The 2007 season was a surprising one for the Eagles safeties. The safeties who began the season as starters weren’t the safeties who did most of the playing. In addition, the guys who played the best football weren’t the ones we expected it to be.
Brian Dawkins missed the entire training camp due to injury and his season was much the same. He never really got his body ready to play. There were times when Dawk was ineffective as a tackler and not much of a factor in the game. He had only 37 tackles for the season. Brian let everybody know that he will be back and he’ll have to prove that he’s still capable of being the Brian Dawkins we’ve seen over the years.
Quintin Mikell took advantage of his opportunity to start and has no plans of giving it up. He’s an run defender when he moves up into the box. Mikell is an excellent tackler and he has some pop in his hits. He had 74 tackles for the year. Quintin did a good job as a cover man and didn’t give up any big plays. I’d like to see him get his hands a few more passes but that should come with time. With Andy Reid saying Quintin has been playing like a Pro Bowler, he’s in a secure position for next year and it’s well deserved.
Sean Considine will return next year after a shoulder injury sidelined him, but he’s definitely not a starter. Considine doesn’t pack a punch when he tackles. He absorbs the hit of every ball carrier and that’s why he’s had so much shoulder trouble. Considine had 36 tackles in the time he played. He does a good job of being in position to defend the pass but he’s poor when it comes to making a play when the ball is in the air.
The play of J.R. Reed was a pleasant surprise. He showed his ability to lay a lick on receivers. J.R. also was adept at coming up to force the run. Reed had 31 tackles during the season. He’ll be back in the mix next year and probably be more comfortable with the coverages.
Personally, I’d like to see the Birds draft a cornerback and when necessary (when Brian Dawkins says good-bye) move Sheldon Brown from corner to safety
07’ Grade – C
