Spotlighting the Baltimore Ravens' Safety Position Heading into the 2012 Season

The one position that seems set in stone for the Baltimore Ravens right now is safety. They have confirmed starters at both the strong and free spots, but regardless, still have seven total safeties on the roster.

Why? Beyond the obvious (a team must have depth), the Ravens also ask their defensive backs to contribute on special teams coverage, which was an area of weakness in 2011. The more safeties they can amass and test out in kick and punt coverage, the better.

Let's take a closer look at each of the safeties on the Ravens roster and see who will contribute in what ways in the upcoming season.

Ed Reed

What is there to say about Ed Reed? He's the best free safety playing the game today and is a likely Hall of Famer because of it.

In his 10 seasons, Reed has amassed 461 tackles, 10 sacks, 57 interceptions with six touchdowns, forced 11 fumbles and recovered 10 (two for a score), has made the Pro Bowl eight times, was named an All-Pro five times and was the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

That's quite the impressive resume.

At this point, the only thing unknown about Reed is when—or whether—he'll show up for training camp this season. Reed's likely unhappy with his contract and would prefer an extension prior to the start of the regular season. The Ravens' finances may not allow this, however, but that's not likely going to result in a protracted holdout.

Even if Reed does miss part of training camp, there's little to worry about. He's a consummate professional with a bit of an injury history in recent years, so he's better off saving it up for the season. 

Bernard Pollard

Bernard Pollard has found himself quite the well-fitting home in Baltimore. Pollard, who spent three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and two with the Houston Texans, joined the Ravens last season and won the starting strong safety job by the time training camp had ended.

In his one season in Baltimore, Pollard racked up 55 tackles and two sacks, defended 13 passes, pulled down one interception and forced three fumbles with one recovery.

His production, as well as his leadership skills, earned him a three-year contract extension in May, keeping him in Baltimore for the next four seasons. The strong safety job is very much Pollard's—there will be no competition.

Christian Thompson

The Ravens drafted Christian Thompson in the fourth round this year, both to provide depth at the position and to help bolster their special teams coverage—he's a proven gunner and returner. 

Thompson has prototypical size for a safety (6'0", 211 pounds) and can play at both the free and strong safety positions. He'll be a backup this year for both Reed and Pollard and could end up taking one of their jobs in the years to come.

Omar Brown

Omar Brown is an undrafted rookie out of Marshall. He was a first-team All-Conference USA safety and had 95 tackles and four interceptions in his 2011 season.

Brown, however, will be a work in progress. If he can hang on through camp, he'll hone his skills while contributing on special teams or spend his rookie season on the practice squad.

Sean Considine

Free-agent safety Sean Considine came to the Ravens this offseason after having spent parts of the 2011 season with both the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals. Prior to that, he was with the Philadelphia Eagles for four seasons.

Though Considine will provide depth at both the free and strong safety positions, he was mainly brought on as a special teams contributor to replace Tom Zbikowski, whom the Ravens lost in free agency. Considine could also get time in nickel and dime packages this season.

Cyhl Quarles

Cyhl Quarles is another undrafted free-agent safety the Ravens brought on this offseason. In his 2011 season at Wake Forest, Quarles led the team in tackles with 101, but he proved too inconsistent to warrant teams using a draft pick on him.

Quarles is bigger than many of the other safeties on the Ravens' roster, clocking in at 6'3" and 210 pounds. Quarles will have to prove his special teams value if he's going to hang on in Baltimore.

Emanuel Cook

Emanuel Cook was claimed off of waivers in November 2011 after being released from the New York Jets. Cook is primarily a special teams coverage player. He notched two tackles for the Ravens last year in that capacity and should remain primarily a special teams player this season.

Cook should get more time on the kick- and punt-coverage teams in 2012. He'll serve as a replacement for another departed special teams-contributing safety, Haruki Nakamura.

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