Berry vs. ThomasApril 21, 2010
I can’t say it enough, the league is changing. Safety’s used to be small linebackers with strong safeties playing in the box and free safeties being slow corners but good athletes playing centerfield. Both safety positions are asked to do more than ever: cover, hit, lead, stay out of trouble etc. The best two safeties in this years class are Earl Thomas of Texas and Eric Berry of Tennessee both of which are free safeties.
Eric Berry
Vitals: 6′0″ 211 lbs.
Speed: If he needs to play corner he can.
Range: Amazing.
In the box: Plays like he’s 20 pounds heavier. Great blitzer.
Coverage: He can blanket a tight end or 3rd wideout.
Awareness: Just uncanny man….kid is sick.
Tackling: Bringing the wood isn’t enough, the boy plays with aluminum.
Playmaking Ability: In his blood.
Comparison: A playmaking Brian Dawkins
Pros: Berry is the real deal at free safety. He has the heart to play strong safety if he needs too. He was used in a multiple of ways in college. He hits hard and plays even smarter. Just a solid all-around player.
Cons: His hype is allowing too many people to turn a naked eye junior season. Under Lane Kiffin he played in the box more but made less plays. Only two picks.
Overall: I liken him to Brian Dawkins. He’s just a force of nature. He’s not as intimidating or vocal as Dawkins, but he leads by example and makes a ton more plays than Dawkins.
Earl Thomas
Vitals: 5′10″ 208 lbs.
Speed: Not a burner but makes up for it with instincts.
Range: I think his wing span is the width of the football field.
In the box: Too light in the ass to play in the box, but too big of a heart to keep him out.
Coverage: Best cover safety in the draft. Covers better than some corners.
Awareness: Has to be related to Dionne Warrick or Ms. Cleo, just has too.
Tackling: You’ll remember his name when he hit you.
Playmaking Ability: Defensive Michael Irvin. Yep, sounds about right.
Comparison: Ed Reed
Pros: A pure cover safety. He makes plays all day long. He knows where the ball is going to be at all times and never met an interception or a big play he didn’t like.
Cons: He’s small. I don’t know why he picked up all the weight in the offseason, because it slowed him down during the combine.
Overall: Ed Reed Jr. plain and simple.
Who am I picking???
Every is giving Berry all the love because they know he is going to be a solid pro, but no one has any guts other than NFL Network’s Mike Mayock. Me and Mr. Mayock agree that Earl Thomas is the best safety in this draft and that’s who I’m rolling with. It’s a passing league, Ed Reed’s never been a body destroyer type safety, he makes plays and gets your offense back on the field. Thomas is better in coverage and a better playmaker and that’s what the league is about today.
That’s all I got,
Ricky Writer
