2010 NFL Season Player Ratings: Safeties

Hello SAI readers! As promised today I am giving you my rankings of the top 5 Safeties for this 2010 NFL season.

1. Troy Polamalu

In my opinion, this is another case where the number one player at the position is miles ahead of everyone else. Polamalu does things on the field that no other safety has ever done. Off the top of your head how many safeties can you thing of that consistently make plays to swing games in his team's favor? This week's pick-six off Carson Palmer and the strip-sack against Joe Flacco in week 13 both stand out. He is one of the best at reading the QB and covers more field than any other player in the league.

2. LaRon Landry

Landry falls into that coveted "Beast" category. Landry is a terrific tackler and excels in breaking up would-be catches. It is really tragic that Landry is wallowing on the worst defense in the NFL of the Washington Redskins. There are several other safeties that have better statistical numbers, but few that make as many significant plays.

3. Michael Griffin

Playing on the Titans in what was, earlier in the season, one of the better defenses in the league Griffin is filling out the stat sheet very well. He is third in tackles out of all defensive backs with 90 tackles. He has also recorded 13 pass defenses, 4 INTs, 1 FF, and 1 FR. Through week 14 in just his fourth season he has 15 more tackles already than any previous season.

4. Kerry Rhodes

Rhodes is a another player that is having a very nice statistical season for a bad defense on a terrible team. The Cardinals are 29th in the league in total defense, but Rhodes has been one of the lone bright spots so far this season. He has 74 tackles, 15 pass defenses (2nd in the league for safeties behind Polamalu), and 4 INTs. He has also recovered 3 fumbles and returned two of them for touchdowns. I understand a lot of situational luck is involved in that, but still.

5. Charles Godfrey

I know, I know, another good safety on a bad team. It's not my fault though! The good statistical defenses this year have not had outstanding play from their safeties. Godfrey, however, has put up significant numbers for the lowly Panthers. 72 tackles, 12 PDs, 5 INTs, and 1 FF. In his 3rd season out of Iowa Godfrey is definitely having a break out year.

Honorable Mentions: Donte Whitner, TJ Ward, Tyvon Branch

Thanks for reading. Check back next time and I will finish up this year's rankings with Cornerbacks.