Tale Of The Tape: Free Safety

[KendrickPanther]

The discussion about our secondary has got me interested in the comparison of Sherrod Martin and Haruki Nakamura. Our fanbase is so upset with Martin's performance that we have all anointed Nakamura a great player. Are we being irrational because of our sports hate? Let's try to compare.

Sherrod Martin: 6'1" 198lb. Drafted in 2009 59th overall Age: 27

Combine:

40yard Dash: 4.52

Bench: 12

Vertical: 36"

Broad: 123"

3 Cone: 6.60

20yrd Shuttle: 3.98

60 yrd Shuttle: 11.17

Games: 47

Tackles: 176

Pass Defensed: 17

Int: 7

Forced Fumble: 5

Fumble Recovery: 1

Playoff Games: 0

Haruki Nakamura: 5'10" 200lb. Drafted in 2008 206th overall Age: 26

Pro Day(usually better times than combine):

40yard Dash: 4.55

Bench: 20

Vertical: 34.5"

Broad: 120"

3 Cone: 6.93

20yrd Shuttle: 4.33

60 yrd Shuttle: N/A

Games: 56

Tackles: 52

Pass Defensed: 3

Int: 0

Forced Fumble: 1

Fumble Recovery: 0

Playoff Games: 4

Playoff Tackles: 8

Playoff Pass Defensed: 1

Playoff Int: 1

Playoff Sacks: 1

-------------------

The stat I would love to see is number of plays played. I know Haruki has largely been a backup. He looks like a stronger guy that plays hard and wraps up on tackles. His speed is good but not elite. He doesn't have Sherrod's height or leaping ability. To me Haruki is inferior in every way except possibly heart and effort. We know Sherrod has the talent but he didn't commit himself when tackling or got beat in coverage.

Also I don't buy the Ed Reed angle. I've seen people sit here and say Nakamura has been learning from Ed Reed so he will be a great player. He might be a great player but it won't be Ed Reed's doing. Did Peyton Manning make Curtis Painter a Pro Bowler? Did Brett Favre develop Aaron Rodgers?

[rayzor]

Our fanbase is so upset with Martin's performance that we have all anointed Nakamura a great player.

it is? we have? a great player?

lol

[Argus Plexus]

My God we actually went a season without seeing Brett Favre, better duck for pigs.

[PhillyB]

I dont know of very many people anointing nakamura in any sense. He is usually brought up in the context of Martin sucking, so that any mention of nakamura starting is usually coupled with the idea that he certainly couldn't be any worse.

Jury's still out and will be probably until preseason.

[davos]

tale of the stat sheet...not tape :)

[KendrickPanther]

I posted the "tape" It's a boxing term for measurables. Not a YouTube link.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Can't compare one with the other when the playing time isn't right.

Martin has started and was not behind Ed Reed. Nakamura has been productive on defense and special teams. Another facet of the game where you've seemed to neglected to mention.

[pantherclaw]

Martin proved his rookie season, that he can play.

Last ywar was certainly a disappointment, not only with him, but the whole secondary except for Gamble, whom had a bounce back year from his previous season.

Ever since we got a new secondary coach, I've been waiting to see what he can do with the talent we have, not just Martin.

We haven't even hit preseason, and most huddles have writtrn Martin off.

If the new secondary coach is any good, we should see an improvement throughout our secondary. If we get a good, consistent pass rush, I feel most fans will be shocked with how much better our secondary will be.

Season hasn't even begun ... Patience.

[davos]

I posted the "tape" It's a boxing term for measurables. Not a YouTube link.

I'm talkin bout vhs biatch

[KillerKat]

You see, there's also this guy named Reggie Smith. So convenient for you to leave him out since he has a stronger case.

[PantherPhann89]

Interesting stats, but I think that Martin's biggest stat that he will need to improve on is building Rivera's confidence in him.

[rayzor]

Sherrod Martin: 6'1" 198lb. Drafted in 2009 59th overall Age: 27

Combine:

40yard Dash: 4.52

Bench: 12

Vertical: 36"

Broad: 123"

3 Cone: 6.60

20yrd Shuttle: 3.98

60 yrd Shuttle: 11.17

Games: 47

Tackles: 176

Pass Defensed: 17

Int: 7

Forced Fumble: 5

Fumble Recovery: 1

Playoff Games: 0

Haruki Nakamura: 5'10" 200lb. Drafted in 2008 206th overall Age: 26

Pro Day(usually better times than combine):

40yard Dash: 4.55

Bench: 20

Vertical: 34.5"

Broad: 120"

3 Cone: 6.93

20yrd Shuttle: 4.33

60 yrd Shuttle: N/A

Games: 56

Tackles: 52

Pass Defensed: 3

Int: 0

Forced Fumble: 1

Fumble Recovery: 0

Playoff Games: 4

Playoff Tackles: 8

Playoff Pass Defensed: 1

Playoff Int: 1

Playoff Sacks: 1

-------------------

pretty much none of this is going to matter in training camp or in the season.

only people looking at this are people making threads and people getting sucked into reading said threads.

[rayzor]

You see, there's also this guy named Reggie Smith. So convenient for you to leave him out since he has a stronger case.

i keep on forgetting about him in the discussion but mainly because his name isn't really all that interesting.

[iamhubby1]

Martin is another one of those 3rd year players. Maybe this will be his year. He has the talent. Maybe a full off season of solid teaching will help mold that talent into a skilled player. I would hate to think he has not worked his butt off this year to prove he deserves that starters spot. IMO, it is his to lose.

Anyway it goes, we at least have some depth.

On a side note. Some have speculated on what kind of schemes Rivera is looking to run. IMO, If you can think it, he may run it. My personal favorite. 4 linemen, 4 backers, 2 CBs, and a safety. Or a 2-4-5 in nickle situations. I see so many posibilities it is damm near mind boggling. But then again, that could just be me. Afterall, I did live throught the sixties.

New secondary coach. A full offseason to grow. Actually competition. Sounds like improvement to me.

I am glad I live within walking distance to training camp. Cuz this shiz is going to be crazy fun.