Best Safety in the last 10 years??

[florige]

It's hard to talk just about best "safety," since the options listed in this thread mix strong safeties and free safeties. While they play similarly, the responsibilities of a strong safety in most defenses are very different than the responsibilities of a free safety. It would be like discussing the best defensive lineman and mixing tackles and ends. They don't do the same things on the field, and the comparison is largely apples and oranges.

Dawkins and Reed are free safeties. Polamalu, Lynch, Bob Sanders, Adrian Wilson are all strong safeties. Not surprisingly, Dawkins and Reed are better in coverage and not particularly great in run support; Polamalu, Lynch, Sanders, and Wilson are much better run stoppers, but have/had weaknesses in coverage. That's the nature of the beast.

With I'd agree that Darren Woodson doesn't really qualify in the last 10 years part of this discussion; but he's probably THE most underrated safety in recent history. He played both spots for the Cowboys and played them both at an All-Pro level.. Woodson could cover like a corner and hit like a monster -- and his teams won. His safety play made some relatively weak Cowboys secondaries look a whole lot better than they actually were. What I appreciated about Woodson was that he didn't make a career of flashy plays; his career was built on the steady, "always in the right place," not taking needless chances sort of approach to the game.

Noting the FS/SS difference, I'd take Polamalu is probably the steadiest, most versatile, and most consistent of the guys mentioned in this thread. He's great in run support and he's not a guest in coverage. Reed is much more spectacular and explosive, but I'm not sure that he's as consistent or rugged. Dawkins is a tough guy, but I'm not sure that he's as steady as Polamalu. Sanders, to me, has always been a bit overrated -- they just let him get free runs to the ball a few seasons ago and he made some plays; but he's hurt a lot and, well, frankly, his teams (and their defenses) always seem to come up short. I always thought Lynch was overvalued.

Damn dude, you pretty much nailed that one right on the head. Good breakdown! Thats the only knock that I have on Sanders is he can't seem to stay healthy.

[DBryant88]

BUT DOESNT HE HAVE 2 SB RINGS?

did you see him get a faceful of turf after he got juked out.

[Obstructed_View]

Last Playoff game won for the Cowboys_____????

And the Cowboys still have four more playoff appearances than the steelers, despite Pitt's 27 year head start.

I guess Cubs fans should be happy that their team is equally as successful as the Florida Marlins. After all, they've both won the world series twice.

[smahmood26]

And the Cowboys still have four more playoff appearances than the steelers, despite Pitt's 27 year head start.

I guess Cubs fans should be happy that their team is equally as successful as the Florida Marlins. After all, they've both won the world series twice.

Cubs fans are far more loyal and passionate than Marlins fans!!! Thanks for the assist buddy. Also making the playoffs means nothing. Unless you win the whole thing the only difference is draft status. With those missed appearances they are able to draft guys like Roethlisberger!!!!!!!!

[Obstructed_View]

Cubs fans are far more loyal and passionate than Marlins fans!!! Thanks for the assist buddy. Also making the playoffs means nothing. Unless you win the whole thing the only difference is draft status. With those missed appearances they are able to draft guys like Roethlisberger!!!!!!!!

Wow, one more championship in 37 years. How proud they must be.

[smahmood26]

Wow, one more championship in 37 years. How proud they must be.

Last time I checked 6 Championships are better than 5. Added bonus is that the Cowboys will not compete for the next 5-10 years!!!

[Obstructed_View]

Last time I checked 6 Championships are better than 5. Added bonus is that the Cowboys will not compete for the next 5-10 years!!!

The Browns have won 8 championships. 8 is more than 6.

[smahmood26]

The Browns have won 8 championships. 8 is more than 6.

They should be happy with that. Based on my math 8 is a wee bit more than 5. What kinda argument are you making???

[Obstructed_View]

They should be happy with that. Based on my math 8 is a wee bit more than 5. What kinda argument are you making???

That the Steelers aren't the most successful franchise in NFL history. What kinda argument are YOU making?

[JoeTait75]

The Steelers are the most successful franchise in NFL history, provided NFL history began on December 23, 1972.

[peewee's lovechild]

The Steelers are the most successful franchise in NFL history, provided NFL history began on December 23, 1972.

It didn't.

And, that honor would probably have to go to Green Bay.

[stretch]

That the Steelers aren't the most successful franchise in NFL history. What kinda argument are YOU making?

[smahmood26]

That the Steelers aren't the most successful franchise in NFL history. What kinda argument are YOU making?

Did I ever say they were the best in NFL history? They have the most Super Bowls, but unlike some Steeler fans I understand that the NFL had championships before the Super Bowl. My argument to you was the Steelers were better than the Cowboys. You threw out some stats about 4 more playoff appearances and other crap like that. Not once did I say the Steelers were the greatest team in NFL history!!!!

[Obstructed_View]

Did I ever say they were the best in NFL history?

I made the statement in response to that suggestion, as mentioned in FWD's post. It really had nothing to do with you and your inferiority complex. Learn to read.

My argument to you was the Steelers were better than the Cowboys.

And you're still wrong. The only reason a Steeler fan can even attempt to make that argument with a straight face is because the Cowboys have completely sucked for ten years. The Steelers completely sucked for about 40 years.

[smahmood26]

That the Steelers aren't the most successful franchise in NFL history. What kinda argument are YOU making?

Smart fella you are. You responded to my point by copying the "What kinda argument are you making". That was what I said. Get it straight bud

[smahmood26]

And you're still wrong. The only reason a Steeler fan can even attempt to make that argument with a straight face is because the Cowboys have completely sucked for ten years. The Steelers completely sucked for about 40 years.[/QUOTE]

Steeler Hall of Famers=23 Cowboys Hall of Famers=11
Steeler Super Bowls=6 Cowboys Super Bowls=5

[Obstructed_View]

Steeler Hall of Famers=23 Cowboys Hall of Famers=11
Steeler Super Bowls=6 Cowboys Super Bowls=5

So the Cowboys did more with less, and have more playoff appearances despite sucking for ten years. You aren't exactly strengthening your position with your arguments.

New motto for the Steelers:

"Well, at least we're arguably better than the Cowboys."

Or how about this one:

"As long as the Cowboys don't win another Super Bowl in the next 27 years, we'll be better than they are."

[Obstructed_View]

Smart fella you are. You responded to my point by copying the "What kinda argument are you making". That was what I said. Get it straight bud

I asked because I wonder if you even know what point you are trying to make, because you certainly don't seem to understand the argument, even though you threw yourself into it. Your point seems to be that the Steelers are better than the Cowboys. Maybe they are, but they are far from the most successful team in NFL history. The point I was making by posting the stats is that the Steelers are so ing far from being the most successful team in NFL history that they are barely, if at all, more successful than the stank-ass Cowboys. I'm not sure where you think you're going by fighting this windmill, but I'm perfectly happy to continue watching you look foolish.

[smahmood26]

I asked because I wonder if you even know what point you are trying to make, because you certainly don't seem to understand the argument, even though you threw yourself into it. Your point seems to be that the Steelers are better than the Cowboys. Maybe they are, but they are far from the most successful team in NFL history. The point I was making by posting the stats is that the Steelers are so ing far from being the most successful team in NFL history that they are barely, if at all, more successful than the stank-ass Cowboys. I'm not sure where you think you're going by fighting this windmill, but I'm perfectly happy to continue watching you look foolish.

Again, not once did I say the Steelers were the greatest ever. Ask Patrick Ewing and the Knicks or the Mavericks how good all those playoff appearances feel. Unless you win it dosen't matter if you make the playoffs.

[Obstructed_View]

Again, not once did I say the Steelers were the greatest ever.

Then I don't know why you're getting your panties in such a bunch, because those stats were simply to prove that the Steelers aren't even within shouting distance of the greatest ever. Glad you finally admit you're aware of that. I knew you were.

And playoff appearances are a mark of team success whether or not you'd like to admit it. Since you asked me about the last time the Cowboys were in the playoffs, I suspect you already know that too.

[smahmood26]

Then I don't know why you're getting your panties in such a bunch, because those stats were simply to prove that the Steelers aren't even within shouting distance of the greatest ever. Glad you finally admit you're aware of that. I knew you were.

And playoff appearances are a mark of team success whether or not you'd like to admit it. Since you asked me about the last time the Cowboys were in the playoffs, I suspect you already know that too.

No bud, your stats were comparing Steelers v Cowboys. Not once did you provide stats for the Packers, Browns, Colts, or any other team and not once did I say Steelers greatest ever.

[Obstructed_View]

No bud, your stats were comparing Steelers v Cowboys.

Correct. I never suggested they weren't.

Not once did you provide stats for the Packers, Browns, Colts, or any other team

I wonder why. The Steelers are only as successful as the Cowboys if you don't look at anything before the Super Bowl era and don't count playoff appearances or winning seasons. For that reason they don't even deserve to be mentioned in the conversation with any of those other teams. The Cowboys are middle of the pack, and the Steelers at best don't rise far above them.

and not once did I say Steelers greatest ever.

And not once did I ever suggest that I was responding to anything you said. As I mentioned several posts back I was responding to the suggestion FromWayDowntown mentioned hearing about the Steelers. Notice also that I suggested you learn to read way back then. You still haven't, apparently.