NFL Safety First: Top 5 Teams Most Dependent on Great Safety Play

Everyone is aware that the quarterback position is the most important position on the field.

Everyone knows that with a good ground game you can close out a win in the final minutes. Everyone knows that the wide receiver position can provide some of the best highlights week after week. Those are the players that we all love to watch on offense, but how about those great playmakers on defense?

These guys turn in tackles, interceptions, the occasional sack, and outstanding play after outstanding play. You never know where they will line up, if they'll pressure the quarterback or drop into coverage. You might see them dropping the ball carrier for a loss or sailing over the line like Superman. Sometimes they even like to show off their offensive skills by taking one to the house.

I'm talking about a quarterback's worst nightmare on game day. I'm talking about great play from the safety position. It's one of my favorite positions to watch because they do so much but get so little attention. Some teams have good safeties and a few have great safeties. This is a look at a few of those safeties and the teams that depend on them come game day.

5. Michael Griffin, Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 03: Stephen Tulloch #55 and Michael Griffin #33 of the Tennessee Titans celebrate after Griffin's interception against the Denver Broncos at LP Field on October 3, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Denver won 26-20. (Photo by Grant H

I know. Surprising, right?

Quite frankly, I had a top four in mind with one spot left to make my top five. Upon searching top tacklers for this year, I found this gem with 53 tackles and four picks. Upon further research, I was able to find that Griffin had over 75 tackles each of the last two years and a total of eight picks. That's productivity from the safety position. For that he gets the nod at No. 5.

4. Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Safety Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 19, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Imag

I know Eagles fans, you should get credit for this one.

The fact of the matter is that Dawkins is still playing at a high level for his age.

He had a total of 116 tackles last year with two picks.

He may not have great stats, but his presence on the field is well known. If you don't believe me, just ask the wide receivers in the NFL. He's definitely one of the hardest hitting safeties in the league. This has been somewhat of a slow year for Dawkins with only 33 tackles and one pick. Still, his value to the team is immense.

3. Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens

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BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens returns an interception against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bills 37-34. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

What can I say about Ed Reed? He's probably my favorite safety to watch play and one of my favorite players, period. He simply plays amazing year after year. If this was a list of top ball hawks, he might just take the cake. He always seems to be around the ball to make plays. He already has three picks this year in just two games played. Crazy, right?

So why is he only listed at No. 3? Even without Reed in the line up early this year, the Ravens didn't miss a beat. Their team simply has too much depth for Reed to be higher.

2. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 03: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 3, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Troy Polamalu is the "Superman" of safeties. He plays with reckless abandon. He will sacrifice his body in order to make the big play. He plays all over the field and knows how to stop a runner in the backfield.

When Pittsburgh is on top of its game, Polamalu is a big reason. He already has 44 tackles and two picks this year. He had over 90 tackles in both '04 and '05 with a total of seven picks. The last season that he played in all 16 games (2008), he had a total of 73 tackles and seven picks. Even though the Steelers win games without Polamalu, you can tell something is missing on the defensive side of the ball.

The guy simply wreaks havoc.

1. Darren Sharper, New Orleans Saints

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 31: Darren Sharper #42 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a play during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Sharpe/Getty Images)

As a team, this is not really the list you want to be on top of. Without Sharper in the game this year, the Saints defense hasn't looked quite the same.

In 2009, the Saints defense ranked third in interceptions and first in defensive scoring. Darren Sharper led the way with nine picks and 71 tackles. He's also one of the most experienced veterans on the team and brings leadership to that side of the ball.

He's a hard-hitter with a nose for the ball and was able to take three of the nine picks back for six points last year. He only played sparingly against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week and registered a total of four tackles in his only game played in 2010.

There is no team in the NFL more dependent on great play from the safety position than the Saints. For that reason, the New Orleans Saints and Darren Sharper get the No. 1 spot.