Let's Talk About... Safeties...

No, we're not talking about Safety as in protection. We're talking about Safety, the position. Well that is to say, positionS, as there are two Safety positions. However, most NFL Fans don't seem to realize that they have different objectives. Hell even some journalist(Pete Prisco) don't seem to understand the difference between the Free and Strong Safety positions.

First of all, lets get a common misconception out of the way. While both Safeties must be able to play Coverage, for one of them, it is not their premier job, just something asked of them. That would be the Strong Safety. Players such as Troy Polamalu, Roy Williams, Adrian Wilson, John Lynch when asked to play Coverage in most Defensive schemes are supposed to be playing against Tight Ends and Halfbacks, not Wide Receivers. This isn't Madden 2006 where every player can play great coverage in some way or another.

Now, lets get into further explination by going into defensive schemes. There are 4 Basic schemes to the 4-3 and 3-4 Defenses, with the main difference between the two being the role of the Defensive Tackles and Outside Linebackers. Anyway, on to the jobs of the Safeties via certain schemes.

Cover One: The Free Safety(Left) Plays 12 to 14 Yards From the LOS and the Strong Safety plays 5 Yards Deep Over the Tight End. Incarnites of this include Blitzes involving the Linebackers, 3-4 or 4-3.

Cover Two: Perhaps the most popular Base Defense and most well known(Tampa 2 and it's incarnites) The Two Safeties play Deep Coverage 15 Yards off. The Cornerbacks either play Zone or Man, and same with the Linebackers.

Cover Three: Three Deep Zone Coverage. The Two Cornerbacks play Man or 15 Yards Deep Zone Coverage. The Strong Safety, like in the Cover One, plays 5 Yards Deep and covers the Tight End. If no TE, the SS drops back 6 to 10 or so yards in an underneath Zone or Blitzes. Pittsburgh is Famous for running this scheme last year to allow Polamalu to flourish.


Cover Four: Also known as Quarter Coverage. All Defensive Backs drop back roughly 10 to 12 yards in Zone Coverage. Also known as "Prevent Defense" or "Soft Zone" that teams employ when up and trying to bend but not break.