaign in 2010 and looked to be improving in 2011, but the overall slump of the defense outweighed his impact. Despite suffering a torn patellar tendon in December 2010, he looked strong the next year. Nevertheless, there are no signs yet of him becoming a dominant safety.

Jarrett was picked last year in the second round of the draft. Unlike Allen, he failed to justify the Eagles’ choice to pick him so early (Jarrett was projected as a third or fourth-round pick). He finished the 2011 season with 17 tackles and no interceptions. He is still young, but he has to improve dramatically in 2012.

The Eagles also have Kurt Coleman, who has been good, considering he is a seventh-round pick. He had 78 tackles, a forced fumble and four interceptions in 2011. Putting his stats aside, Coleman is a capable, fairly motivated player with great fighting spirit, but also with limited abilities.

Mike Zordich will be in his second consecutive year as the safeties coach for the Eagles and Todd Bowles has been hired to take care of the secondary as a whole. However, Allen, Jarrett and the rest of the safeties might need the guidance and mentoring of a veteran to expand their game.

I know every single fan dreams of Brian Dawkins’ return to Philly, but he intends to play for the Broncos. Otherwise, he will retire. If Denver lets him walk, he may sign a one-day contract with the Eagles to announce his retirement.

Philadelphia should consider adding an experienced safety. Reggie Nelson of the Cincinnati Bengals will be a free agent and he made less than a million dollars in 2011. Jordan Babineaux of the Titans will be out of a contract, too.

I believe that the Eagles need an experienced safety that can help both on and off the field. There will be options in free agency and, with the number of draft picks the Eagles have, they can also trade for a player.