NFC West: Nick Ferguson
The Cardinals lost Antrel Rolle, the Rams could lose Oshiomogho Atogwe and the 49ers might need to replace Michael Lewis. The Cardinals could also lose backup safety Matt Ware, who could draw interest from the Rams.
The Seahawks aren't exactly set for life at safety, either.
What to do?
I've gone through the list of available safeties -- NFC West fan favorites Brian Russell and Mark Roman are out there -- and come up with a few fallback options, listed with their 2009 teams:
Other safeties who are unrestricted free agents: Ware, Russell, Roman, Nick Ferguson, Sean Jones, Will Allen, Todd Johnson, Clinton Hart, Roy Williams, Vernon Fox, Marquand Manuel, Mike Brown, Tyrone Carter and Lawyer Milloy.
Other safeties who are free agents (but technically not UFAs): John Busing, Hamza Abdullah, Aaron Francisco, Kennard Cox, Eric Bassey, Jamaal Fudge and Quinton Teal.
Also: ESPN's John Clayton notes that Jets safety Kerry Rhodes could be an option for Arizona via trade.
The Seahawks aren't exactly set for life at safety, either.
What to do?
I've gone through the list of available safeties -- NFC West fan favorites Brian Russell and Mark Roman are out there -- and come up with a few fallback options, listed with their 2009 teams:
- Ryan Clark, Steelers. The 30-year-old longtime starter couldn't work out a long-term deal with Pittsburgh. The Cardinals are running their defense in the Pittsburgh mold. Clark could fit.
- Brodney Pool, Browns. Teams generally do not sever ties with productive 25-year-old starters, but the Browns decided against tendering Pool as a restricted free agent after he suffered a series of head injuries last season. Pool picked off four passes in 11 games last season, making 10 starts before his season was ended.
- Darren Sharper, Saints. The 34-year-old Pro Bowl choice would upgrade every secondary in the NFC West, but at what price? Sharper is probably most valuable to the Saints.
- Jermaine Phillips, Bucs. Injuries have severely limited Phillips' contributions recently. It's probably not a great sign that Tampa thought about moving him to linebacker. Still, Phillips is 30 years old, hardly ancient by safety standards, and he has 74 starts.
Other safeties who are unrestricted free agents: Ware, Russell, Roman, Nick Ferguson, Sean Jones, Will Allen, Todd Johnson, Clinton Hart, Roy Williams, Vernon Fox, Marquand Manuel, Mike Brown, Tyrone Carter and Lawyer Milloy.
Other safeties who are free agents (but technically not UFAs): John Busing, Hamza Abdullah, Aaron Francisco, Kennard Cox, Eric Bassey, Jamaal Fudge and Quinton Teal.
Also: ESPN's John Clayton notes that Jets safety Kerry Rhodes could be an option for Arizona via trade.
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
HOUSTON -- Top 49ers free-agent acquisition Brandon Jones is among the players inactive for San Francisco against the Texans in Week 7.
Fellow receivers Jason Hill and Micheal Spurlock are also on the inactive list.
It is Michael Crabtree's time, in other words. Crabtree, Isaac Bruce, Josh Morgan and Arnaz Battle are the receivers for the 49ers.
Also inactive for the 49ers: offensive lineman Cody Wallace, defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois, safety Reggie Smith, safety Michael Lewis and quarterback Nate Davis, who did not make the trip.
Inactive for the Texans: safety Nick Ferguson, receiver Glenn Martinez, cornerback Fred Bennett, linebacker Jamie Winborn, guard Tutan Reyes, tight end Anthony Hill and defensive tackle Frank Okam. Dan Orlovsky is the third quarterback.
HOUSTON -- Top 49ers free-agent acquisition Brandon Jones is among the players inactive for San Francisco against the Texans in Week 7.
Fellow receivers Jason Hill and Micheal Spurlock are also on the inactive list.
It is Michael Crabtree's time, in other words. Crabtree, Isaac Bruce, Josh Morgan and Arnaz Battle are the receivers for the 49ers.
Also inactive for the 49ers: offensive lineman Cody Wallace, defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois, safety Reggie Smith, safety Michael Lewis and quarterback Nate Davis, who did not make the trip.
Inactive for the Texans: safety Nick Ferguson, receiver Glenn Martinez, cornerback Fred Bennett, linebacker Jamie Winborn, guard Tutan Reyes, tight end Anthony Hill and defensive tackle Frank Okam. Dan Orlovsky is the third quarterback.
With Texans loading up for pass, time to run
October, 11, 2009
10/11/09
3:05
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Texans are keeping five defensive ends and nine defensive backs active against the Cardinals, presumably because they expect Arizona to pass the ball frequently.
It's a logical move given the Cardinals' known style and one more reason Arizona should try to get Beanie Wells going on the ground.
Houston named defensive tackles DelJuan Robinson and Frank Okam among its inactive players. Also inactive: Glenn Martinez, Nick Ferguson, Antwaun Molden, Antoine Caldwell and Anthony Hill. Dan Orlovsky is the third quarterback.
Age-old question for Seahawks' Milloy
September, 6, 2009
9/06/09
5:00
PM ET
By
Mike Sando | ESPN.com
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The Seahawks confirmed Lawyer Milloy's expected signing with the team, presumably as a backup safety.
Milloy played nearly 90 percent of the Falcons' defensive snaps last season, but my initial expectation would be for Jordan Babineaux to join Deon Grant in the lineup at safety. Perhaps the Seahawks will find a situational role for Milloy. Perhaps Milloy will work his way into the lineup based on what happens early in the season. It's too early for declarations.
Quite a few NFL defensive backs remain productive into their 30s. I've got Milloy as the second-oldest defensive back in the league after teams reduced to the 53-player limit. The Broncos' Brian Dawkins, born Oct. 13, 1973, has Milloy beat by about a month (Milloy was born Nov. 14, 1973).
The chart shows the five oldest defensive backs in the league following roster cutdowns. The top five averaged 13 starts per player last season and 13.3 per player over each of the last three seasons. Of the five, Milloy started the most games (46 of 48) since 2006.
The Seahawks released a short statement announcing Milloy's addition. TV cameras showed Milloy on the University of Washington's sideline Saturday for the Huskies' home game against LSU. He grew up in Tacoma.
The Seahawks confirmed Lawyer Milloy's expected signing with the team, presumably as a backup safety.
Milloy played nearly 90 percent of the Falcons' defensive snaps last season, but my initial expectation would be for Jordan Babineaux to join Deon Grant in the lineup at safety. Perhaps the Seahawks will find a situational role for Milloy. Perhaps Milloy will work his way into the lineup based on what happens early in the season. It's too early for declarations.
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Quite a few NFL defensive backs remain productive into their 30s. I've got Milloy as the second-oldest defensive back in the league after teams reduced to the 53-player limit. The Broncos' Brian Dawkins, born Oct. 13, 1973, has Milloy beat by about a month (Milloy was born Nov. 14, 1973).
The chart shows the five oldest defensive backs in the league following roster cutdowns. The top five averaged 13 starts per player last season and 13.3 per player over each of the last three seasons. Of the five, Milloy started the most games (46 of 48) since 2006.
The Seahawks released a short statement announcing Milloy's addition. TV cameras showed Milloy on the University of Washington's sideline Saturday for the Huskies' home game against LSU. He grew up in Tacoma.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
