Originally posted by prometheus:
I wonder just who might make it on the niners defensive backfield. Watched Maragos'
workouts and he looks pretty good. Smooth and good movement. The niners may have some good trade bait with their safeties this year and the NFL is sorely lacking in quality safeties from what I read. What with our picks and last years guys like Mays,
Maragos plus Curtis Taylor and Reggie Smith, it seems we might have some talent in excess. Last year we had quite a few injuries in the backfield but this year we should be loaded for bear. I may be too optimistic but I think we might be really good. I thought the defensive plans often sucked as well as the players being raw. If as I suspect they do show up, then this area could be very strong. One aspect we seemed to ignore often in the past was raw speed. Now we seem to put more emphasis on speed as well as the other traits. Rawness is less of a concern as having the tools to become good. I just have the feeling we are going to cry over some of the guys we have to let go.
For the backup safeties, (maybe Reggie Smith even beats out Goldson or Mays for 2011), I'm interested in the last safety spot between Taylor, Maragos, and rookie Colin Jones. If Harb and Fangio are watching lots of game tape, they will probably have C.J. Spillman back for that 4th spot. He really stood out on special teams. Jones is a 6th rounder probably headed to the PS unless he somehow really impresses.
We do have plenty of bodies and competition in the secondary... it's the quality at LB that I am not cozy with, or the obvious lack of depth on DL.