The Top Five: Best Safeties in the NFL

Safeties usually don't get the respect they deserve because they're looked at as 'tweeners.' They're either corners who are too slow and don't have the cover skills or they're linebackers who just aren't big enough to play around the line of scrimmage.

To quote the great Vince Vaughn, I call "erroneous" on both counts.

Even Rod Woodson, arguably the best corner and best safety to ever play the game, has said that the difference between playing corner and safety is drastic.

He says that the angle in which you're defending the guy has a huge role to play in the difference. As a corner, you're just following the receiver and playing off of his movements, but as a safety you're reading the quarterback and following his eyes.

These are the guys who maybe are too slow to play corner and maybe too small to play linebacker. But they're just fast enough and just big enough to play safety and play it well.

5. Michael Griffin (Tennessee Titans)

26 games started, one sack, 10 INTs, one TD, 18 passes defended, two forced fumbles, 88 tackles

Griffin is not a guy who is going to "wow" you. He's going to go out, do his job, and do it well.

He makes the interceptions, but they're not the flashy 'go up with one hand and tap your toes on the sideline' kind of interceptions. Usually, they just come from being in the right place at the right time.

In addition to his coverage skills, he also plays the run very well. At 6'0" and 200 pounds, he's able to take the hits from the linemen, fullbacks, and the bigger running backs.

Griffin only has two years under his belt and is looking at nothing but upside. He was snubbed from the Pro-Bowl last year, but don't expect the voters to make the same mistake twice.

4. Nick Collins (Green Bay Packers)

61 games started, 11 INTs, four TDs, 42 passes defended, five forced fumbles, 231 tackles, one-time Pro-Bowler

After a few years of solid but unspectacular play, Nick Collins had his coming-out party last year, and on a bad defensive team.

He made his first Pro-Bowl last season after racking up seven interceptions with three of them returned for touchdowns.

With Dom Capers at the helm, Collins should only get better as the defense around him gets better. Look for him to develop into a poor man's Ed Reed. And really, how bad is that?

3. Adrian Wilson (Arizona Cardinals)

100 games started, 18.5 sacks, 18 INTs, four TDs, 59 passes defended, 13 forced fumbles, 495 tackles, two-time Pro-Bowler

Wilson was thrown into the limelight last season with the Cardinals making their way into their very first Super Bowl. Like his teammate Larry Fitzgerald, the country is starting to take notice of Adrian Wilson.

Wilson, to me, is like a younger Brian Dawkins. He's great around the line of scrimmage, but can cover and play the ball. Dawkins would be on here if we were making this list two years ago.

He's also great coming off the edge, even racking up eight sacks in one year. To put that into perspective, a pass-rush specialist, Dwight Freeney, had only 10.5 sacks last season.

Now that Wilson has gained some exposure, look for him to add on to his Pro-Bowl numbers in the near future.

2. Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh Steelers)

72 games started, seven sacks, 17 INTs, two TDs, 61 passes defended, seven forced fumbles, 327 tackles, five-time Pro-Bowler and two-time All-Pro

What is there to say about Troy Polamalu?

The man will punish you at the line of scrimmage, pick you off in the middle of the field, or take it upon himself to put one of his other guys into position to make the play if he can't.

He is an absolute monster. Polamalu understands the game and understands how it has to be played. He's not a "look at me" kind of player, but we find ourselves dazzled by his play anyway.

And that hair? Magnificent.

1. Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens)

105 games started, five sacks, 43 INTs, seven TDs, 91 passes defended, six forced fumbles, 342 tackles, one safety, five-time Pro-Bowler and four-time All-Pro

Reed is about a half-notch above Polamalu because when you look at them on tape, Polamalu is probably better in run support, but Reed is better in pass coverage. So as far as pure skill, they're about the same player.

What gives Reed the advantage is that he's so much better in pass coverage than perhaps any safety to ever play the game. On top of that, he's clutch. He'll come up with the big interception when his team needs it.

His play will take over games, like in the playoffs against Miami, one could argue that he single-handedly won that game for Baltimore.

While Polamalu may find his way into Canton, Reed is almost assured to have a bust next to guys like Ronnie Lott and, eventually, Brian Dawkins.

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