Official Redskins Off-Season News & Rumors-Part Trois

[Skinzman]

To the Niles Paul blowing past Philip Thomas statement. Sounds more like Thomas misread the play. Paul runs a 4.5, Thomas runs in the 4.6-4.7 range. Sounds like he expected a short pattern and planted his feet. If it happens all the time, I see the point. But once in OTA's isnt exactly the end of his career.

Troy Polamalu does not have very good top end speed. He just understands angles and has the instincts to be moving in the right direction before he should be. The best safeties arent necessarily the fastest ones, its the ones who have the best instincts. Even Troy and Ed Reed have been burned before.

[ethat001]

Originally Posted by Skinzman

The best safeties arent necessarily the fastest ones, its the ones who have the best instincts. Even Troy and Ed Reed have been burned before.

Agreed. The safety can be 15-20 yards back from scrimmage. The 4.5 receiver runs 20 yards forward, and safety runs 5-10-15 to meet the receiver (with good angles). They still need speed, but they're not starting from the same point on the field -- so angles / instincts are more important.