Let's talk about a replacement for Sherrod...

[Guest Bwood15]

As the offseason begins and we start evaluating the draft, I started thinking of guys that our coaches want to upgrade from and immediately thought of Martin. I think we could even find ourselves in a position were we could be looking for a guy in the first or second round to come in and start.

So lets take a look at the top safety's heading into this years draft.

Mark Barron, Alabama.

Blessed with size, strength and instincts, Barron has been a standout for the Tide since emerging as a starter during his true sophomore season, earning First Team All-SEC honors after each of the past two years. He burst onto the scene in 2009, leading the conference with seven interceptions and picked off another three last year. He's developed a reputation as a big hitter, as well.

Man Coverage: Not often asked to drop down and cover the slot in this scheme. Is a bit stiff in the hips and has only average change of direction. Does show a late burst to close on the football.

Zone Coverage: Good instincts and overall athleticism for zone coverage. A bit high in his backpedal as he's a high cut athlete, but can plant and drive downhill on the football. Reads the quarterback's eyes and has good feet, balance and straight-line speed, aiding him in being in consistently good position when in pass coverage.

Ball Skills: Classic ball hawk. Reads the quarterback's eyes and does a nice job of breaking on the throw. Good acceleration and straight-line speed. Very good ball skills for the position. Generally times his leaps well and has good hand-eye coordination to make the difficult grab. Good vision and natural running skills with the football.

Run Support: Reads run quickly and aggressively attacks, taking out blockers when he has help behind him. Unafraid of playing near the line of scrimmage, though he shows only average strength and technique to disengage. Good agility and speed to avoid blockers, showing an ability to make a lot of plays at or near the line of scrimmage. Prone to overrunning the play, however, and leaving potential cutback lanes for backs to exploit.

Tackling: Isn't as reliable an open field tackler as you'd think, considering his reputation. Flies upfield in run support and can fail to break down properly. Doesn't possess the elite agility to dance with runners in the open field and always make the secure stop. Physical hitter who teases with textbook hit-lift-drive technique, but will also duck his head occasion to make the big hit and miss entirely or fail to wrap up securely and have the ball-carrier spin through his attempted tackle. Among his better traits, however, is his ability to take good angles when in pursuit. Understands his role as the last line of defense and rarely allows ball-carriers to get past him when he is in this position.

Intangibles: Arrested in March 2011 on charges of hindering prosecution, a misdemeanor charge, as police believed he was not telling full truth about one-car accident in his hometown of Mobile. Missed the Capital One Bowl after suffering a torn right pectoral muscle against Auburn. The injury played a major factor in Barron electing to return to Alabama for his senior season.

--Rob Rang

Markelle Martin, Oklahoma St.

Some players flourish under the big lights; Martin's performances in the Cowboys' past two bowl appearances put him in that category. He racked up nine tackles and a pass break-up in the 2010 Cotton Bowl against Ole Miss, then won player of game honors in the 2010 Alamo Bowl after returning an interception 62 yards for a touchdown and breaking up two other passes in the team's 36-10 dismantling of Arizona.

Man Coverage: Not a major liability in man coverage. Good enough foot speed and length to stay with slot receivers in four-wide sets on short patterns. Reads receivers' routes and anticipates throws at the first down marker. Best lined well off the line of scrimmage, though, due to high, stiff backpedal. Also lacks elite speed to recover if beaten on double move.

Zone Coverage: Covers a lot of ground in a hurry when in space. Reads the quarterback's eyes and see the routes very quickly, then has straight-line speed to arrive with or just after the ball. Aware in the red zone, stays on the back line to take away fade throws. NFL quarterbacks may take advantage of his aggressiveness in man and zone, eyeing up short routes and going over the top behind him.

Ball Skills: Capable of making quarterbacks pay for late throws. Closes to the ball quite well and possesses the hands to ****** throws away from his frame. Straight-line speed allows him to return the pick to the end zone. Not fully consistent on making the interception in front of receivers, but gets to the ball regularly.

Run Support: See the ball well, even when deep, and explodes to the ballcarrier on stretch plays to either sideline. Cognizant of tight end and linemen blocks when coming downhill; won't bully them one-on-one, but frees himself whenever possible by extending his arm.

Tackling: Unleashes big hits on receivers, making them hear footsteps later in the game, using closing speed and tenacity to arrive with maximum impact. Strong upper body allows him to drag down backs to the ground in the space. Ducks his head and swipes too often on open field tackles, however, and will draw the occasional personal foul flag. Not asked to blitz often, but should be solid in that capacity once learning how to beat pass blocks with his hands given his strength and tenacity.

Intangibles: Plays through the whistle, sometimes on the other side. Very good student, won 2010 team award for his academic performance. Missed 2011 spring practices after having surgery on his left shoulder, also missed time in 2009 with a hip injury.

--Chad Reuter

Bacarri Rambo, Georgia.

Rambo has had an excellent junior season and is one of the nation's leaders in interceptions with seven. He also has 52 tackles with seven passes broken up. Rambo is a physical player with good instincts. He also has the speed to fly around the field and get in position to make plays. If Rambo stays for his senior season and plays well, he could challenge for the first round in the 2013 draft.

Robert Lester

This season, Lester has totaled 36 tackles with three passes broken up, one forced fumble, one blocked kick and two interceptions. He has been close to a number of other potential interceptions this year. With Lester's coverage and interceptions not as strong as they were in 2010, his stock has fallen from the first round. He played well against LSU, and made an interception. Lester could follow Barron's example and return for his senior year.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Pretty sure Rambo went back.

[SOJA]

mark barron is a strong safety, but I'm sure Godfrey could move back to FS

[Jackofalltrades]

I want M Martin.

[Guest Bwood15]

Pretty sure Rambo went back.

Did he? The sit I was checking out must not have been updated my B.

Anyone know where I could find an updated prospect ranking list?

[rayzor]

yeah, rambo is going back.

my dream for next year is honey badger in the first and rambo in the 2nd.

toughest secondary in the world.

[Guest Bwood15]

yeah, rambo is going back.

my dream for next year is honey badger in the first and rambo in the 2nd.

toughest secondary in the world.

That would be insane. Honey Badger would be so sick but we gotta think about this draft.

[Riverboat Ron]

I want M Martin.

Why would we want a 53 year old NASCAR driver??? :confused:

[Guest Bwood15]

I want M Martin.

I do too, he's a great leader as well. He's someone we need to target in the 2nd round.

[HeatCheck]

Pretty sure Lester went back as well.

Iloka from Boise in the later rounds as always been a target of mine.

And Honey Badger is overrated.

[Jackofalltrades]

I do too, he's a great leader as well. He's someone we need to target in the 2nd round.

Martin reminds me of TD, but in the secodary. Not a guy you want to meet catching a pass over the middle.

[rayzor]

That would be insane. Honey Badger would be so sick but we gotta think about this draft.

why does it have to be this draft that we address it? why does it have to be the draft?

see if we can pick up a decent one in FA to compete w/ martin, hope that wilks can coach up the guys we have, and focus on upgrading the Dline this year.

[rayzor]

Pretty sure Lester went back as well.

Iloka from Boise in the later rounds as always been a target of mine.

And Honey Badger is overrated.

honey badger don't care what you think.

i like iloka, though.

[Guest Bwood15]

Martin reminds me of TD, but in the secodary. Not a guy you want to meet catching a pass over the middle.

If I believe correctly it was TD who was drafted and played his rookie season as a safety.