Which Safeties Make the Final Roster?

Written by Mike Davidsen Thursday, 22 July 2010 15:19

Days after the 2010 draft ended in April, most of my thoughts were centered around the concern of not taking a cornerback in what was considered a draft class rich in corners. I was content with how Ted Thompson had addressed the safety position, selecting Morgan Burnett in the third round, and was fairly certain how the Packers' picture at safety would play out in July. However, in mid May the coaching staff made things interesting, moving former cornerback Will Blackmon to safety. 

The decision to move Blackmon to safety was a good one, in my opinion, as I hadn't been dazzled by his play at cornerback over the past few seasons. At the same time, this move, along with Morgan Burnett's impressive play in mini camps and Atari Bigby's refusal to sign his tender, has complicated the situation at safety. Burnett and pro bowler Nick Collins are virtual locks to make the roster - but who should be joining them? 

Breakdown of the Packers' Safeties 

The Packers typically keep four safeties on their roster going into the regular season, but have five vying for a roster spots. I break down what each competing safety brings to the table, and the various ways the situation can play out in camp, assuming other safeties, Anthony Levine and Charlie Peprah aren't roster-bound. 

Derrick Martin 

The Packers were impressed enough with how well Derrick Martin caught on to the 3-4 system last season to resign him to a two-year deal this past February. Martin doesn't necessarily make fans feel great about the Packers' depth at safety, but is considered one of the team's best special teams players. This makes Martin a valuable asset to the Packers, given their hole at quality special teamers. 

Will Blackmon 

Interestingly enough, Will Blackmon, like Martin, holds value as one of few reliable special teams players. The Packers are yet to find another player capable of matching Blackmon's solid but not spectacular return ability. The Packers also have hope that Blackmon will make a better free safety than cornerback and are surely interested in seeing what he can do at the position in a game atmosphere. 

Atari Bigby 

Atari Bigby easily holds the most value of the players just mentioned just because of his superiority at the safety position. Though not always outstanding in coverage, Bigby is spectacular against the run, and it's clear that the Packers play better when he's healthy. 

Consider the Posibilities 

So, how is this situation likely to play out? Obviously, a lot will depend on performance in training camp, and from those results, a couple scenarios can occur. The Packers would love to boost their coverage units on special teams, their return game and their safety depth - but in order to fully satisfy all of those things, they would need to keep all five safeties. 

With all the positives that go along with these three players, it's tempting to keep all of them. As opposed to last year, the Packers would actually have solid safety depth if they made space for all five players. However, as mentioned earlier, the Packers rarely keep more than four safeties and have other positions where they could use an extra body, especially if Al Harris starts the season on the PUP list. In addition, Blackmon is really the only one of the five that could assist at a position other than safety, if necessary. For these reasons, it's hard to see the Packers retaining all five players. 

Will Martin Make the Cut? 

Derrick Martin sure didn't show me much while actually playing safety last season. It scares me when I think back to how unreliable Martin was when the Packers were forced to play him in place of an injured Bigby early last season. However, when the Packers resigned him, it was a signal that the coaching staff thinks he can transition into a solid safety, in addition to being a top-notch special teams player. On top of that, the entire organization knows that if Martin is cut, it's almost a must that Jarrett Bush is retained for special teams purposes...and no one wants that. 

Blackmon's Special Teams Edge 

I'm truly interested in seeing what Will Blackmon can do at safety in training camp. He was so mediocre at cornerback that I was even proposing that he be given a try at wide receiver, a position he played in college. Regardless, Blackmon's punt and kick return ability is what will keep him on the roster - even if it's not anything special. If the Packers can find another player with potential at both return-man positions, Blackmon becomes expendable. 

At the same time, I don't know how likely it is that the Packers cut the proven return-man loose, especially when you consider the fact that he missed almost all of last season and maybe just hasn't reached his full potential yet. It would take a lot of impressing by another returnman prospect to unseat Blackmon at the position with limited true game-like conditions. 

Bigby: A Safety on the Brink? 

You're probably wondering why I included Atari Bigby as a safety on the brink in the first place. Technically, he should be inserted ahead of Burnett on the depth chart. However, provided that he'll sign his tender before camp, it's a possibility that Bigby could become a possible trade candidate before the preseason is over, depending heavily on the performance of the other competing safeties, namely Morgan Burnett. 

While Bigby still should be considered the favorite to win the strong safety job, he has a few things working against him. First, he lost out on valuable time with his teammates during the offseason - time that benefitted Burnett greatly. Also, it should be noted that Ted Thompson traded up for Burnett in this past draft - and the last player that he traded up for (Clay Matthews) was called upon to contribute immediately. 

I have never felt that Bigby was the sure long-term solution at strong safety for the Packers. Could Ted Thompson secretly be getting a taste of the market for Bigby, just in case Burnett looks ready to start in the NFL this season? It's unlikely that this is the case, especially since the Packers have suffered from lack of quality safety depth for the past couple of seasons. But, if a team dangles draft picks in Thompson's face in exchange for Bigby, you never know what could happen. 

Finding a Quality Return-Man Could Seal the Deal 

It's very difficult to tell how the Packers will go about this issue of having five respectable safeties on the roster going into training camp. Injuries and the crowdedness at other positions will play into the Packers' final decision as well. Though no option seems perfectly ideal, my hesitant prediction is that Will Blackmon will be cut after the Packers find respectable options at both return spots in training camp. James Starks, Pat Lee, Jordy Nelson, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Quinn Porter and Chastin West are all names that have been given the chance to compete for return-man roles. 

The Packers have made a commitment to improving their special teams and that starts with the versatile Derrick Martin. I also know that there are other positions on the roster that call for that extra player. Such is the case on the defensive line, after Johnny Jolly was just suspended, as well as cornerback. No matter what happens, the Packers will need rookie Morgan Burnett to shine while on the field, when he gets his opportunity.

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