Sports Publications

A solid group of safeties

Sporting News, The, Jan 13, 2003 by Dan Pompei

None of these guys is likely to be among the first names called by Paul Tagliabue on draft day, but a lot of them could become solid NFL safeties. Look for a number of them to be chosen in Rounds 2 through 4.

1. Troy Polamalu, 5-11, 213, Southern California. Explosive, active, tough player. Smart and fast. Shows good awareness. Moves well in space, but his strength is playing in the box. Doesn't have a lot of experience in coverage.

2. Terrence Holt, 6-2, 202, North Carolina State. Doesn't have top speed like older brother Torry Holt of the Rams, but he has tremendous instincts. Athletic and aggressive. Can play strong or free safety. Makes plays.

3. Mike Doss, 5-10, 200, Ohio State. Aggressive player who is solid against the run. Athletic and disciplined. Covers a lot of ground. Needs to improve coverage technique but makes up for it with anticipation and speed. Is undersized. Gives up some big plays.

4. Todd Johnson, 6-1, 201, Florida. Big hitter. Can be the quarterback of a defense. Solid and dependable. Is a little tight in coverage and needs to improve his tackling technique.

5. Gerome Sapp, 6-0, 211, Notre Dame. Came on strong this year, showing awareness, discipline and instincts. Versatile enough to play either safety position. Makes more plays on feel than athleticism.

6. Julian Battle, 6-2, 206, Tennessee. Rangy player who is willing to hit. Strength is a plus. Speed is average, but he is athletic. Has played some at cornerback and could be used at that position in the NFL.

7. Donnie Nickey, 6-2, 212, Ohio State. Nice combination of size and speed. Also is tough and athletic. Conservative player who doesn't make a lot of plays. Could improve his stock at the NFL Scouting Combine.

8. Willie Pile, 6-2, 262, Virginia Tech. Tall prospect who can run. Shows intelligence and toughness. Can cover in zone but struggles in man.

9. Anthony Floyd, 5-10, 202, Louisville. Lacks ideal size and speed but has a nose for the ball. Will come up with interceptions. Is at his best against the run, Doesn't have great body control in space.

10. Charles Drake, 6-1, 204, Michigan. Productive player with size and speed. Needs to improve tackling technique and take better angles to the ball.

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By THE WAR ROOM

Arizona State DE Terrell Suggs, who declared for the draft last week, reminds us a lot of the Colts' Dwight Freeney. At 6-3, 232, Suggs has exceptional quickness, burst and pass-rushing skills. He set the Division I-A season sack record this season with 24--breaking a record held by Freeney--and won the Lombardi, Nagurski and Hendricks awards. Freeney was selected with the 11th overall pick; similarly, look for Suggs to go in the first 15 picks.... Suggs' teammate, WR Shaun McDonald, also is coming out early, but he shouldn't get his hopes up too high. McDonald has terrific quickness, reliable hands and good route-running skills, and he was one of the most productive receivers in school history. But at 5-9, 175, he may never be more than a No. 3 receiver in the NFL. It's unlikely McDonald will be drafted before the third round.... Georgia RB Musa Smith and DT Johnathan Sullivan have not yet made their draft decisions, but we're hearing both intend to skip their final seasons. Smith missed one game because of injury but finished his junior year on a high, rushing for 145 yards in the Sugar Bowl and being named MVP. Sullivan (6-3, 299) started every game for the Bulldogs this season and produced 17 1/2 tackles for loss. Both have been in touch with the NFL advisory committee and, from what we understand, Smith was told he would be taken in the third or fourth round and Sullivan perhaps as high as the first.... Miami sophomore DT Vince Wilfork apparently will not be leaving school early, as reports suggested he might. Both of Wilfork's parents died recently, and he says he's going to return to school to honor a promise he made to them.