2009 Free Agents: Safeties

MISSING

2009 Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2009.

Jermaine Phillips, Buccaneers. Age: 30.
Re-signed with Buccaneers

Jermaine Phillips’ absence (fractured forearm) was a major reason why the Buccaneers lost consecutive home games at the end of the season to San Diego and Oakland. Even at 30, Phillips is the most dynamic safety on the market. Unless Tampa Bay really wants to blow things up and start over, it’ll need to retain him.
Gibril Wilson, Raiders. Age: 27.
Signed with Dolphins (5 years, $27.5 million)

The poor Raiders had to cut Gibril Wilson because they overpaid for him a year ago and could no longer afford him. That’s great news for the other 31 teams in the league. Wilson is one of the top safeties on the market.
Yeremiah Bell, Dolphins. Age: 31.
Re-signed with Dolphins (4 years, $20 million)

If it weren’t for Yeremiah Bell, all hope would be lost in Miami’s secondary. The only concern here is age, but a 3- or a 4-year deal would be fine.
James Sanders, Patriots. Age: 25.
Re-signed with Patriots (3 years, $9 million)

James Sanders has become a pretty reliable player in New England’s secondary. At just 25 years old, Sanders looks like he has a bright future ahead of him.
Dawan Landry (RFA), Ravens. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Ravens (1 year)

Dawan Landry recorded five interceptions as a rookie, but none since. However, he played in just two games this season because of a spinal cord concussion. In related news, Landry’s spinal cord still thinks its name is “Batman.”
Sean Jones, Browns. Age: 27.
Signed with Eagles (1 year)

Normally, strong safety is one of the few positions that’s not a weakness on Cleveland’s defense. However, Jones was banged up all year despite never missing a start prior to the 2008 campaign.
Jarrad Page (RFA), Chiefs. Age: 24.
Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year)

Though it was projected that rookie DaJuan Morgan would supplant Jarrad Page at free safety at the beginning of the season, Page held off the N.C. State product and played really well, picking off four passes.
O.J. Atogwe, Rams. Age: 28.
Franchised by Rams

Overrated, thanks to his 13 picks in the past two seasons. O.J. Atogwe sometimes gets lost in coverage, which really hurts the Rams. However, he occasionally makes up for it with a big play. Atogwe gambles a lot and can come up with a huge interception, but he just as easily hurts St. Louis on the next drive.
Jim Leonhard, Ravens. Age: 26.
Signed with Jets (3 years)

Jim Leonhard stepped in for an injured Dawan Landry and played remarkably well. Look for him to follow Rex Ryan to New York.
Eugene Wilson, Texans. Age: 29.
Re-signed with Texans (3 years)

Eugene Wilson was able to stay healthy for a change and revitalized his career, starting the final nine games of the season. Whether he can remain injury-free going forward should be a concern.
Atari Bigby (RFA), Packers. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Packers (1 year, $1.545 million)

Atari Bigby was supposed to follow up his great playoff run in 2007 with a solid season in 2008. Didn’t happen. Bigby was injured all year and played in just seven games. Bigby will need to prove himself in 2009 to land a big contract.
Bernard Pollard, Chiefs. Age: 24.
Signed with Texans

I’m curious as to how Scott Pioli determined that Mike Brown is a better option at strong safety than Bernard Pollard. Then again, a spread-shotgun system quarterback is worth $63 million in Kansas City. Bernard Pollard will be a nice addition for a real NFL team.
Brian Dawkins, Eagles. Age: 35.
Signed with Broncos (5 years, $17 million; $7.2 million guaranteed)

A sure-fire Hall of Famer in about a decade, Weapon X struggled in coverage this year, but was very effective near the line of scrimmage. He’s a tremendous leader and the Eagles need him in the locker room.
Roy Williams, Cowboys. Age: 29.
Signed with Bengals

Definitely not an every-down safety anymore and an abomination in coverage, but Roy Williams could find a home on a team that prefers strong safety-linebacker tweeners like the Patriots or Falcons.
Reed Doughty (RFA), Redskins. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Redskins (1 year)

Reed Doughty did a great job for the Redskins at safety after Sean Taylor’s tragic passing. However, he was lost for the year with a back injury in early October. Doughty will have to look elsewhere for a starting gig because Chris Horton played extremely well for Washington as a rookie.
James Butler, Giants. Age: 26.
Signed with Rams (4 years, $14 million)

James Butler, the starting strong safety for the Giants, wasn’t a big liability or anything, but he certainly wasn’t a strength either. New York could use an upgrade at the position.
Chris Crocker, Bengals. Age: 29.
Re-signed with Bengals (4 years, $10 million)

One of the top reserve defensive backs in the NFL, Chris Crocker can play nickel, safety and special teams.
C.C. Brown, Texans. Age: 26.
Signed with Giants (1 year)

A proud member of the WF.com message boards, C.C. Brown broke his arm and missed most of the 2008 season. He should be brought back as a very strong backup.
Marquand Manuel, Broncos. Age: 30.
Signed with Lions

Should sign on as a solid reserve somewhere. Marquand Manuel had 83 tackles in 2008.
George Wilson (RFA), Bills. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Bills (1 year, $1.01 million)

A quality reserve who has started 12 games the past two seasons. George Wilson will be retained.
Will Demps, Texans. Age: 29.
Should be an OK backup somewhere. I have no idea how this guy made the Pro Bowl in 2007.
Darren Sharper, Vikings. Age: 33.
Signed with Saints

Darren Sharper’s days as a starter are over. Excluding two instances, the last time Sharper came off the bench was in 1997 – his rookie season.
Marlon McCree, Broncos. Age: 32.
Signed with Jaguars

An old veteran past his prime, Marlon McCree missed half the year with an ankle injury.
Rodney Harrison, Patriots. Age: 36.
Announced retirement

Rodney Harrison announced that he’s coming back for 2009. He’ll be a locker-room leader/solid reserve for the Patriots, but nothing more.
Renaldo Hill, Dolphins. Age: 30.
Signed with Broncos (4 years, $10 million)

Renaldo Hill turns 31 in November. His starting days are over.
Abram Elam (RFA), Jets. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Jets

Started nine games for the Jets but struggled at times. Strong safety needs to be upgraded.
Keith Davis, Raiders. Age: 31.
Keith Davis took over as Dallas’ starter once Roy Williams and Pat Watkins went on the IR. He’s a reliable backup, but he shouldn’t be starting for anyone at this point.
Vincent Fuller, Titans. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Titans

A young, capable backup safety. Has one career start.
Lawyer Milloy, Falcons. Age: 35.
Signed with Seahawks

Like Rodney Harrison, Lawyer Milloy could be useful as a veteran backup.
Anthony Smith, Rams. Age: 25.
Signed with Jaguars

You may remember Anthony Smith as the guy who predicted that the Steelers would knock off the undefeated Patriots back in 2007. For an encore, Smith has projected himself to be offered a $125 million contract. Good luck with that.
David Barrett, Jets. Age: 31.
Will be a decent depth player for the next team that signs him.
Gerald Sensabaugh, Jaguars. Age: 26.
Signed with Cowboys (1 year)

A young safety who was thrust into the starting lineup once the Jaguars figured out that they wasted tons of money on Drayton Florence.
Mike Brown, Bears. Age: 31.
Signed with Chiefs

It’s a shame, but it looks like Mike Brown’s career is winding down. He was an incredible player when healthy, but he spent far too many weeks on injury reports.
Tank Williams, Patriots. Age: 29. – Re-signed with Patriots
Corey Chavous, Rams. Age: 33.
Matt Giordano, Colts. Age: 26. – Signed with Packers
Brandon McGowan, Bears. Age: 25. – Signed with Patriots (2 years)
Aaron Francisco, Cardinals. Age: 26. – Signed with Colts (1 year)
Brian Russell, Texans. Age: 31. – Re-signed with Texans
Sean Considine, Eagles. Age: 27. – Signed with Jaguars (2 years, $3 million)
Mike Adams, Browns. Age: 28. – Re-signed with Browns (3 years, $4.1 million)
Clinton Hart, Chargers. Age: 32. – Signed with Rams
Jon McGraw, Chiefs. Age: 30. – Re-signed with Chiefs
Rashad Baker, Raiders. Age: 27.
Will Allen, Buccaneers. Age: 27. – Re-signed with Buccaneers
Dwight Smith, Lions. Age: 31.
Josh Bullocks, Saints. Age: 26. – Signed with Bears (1 year, $525,000)
Nate Salley, Panthers. Age: 25.
Keith Lewis, Panthers. Age: 27.
Calvin Lowry, Lions. Age: 26.
Brannon Condren, Colts. Age: 26.
Hank Poteat, Jets. Age: 32. – Signed with Browns
Dexter Jackson, Bengals. Age: 32.
Mike Green, Redskins. Age: 32.
Pierson Prioleau, Jaguars. Age: 32. – Signed with Saints
Jimmy Williams, 49ers. Age: 25.
Kevin Kaesviharn, Panthers. Age: 33. – Signed with Titans
Nick Ferguson, Texans. Age: 34. – Re-signed with Texans
Mike Doss, Bengals. Age: 28.
Terrence Holt, Saints. Age: 29.
Glenn Earl, Texans. Age: 28. – Signed with Bears (1 year)
Michael Boulware, Vikings. Age: 27.
Tank Williams, Patriots. Age: 29.
Chad Nkang, Jaguars. Age: 24.
Oliver Celestin, Chiefs. Age: 28.
J.R. Reed, Jets. Age: 27.
Jamaal Fudge, Falcons. Age: 26. – Re-signed with Falcons
Corey Lynch, Bengals. Age: 24. – Signed with Buccaneers
John Busing (ERFA), Bengals. Age: 26.
Cameron Worrell, Bears. Age: 29.
Herana-Daze Jones, Saints. Age: 27.
Sammy Knight, Giants. Age: 33.