2011 Top Ten Safeties: Troy Polamalu Edges Ed Reed; Eric Berry the Future

1. Troy Polamalu - Steelers

The most innovative defender I've ever seen. He has a very rare combination of speed, strength and hair length. His strength allows him to play inside around the linebacker as a blitzer or plugging a hole for the run. His speed allows him to not only blitz and cover well, but to also show one look and recover to play anywhere on the field, making him deceptive. No defender is more valuable to his team.

2. Ed Reed - Ravens

The future hall-of-famer is one of the best safeties ever and, though aging, he is still an elite player. He is a ball-hawk to the point that he is an offensive threat. He disguises himself perfectly so that the QB doesn't know his role. He reads the eyes of the QB better than anyone. Though injury prone, he's always among the leaders in interceptions, even when he misses half the season.

3. Adrian Wilson - Cardinals

A hard-hitting player with outstanding leaping ability, he is a unique athlete in the league. He is not the best in coverage, but his unique skill set serves the Cardinals well. He is a playmaker who will produce everything from sacks to interceptions to forced fumbles. He is also outstanding in run support, with nearly the strength of a linebacker. He is a versatile asset for the Arizona defense.

4. Nick Collins - Packers

An integral piece in Dom Caper's brilliant pass defense in Green Bay. The success of the pass defense there suggests he is elite, but the presence of other stars, such as Woodson and Williams, give him a lot of help. Nonetheless, he is a consistent producer who will make plays without making any big errors. He plays with great awareness in one of the most complex defensive schemes in football.

5. Eric Berry - Chiefs

Berry's fast-track, from top prospect to great safety, suggests that he could be next in line when the Reed/Polamalu Era is over. Berry has elite athleticism combined with intelligence and commitment. He can cover in zone or in press and is an excellent run-support safety and a solid tackler. The Kansas City defense showed great improvement with help from Berry. More will come.

6. Antoine Bethea - Colts

The Colts defense focuses on speed, so when they get out-muscled on the inside run, they depend on Bethea to make sure its not devastating. Bethea's tackle count indicates he does that for the most part. He is decent in coverage, but gets help from elite pass rushers. When Hayden went down and the Colts used two young corners in 2009, Bethea kept the secondary intact.

7. Antrel Rolle - Giants

The Giants pass defense improved significantly since they acquired Rolle last summer. The Cardinals pass defense, in turn, got significantly worse. That may show Rolle's impact as a player. He's solid in all aspects at his position as a good cover safety with the ability to blitz and stop the run. He showed strong awareness, picking up a new system and becoming a staple of Perry Fewell's defense.

8. Eric Weddle - Chargers

An underrated player who contributed consistently to last year's best passing defense. He is a little undersized but plays excellent as a run stopper in the box. His coverage is equally effective with good speed and jumping ability, making him a very well-rounded defender. He's not a huge playmaker, but reads quarterbacks' eyes well and commits few errors. 

9. Brandon Meriweather - Patriots

A smart, versatile tool for the league's best defensive mind, Bill Belichick. There is room for improvement, with some mental lapses and coverage inconsistencies. But, for the most part, he was essential in turning the young Patriots defense in to a success story. He's a playmaker who can pick off the pass or turn in a huge hit. He shows great upside in a great system.

10. Earl Thomas - Seahawks

Another young rookie who should rise to elite status at his position. He turned in a great rookie season as a ball hawk and one of the better players on the Seahawks defense. Thomas is adept in all aspects of the safety position with good awareness and athleticism. His skills helped a young Seahawks team take down the defending champions; even better play can be expected next year.

Also Considered...

Michael Griffin - Titans: just misses the list; great all-around safety and center point of defense 

Oshiomogho Atogwe - Redskins: great, hard-hitting safety who could improve in coverage

Malcolm Jenkins - Saints: a promising young star, about to crack the Top 10

LaRon Landry - Redskins: incredible athleticism, but doesn't always translate the skills to field

Donte Whitner - Bills: tons of tackles but on a suffering run defense; coverage is pretty good

Brian Dawkins - Broncos: one of the best ever, but he is very old now

Roman Harper - Saints: recent Pro Bowler in a good defensive scheme

Bob Sanders - Colts: once elite, but can't stay healthy