May 2nd, 2012 
Jeremy Fuchs 
Posted in No, I’m talking about public safety, or the safety dance, or even a tackle in the end zone that results in two points. I’m talking about the safety position, and how I’m beginning to worry that the Giants are neglecting it.
Deon Grant played a huge role in the teams “Big Nickel” package. The Big Nickel looks something like this:
The 2nd back safety is cut off in the picture but you get the idea. You have the two linebackers and then a safety just behind them, over the slot. The Big Nickel, to be clear, was not a stroke of genius by PErry Fewell. It was done, primarily, to compensate for injuries in the Giants linebacking core. I believe that if Jon Goff was healthy, or if Greg Jones or Mark Herzlich were able to be more effective and healthy, they wouldn’t be using big nickel as much.
But Jon Goff is in Washington now, and newly acquired Keith Rivers is not a middle linebacker. Michael Boley could play MIKE, as could potentially Greg Jones or Mark Herzlich. There are options.
But let’s say none pan out. Who becomes that “third” safety? Antrel Role would play closer to the line, but does that mean Tyler Sash gets more playing time? Sash is a really good special teamer; I’m not sure if he’s a good safety. Even if the linebackers do pan out, depth is minimal. While I guess, theoretically, Terrell Thomas could play safety, the backup options behind Rolle and Phillips are Sash and UDFA Janzen Jackson. Not ideal.
The Giants largely ignored safety in the draft and free agency. Chris Horton is coming off injury and we cannot be sure if he’s ready or if he can contribute beyond special teams. There are some safeties still out there. O.J. Atogwe. Yeremiah Bell. Chris Crocker. Husain Abdullah. See this list for more.
The Giants clearly have more faith in Tyler Sash than I do. I see him as a great special teamer. Which is fine, you need those, but I don’t see him as a viable safety option. The Giants have a plan that we’re not privy to. But I would like to start seeing it in action.
Grant was able to help because of his great experience, he was a 10 year veteran last season. He was good enough at reading offenses to somewhat compensate his lack of physical abilities.
Sash is inexperienced (41 snaps last season) and doesn’t seem to be an athlete to start with. There’s no way he can play the “nickel safety” spot.
Question. If Thomas had been healthy, would Grant have played 1125 snaps ? The nickel is supposed to be 3 CBs, right ?
Won’t Fewell go back to that ?
The big nickel package was only necessary because the Giants didn’t have any one better than Grant at CB behind Ross and Webster. With a healthy Amukamara, a newly drafted Hosley, and the return of Tyron, Coe and Witherspoon, the Giants are (hopefully) better suited to have a true nickel package on passing downs. Once Rolle has the chance to actually play the safety position, this defense has the opportunity to be way better than it was for most of last season.
Well the plan last year was to play TT at the Bison position that Grant manned last year after he went down to begin with. That said, I still would like to see them bring in a safety as Sash is not someone who I’m comfortable with stepping in full time if something happens to Philips or Rolle.
I thought Yeremiah Bell signed with the Jets, but after looking I see that he visited but wasn’t signed. Also Atogwe has garnered interest from the Lions and Chiefs recently, so it’s only a matter of time before he signs somewhere, maybe the front office is high on Horton/Sash?
Prince can cover is he has to. He is not small. We are 4 deep at nickel corner. Prince and Molden is are not small. We are more then o k in our secondary.
What about Chad Jones? Isn’t this supposed to be his year to be back?
Last I heard he couldn’t sprint yet. He participated in workouts with the teams a couple of weeks ago, hasn’t been cleared to “full football activities” by the Giants’ medical staff though.
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/04/chad_jones_impresses_fellow_gi.html
OTAs will tell us more.
He’s done an absolutely extraordinary thing coming back this far and kudos for that, but let’s not kid ourselves, the hardest part is ahead for him.
I think 3rd safety as of right now is going to be J.Williams.I think Rivers,Boley and Kiwanuka at LB and J.Will deserves to see the field because hes only going to get better I believe he proved himself last year and has the speed to do it.I also I think that its not out of the question to bring back Grant for the minimum or bring in Y.Bell hes a solid player.I live in South Florida I personally believe he can be a very solid situational player and hes a solid tackler.