2010 free-agent preview: Defensive backs
Article By viyer.tsn on 23rd February, 2010
This is the third in a series of position-by-position analyses of the best players who may be available on the NFL's open market when free agency opens on March 5:
Safeties first What do Nick Collins, Antoine Bethea and O.J. Atogwe have in common? They all stand 5-11, they're all playmakers in their primes, and unfortunately for teams hungry for such safeties, they all will be restricted free agents.
The top prize is Collins, who has 13 interceptions over the past two seasons. Considering his talent and Green Bay's secondary concerns, the team should consider locking him up beyond 2010.
Bethea, whose strong tackling helped the Colts overcome the loss of Bob Sanders, will be back in Indianapolis.
The most "available" of this trio is Atogwe, one of the few bright spots on the Rams' defense. The team desperately needs draft help and may move him for the right offer of picks.
The corner market Like the Packers with Collins, it would be wise for the Panthers to give similarly restricted cornerback Richard Marshall a long-term deal. Former Jaguars and Rams wide receiver Torry Holt, a seven-time Pro Bowler, thinks Marshall has All-Pro potential. "He has it all," Holt said. "He's a very physical, strong guy who likes contact."
Holt compares Marshall, who had 88 tackles and four interceptions last season, to a bigger, faster version of Antoine Winfield who can both cover and play the run.
Unrestricted free agent cornerback Leigh Bodden is capable of huge games. While Marshall has the most upside and is the least available, the Patriots' Leigh Bodden and the Texans' Dunta Robinson are both unrestricted.
Bodden, with his size (6-1, 193) and long arms, is attractive for a team that plays a lot of zone and off coverage. He can explode for big games. During his first season in New England, three of his five interceptions came in one game, against the Jet...
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Safeties first What do Nick Collins, Antoine Bethea and O.J. Atogwe have in common? They all stand 5-11, they're all playmakers in their primes, and unfortunately for teams hungry for such safeties, they all will be restricted free agents.
The top prize is Collins, who has 13 interceptions over the past two seasons. Considering his talent and Green Bay's secondary concerns, the team should consider locking him up beyond 2010.
Bethea, whose strong tackling helped the Colts overcome the loss of Bob Sanders, will be back in Indianapolis.
The most "available" of this trio is Atogwe, one of the few bright spots on the Rams' defense. The team desperately needs draft help and may move him for the right offer of picks.
The corner market Like the Packers with Collins, it would be wise for the Panthers to give similarly restricted cornerback Richard Marshall a long-term deal. Former Jaguars and Rams wide receiver Torry Holt, a seven-time Pro Bowler, thinks Marshall has All-Pro potential. "He has it all," Holt said. "He's a very physical, strong guy who likes contact."
Holt compares Marshall, who had 88 tackles and four interceptions last season, to a bigger, faster version of Antoine Winfield who can both cover and play the run.
Unrestricted free agent cornerback Leigh Bodden is capable of huge games. While Marshall has the most upside and is the least available, the Patriots' Leigh Bodden and the Texans' Dunta Robinson are both unrestricted.
Bodden, with his size (6-1, 193) and long arms, is attractive for a team that plays a lot of zone and off coverage. He can explode for big games. During his first season in New England, three of his five interceptions came in one game, against the Jet...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
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San Diego Padres Tickets: The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California.
Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
The Florida Marlins were established in 1993 as an expansion franchise, the Florida Marlins Tickets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
San Francisco Giants Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, who currently play in the National League West Division.
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