NFL Free Agency Rumors: Why Bob Sanders Is a Perfect Fit for New York Jets

Bob Sanders is one of the best defensive players in the league, when he is healthy.

That’s the problem. In his seven-year career, he has never once played 16 games in any single season and played six games or less in five seasons, including three straight. Sanders only has two legitimate healthy seasons under his belt.

Here’s the kicker, though.

In those two seasons, he went to the Pro Bowl twice and was even awarded the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2007. He helped the Indianapolis Colts win a Super Bowl in 2006.

That’s the run down on safety Bob Sanders. He’s one of the biggest high risk, high reward players in the NFL.

When he’s on the field, Sanders is one of the premier defensive players the league has to offer, which is one of the reasons the New York Jets need to sign him.

10. Experience

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Bob Sanders #21 of the Indianapolis Colts moves on the field during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Although often injured, Sanders is one of the more experienced safeties in the league. What do you think he’s doing when he’s not rehabbing and working out? Watching game film, studying the intricacies and nuances of the position.

This is a similar situation to Michael Vick, where he was forced to watch game tape over and over again to see his mistakes and better his craft.

Sanders was already a premier safety on natural talents alone. Now, he should better understand the position, opposing offenses and ways to keep himself healthy.

9. Familiarity of Opponents

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts greets Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 15, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts won the game 35-34. (Photo

One of the big reasons the Jets brought in Jason Taylor, besides his immense talent, was the fact that he was already familiar playing against the top level opponents of the AFC in Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady. This would be a similar signing, as Sanders has played and watched a ton of film on Brady and Roethlisberger.

He’s also seen Peyton Manning aplenty since he’d be coming from Indianapolis. He may be able to provide the Jets with some inside knowledge about the all-time elite robot, I mean, quarterback. Rex Ryan will repeatedly pick his brain to make sure the next time the Jets play Peyton, they not only come out on top again, but have an easier time doing so.

8. Intelligence

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 18: Bob Sanders #21 of the Indianapolis Colts stretches prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 18, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

You know when you’ve won Defensive Player of the Year that you’re doing something right. Sanders is one of the smarter safeties in the league as he can read offenses very well. He knows when to stay his ground and when to run up to prepare for the run. This not only comes from studying game tapes, but instincts too. Sanders has some of the best instincts of any defender, let alone safety, in the game.

It’s unfortunate that we have not been blessed to witness his remarkable ability the past three seasons. We often forget about the great ones, but as previously stated, he will be on full display in New York.

7. Physicality

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 04: Safety Bob Sanders #21 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after his tackle of Cedric Benson #32 of the Chicago Bears for the Colts to recover the fumble in the first quarter of Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007 at Dolp

Sanders has suffered from some freak injuries. Some were self-inflicted after dealing out unbearable pain on his opponents. He is easily one of the most physical players in the game. With his speed and strength, nobody wants to take a hit from this man.

That’s what I love most about him.

His physical nature will fit right in with this Jets team, who are always looking to punish each and every ball carrier on each and every down.

Rex Ryan, Jets fans and football fans in general are going to go nuts watching Sanders blow up running backs, annihilate wide receivers and have quarterbacks crying from his devastating hits.

6. Leadership

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 23: Bob Sanders #21 of the Indianapolis Colts returns an interception against the Houston Texans with teammates Matt Giordano #43, Freddy Keiaho#54 and Kelvin Hayden #26 on December 23, 2007 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, In

Players flock to teammates with great talent. Once signed, Sanders will instantly become one of the leaders of this defense. He’s the type of hard nose, all or nothing type of guys everyone wants in their fox hole beside them in the heat of the battle. He’ll leave it all on the field for his teammates and players respect that just about more than anything else.

Any time players can stand side by side with a former Defensive Player of the Year, they’re going to feel reassured each and every down. Teammates will look to Sanders for guidance and pick his brain how to become better defenders. It is difficult to find a negative reason for the Jets signing him.

5. Fills a Gaping Hole

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 24: Jim Leonhard #36 of the New York Jets reacts after recovering a fumble in the second quarter by Joseph Addai #29 of the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 24, 2010 in Indianapoli

The Jets need help at the safety position. Once Jim Leonhard went down due to injury, the Jets lost a big piece of the defense. Brodney Pool and Eric Smith were fine replacements, but they are not starters in this league. The Jets need to fill this void immediately as they look to create one of the most dominant secondary units in the league led by Darrelle Revis.

Sanders is the most talented safety on the free agent market. His only knock is the injury concern, but nobody can predict any injury. This is football we’re talking about. If the Jets can fill this void with a player of his caliber, they need to jump on it.

4. Affordable

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Rex Ryan (L) of the New York Jets talks with owner Woody Johnson prior to the start of their game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sulliv

At this point in his career, Sanders cannot demand any type of contract. He has failed to stay on the field and most teams in this league will not shell out money for an injury-prone player. That’s exactly what the Jets are looking for as they look to get back to the AFC Championship.

They could give Sanders an incentive based contract for now and re-sign him after the first year if he meets expectations.

The hot thing now in the NFL is to play for Rex Ryan, Sanders will probably be willing to take a bit of a pay cut to play for the Jets. There is no reason for the Jets not to take a chance on Sanders since he will be an affordable piece who fills a big need at the position.

3. Star Power

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets celebrates their 38 - 7 win over the Buffalo Bills at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

After last year’s team, it’s evident that Jets are not only trying to assemble a talented team, but an entertaining one people will talk about.

Like Tomlinson and Jason Taylor last year, this is the type of move that will have people buzzing, sell more tickets if that’s even possible and sell jerseys. Once he’s signed, people will debate whether or not he is the missing piece to a Super Bowl Championship in 2011-12. That’s what Jets management wants. That’s what Jets management needs. In my eyes, New York signing him is a lock.

2. Strong Against Run /Tackling

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BALTIMORE - JANUARY 13: Mike Anderson #38 of the Baltimore Ravens flies over the top of Bob Sanders #21 of the Indianapolis Colts during their AFC Divisional Playoff game on January 13, 2007 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Chris Mc

When Bob Sanders is on the field, this is his greatest asset. He is one of the strongest, most physical safeties in the game and will absolutely light up a ball carrier.

If the Jets had a healthy Sanders against the Steelers, rest assured they would have been on their way to the Super Bowl since Rashard Mendenhall wouldn’t have been running through the Jets defense.

Sanders has great speed and leg strength, so he can attack a ball carrier quicker than most. He will vault his entire body into his prey. That is why he is often injured, but hey, those things happen. He has the speed to make up for a whiff of his own or to assist a teammate.

When he came back to help the Colts win a Super Bowl in 2006, he improved the run defense by leaps and bounds. While the Colts gave up over 100 yards rushing per game in the regular season without him, they surrendered just over 70 yards in the playoffs.

Sanders will prove to be an extremely valuable piece as the Jets have an even better rushing defense in 2011. It’s going to be a joy watching him pummel the opposition once again.

1. Has a Chip on His Shoulder

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 04: Bob Sanders #21 of the Indianapolis Colts kisses the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Colts 29-17 win against the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by

If you watched Rex Ryan on HBO’s Hard Knocks, you know he loves going against the grain to prove people wrong. It worked with LaDainian Tomlinson and it will work with Bob Sanders. Sometimes, a player just needs a change of scenery to get things going again and rejuvenate his career.

After being released by the Colts due to his inability to stay health, Sanders is going to look to prove to everyone he can stay healthy and resume playing at the elite level we saw in 2007.

At this point, it’s safer to bet on him getting hurt than playing more than six games in a season. That’s the type of fuel he needs to get back on the right track.

Players will look for anything and everything to give them extra motivation. Of all the players in the league, he has a bunch of motivating factors.

Rex Ryan wants his players to play with their backs against the wall each and every down. It’s us against them. Bob Sanders fits the bill.